Titles and Abbreviations Used in College

Students can use some abbreviations in academic writing, while others are inappropriate. Here is a list of abbreviations prepared by College-Writers team. Check out this list of appropriate abbreviations so that your paper will meet academic requirements.

College Degrees

• A.A.
  This abbreviation stands for “Associate of Arts.” It’s a two-year degree in liberal arts or a degree that covers a mix of sciences and liberal arts. You can use the “A.A.” abbreviation instead of the full name of a degree.
• A.A.S.
  Associate of Applied Science is a two-year degree in science or a technical field.
• A.B.D.
  All But Dissertation refers to students who have completed all the requirements for their Ph.D. degree but haven’t written a dissertation. Usually, this term is used when referring to doctoral candidates who are currently writing their dissertation or to indicate that a candidate can apply for positions that require a Ph.D. degree.
• A.F.A.
  Associate of Fine Arts is a two-year degree in a creative area, such as photography, painting, fashion design, sculpting, or theater. You can use this abbreviation in all papers, except for the most formal ones.
• B.A.
  Bachelor of Arts is a four-year undergraduate degree in sciences or liberal arts. You can use this abbreviation in all papers, except for the most formal ones.
• B.F.A.
  Bachelor of Fine Arts is a four-year undergraduate degree in creative arts. You can use this abbreviation in all but the most formal papers.
• B.S.
  Bachelor of Science is a four-year undergraduate degree in science. You can also use this abbreviation in all but the most formal papers.
  Keep in mind that most students enter college as undergraduates, looking for a four-year or two-year degree (bachelor’s and associate’s degree, respectively). Graduate schools are separate colleges in many universities, where students can choose whether they want to continue their education, looking for a higher degree.
• M.A.
  Master of Arts is a degree that students earn in graduate school. It’s awarded to students who study liberal arts for one or two years after getting a bachelor’s degree.
• M.Ed.
  Master of Education is a master’s degree awarded to students who pursue an advanced degree in education.
• M.S.
  Master of Science is a master’s degree awarded to students who pursue an advanced degree in technology or science.

Titles

• Dr.
  Doctor is a title used when referring to a college professor. Usually, this title refers to a Doctor of Philosophy. In many fields, it’s the highest degree. However, there are also fields where the master’s degree is the highest possible. It’s generally preferable to use this abbreviation when addressing professors in academic writing.
• Esq.
  Esquire is a title that has long been used to express respect. Usually, this title is used for lawyers, after their full name, for example: “John Smith, Esq.” You can use this abbreviation in both formal and informal writing.
• Prof.
  It’s acceptable to abbreviate “Professor” in informal and non-academic writing. The title is used before a surname.
• Mr. and Mrs.
  “Mister” and “Mistress” are considered outdated titles when used in academic writing. However, they are still used in very formal writing, such as invitations, and military writing. We suggest that you don’t use these titles when addressing a professor, teacher, or potential employer.
• Ph.D.
  Doctor of Philosophy is a title that comes after a name. It’s the highest degree earned in graduate school. This degree is also called a doctorate or doctoral degree. When you see correspondence signed with “Ph.D.,” you should address this person using “Dr.”