Cap & Gown

Candidates earning an associate or bachelor’s degree are required to wear the following academic regalia:

• Black gown

• Black cap

• Black and gold tassel

An optional white NKU Stole of Gratitude is also available for purchase at an additional cost.

Master’s degree candidates are required to wear the following academic regalia:

• Black master’s gown

• Black cap

• Tassel and hood in the color corresponding to your field of study (see listing below)

An optional white NKU Stole of Gratitude is also available for purchase at an additional cost.

Graduates who are earning both a certificate(s) and an undergraduate or graduate degree should wear the regalia for their degree as described above. Students earning an undergraduate certificate only should wear regular undergraduate regalia: black gown, black cap and black/gold tassel. Students earning a graduate certificate only should wear their regalia from their highest earned degree. 

An optional NKU stole of gratitude is also available for an additional cost.

Doctoral regalia must be specially ordered in advance. Doctoral candidates will receive notification from their program director with order and pricing information. 

Last day to purchase CUSTOM tailored doctoral regalia – MARCH 9 

Last day to purchase non-custom doctoral regalia ("Keeper") at the NKU Bookstore – APRIL 7

 

Collge of Arts and Sciences

• English – White

• Industrial-Organizational Psychology – Old Gold

• Integrative Studies – White

• Public Administration – Peacock Blue

• Public History – White

   

College of Education

• Education – Light Blue

• Education Specialist – Light Blue

• Educational Leadership – Light Blue

• Teaching – Light Blue

   

Haile College of Business

• Accountancy – Drab

• Business Administration – Drab

• Business Leadership and Innovation – Drab

• Executive Leadership – Drab

   

College of Informatics

• Business Informatics – Copper

• Communication – Copper

• Computer Information Technology – Copper

• Computer Science – Copper

• Cybersecurity – Copper

• Health Informatics – Copper

   

College of Health and Human Services

• Athletic Training – Sage Green

• Cardiovascular Perfusion – Wine

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Light Blue

• Exercise Science – Old Gold

• Health Administration – Sage Green

• Nursing – Apricot

• Occupational Therapy – Slate Blue

• School Counseling – Light Blue

• Social Work – Citron

   

College of Law

• Legal Studies – Purple

Undergraduate students who qualify for University Honors Cords may pick up their honor cords at any of the following locations:

1. Grad Fair

2. Your college dean’s office

3. Line-up area at the commencement ceremony

Important: If you do not plan to participate in commencement, please make arrangements to pick up your cords in advance.

⚠️ Master’s and doctoral candidates do not receive University Honors cords.

Cumulative GPA Requirements for University Honors

• Summa Cum Laude: 3.90 – 4.00
• Magna Cum Laude: 3.75 – 3.8999
• Cum Laude: 3.50 – 3.7499

*If your honor changes after the final semester grades have been turned in, your diploma will reflect that.  However, the commencement program will list what we have at the time of print.

 

Please contact the head of your organization, department, or club to inquire if stoles or cords will be offered. The Office of Alumni Engagement and Special Events only handles the University Academic Honors Cords.