August 7, 2022
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Academic costume

All graduates must wear the proper academic regalia to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Undergraduate and master's caps and gowns may be purchased from the Ohio State Bookstore and other campus area bookstores.  

PhD caps and gowns may be purchased or rented at Ohio State Bookstores only. PhD regalia purchase orders must be placed at the Ohio State Bookstore by 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 24. PhD regalia rental orders must be placed at the Ohio State Bookstore by 4:30 p.m., Thursday, July 7. The fee is due at the time the order is placed.


A special note on attire:

  • Dress appropriately for the day and the occasion. Weather in Columbus can be unpredictable, so please be aware of the forecast and plan to dress comfortably under you academic regalia.
  • Be mindful of your footwear. Most graduate seating will be in the stands and require the use of stairs. We recommend that you choose comfortable footwear, and discourage shoes with high or narrow heels, tall platforms or wedges.

The gown

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 and Doctor of Musical Arts 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.

Honors emblem

The Ohio State University honors emblem is a scarlet and gray tasseled braid 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 emblem through their college office.

The hood

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.

Cap and tassel

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
(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

Summer Commencement 2022

August 7, 2022
Schottenstein Center