Commencement regalia is a required part of the graduation experience and serves as a symbol of your academic achievement and entry into the professional community. All graduates participating in a West Coast University commencement ceremony must wear the WCU branded regalia. Orders can be placed through the official West Coast University Regalia Vendor: Achievers Cap & Gown.
Regalia is required for all graduates attending a West Coast University commencement ceremony. Orders may be placed through the WCU Regalia site powered by Achievers Cap & Gown.
Graduating students should wear business casual, light attire under their cap and gown. Be prepared for walking on stage; there may be turf, stairs, or ramps throughout your degree recognition and stage crossing as well as standing for extended periods of time. For safety purposes, graduates are encouraged to wear flat-soled shoes. The use of high heels is discouraged.
WCU graduates affiliated with an academic honor society may wear honors accessories (pins, cords, sashes) on their gowns. You may also wear any official WCU issued cords (PALS, Green light, honors, veterans, honor society, etc.) and one item representing your heritage or culture.
Honor cords and Veteran cords are symbols of achievement, service, and distinction worn during Commencement. Honor cords recognize graduates who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and dedication throughout their studies. Veteran cords honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and acknowledge their commitment, sacrifice, and leadership. Worn as part of the academic regalia, these cords celebrate accomplishments that extend beyond earning a degree and highlight the unique contributions graduates have made to their communities, professions, and country.
Academic honors recognize undergraduate graduates who have demonstrated exceptional achievement throughout their educational journey. Eligible graduates will receive their gold Honors cord based on their program type and distribution process. The cord serves as a symbol of academic excellence and is worn as part of the graduate's Commencement regalia to celebrate this significant accomplishment.
Undergraduate honors distinctions are awarded as follows:
West Coast University proudly recognizes and honors graduates who have served in the United States Armed Forces. In appreciation of their dedication, leadership, and service to our nation, eligible veteran graduates will receive a red, white, and blue Veterans cord to wear as part of their Commencement regalia.
Veterans cords are awarded to graduates whose student records verify prior military service and will be distributed according to the applicable cord distribution process for their program. Veterans cords are reserved for graduates who have personally served in the Armed Forces and are not awarded to individuals who utilized educational benefits as a dependent of a veteran.
BSN and BSDH Campus-Based Programs
Honor and Veteran cords for eligible graduates in campus-based BSN and BSDH programs will be distributed at the campus at the conclusion of your program date. Please contact your student affairs advisor for campus specific details. Graduates should retain these cords and wear them during the Commencement ceremony. Additional cords will not be available for distribution at Commencement.
Graduate Programs at the Center for Graduate Studies
The Center for Graduate Studies will coordinate directly with eligible graduates regarding veteran cord distribution. Arrangements will be made for either campus pickup or home delivery prior to Commencement. Additional cords will not be distributed at the ceremony.
Online Programs
Honor and Veteran cords for eligible online program graduates will be distributed by the Online Student Affairs team during Commencement check-in on the day of the ceremony.
The title of Valedictorian is one of the highest academic honors awarded at West Coast University. Traditionally, the valedictorian is recognized as the undergraduate student who has achieved exceptional academic excellence and demonstrated a strong commitment to their studies throughout their educational journey. To be considered for this distinction, a graduate must meet established eligibility requirements, including a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.75 and earning the highest cumulative GPA among all eligible candidates. The Valedictorian is selected as a representative of the undergraduate graduating class and will wear a medal during the ceremony.
The graduate hood is one of the most distinctive symbols of advanced academic achievement and is traditionally worn by master's and doctoral degree recipients. During the hooding ceremony, the hood is placed over the graduate's shoulders to formally recognize the completion of a graduate-level degree and the transition into a community of scholars and professionals. The velvet trim of the hood represents the graduate's academic discipline, while the colors displayed inside the hood reflect the official colors of West Coast University. Together, these elements celebrate both the graduate's field of study and their connection to the University. Wearing the hood is a proud tradition that honors the dedication, expertise, and perseverance required to earn an advanced degree.
The color of the velvet trim on your hood corresponds to your degree program and represents your field of scholarly achievement.
Graduates receiving a Master's or Doctoral degree will be hooded onstage.
Academic stoles worn by undergraduate graduates are a meaningful part of Commencement regalia and help recognize each graduate’s field of study. Draped over the shoulders, the stole represents the graduate’s academic journey, hard work, and the program they are completing. The colors of the stole are connected to the graduate’s discipline and help distinguish areas of study within the ceremony. Together with the cap and gown, the academic stole adds a visible symbol of pride, achievement, and belonging as graduates celebrate this important milestone.
| Business: Drab | Physical Therapy: Teal |
| Dental Hygiene: Purple | Public Health: Salmon |
| Health Administration: Sage Green | Physician Assistant: Kelly Green |
| Counseling: Light Blue | Nursing: Apricot |
| Occupational Therapy: Slate Blue | Speech Language Therapy: Sage Green |
| Pharmacy: Olive Green | |
How to Wear Your Mortarboard (Cap)
Place your mortarboard on your head with the pointed corner facing forward. The cap should sit level and parallel to the ground to ensure a proper fit and appearance. The tassel should hang naturally along the side of your face. If needed, bobby pins can be used to help secure the cap throughout the ceremony.
Which Side Should I Wear My Tassel On?
Graduates should wear their tassel on the right side of the mortarboard at the start of the ceremony. Following degree conferral, graduates will participate in the traditional tassel-turning ceremony and move their tassels from the right side to the left side together, symbolizing the completion of their degree.
Doctoral graduates wearing a tam may choose to wear their tassel on the left side, recognizing the advanced degrees they have previously earned.
Can I Decorate My Cap?
Absolutely! Decorating your cap is a fun and creative way to celebrate your achievement, showcase your personality, and thank those who supported you along the way. We encourage graduates to personalize their caps while ensuring decorations remain tasteful, respectful, and appropriate for a family-friendly academic ceremony.
At the sole discretion of WCU personnel, any decorations considered inappropriate may result in the removal of the decoration or the cap itself.