Tams & Beefeaters

Academic Tams & Beefeaters

Graduation Tam (4, 6 & 8 Sided) With Bullion Tassel
$44.95

$34.95

Graduation Tam
$29.95

$29.95

Deluxe Beefeater
$64.95

$54.95

Jumbo Tassel
College Degree Jumbo Graduation Tassel

All the Buzz

See what customers are gossiping about

  • GraduationSource makes graduation unbelievably efficient for us—the complete package arrives in a single shipment, giving our students a seamless, stress-free experience. The quality is consistently impressive.

    Wendolyn Larkins

    American National University

  • I want to thank GraduationSourceâ„¢ and its staff for helping us with a last-minute order. They went above and beyond to make sure we received the items in a timely manner. Thank you!

    Minerva

    Cape Coral Technical College

  • Our experience with GraduationSourceâ„¢ was excellent. We received every cap, gown, and tassel on time and perfectly organized—making it easy to distribute across four campuses.

    Carson Osborn

    Metro Tech

  • I am absolutely delighted with the quality of the Premium Doctoral Hood. When I opened the package, I was very pleased. Thank you!

    Sherry

    Northern Arizona University

  • GraduationSource’s quality and customization made our graduates look amazing on stage. Everything arrived on time, and the entire experience was smooth and stress-free. The ordering process was simple and straightforward. GraduationSource is reliable, responsive, and truly takes the stress out of planning.

    Ana Gonzalez

    Rio Grande Valley College

  • The parents and the students would like to say thanks for making our children look nice for graduation. The smile on the faces of our children when I delivered the gowns to their classroom was overwhelming!

    Yolanda B

    Velasco Elementary

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Doctoral Tams & Beefeaters - Traditional Academic Headwear for PhD Graduates

Doctoral tams and beefeater caps represent the highest level of academic headwear. Reserved for PhD recipients and senior faculty, these ceremonial caps serve as a visual distinction of advanced scholarship and institutional authority. Crafted from rich velvet and designed according to long-standing academic tradition, doctoral tams and beefeaters elevate the graduation ensemble beyond the standard mortarboard. Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

Answered by graduation experts.

  • What is a doctoral tam?

    A doctoral tam is a soft, rounded velvet cap worn by PhD graduates and faculty members. It replaces the traditional mortarboard and is considered the highest level of academic headwear.

  • What is the difference between a tam and a beefeater?

    A tam has a soft, rounded crown and is most commonly worn by doctoral graduates and faculty. A beefeater cap has a structured brim and is traditionally reserved for university presidents, chancellors, and senior academic officials.

  • How many points should a doctoral tam have?

    Doctoral tams are commonly available in four-, six-, or eight-point styles. The number of points is determined by institutional preference rather than academic rank.

  • Do doctoral tams include a tassel?

    Yes. Most doctoral tams include a metallic gold bullion tassel pinned at the crown. The gold tassel signifies doctoral-level academic achievement.

  • Who typically wears a doctoral tam?

    Doctoral tams are worn by PhD graduates, faculty members, and academic leaders during commencement ceremonies, hooding ceremonies, convocations, and other formal academic events.

  • Are doctoral tams sized?

    Yes. Doctoral tams are produced in specific size ranges and include a full internal band to ensure a secure and comfortable fit throughout extended ceremonies.

  • Can a doctoral tam be reused after graduation?

    Absolutely. Many graduates retain their tam for faculty service, academic conferences, and future ceremonial events.