Do master's graduates wear tassels?

Yes, master's graduates wear tassels, typically black, on the left side of their cap (or tam) throughout the entire ceremony, unlike undergraduates who move theirs from right to left after degrees are conferred. The tassel's color signifies the degree field, with the hood's velvet trim showing the specific discipline, while the black tassel is standard for master's candidates.

Do master students get tassels?

Master's degree regalia includes a cap, gown, and hood, each representing the academic field and level of accomplishment. The gown is often black and features distinctive sleeves, while the cap may have a tassel that signifies the degree earned.

Do grad students wear tassels?

Traditionally tassels are worn on the right side and moved to the left during a special portion of the ceremony for high school graduates. For college graduates, Bachelor again wear tassels on right side until their degrees are conferred, then move to left. Graduate students wear on left from the beginning.

Do master's graduates move their tassels?

Tassel Rules for Master's and Doctoral Graduates

For those receiving a master's or doctoral degree, the tassel placement is much simpler. You'll start the ceremony with your tassel already on the left side, and it stays there the entire time. No moving required!

Do masters get hooded at graduation?

While modern day undergraduates wear robes and caps, those with masters or doctorate degrees are presented with hoods to show their continued pursuit of knowledge. Such hoods are an expression of tradition and are used to communicate the wearer's school, degree, and field of study for the rest of their lives.

Why Do We Turn the Graduation Tassel? What Side Does the Graduation Tassel Go On?

What do tassels symbolize?

Tassels represent achievement, transition, and remembrance, most famously seen at graduations where they signify completing a degree and moving from student to graduate, but also hold historical and religious meanings of holiness, protection, and status in other cultures. Different colors can denote fields of study or honors, while historically, they symbolized wealth, spirituality, or served as decorative art. 

What GPA do you get cords for?

To get graduation cords, you need a GPA usually between 3.25 and 3.9+, depending on the honor level (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude) and your specific school's policy; for example, some schools start Cum Laude at 3.5, Magna at 3.7, and Summa at 3.9, while others have tiered systems with different colored cords for each level, and some cords are also for specific achievements like language or career tech. 

Where does Grad tassel start?

Tassels are worn on the right side of the cap before the ceremony and are then moved from the right side to the left after receiving a diploma or when directed to do so by the graduation speaker.

What is this 🎓 called?

That emoji (🎓) is a graduation cap, also commonly called a mortarboard, which symbolizes academic achievement and is worn at graduation ceremonies to mark the completion of a degree, with the tassel moving from right to left as a symbol of becoming a graduate.
 

Is graduating with a master's a big deal?

Career advancement

A master's degree can make it easier to transition into more senior positions, such as management and leadership. Many organizations not only recognize the benefits of a master's degree, but even prefer their employees to have one.

What GPA is honors for masters?

Typically, students receive honors on their degree when they have at least a 3.5 GPA.

What cord do you get for a 4.0 GPA?

For a 4.0 GPA, you typically earn the highest academic honor, Summa Cum Laude, which usually corresponds to a gold or gold/color braided honor cord, though colors (like blue/gold) and specific GPA cutoffs (around 3.9-4.0) vary by university, so always check your specific school's policy. 

Why do graduates move their tassels from right to left?

Transition and Transformation: Moving the tassel from the right side of the cap to the left signifies a rite of passage, marking the transition from one phase of life to another. For high school graduates, it represents moving on to higher education or the workforce.

What is a status tassel?

Originally, tassels served a practical purpose. Much like similar embellishments found on clothing and furniture of the era, they adorned the caps of scholars and clerics. Over time, these decorative elements became associated with status and achievement.

What side does the tassel go on for a master's degree?

For those earning master's or doctoral degrees, the tassel starts on the left side and remains there throughout the ceremony. This position reflects their prior academic achievements and the advanced nature of their degree​.

What are the rules for graduation tassels?

Graduation tassel rules involve placement based on degree level: undergraduates start with the tassel on the right and move it to the left after graduation, symbolizing the transition; while Master's and Doctoral candidates wear it on the left throughout the ceremony, indicating their advanced status. The tassel attaches to the cap's button, hanging down, and the color often signifies the field of study, but always follow your specific institution's instructions. 

Can I buy myself cords for graduation?

And while schools often provide honor cords, students can also purchase their own to ensure they're properly represented on graduation day.

What color cord for 4.0 GPA?

For a 4.0 GPA, you typically earn gold cords, often paired with other colors like blue (Summa Cum Laude), or sometimes a special double gold cord, signifying top academic honors, though colors can vary by institution, with some schools using single gold, white, or even medallions for a perfect 4.0. 

What is the highest honor cord?

A GPA of at least 3.9 earns the honor of summa cum laude (meaning, with highest honors), a GPA of at least 3.7 and less than 3.9 earns magna cum laude (with high honors), and a GPA of at least 3.5 and less than 3.7 earns cum laude (with honors).

Why do graduates wear tassels?

European universities used tassels to represent different levels of academic achievements. This symbolism has now been given to graduation honor cords, which denote specific achievements. In recent years, graduation tassels have been used to simply signify a graduate completing a high school or college degree.

What does the Bible say about wearing tassels?

Numbers 15:38-41 New Century Version (NCV)

Wear them from now on. You will have these tassels to look at to remind you of all the LORD's commands. Then you will obey them and not be disloyal by following what your bodies and eyes want. Then you will remember to obey all my commands, and you will be God's holy people.

Who wears tassels?

Tzitzit (Hebrew: צִיצִית‎ ṣīṣīṯ, [tsiˈtsit]; plural צִיצִיּוֹת ṣīṣiyyōṯ, Ashkenazi: tsitsis; and Samaritan: ࠑࠉࠑࠉࠕ‎ ṣeṣet) are specially knotted ritual fringes, or tassels, worn in antiquity by Israelites and also modern observant Jews and Samaritans.