Office of the Registrar

Commencement Attire

Caps and Gowns

Appropriate caps, gowns and hoods may be rented from local bookstores or online from the myPurdue portal in the Graduation tab.  All candidates who participate in the commencement exercise must wear the appropriate academic attire.  For Associate degree candidates, academic attire is a dark gray, full-sleeved gown and cap.  Baccalaureate degree candidates wear a black baccalaureate gown and cap. Master's degree or Educational Specialist degree candidates wear a full-sleeved black master's gown and cap with an appropriately colored master's hood.  Doctoral candidates wear the appropriate gown and cap.  The doctoral hood will be carried over the candidate's left arm with the neckband on the outside.  The hood must be an appropriate doctor's hood with Purdue colors.  Any other hood, or no hood, will disqualify the candidate from participation in the exercises.

Appropriate caps, gowns, and hoods may be rented from the Follett's Purdue West Bookstore at 1-800-837-5388 or University Bookstore at 1-800-347-9618.  Delivery cannot be guaranteed for orders placed after April 6, 2012.  Orders placed after the deadline date will be billed an additional $10 late fee.

When you pick up your academic attire at the store, examine it immediately to be sure that you have the correct gown, cap, hood (if appropriate), and proper color cap tassel.  Please note that the University does not consider purchased ‘souvenir' or ‘keepsake' gowns appropriate attire for commencement.

Honor Cords

Due to the formality of our commencement ceremony, the only accessories to be worn with the traditional cap and gown are the University honor cords.  Candidates are encouraged to wear honorary society cords, cultural sashes, etc., to the school/college receptions.

University honor cords will be distributed by college/school marshals in the Armory on graduation day to those undergraduate or professional degree candidates who are candidates for graduation “with distinction” or “with highest distinction.” 

Grade Reports

Your grade reports will be available on myPurdue the Wednesday prior to graduation.