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. Masters attire can only be purchased (not rented) and Doctoral attire can be rented or purchased from the Columbia University Bookstore.
You’re All Set If You Know This
MASTERS DEGREES
2026 PRICING
Masters regalia: To come (2025 pricing was $72 as a reference)
ORDERING INFORMATION
- In-store: Attire may be purchased beginning in early Spring semester (dates to come from the CU Bookstore).
- Online: Orders may be placed online beginning in early Spring semester to be directly shipped to the student by visiting columbia.shopoakhalli.com
Academic Attire Lottery for Masters Grads
Academic Attire Lottery
The Office of College Events conducts a lottery for its limited supply of academic attire for eligible 2026 Masters & Doctoral graduates. The Doctoral academic attire supply is very limited.
Lottery Program Timeline
Monday, February 9, 2026 • Academic attire lottery opens
Friday, March 6, 2026 • Academic attire lottery closes
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 • Results announced
Week of April 6, 2026 • Lottery attire distribution (Monday-Thursday from Noon-6:00 p.m.)
Week of April 20, 2026 • Lottery attire distribution (Monday-Thursday from Noon-6:00 p.m.)
DOCTORAL DEGREES
2026 PRICING not yet available. Below is 2025 pricing for reference.
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 2026 to receive in time for Convocation.
- Email the bookstore for details.
RENTAL ORDERING INFORMATION
- Bookstore In-Store: Attire may be reserved between February and April without incurring a late fee. In-store pickup and ship-to-home options are available (exact dates to come).
- Online: Orders may be placed from between February and April by visiting columbia.shopoakhalli.com. (exact dates to come).
- PickUp: Doctoral rental attire will be available for pickup in-store beginning in April, if ordered by early April. A ship-to-home option is not available online (exact dates to come).
Email the bookstore at bkscolumbia@bncollege.com if you would like your order to be shipped.
Honor Cords
Teachers College provides the honor cords below to eligible graduates at no cost.
Breaking New Ground: Diversity and First Generation Scholars and Military Cords
Cords for Diversity and First Generation Scholars and active and retired members of the United States Armed Forces are available for pick up from the Academic Attire Distribution room Thompson 46 from Monday, April 6 - Friday, April 10, 2026 and from Monday, April 20 - Friday, April 24, 2026 from Noon-6:00 p.m.
TC Student Senate and other Student Leaders
The Office of Graduate Student Life and Development (GSLD) will distribute cords directly to the 2025-2026 Student Senate and Student Organization representatives in April from the GSLD Office located in the 528 Building, suite 155.
In addition, GSLD provides blank stoles to graduating TC student-parents that they can decorate with their children. This stole serves as a symbol of the dual journey of our parent graduates and their children/families. Stoles are available for pick up in April from the GSLD Office located in the 528 Building, suite 155.
For more information please email gsld@tc.edu.
N.B. Unfortunately, given the number of qualifying graduates, cords will not be mailed to grads, however, it is possible for classmates to pick up cords for eligible grads.
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
Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m
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.