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represents the quadrangles at Oxford. The tassel is its distinguishing feature, with a black tassel signifying a bachelor’s degree and a gold tassel signifying a doctoral degree.


In an academic procession, an individual usually wears the apparel appropriate to the highest degree earned. Members of the Board of Trustees, however, may wear doctoral gowns, and individuals officially representing an institution wear a gown appropriate to that role. Military uniforms and religious habits are acceptable apparel. Some institutions of higher education have now adopted solid-color gowns that incorporate their college or university colors.


Colors Indicating Fields of Learning
Maize Agriculture


White Arts, letters, humanities


Drab Commerce, accountancy, business


Lilac Dentistry


Copper Economics


Light Blue Education


Orange Engineering


Brown Fine arts, including architecture


Russet Forestry


Maroon Home economics


Crimson Journalism


Purple Law


Lemon Library science


Green Medicine


Pink Music


Apricot Nursing


Silver Gray Oratory (speech)


Olive Green Pharmacy


Dark Blue Philosophy


Sage Green Physical education


Peacock Blue Public administration, including foreign service


Salmon Pink Public health


Golden Yellow Science


Citron Social work


Scarlet Theology


Gray Veterinary science

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