1. Communication Standards
  2. Editorial Style Guide
  3. Degree Terminology

Degree Terminology

Degree abbreviations
Use periods for abbreviated degrees, certificates and licenses: B.S., M.S.Ed., Ph.D. See sections Undergraduate Degrees, Advanced Degrees and Certificates, and College of Law Professional Degree for specific degrees.
Divisions
Upper division and lower division are the correct references for NIU students in junior-senior or freshmen-sophomore groups and for NIU courses at the 300-400 or 100-200 levels. Do not use the terms upper class, under class or lower class, or upperclassmen/lowerclassmen in this context.
GRE
A trademark for Graduate Record Examination.
Grade-point Average
GPA is acceptable in all references. Carry decimals in a grade-point average to two digits: 3.50.
Programs
When referencing programs, use the official name of program as listed on the primary program pages linked below.
Semester
Use the terms fall semester, spring semester, summer session, in lowercase.

Undergraduate Degrees

Note that while the NIU Catalog uses periods for degree acronyms (i.e., B.F.A., M.B.A.) it is up to the writer's discretion if they prefer to use degree acronyms and/or professional designations without punctuation.

Please check the current course catalog for degree programs in both undergraduate and graduate schools.

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
  • Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.)
  • Bachelor of Music (B.M.)
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
  • Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.)

Advanced Degrees and Certificates

  • Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.)
  • Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)
  • Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)
  • Master of Accountancy (M.A.C.)
  • Master of Accounting Science (M.A.S.)
  • Master of Arts (M.A.)
  • Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
  • Master of Business Administration (M.B.A)
  • Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
  • Master of Music (M.M.)
  • Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
  • Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
  • Master of Science (M.S.)
  • Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.)
  • Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.)
  • Master of Science in Taxation (M.S.T.)
  • Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.)
  • Performer's Certificate (do not abbreviate as P.C.)

College of Law Professional Degree

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Examples of Degree Terminology

Degree types:

  • Associate degree (no possessive)
  • Bachelor's degree/baccalaureate degree/Bachelor of Arts degree/B.A. degree
  • Master's degree/Master of Science degree/M.S. degree
  • Doctoral degree/doctorate/Doctor of Education degree/Ed.D. degree
  • Law degree/Juris Doctor degree/J.D. degree

A Performer's Certificate is not a graduate degree, but it is designed to permit students to attain greater mastery of their chosen fields than achievable with the master's degree. Note that Performer's Certificate is not abbreviated.

A Certificate of Graduate Study is a course of study, not linked to the pursuit of a degree, consisting of a coherent set of courses, fewer than for a major, addressing a specific theme.

A concentration is a course of study, typically interdisciplinary, linked to the pursuit of a specific graduate degree.

Use the word degree with the abbreviation, rather than the abbreviation alone: Ph.D. degree, B.S. degree.

Back to top