Capitalization of Academic Degrees
Perhaps you’ve wondered if and when academic degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, etc.) should be capitalized.
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) recommends writing academic degrees in lower case, except when using the degree as a title.
Examples:
Orlando is pursuing a bachelor of science in civil engineering.
He introduced Jennifer Miller, master of fine arts.
He introduced Master of Fine Arts Jennifer Miller.
However, CMS advises that academic degrees be capitalized when used in lists.
Example:
We are proud to announce our project team:
Jennifer Miller, Master of Fine Arts
Orlando Cruz, Bachelor of Science
Pierre Bettencourt, Bachelor of Arts
The Associated Press Stylebook recommends using lower case when referring to degrees in general but capitalizing when they follow a name.
Examples:
Orlando is thinking about getting a bachelor of science degree.
He introduced Orlando Cruz, Bachelor of Science.
My recommendation is to pick your resource and then be consistent.
Where there is agreement, however, is that abbreviations of academic degrees are to be capitalized. CMS recommends omitting periods unless required for tradition or consistency.
Examples: BA, BS, MA, MS, PhD
Pop Quiz
- The keynote speaker tonight will be Juris Doctor/juris doctor Michael Abercrombie.
- The keynote speaker tonight will be Michael Abercrombie, Juris Doctor/juris doctor.
- The textbook was authored by Azizah Bakar, Master of Science/master of science.
- Eleanor is finally reaching the end of her studies for her Doctorate in History/doctorate in history.
- After studying hard for so many years, I definitely feel that I’ve earned my MS/ms.
Answers
- Juris Doctor
- Juris Doctor OR juris doctor (Either choice is correct.)
- Master of Science OR master of science
If you picked Juris Doctor in No. 2, then Master of Science is correct for No. 3.
Similarly, if you picked juris doctor in No. 2, then master of science is correct for this one. - doctorate in history
- MS
August 13, 2009 at 8:19 am
I’m so confused; which is correct: I received a bachelor of arts in Criminal History or I received a bachelor of arts in criminal history?
I was under the assumption that I should capitalize the course title according to “The Gregg Reference Manual”
I love getting your weekly grammar quizzes –
Thanks
August 19, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I agree that course or program names should be capitalized.
July 8, 2010 at 7:53 am
When saying Bachelors of Art degree, is the word “degree” capitalized?
July 8, 2010 at 10:03 pm
According to The Chicago Manual of Style, degrees should not be capitalized at all: “Names of degrees, fellowships, and the like are lowercased when referred to generically.” Yet this is on another page:
BA Bachelor of Arts
This is confusing, isn’t it? I recommend writing bachelor of arts degree.
July 24, 2010 at 7:47 am
“Bachelor of Arts degree” would be the correct way of writing it, right?
July 25, 2010 at 10:46 am
bachelor of arts degree, not Bachelor of Arts degree
July 31, 2010 at 7:15 am
When does one use an apostrophe in writing degree names? Do I write, “Carrie earned a master’s degree?” or “Carrie earned a masters degree?” What about, “I’m working on my masters/master’s degree?” I see it both ways. Is it plural or is the degree belonging to the master or master category.
Thank you.
August 2, 2010 at 6:05 pm
I found contradictory answers on the AP Style Manual site:
A. Keep the apostrophe in the plural forms: “The university offers bachelor’s degrees in ….” 2007-02-11 (Source: Ask the Editor, Singular/plural)
A. No apostrophe for simple plurals: Ph.D.s or Ph.D. degrees. (Source: Ask the Editor, Spelling)
I cannot find anything in The Chicago Manual of Style, at least not yet. Therefore, it seems that you can either use or not use the apostrophe according to your own “taste.”