Commencement Regalia Fit Check!

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Families take a selfie at Commencement

As we approach our 146th Commencement, let’s take a closer look at the pieces that symbolize our students’ academic and professional success during their time at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

 GOWNSPhoto of graduation gowns

All caps and gowns are black, uniting the class and graduates of the past.

  • Graduates receiving a bachelor’s degree wear a standard black gown at Commencement.
  • Graduates receiving a master’s degree wear a black gown with longer closed sleeves to indicate their academic status.
  • Graduates receiving a doctorate wear a more elaborate robe, with velvet striping on the arms.

HOODSPhoto of graduation hoods

To further differentiate and symbolize academic standing, graduates wear academic hoods with different colors. The academic hood is draped around the neck and over the shoulders, showing different colors based on the degree being obtained by the graduate.

  • Graduates receiving a bachelor’s or master’s degree wear maroon, black, white and gold-trimmed academic hoods.
  • Graduates receiving a doctorate degree wear a maroon, black, white and olive trimmed academic hood. Olive is the universal color representing pharmacy on academic hoods.

Photo of a graduation capCAPS

To top it off, graduates wear different caps as well.

  • Those receiving a bachelor’s or master’sdegree wear a mortarboard, a standard four-sided cap.
  • Those receiving a doctorate degree wear a black tam, a velvet cap with eight sides.

 

All graduates wear a gold tassel with a charm identifying their graduation year.

 

 

 

CORDS

Graduates also wear colored cords to indicate their Latin honors status. In recognition of distinguished academic achievement, the College awards graduation honors to undergraduate and doctorate students based on the cumulative GPA calculated from didactic coursework taken at the time of graduation. For PharmD students, these honors awards are based on the cumulative GPA calculated from required professional coursework and professional electives during the professional years of P1 to P3. 

  • Cum Laude cords (maroon and bronze) are awarded to students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 – 3.6.
  • Magna Cum Laude cords (maroon and silver) are for students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.7– 3.8.
  • Summa Cum Laude cords (maroon and copper) are for students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or better.

There are also cords to recognize students who are members of Phi Lambda Sigma, the international pharmacy leadership society, and student who are members of the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society.

  • Green and gold cords are worn by Phi Lambda Sigma members
  • Purple and white cords are worn by Rho Chi members

Photo of graduation cords