Undergraduate and master’s caps and gowns may be purchased from the Ohio State Bookstore and other campus area bookstores. Online orders through oakhallcg.com/pages/theohiostateuniversity will be accepted through TBD.
A special note on attire
Weather in Columbus can be unpredictable, so please be aware of the forecast and plan to dress comfortably under you academic regalia.
All graduate seating is in the stands and requires the use of stairs. We recommend that you choose comfortable footwear, and discourage shoes with high or narrow heels, tall platforms or wedges.
Bachelor
The bachelor gown is black, full-cut with long pointed sleeves.
Master
The master gown is black, with long or short sleeves, an arc-shaped panel extending from each sleeve.
Doctor
The Ohio State University Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Musical Arts, Doctor of Education and Doctor of Nursing Practice gowns are scarlet with gray velvet panels on the front and three velvet bars on each sleeve. Other doctor gowns are black with velvet panels and bars, the color of which is distinctive of the field of study.
The Ohio State University honors emblem is a scarlet and gray tasseled braid (honor cord) worn over the gown. Students eligible for this curricular honor are those graduating summa cum laude, manga cum laude, and cum laude. At the discretion of their college, students graduating with distinction or with honors may also be eligible. Graduates meeting these criteria receive the honors cord through their college office--contact your advising office to learn how to pick up the honors emblem.
Master
Three-and-one-half feet long with a three-inch-wide velvet edging.
Doctor
Four feet in length with a five-inch-wide velvet edging and panel at the sides.
The lining of all hoods, which is folded out, bears the official colors of the institution granting the degree. The color of the velvet indicates the degree being earned and generally reflects the field of study.
Wear the tassel on the left side of your cap.
Bachelor's and master's degree candidates at The Ohio State University wear the black mortarboard with a tassel. The color is distinctive of the degree being received. Tassel colors are as follows:
Graduate School (PhD/DMA) | Gray
Graduate School (Others) | Black
Arts and Sciences, BA | White
Arts and Sciences, BA Journalism | Crimson
Arts and Sciences, BAE, BFA | Brown
Arts and Sciences, BM, BME | Pink
Arts and Sciences, BS, BS Design, BS Atmos.Sci., BS Geog. Info. Sci. | White
Fisher College of Business | Drab
Dentistry | Lilac
Education and Human Ecology, BSED | Light Blue
Education and Human Ecology, BSHPNES, BSHDFS, BSHEC, BSHM, BSNut | Maroon
Engineering | Orange
Knowlton School of Architecture | Blue-Violet
Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences | Maize
Environment and Natural Resources | Blue-Green
Moritz College of Law | Purple
Medicine | Green
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences | Green
Nursing | Apricot
Optometry | Seafoam Green
Pharmacy | Olive Green
John Glenn College of Public Affairs | Peacock Blue
Public Health | Salmon
Social Work | Citron
Veterinary Medicine | Gray