On a shield shaped embroidered item edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) yellow border, blazoned as follows: Or, a horses head couped facing sinister, between three mullets, two in chief, one in base, all Azure, all  within an orle of the last. Attached above the item a yellow scroll, edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) yellow border, inscribed MURRAY STATE in blue, within a blue diminished inner border. Overall dimensions are 3 1/2 inches (8.89 cm) in height by 2 7/16i inches (5.95 cm) in width.

The colors of the university are blue and gold.  The horses head represents the concept of being thoroughbred which is used school-wide as emblematic of school spirit.  The three stars on the patch are symbolic of hope, achievement, and endeavor.

The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally authorized 1 September 1959, it is currently being amended to update the manufacturing drawings and to add the ACU color conversions on 1 March 2019. (TIOH Drawing Number A-10S-290)

On a gold metal and epoxied shield shaped device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height blazoned as follows: Azure, three mullets Or, within a double tressure flory counter-flory of the last. Attached below the device a gold tri-parted scroll inscribed MURRAY STATE in blue letters.

The three stars are symbolic of hope, achievement and endeavor. Dr. John Wesley Carr, the first president of Murray State, discovered this shield design during his travels through Scotland.  It is representative of the Murray Clan.

The shoulder loop insignia was originally authorized 16 August 1973, it is currently being amended to update the manufacturing drawings on 1 March 2019.