What Is a Graduation Hood, and Do You Actually Need One?
An academic hood isn't something you pull over your head —it's a visual resume of your degree, draped over your shoulders. If you're walking for a master's or doctorate, you almost certainly need one. If you're earning a bachelor's, you probably don't.
Here's exactly what it represents and how to know for sure.
What Does a Graduation Hood Represent?
Four parts of the hood carry meaning:
Velvet trim: Your academic discipline or field of study — for example, Light Blue for Education, Drab for Business, or Gold for Science.
Chevron: The V-shaped panel inside the hood, shown in your university's secondary color — it pairs with the lining to display your school's full color scheme.
Lining: Your university's primary official color.
Shell: The outer black fabric. A master's hood runs about 3.5 feet long; a doctoral hood is closer to 4 feet, with wider velvet panels.
That's why two graduates in identical black gowns can have completely different-looking hoods.
Want the full breakdown of every discipline color — including commonly confused ones like Ed.D. vs. Ph.D.? We've built a complete hood color reference guide for exactly that.
Do You Actually Need One?
Degree Level | Hood Commonly Worn? | What to Do |
Bachelor's | Rarely | Check your school's requirements — most bachelor's ceremonies skip the hood |
Master's | Yes (Standard) | Confirm your degree and hood colors |
Doctoral | Yes (Essential) | Confirm your doctoral regalia requirements |
Your university's official guidelines always take priority over general convention — some bachelor's programs do require a hood, so check before assuming.
What to Check Before You Order
Your exact degree title
Your university or college
Your required velvet (discipline) color
Your university's lining and chevron colors
Whether your school requires custom or specific regalia
Whether a hood is required at all for your ceremony
Getting these six details right before you order means you're not stuck reordering — or stuck with a non-refundable bookstore mistake — the week of graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a graduation hood for a bachelor's degree?
Usually not — most bachelor's ceremonies only require a cap, gown, and tassel. Some schools are the exception, so check your specific requirements.
What does the color of my hood mean?
The velvet trim represents your academic discipline. See our complete color guide for the full reference chart by field of study.
What's the chevron on a hood for?
It's the V-shaped panel inside the hood that displays your university's secondary color, working alongside the lining to show your school's full color scheme.
Do master's and doctoral hoods look different?
Yes — doctoral hoods run about half a foot longer with wider velvet panels than master's hoods.
Why Grads Order Their Hood From Cappe Diem
University bookstores routinely mark up regalia far beyond what it costs to make — and rentals are often non-refundable if you get the color wrong. Cappe Diem builds hoods to the exact intercollegiate code — correct velvet, lining, and chevron for your degree — at a fraction of the price, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee and 3–5 day shipping.
Not sure which colors match your degree? Talk to a regalia consultant — free, and takes five minutes.
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