Commencement Regalia

Proper Decorum for a MSMC Graduate

Cap and Gown

All graduates and those receiving certificates must wear a black graduation gown, black cap, and the appropriate academic hood. These can be ordered in your home campus bookstore or online via the Josten's Website.*

*Shipping fees apply when you order online

Cap and gowns will be available for pre-purchase in the bookstore starting:

Associate in Arts, Weekend & Graduate Programs: February 9^th*

Bachelors in Art & Science: February 11^th *

(*We recommend pre-purchasing your cap and gown, as sizes are first come, first served. All Graduate Programs MUST pre-order their cap and gowns. Any items pre-ordered after April 1st will be charged a late fee. See your home campus bookstore for more information.)

Caps and Gowns will be available for IN STORE purchase beginning Monday, March 11.

Commencement Regalia Pricing

**Tassels should be worn on the right side of the face, and passed to the left after the conferring of your degree.

Academic Hoods

Baccalaureate and associate degree graduates should wear their academic hoods through the procession. Master and doctoral students will carry their hoods during the procession and be hooded during the conferring of their degree.

*Please be sure to note your major when ordering your hood! Your degree will be reflected by the color of the felt on your hood. See the table below to determine what color the felt on your hood will be.**The Associate in Arts hood does not have a felt outer lining.

Click here to see how to wear the academic hood

Academic Honor Cords

Undergraduate students graduating with honors (cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher) will be invited to either Laurel Awards (Doheny), Mary's Day (Chalon), or the Weekend College Reception, where they will receive their honor cords. If you are not able to attend the event, you may speak with your academic dean to receive the cords.

Graduates MAY wear the following Academic Honors

• Purple Honor Cords signifying graduation with honors at the baccalaureate level
• Gold Double Honor Cords signifying completion of the honors certificate
• President's Medal
• Brady Award Medal
• Sister Rebecca Doan Award Medal
• Le Puy Award Medal
• Sister Dolorosa Alumnae Award
• Carrie Estelle Doheny Medal
• Nursing Pin

Ornamentation

Graduation protocol says that NO ORNAMENTATION may be worn on academic attire. Caps are not to be decorated. Flowers, leis, stoles, or outer jewelry are NOT to be worn during the ceremony, only President's Awards and Academic Honors Cords given at Mary's Day or Laurel Day. All must comply. Inappropriate items WILL BE removed prior to procession.

• Flower or candy leis
• Decorated graduation caps
• Corsage or boutonniere
• Stoles of any kind
• Jewelry pinned to the gown (except nursing pin)
• Signs 

Questions about cap and gown ordering? Please e-mail: dohenybookstore@msmc.la.edu or chalonbookstore@msmc.la.edu 

Questions about Commencement?  Please e-mail: commencement@msmc.la.edu