Names and abbreviations of VT degrees
One of the most important pieces of information in your resume and cover letters is the listing of the college degree you are pursuing (or have earned). If you're uncertain of your degree or how to state it, there are resources:
University resources to confirm correct wording and abbreviations for your degree:
- Bachelor of arts or bachelor of science or other ...?
The Undergraduate Course Catalogs (for each year) sometimes tell the names of degrees offered within each colleges.
- Master of arts or master of science or other...?
See VT graduate degrees and programs
[Graduate School | graduateschool.vt.edu] - How to abbreviate your degree | capitalization & possessive:
University style guide: abbreviations includes this.
[University Relations] - Degree title guidelines from the University style guide:
Do not add the word "degree" after an abbreviation of the degree.
Do not add the word "degree" after "bachelor/master of arts/science."
EXAMPLES:
Correct:
B.S. in sociology
M.A. in English
Ph.D. in biochemistry
Not correct:
B.S. degree in sociology
M.A. degree in English
Ph.D. degree in biochemistry
Correct:
Bachelor of Arts in geography (subject is not capitalized)
bachelor's degree in geography
Bachelor of Arts in English (subject "English" is capitalized, as with all names of languages, which are proper nouns)
Not correct:
Bachelor of arts degree in geography
Bachelor's of arts in geography
Correct:
bachelor's degree | master's degree
Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Science
Master of Arts | Master of Science
Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.]
doctoral degree
doctorate
Not correct:
Bachelors degree | masters degree
Bachelor's of arts | of science
Master of arts degree
doctorial (that's not a word)
doctorate degree ("doctorate" and "degree" are both nouns. If you want an adjective before the noun "degree," use "doctoral.")