Today, American graduates in law, medicine, and philosophy still wear rounded caps, but undergraduates have firmly claimed the square cap—often called a mortarboard since they resemble the square tray bricklayers use when applying mortar.
In this post
Why do graduates wear a cap?
Academically, caps were typically worn to signify achievement in high levels of education (master’s and doctorate degrees), but have since trickled down to other levels like bachelor’s degrees, high school diplomas, and virtually any student celebrating a commencement.
Does everyone wear a hood for graduation?
All candidates for graduation are required to wear the exact academic regalia for their degree (gown, cap, hood, and tassel).
Do graduates keep the cap and gown?
Most graduates keep only the tassel from their hat, tossing the cap and gown as soon as the ceremony ends. More than 5 million gowns wind up in landfills every year, adding to the plastic waste stream and causing great harm to the environment.
Why do graduates get hooded?
The Hooding Ceremony is a special recognition ceremony for masters or doctoral degree candidates. During the ceremony, a faculty member places the doctoral hood over the head of the graduate, signifying their success in completing the graduate program.
Why do only female graduates wear caps?
Like many other traditions in Ireland, the Catholic church had some influence over this social norm. Men are expected to remove hats in places of worship, as a mark of respect and to avoid “dishonouring” his head, while women are required to remain covered during acts of worship.
Why do some undergraduates wear hoods?
Many people wonder why bachelor’s degree graduates wear only a cap and gown at graduation as opposed to the hood. The hood is only worn by those completing advanced studies in most schools which is why it is a way to show honor and distinction from the rest of the graduating class.
Who gets hooded at graduation?
The Hooding Ceremony is an event whereby recognition is given for those graduating with master or doctoral degrees. Candidates for the hooding ceremony will be full recipients of their masters or doctorates at the graduation ceremonies.
What should I wear for graduation?
A sundress, conservative mini dress, or summery midi dress would be perfect. Graduation parties that are hosted by the school, a club, or a sorority/fraternity are usually slightly more formal events. Always check for the dress code on the invitation, but business professional dress is a safe choice.
Do bachelors students wear hoods?
The length of the hood worn for the bachelor’s degree must be three feet, for the master’s degree three and one-half feet, and for the doctoral degree, four feet.
Do you have to wear a graduation gown?
“Graduation is a ceremonial event and we encourage all of our graduates to wear full academic dress – a gown, hood and mortar board. You don’t have to, but most graduates do and it is one of the things that makes graduation such a special day.”
What do you wear under your graduation gown?
Women are best wearing either dress pants or a shorter skirt underneath the gown, while men should choose khakis or dark-colored dress pants. Avoid brightly coloured bottoms if you choose to wear dress pants or a longer skirt, as they can be seen below the hem of the gown and stick to darker colours.
Do diploma graduates wear hats?
You must wear an academic gown and a neckband. Diploma candidates do not wear a cap.
What do different graduation hoods mean?
You use the hood and color that represents your highest ranking degree (with Doctoral as highest, Masters as second highest, Bachelors as third highest, and Associate as the lowest). If you have two different degrees at the same highest ranking degree, you generally use the most recently awarded degree as your hood.
What is the difference between a stole and a hood?
Academic Hoods And Stoles
An academic hood is worn over your shoulders and drapes down your back. In comparison, a graduation stole is worn over your shoulders also, but the lengths of colour drape down your front and the stole sits on either side of your chest.
Why do men not wear hats at graduation?
Tradition called for men to remove headgear indoors as a sign of respect, as these items were functional and often identified the wearer’s role in society: the soldier, the policeman, the clergyman.
What is it called when you throw your graduation cap in the air?
The tradition of throwing the mortarboard — named for its resemblance to a tool used by masons to hold mortar and made fashionable in the 14th and 15th centuries by artists and students — started at the Naval Academy in 1912.
What is the proper name for a graduation cap?
mortarboard hat
Students of all ages are attending commencements from their couches and accepting virtual diplomas over Zoom meeting screens. Despite the pandemic, however, one tradition has persisted—the square graduation cap, commonly known as a mortarboard hat. (Related: Why 2020 graduates face a graduation like no other.)
Can a family member hood you?
All graduating PharmD students may designate a “special hooder” to hood them onstage during their Hooding Ceremony. This should be someone who influenced you to study pharmacy or was impactful during your time as a student, such as a preceptor, professor, mentor, or family member.
Can I wear jeans to graduation?
Clothes that are too formal, or not formal enough, will make you feel out of place when you should feel relaxed. Wearing jeans to your college graduation probably isn’t a smart choice, but a ball gown isn’t quite right, either. Aim for business or business casual for the ceremony.
Are you supposed to bring flowers to graduation?
Flowers are also a thoughtful choice—it’s tradition to present the graduate with a corsage or boutonnière prior to the graduation ceremony, or a bouquet of flowers afterwards.