Honor cords are worn by students to signify an above average level of achievement in various academic and extra-curricular activities. Honor cords or graduation cords come in several different colors and each color is used to represent a different achievement. All schools have their own honor cord colors that they use; however there are some common colors that are used in a specific area of study. Established national honor societies, fraternities, sororities have colors determined by their governing bodies. Honor cords or graduation cords come as a single cord in one color, double cord in any two colors knotted together, or as single cord in 2 or 3 colors. Black honor cords are general given to students graduating with a degree in: business administration, commerce, business education, accounting, labor relations, or commercial science. Blue honor cords are commonly given to students with degrees in political justice, political science, and law enforcement. Honor cords in burgundy are used for religious degrees such as canon law and theology. Burgundy is also used for communications degrees. Students receiving green graduation cords often have degrees in forestry, environmental science, as well as optometry. Psychology, material sciences, and metallurgy graduates receive light gold honor cords Orange honor cords represent drama and theater. Orange honor cords are also a common school color in the state of Texas. Pink honor cords are often used for music, choir, and band honor societies. Purple, the color most often worn to depict royalty is used for graduation honor cords awarded to dental and law students. Purple is also awarded to student's graduating with a degree in architecture and urban planning Students with degrees or certificates in phlebotomy wear red graduation cords. Graduates of journalism and public health use red honor cords also. These patriotic honor cords are given to graduates of the JROTC program, as well as graduates with military service. Honor cords in silver are most often awarded to students graduating with degrees in medical science, such as: chiropractic, speech, oratory, and veterinary science. Graduates with degrees in nursing, sociology, and history often receive white honor cords. Yellow gold honor cords are the most popular color you will likely see at a graduation. These cords may be awarded to those with outstanding grade point averages (GPA), National Honor Society graduates, and other high-achievement situations.