Academic Costume

The tradition of the academic costume or “regalia” can be traced to the 12th century when gowns and hoods served a distinct purpose for scholars working in unheated buildings. Over the years, gowns and hoods have become indicative of scholarly activities and credentials.

The widespread use of the costume grew so rapidly during the 19th century, that it was often difficult to discern which costumes represented the various degrees. In 1894, an intercollegiate system was established to determine the style, design and colors of the gowns and hoods.

Today, the shape and size of the hood, and the colors of its lining and border, represent the highest degree held by the wearer, the subject studied, and the school by which the degree was conferred. The hood’s velvet border represents the graduate’s field of study: medicine – green; science – yellow; education – light blue; social work –citron; library science – lemon; dentistry – lilac; nursing – apricot; philosophy – dark blue; physical therapy – teal; and public health – salmon.

The official colors of the State University of New York Upstate Medical University are blue and gold. The hood’s interior is treated as an inverted shield, lined with dark blue, and bearing a gold chevron. Upstate Medical University tradition requires green mortarboard tassels for MD recipients and blue for PhD recipients. In accordance with national custom, bachelor’s and master’s degree recipients, faculty members, and guests wear black tassels, while doctoral faculty, trustees, and guests wear gold.