How Do We Write Bachelor’s Degree in AP Style?

In AP Style, degree titles like “bachelor’s degree” are written in lowercase, and abbreviations for degrees should be avoided. It’s important to follow specific capitalization and phrasing rules when referencing academic degrees.

What AP Style Suggests?

According to AP Style, you should avoid using abbreviations for bachelor’s degree. You have to keep a few points to write down degrees.

If you are writing ‘bachelor’s degree’ or ‘bachelor’s’, then you don’t have to capitalize these terms. Both terms are acceptable with lowercase letters.

For example,

• She worked hard for 8 years and got two bachelor’s degrees.

However, if you will write ‘bachelor degrees’, then it will be taken as a wrong phrase. For example,

• She worked hard for 8 years and got two bachelor degrees. (Wrong)

One more point to remember:

You don’t need to add apostrophes in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. However, you should capitalize these terms. For example,

• She has a Bachelor of Arts degree. (Correct)

• She has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree. (Wrong)

Capitalization Rules for Academic Degrees in AP Style

In AP Style, the names of academic degrees, such as “bachelor’s degree” or “master’s degree,” are not capitalized unless they directly follow a person’s name. The key rule is to capitalize degree titles only when they are part of a formal title or are being used after a person’s name.

Examples:

• She earned a bachelor’s degree in history.
• He has a master’s degree in economics.
• Dr. John Smith, Ph.D., is our guest speaker today.

However, when you are writing “bachelor’s” or “master’s” alone (without the specific degree type or field), it remains lowercase.

Example:

• She received two bachelor’s degrees, one in biology and another in psychology.

When to Use Full Degree Titles vs. Abbreviations

AP Style suggests using the full name of a degree in most cases and advises against abbreviating degree names like “B.A.” or “M.A.”. Abbreviations should only be used when they are necessary for brevity or space, and even then, “B.A.” or “M.A.” should be used sparingly.

For undergraduate degrees, always spell out “bachelor’s degree” and never abbreviate it to “B.A.” in text. The same rule applies for “master’s degree” (no abbreviating to “M.A.”) unless space is extremely limited.

Examples:

• He received his bachelor’s degree in English.
• She holds a master’s degree in business administration.

Abbreviations like “M.D.” (Doctor of Medicine) or “Ph.D.” (Doctor of Philosophy) are acceptable in certain contexts when referencing highly specialized degrees.

Example:

• Dr. Jane Doe, M.D., spoke at the conference.

Check Out: How Do We Write Academic Titles In AP Style?

Writing Degree Titles in Headlines and Subheadings

In headlines or subheadings, degree titles are generally treated with the same rules as in regular text—capitalize them only when they directly follow a name. When used as a noun (e.g., “She earned a bachelor’s degree”), the title is lowercase. The exception is for the more formal titles such as “Dr.” or “Prof.” when they precede a person’s name.

Examples in Headlines:

• Dr. John Smith, Ph.D., to Speak at Graduation Ceremony
• She Earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

Here, “Dr.” and “Ph.D.” are capitalized because they appear directly before the person’s name. The “bachelor’s degree” is lowercase because it is used as a noun and not part of a title.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Degree Titles in AP Style

Common mistakes often arise from improper capitalization and incorrect phrasing when writing academic degrees in AP Style. Some of the frequent errors include:

1. Using unnecessary apostrophes: Avoid writing “Bachelor’s of Arts” or “Bachelor’s degree” when referencing a degree. The term “Bachelor of Arts” is the correct phrasing. The apostrophe in “Bachelor’s” should only be used when referring to a possession, such as in “She has a bachelor’s degree.”
2. Incorrect use of abbreviations: Many writers mistakenly abbreviate “Bachelor of Arts” as “B.A.” or “Master of Science” as “M.S.” unless absolutely necessary. In most cases, it’s better to spell the degree out to avoid confusion.
3. Confusing academic titles with degrees: Titles like “Dr.” or “Prof.” should be used before a person’s name to refer to their academic status, while the degree itself follows a specific format. For example, it is correct to say, “Dr. Emily Thompson, Ph.D.,” not “Dr. Emily Thompson, Ph.D. in physics.

What Did You Learn?

Understanding how to write academic degrees according to AP Style is essential for maintaining clarity and consistency in your writing.

Key points include capitalizing specific degree titles when they directly follow a person’s name, avoiding abbreviations unless necessary, and correctly spelling out degrees like “bachelor’s degree” or “master’s degree” in most contexts.