The academic regalia worn during the installation ceremony can be traced back to the Middle Ages when European scholars wore hoods and gowns as part of their daily dress. In the United States, where academic tradition draws heavily from European customs, most scholars continued to wear robes during their studies up until the start of the Civil War. Since then, the donning of the regalia has been reserved for formal ceremonies, namely inauguration, academic convocation and commencement.

 

Modern-day regalia are typically made up of three parts, the gown, the hood and the cap.   The gowns for the three levels of degrees are mainly distinguished by the sleeve length and cut. Bachelor’s gowns have long, pointed sleeves while the sleeves of the master’s gowns are oblong with a square cut in the back and an arc cut away in front. The gowns worn by doctoral graduates have bell-shaped sleeves with velvet cross bars and velvet trim down the front.

 

The hood indicates the degree- granting institution, the degree attained and the discipline to which the degree pertains.   It is lined with the official color or colors of the college or university. Bachelor’s degree hoods are three feet long with a two-inch border. Master’s degree hoods are three-and-a-half-feet long with a three-inch border. Doctor’s degree hoods are four feet long with a five-inch border. The border is indicative of the subject to which the degree pertains.

 

Members of the processional usually wear the regalia for the highest degree earned. Members of a college or university’s governing body may wear doctoral robes, but with hoods that represent their own highest degree earned.