Academic Attire

Academic Attire is mandatory for all ceremonies. Masters degree recipients wear a cap and robe (no hood) and Doctoral degree recipients wear a robe, hood and a tam.

You’re All Set If You Know This


MASTERS DEGREES

 
2024 PRICING

Masters regalia is $72.

Note: This page will be updated with 2025 pricing when it becomes available. 

 

ORDERING INFORMATION
  • In-store: Attire may be purchased in February or March 2025.
  • Online: Orders may be placed online and directly shipped to the student by visiting columbia.shopoakhalli.com Note: Dates for availability TBD.
  • Online: In late March 2025, you can order at columbiabookstore.com

 

Academic Attire Lottery for Masters Grads

GSLD Academic Attire Lottery

Graduate Student Life and Development conducts a lottery for its limited supply of academic attire for Masters graduates.

 

College Events Lottery
Program Timeline

2/17/25 Academic attire lottery opens

3/7/25 Academic attire lottery closes

3/10/24 Results announced

4/21/25 Lottery attire distribution (Monday-Thursday)

4/28/25 Lottery attire distribution (Monday-Thursday)

 

LOTTERY FORM

DOCTORAL DEGREES

 
2024 PRICING

Note: This information will be updated with 2025 pricing when it becomes available. 

A full set of doctoral regalia is $198: Gown Rental, Hood Rental, Tam Purchase.

  • Hood = $40
  • Robe = $78
  • Tam = $80
PURCHASE ORDERING INFORMATION
  • Orders take up to 8 weeks to process and deliver.  
  • Grads may purchase attire anytime before March 1, 2025 to receive in time for Convocation. 
RENTAL ORDERING INFORMATION
  • Bookstore In-Store: Attire may be reserved through April 11th without incurring a late fee.  In-store pickup and ship-to-home options are available.
  • Online: Orders may be placed by visiting columbia.shopoakhalli.com. Doctoral rental attire will be available for pickup in-store beginning April 22nd,if ordered by April 11th. A ship-to-home option is not available online.

Email the bookstore at bkscolumbia@bncollege.com if you would like your order to be shipped.


Bookstore Location & Contact Information

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OFFICIAL BOOKSTORE
2922 Broadway @ 115th Street
New York, NY 10027-7004
bkscolumbia@bncollege.com
 
STORE HOURS
Mon: 10am - 7pm
Tue: 10am - 7pm
Wed: 10am - 7pm
Thu: 10am - 7pm
Fri: 10am - 7pm
Sat: 12pm - 5pm
Sun: 12pm - 5pm

Pro Tips

  • Your Masters robe is made up of approximately 25 recycled plastic water bottles (!!) and as a result, we highly advise against ironing it as it can easily burn the gowns. If you do still choose to iron it and damage the gown you will not be able to exchange it. We recommend hanging the gown in your bathroom before taking a shower or using a steamer to get out any creases or wrinkles.
  • Grads are welcome to wear stoles, cords and decorate their caps and tams.
  • For Masters and doctoral degree recipients, the tassel is worn on the left.  It does not move at any time during the ceremony.

FAQs from the CU Bookstore

The Grad Fair on Morningside Campus will be 2/27 – 2/29 from 11am – 6pm.  At the Grad Fair, we will assist you in taking your measurements and answering any questions.

Masters degree recipients wear souvenir gowns that are available for purchase and are in-stock through to 5/15/24. Doctoral attire needs to be ordered in advance and can be done as early as 2/27 at the Morningside Campus Bookstore. Masters attire can be purchased at the CU Bookstore.

Velvet colors on the hood are standardized and based on your degree. When filling out the degree field on your order form please list the exact degree that you will be earning. TC’s doctoral grads earn either a PhD or an EdD. PhD hoods have royal blue velvet and EdD hoods have light blue velvet.

Yes!  Please reach out to the CU bookstore ASAP. It can take up to 8 weeks to receive custom attire. Pricing for custom attire is: robe= $733 tam = $80 hood= $184. You can buy each item separately as well.

Rental attire must be returned to the Morningside Bookstore by 5/24/24. Only Gowns and Hoods are to be returned.  Tams are souvenir keepsakes and should not be returned.  Please do not dry clean your gowns or hoods as they are going to be cleaned anyway.  Gowns and hoods may also be mailed/shipped back to us at Columbia University Bookstore; 2922 Broadway; New York, NY 10027 at your own expense.

Attire can be purchased or rented in the bookstore up until 5/15/24. Email bkscolumbia@bncollege.com and we will provide assistance.

All regalia will be available for pickup at the Morningside Campus Bookstore unless otherwise noted on the order.  If your order is to be shipped to a different address, there is an additional fee of $24.

Any Doctoral rentals that are placed by April 11th will be ready for pick up on April 22nd.

Yes! The cost is the same as a bachelors combo pack ($65) and the information we need is: 1) How tall?  2) How old will the baby be on the day of your ceremony? We will be able to take orders up to 4 weeks prior to your ceremony.

Visit www.columbia.bncollege.com for diploma frames and visit www.Balfour.com for class rings and announcements. Balfour will be in store 2/27 – 2/29 and 5/13 – 5/17.

As per the University, hoods are reserved and included in academic attire for only terminal degree holders.

Email sm707@bncollege.com your needs and we will assist you.

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