In most editorial uses, lowercase the names of academic degrees, whether in full or as generic terms: bachelor of arts, bachelor of science; master of arts, master of science; doctor of philosophy; bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, doctorate, etc. The generic terms 鈥渂achelor鈥檚 degree鈥� and 鈥渕aster鈥檚 degree鈥� are always written with an apostrophe. The names of degrees can be capitalized in formal presentations.
The abbreviations for degrees are written without periods: BA, MA, PhD, DMA, EdD, etc.
In most University publications, the abbreviated title 鈥淒r.鈥� should not be used to indicate a person鈥檚 credentials in a field. Many style guides鈥攑articularly guides intended for use by the news media鈥攔ecommend restricting the use of the abbreviation only to those who hold medical degrees, but in an institution such as the University, that can seem like an arbitrary limitation. On the other hand, using Dr. before the name of all who hold medical doctor degrees and doctorates is cumbersome for readers.
University style recommends that in most instances, a person鈥檚 credentials can and should be noted within the context of the publication, typically close to the first appearance of the person鈥檚 name.
Jennifer Johnson, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Strong Memorial Hospital, performed the procedure.
Arnold Smith, a professor of pediatrics, met the family in the child鈥檚 room.
Cynthia Jones, who holds a doctorate in toxicology, read the results.
Don James, a professor of physics, and his team are studying the origins of black holes.
On subsequent references in most editorial contexts, people should be referred to by their surnames without an honorific title. (Phrases such as 鈥淒r. Jones鈥� or 鈥淧rofessor Smith鈥� should be limited to material directly quoted from a speaker or from another source.)
When the listing of academic credentials with a person鈥檚 name is standard practice (for example, in official bulletins of the University), the abbreviations for the credentials should be listed after the name and be set off by commas.
John Jones, PhD, Duke University
Sarah Smith, MPhil, Cambridge University
Plurals of academic degrees do not take an apostrophe.
BAs, BSs, PhDs