College degrees were once reserved for only the well to do. A college graduation ceremony was a very sober event. In England, where the Anglican Church plays such a significant role in education, a college graduation ceremony was a religious as well as an academic ceremony. The graduates dressed in a fashion similar to an Anglican priest to receive their high honors.
Although in the United States the roles of church and education are kept separately, we get many of traditions from our English forefathers. College graduation gown in the United States are therefore the result of English tradition that has continued throughout the years.
Today, a college graduation gown will differ with regard to the type of degree the graduate has earned upon graduation. A person who earns a Bachelor degree, for example, will have sleeves that are bell shaped on their gown. A Master of Education degree graduate gets a gown with gathered sleeves. Someone who earns a PhD will wear a special graduation stole or hood to signify their advanced degree.
Graduation college gowns are different than high school graduation gowns because there are different types of degrees to be earned. There is an Associate of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Science degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master of Education degree, a Master of Business Administration Degree and a Doctorate degree. In addition, a person studying law or medicine will earn other degrees and titles, such as a Juris Doctorate or Doctor of Medicine.
Because there are so many different types of degrees one can earn in college, the college graduation gowns are based not only upon academic status, but degrees earned. Years ago, when all graduation college gowns were black, this was signified in length of gowns, sleeve types, stoles and hoods.
Today, most graduation college gowns are based upon the colors of the college or university. Hoods and stoles are given to noted graduates with regard to their academic performance. Some hoods are lined with fur and are quite ornate.
College graduation gowns have a long history that dates back to early England and is closely tied with both the Catholic and Anglican Church. Today, we wear graduation college gowns in keeping with traditions that are centuries old.
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