Cap & Gown

Ceremony Information Ceremony Information

All graduates will have the opportunity to obtain their official regalia. Cap and gown information varies based on student type.

December Graduates

Summer and Fall graduates are added into the Herff Jones regalia store around October 1. The deadline to order regalia to guarantee delivery for the December ceremonies is November 1. After this date, regalia may be available, but will be subject to a rush shipping fee.

May Graduates

Spring graduates are added into the Herff Jones regalia store around March 1. The deadline to order regalia to guarantee delivery for the May ceremonies is April 2. After this date, regalia may be available, but will be subject to a rush shipping fee.

Ordering your Regalia

Main campus students pay the commencement fee each semester, which covers the cost of regalia. Main Campus students are only charged the shipping fee when placing their regalia order.

Distance education and extension students are not charged a Commencement fee each semester. Therefore, distance and extension students who choose to participate in Commencement will need to purchase their regalia.

Doctoral graduates will have the opportunity to purchase or rent their regalia through the Herff Jones store.

Graduates who have applied to graduate will be added to the official UNCW Herff Jones regalia ordering website approximately two (2) months prior to their assigned ceremony. If it has been more than one week since you applied to graduate AND your assigned ceremony is less than two months away, and you are not in the system, please contact commencement@uncw.edu.

Access the Regalia Store

Cords and Stoles

Latin Honors Distinction Cords

The Office of the Registrar distributes distinction cords for Main Campus graduates. The Office of the Registrar will notify students who qualify for a distinction cord via email after the graduation application closes for information on how to pick up their cord.

The Office of Transition Programs offers distinction cords for eligible Distance Education graduates to purchase. Transition Programs will notify students who qualify for a distinction cord via email after the graduation application closes for information on ordering cords. All cords will be shipped. Cords are not available for pickup.

Distinction cords are available only for undergraduate students. Graduate students are not eligible for a distinction.

Learn more about graduating with distinction

Stoles and Other Cords

Graduation Stoles are wide swaths of fabric worn to indicate excellence in academic and leadership achievements. Sometimes also called a Graduation Sash.

Cords and Stoles are distributed by various groups and departments. Please contact your department or group for questions about cords and stoles.