All graduates will have the opportunity to obtain their official regalia. Cap and Gown information varies based on student type (main campus and distance education/extension). Review the detailed instructions for obtaining UNCW regalia.
Main Campus Students
Main campus students pay the commencement fee in their tuition and fees, which covers the cost of regalia. Additionally, shipping fees must be paid upon placing regalia orders. Regalia includes a bachelor's or master's cap, gown, hood (if applicable) and tassel. For the spring 2023 semester, regalia will be shipped directly to graduates’ homes. Graduates will need to place an order through the Herff Jones ordering website in order to receive their regalia.
Graduates are loaded into the Herff Jones site weekly on Fridays. If it has been more than 10 days since you applied to graduate and you do not have access to the Herff Jones regalia site, please email commencement@uncw.edu.
Doctoral students may rent or purchase regalia through Herff Jones. Doctoral students do not need to purchase a hood through the Herff Jones regalia website as they will be provided through the Graduate School.
Distinction Cords
Distinction Cords are distributed by the Office of the Registrar. Details regarding distinction cord pick up will be communicated to graduates in April. Distinction cords are only available for undergraduate students. Graduate students are not eligible for distinction.
For additional information on earning a degree with distinction, please visit the Office of the Registrar’s website.
For questions concerning distinction qualifications, please contact the Office of the Registrar at graduation@uncw.edu.
Distance Education and Extension Students
Distance education and extension students (i.e. students graduating from an online or extension program) are not charged a Commencement student fee each semester. Therefore, if a distance/extension student wants to participate in their corresponding commencement ceremony, they will need to purchase their regalia. Distance education/extension students will order their regalia online to be shipped directly to their home. For more information about student fees, visit the Student Accounts website.
Below are the regalia costs for distance education and extension students. Shipping will be $7.95.
- Undergraduate - (Cap, gown and tassel) - $47.98
- Master's - (Cap, gown and tassel, hood) - $88.96
Graduates are loaded into the Herff Jones site weekly on Fridays. If it has been more than 10 days since you applied to graduate and you do not have access to the Herff Jones regalia site, please email commencement@uncw.edu.
Doctoral students do not need to purchase a hood through the Herff Jones regalia website as it will be provided through the Graduate School.
Distinction Cords
Distance Education and Extension graduates who qualify for an academic distinction will have the option to purchase their cords. Distance Education and Extension graduates who qualify for distinction will receive an email in April with ordering information.
For additional information on earning a degree with distinction, please visit the Office of the Registrar’s website.
How to Wear your Regalia
You will be required to wear the appropriate regalia during the ceremony. The appropriate attire under your regalia is business casual or Sunday's best.
Jeans, t-shirts, flip flops, etc are not appropriate attire for commencement.
