Academic Degrees: A Quick Guide

Date posted: November 5, 2024  Author:

Here’s a quick guide to writing about academic degrees at BC in a clear, consistent way.

More Information:

Bellevue College Guide to Referring to Academic Degrees
This guide clarifies how to consistently reference academic degrees at Bellevue College.
Bachelor’s and Applied Bachelor’s Degrees
  • Use “bachelor’s degrees” when referring to a group of BC bachelor’s degrees that includes specific programs like the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or the Registered Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN).
  • Use “applied bachelor’s degrees” when neither of these specific degrees are included in the group.
Avoiding Abbreviations
For clarity, use the full degree title instead of abbreviations when mentioning someone’s degree as a credential:
  • Example: “John Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of North Carolina.”
When to Use Abbreviations
Abbreviations are acceptable if multiple people with varying degrees are mentioned, and the sentence becomes lengthy:
  • Example: “Vasili Pentorov earned a BA in history, Emilia Adjibly an AA in Radiology, and Mintri Der Hacopian a Ph.D. in accounting.”
Tip: Use a comma after the person’s name and before the degree abbreviation. Avoid using a title and an abbreviation together:
  • Correct: “Malhar Bakshi, Ph.D.”
  • Incorrect: “Dr. Malhar Bakshi, Ph.D.”
Writing Degree Abbreviations
Write degree abbreviations without periods, except for compound abbreviations like Ph.D. Here are some common degrees used at Bellevue College:
  • Associate Degrees
    • Associate in Science (AS)
    • Associate in Arts (AA)
    • Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
    • Associate in Arts and Sciences – Direct Transfer Agreement (AAS-DTA)
    • Associate of Applied Science – Transfer (AAS-T)
    • Associate in Business – Direct Transfer Agreement/ Major Related Programs (AB-DTA/MRP)
    • Associate in Math Education – Direct Transfer Agreement/ Major Related Programs (AME-DTA/MRP)
    • Associate of Science – Transfer (AS-T)
  • Bachelor’s Degrees
    • Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA)
    • Bachelor of Science (BS)
    • Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
  • Certificates
    • Baccalaureate Certificate
    • Certificate of Accomplishment
    • Certificate of Achievement
    • Certificate of Completion
  • Graduate Degrees
    • Master of Science (MS)
    • Master of Arts (MA)
    • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
About the Bellevue College Style Guide  
Bellevue College has recently updated its editorial standards, ensuring consistency and clarity in all written communications across campus. These guidelines are essential for maintaining a unified voice, making our communications easier to understand, and reflecting professionalism in all publications, whether it’s a campus-wide announcement, a department newsletter, or social media content.   
Following a consistent style ensures that our readers—students, faculty, staff, and the wider community—receive clear, accessible information. Bellevue College primarily follows the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, with some customizations to meet our specific needs.    
Through this blog series, we’ll dive into various components of the style guide, helping writers and editors across campus understand how to apply these standards effectively in their work.    

Last Updated November 6, 2024