The commencement ceremony at University of Southern California (USC) showcases a formal academic tradition where graduates wear carefully designed academic regalia including the graduation gown, graduation cap (mortarboard), tassel sets, honor cords and stoles. According to USC’s official “Caps and Gowns (Regalia)” page, custom academic regalia was introduced in 2018 — for bachelor’s and master’s graduates a black gown with cardinal piping and sleeve bands, and for doctoral candidates a bold cardinal‑coloured gown with velvet accents and the USC torch emblem.
For bachelor’s and master’s candidates at USC, the graduation gown is black with cardinal trim, the graduation cap is the traditional mortarboard, and the tassel is included in the rental or purchase set. For doctoral candidates, the gown features a cardinal fabric with velvet panels and gold‑accent embroidery, and the cap is typically a Tam or enhanced headpiece with a gold tassel. The academic regalia page also emphasises that hoods and velvet trim colours reflect the official colours of USC—cardinal and gold—and the discipline‑specific colours listed in the “Official Colors for Degrees” chart.
Honor cords at USC are awarded to undergraduate students who meet the GPA threshold of 3.5 and above; cords are issued by the schools and represent academic achievement. Stoles may be worn by graduates, though USC emphasises that the core regalia are gown, cap and tassel sets; additional adornments like stoles or cords must align with university policy. The velvet band around the hood shows the department’s discipline colour; the silk lining reflects the institution’s cardinal and gold. Faculty, administrative and academic staff participating in the procession wear full faculty regalia, with hoods and velvet trim that follow discipline‑ and rank‑based colour traditions consistent with the intercollegiate academic dress code.
In summary, USC’s commencement ceremony centres on the visual and symbolic elements of academic dress: the graduation gown, graduation cap, tassel sets, honor cords and stoles, with distinct design for various degree levels and discipline‑specific colour cues. Graduates are encouraged to order or rent their regalia (cap, gown, tassel) via the USC Bookstore or approved vendor, ensure their honor cords are eligible, and follow the designated regalia guidelines so that their appearance aligns with the formal commencement traditions of the Trojan Family.
Get ready for your monumental moment at USC with a complete academic regalia bundle designed for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral graduates. This set includes your graduation gown, graduation cap, tassel and supports honor cords and stoles to complete your ceremony look.
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Wear your academic regalia with confidence. Step across the stage, move your tassel when the moment comes, and commemorate your achievement at USC in full cap, gown and tassel style.
Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at University of Southern California , you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.