Correct john jones, who has a doctorate in psychology. Writing style guide university communications toolbox. The following guide defines those exceptions and highlights some of the most common style questions that arise. Apostrophe in bachelor s and masters degree, but none in bachelor of arts or master of science.
Ap stylebook guidelines the ap style items below represent the journalistic style errors most often found in news stories. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide. Their proper names are bachelor of arts and master of science. The forms bachelor s degree, bachelor s, masters degree and masters are acceptable. The purpose is to help produce consistency throughout the universitys publications and website. The current edition of the associated press ap stylebook and briefing on. The associated press stylebook ap recommends no capitals when referring to degrees in general terms bachelor s, masters, doctorate, associate degree but always capitalizing specific degrees bachelor of arts, master of science. Academic degrees writing style guide western michigan.
For academic purposes, additional major refers to situations in the j. There are clear guidelines for capitalizing academic degrees in ap style. You have to keep a few points to write down degrees. And only the actual name of the degree is uppercase, not the major. There is no possessive in bachelor of arts or master of science. Writing style guide appalachian state university uses the associated press stylebook as its editorial guide, which is in keeping with the communications industry.
Andrews university uses the style of no punctuation in academic degree abbreviations. The associated press stylebook ap recommends capitalizing the full names of degrees bachelor of arts, master of political science whether or not they are next to a name. In most cases, the first reference for styles is the ap stylebook. William fulbright college of arts and sciences when a student who is fulfilling all requirements of a bachelor of science, a bachelor of social work, a bachelor of fine arts or a bachelor music degree and may also claim an additional major in a humanistic discipline, social. The temple university editorial style guide contains guidelines specific to temple university. Ap style terms for academic degrees gatehouse newsroom. General references, such as bachelor s, masters or doctoral degree, are not capitalized. There is a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science. The associated press stylebook ap recommends no capitals when referring to degrees in general terms bachelor s, masters, doctorate, associate degree but always capitalizing specific degrees bachelor of arts, master of science, whether or not they directly precede or follow a name. Bachelor of arts is capitalized as an academic degree, as are b.
She earned a bachelor of fine arts and a master of social work from the university of denver. Rules for capitalizing academic degrees in ap style bka content. If you are writing bachelors degree or bachelor s, then you dont have to capitalize these terms. Capitalization of academic degrees grammar and punctuation.
Academic degrees ap stylebook, page 5 if mention of degrees is necessary to establish someones credentials, the preferred form is to avoid an abbreviation and use a phrase. When writing, verify your style with the entries in this guide, the ap stylebook and websters new world college dictionary in that order. Ap is in agreement with cmos that the field of study be written in lower case except when it contains a proper noun. Remember, there is no possessive in bachelor of arts or master of science. I have two bachelors degrees and one masters degree. Use an apostrophe in bachelor s degree and masters degree, but theres no apostrophe when referring to an associate degree. The following list of common uses and the az index include highlights of ap style and provide policies for consistently representing appalachian in your communications. The ap stylebook is organized alphabetically by general category. He is working toward a bachelor of arts degree in english. Use abbreviations only after a full name, set off by commas. When listing degrees by their initials, do not use periods. Now includes 185,000 definitions from websters new world college dictionary. Weve complied a list of ap style rules and terms to keep in mind for your graduation coverage.
Common grammar and style terms college of charleston. Coursework may include social, life, or earth sciences, humanities, music, languages, or fine arts. Jane doe holds a bachelor s degree in music from university of coloradoboulder. I have two bachelor degrees, one bachelor of arts and one bachelor of science. Its updated throughout the year and valuable onlineonly resources, including ask the editor, topical guides and pronunciation guide, expand on the print book s guidance. When you need to do this, the ap stylebook prefers you to write out the title of a degree in a phrase and to avoid using an abbreviation. These guidelines draw from current editions of the ap stylebook and from guidelines compiled by editors in the office of communications at johns hopkins university. Use an apostrophe in bachelor s degree or masters, but not for an associate degree. The bachelor of arts degree, or ba or ab degree, is a 4year undergraduate college degree program that focuses on the liberal arts, science, or a combination of the two. The guidelines are based on the associated press ap stylebook, websters new world dictionary, and local usage.
Please follow ap style and its companion websters new world college dictionaryfor any topics and words not addressed by university of hartford editorial style. Ap style states that you should use an apostrophe in bachelor s degree and masters degree. For topics not listed below, please consult the most recent ap guidelines. A bachelor of arts is a broad interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program encompassing general education, electives and major area of study courses. I have bachelor of arts degrees in english and history. Did you know that unc asheville follows associated press style online in most instances. A bachelor s degree or bachelor s can be used, but not capitalized. The goal of the wsu writing style guide is to provide help on that which is not addressed in ap style and that which is an exception to ap. Bachelor of arts programs generally take three or four years depending on the country and institution. Rules for capitalizing academic degrees in ap style bka. The ap stylebook is widely used as a writing and editing reference tool in newsrooms, classrooms, and offices worldwide. There is no apostrophe in bachelor of arts or master of science.
Use an apostrophe in bachelor s degree, a masters, etc. Jane doe holds a bachelor of arts in music from university of coloradoboulder. As a writer following the associated press stylebook, however, i capitalize. The associated press stylebook ap recommends no capitals when referring to degrees in general terms bachelors, masters, doctorate, associate degree but always capitalizing specific degrees bachelor of arts, master of science, whether or not they directly precede or follow a name. Ung offers associate, bachelor s and masters degrees. In text, use bachelors degree or bachelors rather than b. I have two bachelor s degrees and one masters degree. Also note, an associate degree is not a possessive.
The universitys editorial style generally adheres to the associated press stylebook, except where exceptions are noted. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style used. The associated press stylebook, first published in 1977, clarified the news organizations rules on grammar. Ap style states that you should use an apostrophe in bachelors degree and masters degree. Use an apostrophe in bachelor s degree and masters degree. Home ap style ap style academic degrees sometimes it is necessary to establish the credentials of a subject in your text. When referring to specific degrees, use formal titles. The associated press stylebook ap recommends no capitals when referring to degrees in general terms bachelors, masters, doctorate. The drexel university editorial style guide is a reference tool for campus communicators to use when preparing copy for print and electronic distribution. Casual references to degrees require an apostrophe. If mention of a degree is necessary to establish someones credentials, the preferred form is to avoid an abbreviation and use instead a phrase such as. Academic degrees are capitalized only when the full name of the degree is used, such as bachelor of arts or master of social work.
A baccalaureate is another name for a bachelor s degree. The forms bachelors degree, bachelors, masters degree and. Correct she has a bachelor of arts degree in communications. Our editorial style is based upon the associated press stylebook, with some exceptions and refinements. Ba, bs, bachelor of arts, bachelor of science ma, ms, master of arts, master of science edd, phd, doctor of education, doctor of philosophy mba, master of business administration. Some are exceptions to the ap stylebook, and others are included to ensure internal consistency. Academic degrees the preferred form is bachelor s degree, masters degree and doctorate, all lowercase and with an. Associated press style guide hometown newsmaker guide. Capitalize bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, master of science, etc. The university of tampa style guide provides guidelines for writers on campus. Apply the following guidelines to the titles of books, computer games, movies.
Editorial style guide university of colorado denver. There are a few things to keep straight when writing bachelor s degree in ap style. Editorial style guide drexel university identity guidelines. Ap agrees with chicago that you should lowercase bachelor s degree, master s, etc. Use an apostrophe in bachelors degree and masters degree.
The basics ap style study guide compiled using the associated press stylebook j202j218 spring 2009 academic degrees. He graduated with a bachelor of arts in journalism he earned a bachelor s degree in english he received a master of science degree in chemistry he received his doctor of psychology degree from pr university. Ap is in agreement with cmos that the field of study be written in lower case except when it contains a. The associated press stylebook and websters new world online provides a comprehensive guide to associated press usage and accepted style, with chapters on religion, fashion, food, broadcast, business, sports and social media. Use the following guidelines to produce clean copy, style errorfree writing with unnecessary mistakes. As a writer following the associated press stylebook, however, i capitalize according to the rules and not peoples egos.
Ap stylebook online is a searchable, customizable resource for writers and editors. Jane doe holds a master of science in engineering from university of wisconsinmadison. Andrews university uses the style of no punctuation in academic. For guidance on how and when to abbreviate bachelor s degrees, please see our full page on ap style academic degrees. He has a bachelor s degree, but his sister has a masters degree. Editorial guide brand and style guidelines university.
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