Regalia and Special Hooders

Regalia

Regalia consists of your graduation cap, gown, and doctoral hood. Please go to https://collegegrad.herffjones.com/ to order your regalia. You will supply your height (with shoes) and weight, caps are one size. A graduation fee of $40 is required and should be paid by April 9th. Cash or checks (made out to UTHSC) should be given to Kendall McKee in the Office of Student Affairs, MSB G.400.

If you are unable to pay your fee in person, checks (made out to UTHSC) can be mailed to:

Kendall McKee
Office of Student Affairs
The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
6431 Fannin St, MSB G.400
Houston, TX 77030

Faculty and Special Hooders

What is a Hooder? A hooder is the person who puts the colorful doctoral hood over your head after you receive your diploma. Faculty Hooders, elected by you in March, will hood most students.

In addition to the elected hooders, graduates may also request to have a “Special Hooder.” A Special Hooder can be the graduate’s grandparent, parent, spouse or sibling who must be an M.D. or D.O. (In-laws, cousins, godparents, etc. are not eligible.) If both parents are physicians both may participate. Please note that requests for Special Hooders must be made in advance – no later than March 15. Special Hooders wear full regalia and participate in the graduation ceremony. They must arrive at the Convention Center at least 45 minutes prior to the ceremony and must sit in a special seating area designated for Special Hooders. Request forms are available here or in the Student Affairs Office. Requests must be submitted on the form for this purpose and approved by Dr. McNeese and must include the following information:

1.    Special Hooder’s name and degree (M.D. or D.O.)
2.    Hooder’s relationship to you (mother, brother, etc.)
3.    Name of school from which special hooder(s) received M.D. or D.O. degree
4.    Medical School location
5.    Year of graduation from medical school

Once your request has been approved by Dr. McNeese, the approval notice will be placed in your box, and you can go to Kendall McKee in Student Affairs to pay for the Special Hooder’s cap and gown. If your order is placed by April 9, the cost will be $54.50. However, if placed after this date, the cost will be approximately $79.50.