Students

Overview

All graduates (October, February and May) who plan to attend the May graduation ceremonies must wear academic regalia to both the Mailman and all-university Commencement ceremonies.

Ordering and Pick-up

Master’s students (MPH and MS)
Masters graduates at Columbia University and its affiliated institutions wear a cap (mortarboard) with tassel and gown.  No hood is used.  Graduates must purchase regalia from the Morningside Campus bookstore (the CUMC bookstore does not sell Master’s regalia).  No pre-ordering is necessary; simply go to the bookstore in Lerner Hall anytime between March 20th and the morning of May 15th to purchase a cap and gown. Master’s regalia is only available for purchase.  A rental option is not available.

Doctoral students (PhD and DrPH)
Doctoral graduates wear a velvet tam (cap), a gown, and hood.  All three components are required in order to walk in commencement ceremonies. Doctoral graduates may either rent or purchase their regalia. Doctoral regalia orders may be placed at any time during the semester.  Late fees will apply to rental or purchased doctoral regalia orders placed after April 6th.  Purchased doctoral regalia is custom made and can take up to 6 weeks for delivery.  Payment is made at the time of purchase.

Pricing
Masters for purchase (cap/gown/tassel) = $56 plus tax.
Masters gowns can be purchased in store beginning March 20th and do not need to be ordered in advance. 

Doctoral regalia for purchase needs to be ordered 6 weeks prior to the ceremony to guarantee delivery of your custom regalia.  Orders can be placed with less than 6 weeks lead time, but delivery of your custom regalia cannot be guaranteed.  A loaner gown & hood will be supplied.   Rental regalia can be ordered at any time, but late fees apply if placed later than April 4th, 2012. The bookstore can also provide custom doctoral regalia for people who graduated from institutions other than Columbia.  Pricing varies; please contact us at 212-854-4132 for more information. Doctoral tams are not available for rent due to health considerations.

For more information on ordering instruction and deadlines (including ordering regalia the requires shipping), please visit the bookstore website, call the bookstore at 212-854-4132 or go in person to the Morningside Campus bookstore in Learner Hall.

Grad Fairs

At Columbia, the phrase “Grad Fairs” refers to a specific date or dates when students receive assistance with and discounts on graduation related items at the downtown and medical campus’ bookstores.  Grad Fairs begin the Commencement season and coincide with the first dates that graduates may order regalia.

The 2012 Grad Fair on the Morningside Campus will be March 20th – 22nd from 10am-7pm. The Grad Fair at the CUMC Bookstore will be March 23rd from 10am – 4pm.

If you go to the bookstore during the Grad Fairs there will be people to assist students with their regalia measurements and answer any other regalia questions. Students will also be able to order graduation announcements, rings, and diploma frames at discounted pricing. For more information, please call the bookstore at 212-854-4132.