Commas for Titles & Degrees (2024)

Kenneth Gordon

One of the simplest writing mistakes is misusing commas with names followed by a title or degree. The rules are simple, but can be confusing since they vary based on the type of term, the context and sometimes even the preference of the name holder.

Commas for Degrees

Use a comma between the name and the abbreviated degree, as in "Joe Smith, M.D." This also applies to professional titles;

for example, "Mary Richards, director of development."

If written in a sentence, include a second comma after the degree or title:

"Joe Smith, M.D., will speak at the conference."

Do not include the second comma if the name ends the sentence:

"I plan on having lunch with Joe Smith, M.D."

Seniority Terms

If a person's name has Junior (Jr.), Senior (Sr.), II or another like term, it is not necessary to include any commas;

for example, "Joe Smith Jr. is a very generous person."

However, some people may follow older conventions and choose to write their name using commas:

"Joe Smith, Jr."

If you know this to be the case, it is appropriate to also write the name this way. In a sentence, set it off with commas the same way you would with a degree title:

"We will know what Joe Smith, Sr., has decided any minute now."

Possessive Form

When titles and degrees are used in the possessive form, do not include the second comma:

"Joe Smith, M.D.'s speech was very moving."

Titles Before Name

Do not use a comma for titles that appear before the person's name, such as

"the Reverend Joe Smith" or "Doctor Mary Richards."

Also do not include both a person's title, such as doctor, and their corresponding degree, such as M.D., at the same time.

Commas for Titles & Degrees (2024)

FAQs

Commas for Titles & Degrees? ›

THE RULE: A comma separates initials, degrees, or titles from a name and from the rest of the sentence. For example, a pair of commas is used in the following sentences because the titles are parenthetical: Robert Yeager, Professor of English, is chair of the Department of English and Foreign Languages.

Do you put a comma between name and degree? ›

Commas are used to set off academic, professional and religious designations (e.g., Robert G. Lahita, M.D.; Rev. Michael Braden, S.J.; Kristina Chew, Ph.

What is the comma rule for titles? ›

If the title is not a formal title, each word is lowercase. If the title is long, offset it with commas after the name or place it in front of the name with a comma.

How to write name with degree title? ›

The standard format is Person's Name, Degree. So Rachel Andrews, PhD. Degree abbreviations can include periods but most people don't use them, but either MD or M.D. is correct. If you are using the title Doctor, don't use the degree afterwards and vice versa.

Do you put a comma before PhD? ›

Academic Abbreviations: When an academic abbreviation such as Ph. D. is used to introduce someone, use a comma before and after the abbreviation. John Snow, Ph. D., and Jane Doe, Ph.

How do you punctuate degree titles? ›

Degree abbreviations

Always put periods between the letters, e.g. B.S., M.A., Ph. D. One exception to this rule is MBA (Master of Business Administration).

What is the correct way to list your degrees after your name? ›

If you have a degree, start by listing the highest degree you've earned immediately after your name, such as a master's degree, bachelor's degree or associate degree. If you have multiple degrees, you may choose to list only the highest degree you have earned since this often eclipses previous degrees.

How do you punctuate titles correctly? ›

Titles and Subtitles

1 of the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook says, “Use a colon and a space to separate a title from a subtitle, unless the title ends in a question mark or an exclamation point. Include other punctuation only if it is part of the title or subtitle.”

How do you punctuate JR SR III? ›

Traditionally, it would be John Smith, Jr., and John Smith III. But beginning with the fourteenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style (1993), the recommendation is to use no commas in either case (see paragraph 6.43 of the seventeenth edition):

How to list multiple names and titles in a sentence? ›

Use semi-colons after each item in a list if one or more items already includes a comma. Included in the case conference were Dr. Andrew Smith, director; Dr. Harriet Clemens, cardiologist; and Charlotte Jackson, registered nurse.

What is the proper title for degrees? ›

Academic degrees are capitalized only when the full name of the degree is used, such as Bachelor of Arts or Master of Social Work. General references, such as bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, are not capitalized.

What is the order of degree titles after name? ›

The Oxford style is to list qualifications by their title starting with bachelor's degrees, then master's degrees, then doctorates. Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas are listed after doctorates, but before professional qualifications, with a similar ordering being used by other universities.

How do you write your name with a master's degree? ›

When adding your masters degree to your business card or signature, you can use either your full name or initials followed by your degree. For example: John Smith, Ph. D.

Do you put a comma between degrees? ›

academic degrees and credentials

Put commas between the name and credentials, as well as between credentials (Kelly Smith, MD, PhD). Credentials should be listed in the following order: Highest academic degree earned, licensure, certification (John Smith, DNS, RN, FNP-BC).

Do you put Dr. and PhD in title? ›

The doctor title can be used in place of the PhD and for incredibly formal communications, such as a business email or card, you can use both. However, sometimes using both can cause confusion as to whether or not there is a reason first using both the doctor and PhD tags. Nonetheless, many people still use both.

How do you write PhD with punctuation? ›

In English, PhD can be written with or without periods; both are correct. The trend today is to drop periods with abbreviations of academic degrees. However, many sources, including the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, still recommend the use of periods: Ph. D.

Do I put a comma after a name? ›

Let's start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last word(s) in a sentence, it can either be used with no commas at all, OR with a comma both before and after. It is incorrect to place only one comma before the name or title.

Do you put letters after your name with a degree? ›

The degree class is not part of the post-nominal letters in any case. Put it on your CV, on your business card, but not your signature. I would stick to just BSc.

What is the correct way to write a degree? ›

Academic Degrees

General references, such as bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, are not capitalized. Use an apostrophe (possessive) with bachelor's degree and master's degree, but not in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science. Do not use an apostrophe with associate degree or doctoral degree.

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