Are All PhD Hoods Blue? The Official Guide to Doctoral Regalia Colors

So, are all PhD hoods blue? It’s a great question, and the answer gets to the heart of academic tradition.

While it might seem like a simple yes or no, the truth is a little more nuanced. The specific hood for a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is always trimmed in dark blue velvet, no matter the graduate's field of study. That specific shade of blue is the universal symbol for the Ph.D. degree itself.

Why The Confusion? The PhD vs. Other Doctorates

The confusion pops up because people often use "doctorate" and "Ph.D." as if they mean the same thing. But a Ph.D. is just one type of doctorate. There are many others, often called professional or applied doctorates, and each of those uses a different color to represent its specific field.

For example, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) wears a light blue velvet, while a Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) is designated by scarlet. This color-coding system is part of the Academic Costume Code, which helps everyone in the audience identify a graduate’s specific degree at a glance. So, while a Ph.D. hood is always dark blue, the broader world of doctoral hoods is a whole rainbow of colors.

A Quick History of the Blue PhD Hood

Interestingly, this standardization of dark blue for the Ph.D. is a fairly modern academic tradition. The big change came in 1986 when the American Council on Education updated the Academic Costume Code.

Before then, it was common for Ph.D. hoods to use the color of the specific discipline—a Ph.D. in Engineering might have worn orange, for instance. The 1986 update officially reserved dark blue for the Doctor of Philosophy, creating the uniformity we see today. Other professional doctorates, however, kept their field-specific colors.

The key takeaway is simple: Dark blue velvet is reserved exclusively for the Ph.D. degree itself. Other doctoral degrees will have different velvet colors corresponding to their respective fields of study.

Whether you're getting ready for your own walk across the stage or just want to understand the ceremony, knowing this difference is the first step. It helps you appreciate the rich symbolism woven into every piece of academic regalia, from a classic doctoral tam and gown to a brightly colored master's graduation hood.

PhD vs Other Doctoral Hood Colors at a Glance

To make it even clearer, here’s a quick comparison of the velvet trim colors for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree versus other common professional doctorates.

As you can see, the dark blue of the Ph.D. is just one of many colors you’ll find on graduation day, each telling its own unique story of academic achievement.

Understanding the Anatomy of Your Academic Hood

So, how can the answer to "are all PhD hoods blue?" be both yes and no? It all comes down to the story your academic hood tells. Think of it as a coat of arms for your education; every color, every fabric, and every inch has a very specific meaning. Once you break it down, you'll see a fascinating system that reveals a graduate's entire academic journey in a single glance.

Every academic hood has three key parts working together. If you want to decode the regalia you see at a commencement ceremony, you just need to know what to look for.

The Shell: The Foundation of the Hood

First up is the shell. This is the black fabric that makes up the main body of the hood. It’s usually cut from the same cloth as the graduation gown, providing a simple, formal foundation that lets the other, more colorful elements pop.

But its job isn't just to look good. The length of the shell immediately signals the wearer's academic level. A doctoral hood is the longest, measuring in at four feet, while a master's hood is a bit shorter at three and a half feet. That subtle difference is the first clue to their academic standing.

Want to learn more? We break down all the components in our guide on what a hood for graduation is.

The Satin Lining: Your School's Colors

Next, you'll see the satin lining, which is easily the most eye-catching part of the hood. When you wear it, the lining is folded outward to show off the official colors of the university that granted your degree. This is where your school gets to fly its colors, literally.

If you graduated from a university whose colors are blue and gold, your hood will be lined with blue and gold satin. Sometimes it’s a simple split, and other times it's arranged in a classic pattern like a chevron.

This lining is your institutional identity. It answers the question, "Where did you earn your degree?" and connects you directly to your alma mater’s unique heritage and community. It’s a powerful symbol of institutional pride shared among all its graduates.

The Velvet Trim: Your Field of Study

Finally, we get to the part that directly answers our big question: the velvet trim. This is the colored band of fabric that edges the entire hood, and its color signifies your specific academic discipline as laid out in the Intercollegiate Code. This is where the famous dark blue for a Ph.D. comes from.

It’s this velvet trim that distinguishes a Doctor of Philosophy (dark blue) from a Doctor of Education (light blue) or a Doctor of Fine Arts (brown). Sometimes, universities add even more detail, like an embroidered crest. If you're curious about how those fine details are added, you can learn more about what embroidery entails.

Together, these three parts—the shell, lining, and trim—tell the complete story of your academic achievement.

The Color Code of Academic Achievement

Ever wonder why an academic hood has so many different colors? It's not just for decoration. Each color tells a specific part of a graduate's story, representing both what they studied and where they studied. Think of it as a visual resume you wear on graduation day.

This system is elegantly simple. One set of colors represents your academic discipline, while the other showcases your alma mater. Let's break down how it works.

Velvet Trim: Your Academic Identity

The most visible color on the hood is the velvet trim, the band of fabric that borders the outer edge. This color is a universal code, instantly telling everyone your specific field of study. It’s a language understood at nearly every college and university across the United States.

This is where the dark blue color for the PhD comes from. It specifically represents the Doctor of Philosophy degree, regardless of the subject. But the academic world is a colorful place, and so is the velvet trim.

• Light Blue points to the field of Education.
• Golden Yellow shines for the Sciences.
• Drab (a light brownish-tan) is for Business and Accounting.
• Purple signifies the discipline of Law.

This velvet band allows anyone in the audience—from a proud grandparent to a fellow academic—to recognize a graduate's area of expertise at a single glance. For a deeper dive into the full spectrum of colors, check out our complete guide to doctoral hood colors.

Satin Lining: Your Institutional Identity

While the velvet trim shows what you learned, the satin lining proudly displays where you learned it. This is the part of the hood that’s folded out over the graduate’s back, revealing the official school colors of the degree-granting university.

A graduate from the University of Michigan, for example, will have a hood lined in maize and blue. Someone from Ohio State University will display scarlet and gray. This part of the hood is a powerful symbol of school pride, connecting each graduate to their unique academic community and heritage.

The diagram below shows exactly how the different parts of the hood—the shell, the lining, and the trim—all work together.

As you can see, every piece of the hood has a specific job to do in communicating the graduate’s journey.

The dual-color system is brilliant in its simplicity: The velvet trim represents your personal academic field, while the satin lining signifies your collective institutional family. Together, they create a complete picture of your achievement.

Common Academic Disciplines and Their Velvet Colors

To help you visualize this system, here is a quick reference table showing some of the most common fields of study and the velvet colors assigned to them by the Intercollegiate Code. This guide is a great starting point for identifying disciplines during a commencement ceremony.

While this table covers many common disciplines, the full list is even more extensive. Remember that the Ph.D. itself is always represented by Dark Blue, regardless of the graduate's specific research area.

This system, however, isn't always set in stone, especially at the master's level. For example, Texas State University uses gold for a Master's in Anthropology, brown for Creative Writing, and white for Geography. When you consider there are over 4,000 degree-granting institutions in the U.S., you can imagine how diverse the spectrum of hood colors can get. It’s always a good idea to confirm your school's specific requirements.

The History Behind Your Graduation Regalia

The cap, gown, and hood you wear on graduation day aren’t just for show—they’re part of a tradition that goes all the way back to the first universities in medieval Europe. Think 12th-century halls with no central heating; those long gowns and hoods were originally just practical, everyday wear to keep scholars warm.

Since the earliest universities were closely linked with the church, academic attire looked a lot like clerical robes. Over time, what started as functional clothing became a powerful symbol, setting scholars apart from everyone else and signaling their level of academic achievement. But for centuries, there was no real system, which led to a confusing mix of styles and colors from one school to the next.

The Intercollegiate Code Brings Order

Things started to get organized in the late 19th century. In 1895, representatives from several American universities met to create the Intercollegiate Code of Academic Costume, finally bringing some much-needed consistency to graduation ceremonies. This code set the standards for gown styles, cap shapes, and—most importantly for our discussion—the meaning behind the colors on academic hoods.

This new system assigned specific colors to different fields of study, creating a visual language of academic success. Suddenly, you could tell a graduate's degree level and discipline just by looking at their regalia.

The Intercollegiate Code was the moment American academic regalia went from a jumble of local customs to a cohesive, meaningful system. It's the foundation for the traditions we still follow at commencements today.

A Defining Moment for PhD Hood Colors

Even with the code, it took a while for everyone to get on the same page. American schools had been adapting European traditions for years, and by the late 20th century, over 500 colleges had their own unique color schemes.

The big change came in 1986 (and was confirmed in 1987), when a decision was made to standardize the color for the Doctor of Philosophy. From that point on, dark blue velvet was designated for all Ph.D. hoods, no matter the specific discipline. You can dive deeper into the timeline of academic regalia in our guide.

This update established the universal standard we recognize today, making the Ph.D. one of the most distinguished and easily identifiable degrees. Knowing this history adds another layer of significance to your own ceremony, connecting you to a long line of scholars who have walked this path before you.

How to Find Your University's Regalia Requirements

While the Intercollegiate Code gives us a great starting point for academic dress, almost every university adds its own unique spin. Think of it as a family tradition—each school has its own way of doing things. Before you buy anything, it's absolutely crucial to check your institution's specific rules.

Taking a few minutes to verify the details now can save you a world of last-minute stress. After all, you want to make sure your regalia perfectly honors your school's heritage on your big day.

Your first and best bet is always the university’s official commencement website. This is the central hub for all things graduation, and it's almost always the most current source for regalia guidelines.

Look for a dedicated page or an FAQ section about academic dress. This is where you'll find the nitty-gritty details: the specific school colors for the hood's lining and the correct velvet color for your particular degree. You'll also find out about any special items the school allows, like custom graduation stoles or honor cords.

Your Step-by-Step Verification Checklist

Can't find what you need on the website? Don't sweat it. There are a few other reliable places to turn. Just run through this checklist, and you’ll have all the info you need before placing your order.

1. Check the Graduate School Handbook: Most graduate schools or even individual departments publish detailed handbooks. These often cover everything from dissertation formatting to commencement protocols, including the exact regalia you'll need.
2. Contact the Registrar's Office: The registrar is the keeper of all official student records and graduation logistics. A quick email or phone call to their office can clear up any confusion in a hurry.
3. Consult Your Department Administrator: The administrative staff in your department are unsung heroes. They’ve helped countless students navigate this exact process and will know the precise requirements for your specific degree.

Remember, while the question "are all PhD hoods blue?" has a standard answer (yes, for the Doctor of Philosophy degree itself), your university's specific lining colors are what make your hood yours. Getting these details right is what makes your regalia a perfect symbol of your accomplishment.

Once you’ve confirmed your school’s official colors and the correct velvet trim for your degree, you're ready to order with total confidence. Whether you’re getting a full doctoral regalia set or outfitting an entire department, having the right specs makes the whole process a breeze.

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

As you get ready for graduation, a few practical questions about academic dress always come up. Let’s clear up some of the most common ones so you can feel confident and prepared for your big day.

What's the Difference Between a Master's Hood and a Doctoral Hood?

Think of it as a matter of seniority. The doctoral hood is the bigger, more prominent of the two, reflecting the highest level of academic achievement. It measures four feet long and has a plush, five-inch velvet trim.

The master's hood is a bit more modest. It comes in at three and a half feet long and features a narrower three-inch velvet border. Both are impressive, but the distinctions make it easy to spot who’s who in the academic procession.

Can I Wear a Stole with My Hood?

Absolutely! It’s very common to wear both. Stoles are a fantastic way to showcase specific achievements or affiliations, like membership in an honor society, a study abroad experience, or your cultural heritage.

Just remember the order: the stole goes on first, draping over your gown. Then, you place the hood on top of it.

How Do I Actually Wear My Hood?

Putting on a hood can feel awkward at first, but it's simple once you get the hang of it. Place the hood over your head so it drapes down your back with the velvet side facing up. The V-shaped part should sit comfortably at the front of your neck, with the velvet trim framing your face.

Now for the magic trick: to show off your school’s colors, you'll need to flip the satin lining out at the back. It helps to have a friend assist with this part to make sure the colors pop!

Pro Tip: Look for a small loop at the front of your hood. It’s designed to hook onto a button on your shirt or a special loop on your gown, which is the secret to keeping it from choking you or sliding off your shoulders.

Why Do All the Professors Have Different Regalia?

Ever noticed the rainbow of colors in the faculty section during commencement? It’s not random. Professors wear the regalia from the university where they earned their own highest degree—their alma mater.

That beautiful variety you see is a visual celebration of their diverse academic journeys. The different velvet colors represent their fields of study, while the satin linings display the colors of the hundreds of unique institutions they came from.

No matter where you are on your academic path, having the right regalia is a huge part of making graduation feel special. At Gradshop, we've got everything from high school caps and gowns to the most distinguished doctoral regalia, making sure every graduate can celebrate their achievement in style.