Content Skip to content.
San Diego State University
HomeStudentsApparel
SDSU Commencement - Congratulations graduating class of 2013

woman wearing SDSU graduation cap and gownApparel

Traditional Regalia

In observance of tradition, all participants in commencement ceremonies will wear full academic regalia, consisting of a traditional gown and mortarboard with tassel. All master’s degree candidates will wear black tassels. Doctoral candidates will wear gold tassels.

Bachelor’s degree candidates’ tassels will vary in color to denote the college granting the degree:

Arts and Letters — White
Business Administration — Tan
Education — Light Blue
Engineering — Orange
Health and Human Services — Citron
Professional Studies and Fine Arts — Red and Black
Sciences — Yellow Gold
Undergraduate Studies* — White

(*Liberal Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies in three departments)

Postgraduate Candidates

Postgraduate candidates will also wear hoods lined with red and black. In addition, colored velvet stripes will indicate disciplines. The hood is worn with the long point of the shell to the rear. SDSU bachelor’s degree candidates do not wear hoods.

GradFestGradFest

Caps, gowns, tassels, hoods, medallions and the stole of gratitude will be available for purchase only at GradFest, March 26-28 from 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

It is required that you purchase an SDSU medallion on a red ribbon with your cap and gown. Extra medallions and tassels will be available for purchase.

Doctoral caps, gowns and hoods will also be available at GradFest, but for rental only. Rented  attire must be returned to the SDSU Bookstore by June 1, 2013.

For pricing information, visit the GradFest website.

Students
Apparel
Tickets
Announcements and Photography
Diplomas
Senior Class Gift
SDSU Alumni Association

Honors Designations

Graduation with honors is granted to undergraduate students who achieve high grade point averages. Excellence is recognized at three levels:

  • Cum laude (3.50-3.64)
  • Magna cum laude (3.65-3.79)
  • Summa cum laude (3.80-4.00)

For determination of eligibility, two grade point averages are computed; both must satisfy the minimum grade point average for appropriate honors designation. They are the GPA calculated on all units taken at this institution (a minimum of 24 graded units), and the overall (cumulative) grade point average (including both SDSU and transfer units).

Only summa cum laude students will be awarded an honors cord to be worn during the commencement ceremony.  Students will be notified via letter by the Office of the Provost on when and where they are to pick up the summa cum laude honors cord.