⭐ Liberty University Doctoral Regalia Guide (2025)

Complete Guide to Choosing the Correct Doctoral Gown, Tam & Hood

Graduating from Liberty University is an important milestone. Many students prefer to purchase their own affordable doctoral regalia set instead of renting through the bookstore, as long as the style follows LU’s academic standards.

This guide summarizes the official expectations and helps LU doctoral graduates understand:

• Liberty University 2025 regalia requirements

• School of Law graduation dress code

• Correct velvet color for each academic discipline

• What doctoral gown, tam, and hood you should purchase

• Practical styling tips for Commencement Day

Our goal is to help students clearly identify the correct doctoral regalia—especially for those wanting an affordable alternative that still looks consistent with LU’s standards.

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🎓 1. Official Regalia Requirements for Liberty University (2025)

Regalia is Required

All graduation participants must wear academic regalia. LU provides rental regalia through the bookstore (approx. $180), but students may wear a personal set as long as it closely matches official standards.

Business Dress Required

Under the gown, LU recommends business attire:

• Dark pants, skirts, or dresses

• Men should wear collared shirts

• Consider warm temperatures—Commencement is outdoors in direct sunlight

• Wear comfortable shoes due to campus walking

• Military uniforms are permitted in place of academic regalia

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🎓 2. Liberty University Doctoral Gown Standards

Liberty University uses the traditional American doctoral regalia style, which includes:

Doctoral Gown

• Primary Color: Navy

• Velvet Color: Based on academic discipline

• Three velvet doctoral bars on each sleeve

• Optional embroidered seal on the front panels

• Matching velvet front panels

Doctoral Tam

• 6- or 8-sided velvet tam (8-sided preferred for doctoral graduates)

• Silver or discipline-colored tassel

Doctoral Hood

• Lined with Liberty University colors: Red & Blue

• Outer velvet trim follows academic discipline color

• Approximately 4 feet long (doctoral length)

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🎓 3. Liberty University Academic Discipline Velvet Colors

Below is the complete velvet color chart based on the American Council on Education standards + LU’s common academic usage.

👉 Therefore, your colleague is correct: each academic school uses a different velvet color for the front panels and hood trim.

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🎓 4. Liberty University School of Law Doctoral Regalia

(For JD, Juris Doctor, or any law-related doctoral graduate)

According to LU’s School of Law graduation guidance:

• Velvet Color: Purple

• Gown Color: Navy

• Hood Lining: Liberty University Red & Blue

• Hood Velvet: Purple (Law discipline)

• Tam: Navy velvet with silver tassel

This is the correct combination for LU law graduates purchasing their own regalia.

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🎓 5. Choosing the Correct Doctoral Regalia Set (Gown + Tam + Hood)

A complete Liberty University doctoral package typically includes:

1. Doctoral Gown

• Navy body

• Discipline velvet (e.g., Purple for Law)

• Three velvet bars

• Optional front embroidery

2. Doctoral Tam

• Navy velvet

• 8-sided preferred

• Silver tassel

3. Doctoral Hood

• Lined with LU red & blue

• Velvet color based on discipline

• Doctoral length and shape

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🎓 6. Affordable Regalia Options (Non-official but Fully Compatible)

LU’s rental regalia from the bookstore costs around $180 and must be returned.

Many graduates prefer to purchase a compatible doctoral set because:

• It is more affordable

• The design closely matches LU standards

• Useful for photos, future academic events, and long-term ownership

• No need to return the gown

Our custom regalia option matches LU’s specifications including:

• Navy gown

• Correct discipline velvet (Law = Purple)

• Matching 8-sided tam

• Liberty-style doctoral hood

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🎓 7. Commencement Day Styling Tips

Liberty University’s Commencement is usually warm and sunny. For comfort and appearance:

• Wear breathable clothing under the gown

• Choose darker colors to complement the navy gown

• Select comfortable shoes for walking between venues

• Keep water handy

• Steam or lightly iron your hood beforehand for a crisp appearance

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🎓 8. Final Notes: How to Ensure LU Students Choose the Correct Regalia

Students searching for “Liberty University doctoral gown” online usually want to know:

• What velvet color is required?

• What does the gown look like?

• Is a personal gown allowed?

• What tam and hood do I need?

This guide summarizes all essential information from LU policies and academic standards, allowing students to confidently select an accurate and affordable doctoral regalia package.

For Liberty University doctoral graduates, the correct standard is:

Navy Gown + Discipline Velvet + Liberty Red/Blue Hood

And for School of Law, specifically:

Navy Gown + Purple Velvet + LU Hood