The first academic gowns were worn to provide warmth in the unheated buildings of the 12th and 13th centuries. As caps were not used at that time, hoods provided cover for tonsured heads. Colors were added in the 19th century to signify various degrees. The color used in the hood velvet should indicate the subject to which the degree pertains. A recipient of the degree Master of Arts in Education should wear the light blue of Education rather than the white of the Arts. No hood should represent more than one degree.
At the Doctoral level, the PhD degree is represented by dark blue and is used instead of the individual discipline colors awarded under the PhD degree.
For academic purposes, the following colors represent some of the various degrees and disciplines.

In addition to these degree colors, each college or university has its own school colors. If you know your school colors please let us know, but more importantly, fill in the name of your school and its location. This will help us to determine the design of the school colors inside your hood, ie. whether to use solid colors, chevrons, stripes, etc. as pictured below.

For a complete review and history of Academic Regalia click here: Academic Dress