What do poppies and questions about graduation have in common? They both seem to pop up in late May or June!
Not much of a riddle, but I do get tons of questions this time of year about the proper grammar for discussing graduation and the appropriate way to punctuate different types of degrees.
Donna covered the graduation question a couple months ago here: https://episystechpubs.com/2014/06/09/pet-peeves-graduation/
As far as degree types, here are some general rules:
· Use lowercase letters for the degree unless you are writing the formal name for a particular degree:
o I think she has a master’s degree of some kind.
o Jane has a Master of Educational Technology Degree from San Diego State University.
Note: Universities and other institutions often capitalize academic degrees, but when speaking of degrees in general prose, it is most appropriate to lowercase them.
· The Chicago Manual of Style recommends omitting the periods between abbreviations. For example:
o BA = bachelor of arts
o BFA = bachelor of fine arts
o DDS = doctor of dental surgery
o JD = juris doctor (doctor of law)
o MBA = master of business administration
o MD = medicinae doctor (doctor of medicine)
o Etc.
· Don’t let the apostrophe throw you off. Here are the correct versions of some of the most common degrees:
o associate degree
o bachelor’s degree
o doctoral degree
o master’s degree
Kara Church
Technical Editor, Advisory
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