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. Degrees that are abbreviated with two letters take a period after each letter, and both letters are capitalized. When speaking about a specific degree, you drop the possessive. I dont have a style guide in front of me bad professor.
For reference books, newspapers, and magazine names, they should not be placed in quotations. Use an apostrophe in bachelor s degree, a masters, etc. The noun university is not capitalized when it stands alone. Spiralbound book, updated each spring 2019 ap stylebook. The chicago manual of style cmos recommends that names of degrees, fellowships, and the like are lowercased when referred to generically, but to capitalize the name of a degree when it is displayed on a resume, business card, diploma, alumni directory, or anywhere it looks like a title rather than a description. Taekwondo is written as one word, and would only be capitalized if it were used at the. John landenwald, master of political science, at your service.
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. Did you know that unc asheville follows associated press style online in most instances. One word as an adjective, weeklong an exception to websters new world college dictionary. Ap spells academic departments and programs in lowercase except for words that are proper nouns or adjectives or when the department name is part of the official and formal name preceded by the university or college. Im currently studying to get my masters in electrical engineering at university of gotham. Here is a sampling of frequently asked questions, with examples of ap style. The following formal names of specific degrees should always be capitalized in ap style.
D he has a bachelors degree in english, a masters in translation, and a doctorate in comparative literature. She has a bachelor s degree in english, a masters in translation and a doctorate in comparative literature. The forms bachelors degree, bachelors, masters degree and masters are acceptable as general terms. Rules for capitalizing academic degrees in ap style bka. What you need to know before you write a bio statement. Proper nouns, of course, should still be capitalized. The forms bachelors degree, bachelors, masters degree and masters are acceptable. A baccalaureate is another name for a bachelor s degree. Academic degrees are capitalized only when the full name of the degree is used, such as bachelor of arts or master of science. Bachelor of arts in history, master of public health, bachelor of music, master of fine arts. Writing center quick reference associate press style guide. When talking about the degree in general, it doesnt need to be capitalized, the bachelor s is written as a possessive, not a plural.
Follow ap style in the use of apostrophe and capitalization. A baccalaureate is another name for a bachelors degree. Fortunately, the associated press stylebook addresses many of them in detail. For guidance on how and when to abbreviate bachelor s degrees, please see our full page on ap style academic degrees. Abbreviate and capitalize most titles when they are used directly before a name. There are clear guidelines for capitalizing academic degrees in ap style. Well, no, senator, technically i didnt finish my masters degree. You want to make sure that all of your job titles and job titles are properly capitalized since recruiters often spend less than 30 seconds scanning through a resume. I have two bachelor degrees, one bachelor of arts and one bachelor of science. Use an apostrophe in bachelors degree and masters degree, but theres no.
Writing style guide university of central florida brand. This reference is not intended to be a duplication of that guide, but a supplement for style, consistency, spelling and terms often encountered around the university. Ap style terms for academic degrees gatehouse newsroom. Capitalization of academic degrees grammar blog blue book of. Apply the following guidelines to the titles of books, computer games, movies, operas, plays, poems. She is an inductee in the podcasting hall of fame, and the show is a fivetime winner of best education podcast in the podcast awards. Use apostrophes when writing bachelors and masters degrees but do not use s with of constructions. Ap style states that you should use an apostrophe in bachelors degree and masters degree. Some degrees are abbreviated with three or more letters. Capitalize and spell out formal titles such as chancellor, chairman, etc. Capitalize bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, master of science, etc. The ap therefore strives to keep its writing style easy to read, concise and free of bias. In cases of conflict, the university of tampa style guide supersedes the ap stylebook. Ap style is the official and primary style used by the university.
A bachelors degree or bachelors can be used, but not capitalized. What follows are summaries of some of the most common style rules. In fact, i still have to complete a bachelor of arts in criminal justice. Andrews university uses the style of no punctuation in academic. How to use religious titles in ap style bka content. On first usage of a persons name with academic degree, spell out the full name, followed by a comma and the academic degree, e. Correct standard form when abbreviating is to capitalize the main component words and use periods. Ap is in agreement with cmos that the field of study be written in lower case except when it contains a. In scientific or biological names, capitalize the first, or generic, latin name for the class of plant or animal and lowercase. Understanding proper capitalization rules is crucial if you are updating your resume and want to make an impression on your future employer.
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. The associated press recommends associate degree, but notes that others may spell it as associates degree. Jane doe holds a bachelor s degree in music from university of coloradoboulder. Choose from 100 different sets of ap stylebook flashcards on quizlet. When listing a major or degree program, capitalize only the official diploma title, not the program or concentration unless it includes a proper name. Its university commencement season, a time of great celebration but also one for confusion over capitalization or capitalisation for my uk colleagues. The associated press stylebook provides an az guide to issues such as capitalization, abbreviation, punctuation, spelling, numerals and many other questions of language usage. The correct standard form for general reference to these degrees is to use the possessive form of bachelor meaning with the apostrophe and s and to drop the caps, as in she has her masters degree or he has a bachelor s in music. General references, such as bachelor s, masters or doctoral degree, are not capitalized.
Associated press style guidelines summarized by prof. The ap style as its known in the trade is quite different from the new york times style or chicago manual of style. 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. Weve complied a list of ap style rules and terms to keep in mind for your graduation coverage. Master of science but masters degree bachelor of arts but bachelors degree doctor of nursing in geriatrics. Do capitalize the full name of a degree bachelor of arts on your resume.
You should also always capitalize related terms such. The chicago manual of style sixteenth edition is used as the guide for situations not covered by ap. Bachelor s degree follows the same spelling rules as masters degree. The associated press style is the goto style for journalism and news writing. In ap style, both words in appalachian mountains are capitalized because they are both parts of a proper noun the actual, official name of the location. Merriamwebsters collegiate dictionary eleventh edition is the authority on spelling, capitalization and hyphenation unless superseded by ap. Ucf communications and marketing follows the writing guidelines in the associated press stylebook for stories unless otherwise noted here.
The department prefers bullets, but punctuate them per ap style. When a date includes the month, day and year, include a comma after the year. Film, book, and song titles are capitalized and places in quotations. If you dont study hard, youll never get a bachelor s degree. Welcome to ask the editor, a forum on writing, style and phrasing issues that go beyond the pages of the ap stylebook. As a writer following the associated press stylebook, however, i capitalize according to the rules and not peoples egos. For all titles in ap style, there is no underlining or. Common grammar and style terms college of charleston. Ap style also aims to avoid stereotypes and unintentionally offensive language. The associated press stylebook ap recommends no capitals when referring to degrees in general terms bachelors, masters, doctorate. Page 2 book and other titles capitalize the principal words, including prepositions and conjunctions of four or more letters, and put quotation marks around book, movie, opera, play, poem, song. If youre new to news writing or switching from one to another, youll want to keep this ap cheat sheet handy and. Ap editor david minthorn fields questions of widest interest posed by subscribers to the online ap stylebook.
Use an apostrophe in bachelor s degree and masters degree, but theres no apostrophe when referring to an associate degree. Now in its sixth edition, the stylebook is the standard style. The area of study is generally lowercase, unless the area is part of the official degree title. Also note, an associate degree is not a possessive. Rules for capitalizing academic degrees in ap style bka content. The 2019 edition of the associated press stylebook and briefing on media law includes more than 200 new or revised entries, with chapters covering data journalism, business, fashion, food, religion and sports terms, as well as media law, news values, punctuation, social media, polls and surveys and a new chapter on health and science. Capitalization of academic degrees grammar and punctuation. Use an apostrophe in bachelors degree and masters degree. Learn ap stylebook with free interactive flashcards. The basics ap style study guide compiled using the associated press stylebook j202j218 spring 2009 academic degrees. Associated press style is to use dashes, not bullets, for lists that follow a colon.
Avoid abbreviations and just write the degree into a sentence john jones, who has a doctorate in psychology there is an apostrophe when you say it like, bachelor s, masters, but not when you say bachelor of arts or master of science. A bachelor s degree or bachelor s can be used, but not capitalized. Spell out the name of a month when it is used without a specific date. After each bullet, capitalize the first letter and use periods at the end of each item. Capitalize and spell out formal titles such as dean and chair when they.
Compare your responses to the 20 questions in the quiz on the ap stylebook 2015 edition with those offered by associated press editors david minthorn, sally jacobsen, and paula froke. Colon capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence. They should be capitalized when attached before names of individuals, and they should be lowercase when they stand alone. Is degree capitalized in juris doctorate degree answers. Jane doe holds a bachelor of arts in music from university of coloradoboulder. Mignon fogarty is the founder of quick and dirty tips and the author of seven books on language, including the new york times bestseller grammar girls quick and dirty tips. 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 do not add the word degree after an abbreviation of the degree or after the full name of the degree wrong. Ap stylebook does not capitalize the terms masters degree or bachelors degree. The associated press stylebook, first published in 1977, clarified the news organizations rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage. Editorial style guide strategic communications the. Majors, academic programs and degrees academic degrees are capitalized only when the full name of the degree is used, such as bachelor of arts or master of social work. In text, use bachelors degree or bachelors rather than b.
Mignon fogarty is the founder of quick and dirty tips and the author of seven books on language, including the new york times bestseller grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing. An associate degree, however, does not use an apostrophe. Jack gillespie, rowan university, purdue university writing lab and ap stylebook page 2. When a degree is abbreviated with three capital letters, periods are never used. 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. Writing style guide fao unc eshelman school of pharmacy. Associated press style guide hometown newsmaker guide. Remember, there is no possessive in bachelor of arts or master of science.
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