Editorial Style Guide
Styleguide Contents
Abbreviations and Acronyms
In General
- Acronyms are abbreviations that are pronounced as a word, such as NASA, CAD, etc.
- The general trend is away from using periods in abbreviations, unless confusion might result. Thus, LSA rather than L.S.A. and CAUP rather than C.A.U.P.
- Use abbreviations and acronyms sparingly unless your readership is familiar with them.
- Spell out the abbreviation or acronym on the first use and follow with the abbreviation in parentheses to prepare readers for subsequent use.
- Do not use abbreviations or acronyms for subsequent references if they follow at a great distance from the spelled-out version. If the piece is lengthy enough to have chapters or sections, a good rule of thumb is to spell out the abbreviation or acronym upon first use in each section.
- Do not replace and with an ampersand (&). Use the ampersand only when part of an official name of a company, product, or other proper noun, or on covers at the discretion of a designer.
Abbreviations and acronyms should be restricted to situations in which they enhance comprehension: i.e., when your copy refers repeatedly to a lengthy name or term that has a commonly accepted abbreviation. Be aware that familiarity with most abbreviations and acronyms is context sensitive and field dependent. Does NASA refer to the Native American Student Association or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration? Remember that shorthand familiar to specialists in a given field (or to long-time university employees) could confuse non-specialists, non-university readers, and new employees.
Abbreviations and Acronyms in Titles and Headlines
The use of acronyms or abbreviations in titles and headlines depends on the audience and context. For example, it would likely not cause confusion if a magazine for engineering students used the acronym CAD in a title or headline. However, it might not be appropriate for an article in a non-technical publication. If using a potentially confusing abbreviation or acronym in a title cannot be avoided, be sure to use the full name in the first sentence of the article.
Acronyms That Stand Alone
GPA and SAT are not spelled out. (In fact, SAT is no longer an acronym.)
Articles (a, an, and the) with Abbreviations and Acronyms
(Also see the University of Michigan section below.)
Use the appropriate article (a, an, or the) with abbreviations and acronyms when you would use that article in speech. In general, if an acronym (like NASA or NATO) is pronounced as a word rather than as a series of letters (the AFL-CIO), and is used as a noun, you do not need an article. The choice between using an article with an acronym or abbreviation is governed by how the acronym or abbreviation is typically used. For example:
- Representatives from NATO will meet early next week.
- We need an HTML coder with a lot of experience.
- Experts from NASA believe the satellite will require minor repairs.
- Late yesterday, the UAW announced that it had reached an agreement with the company.
Degrees
The general trend is to omit periods from abbreviations, including academic degrees.
When the abbreviation of a degree might be unfamiliar to an audience, we recommend using a generic degree (such as BA, BS, MA, PhD, MBA) along with the subcategory spelled out, or spelling out the entire degree. When it’s clear from the context that the degree is a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, you may omit the level of degree and just provide the field abbreviation in parentheses, as is common in various alumni publications (see second example).
Note: When spelling out degrees, use lowercase: bachelor of science, master of business administration, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctorate.
- David Morris completed a BS in mechanical engineering last May. His cousin, Sue Elliot, earned a BA in communications the previous December. Her brother earned his doctor of music degree three years ago. Her sister has a master of fine arts in theater performance.
- Mary Chen (MHSA ’06) returned to U-M in 2003 to work on her master’s degree in health services administration.
- Carlos Alvarez (MMus ’92) performs regularly as a guest violinist with orchestras around the world. (For an alumni publication.)
- (But for a general readership.) Carlos Alvarez (’92), who holds a master’s degree in music performance from U-M, performs regularly as a guest violinist with orchestras around the world.
Abbreviations of UM-Ann Arbor Degrees
| Academic Group | Short Name | Formal Name |
| Art and Design | B.F.A. | Bachelor of Fine Arts |
| B.F.A.Des | Bachelor of Fine Arts (Design) | |
| A.M. | Master of Arts | |
| M.F.A. | Master of Fine Arts | |
| Architecture & Urban Planning | B.S. | Bachelor of Science |
| M.Arch. | Master of Architecture | |
| M.S. | Master of Science | |
| M.U.D. | Master of Urban Design | |
| M.U.P. | Master of Urban Planning | |
| Arch.D. | Doctor of Architecture | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Cert.Grad. | Certificate of Graduate Studies | |
| Business Administration | B.B.A. | Bachelor of Business Administration |
| A.M. | Master of Arts | |
| M.Acc. | Master of Accounting | |
| M.B.A. | Master of Business Administration | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Dentistry | M.S. | Master of Science |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| D.D.S. | Doctor of Dental Surgery | |
| Dental Hygiene | B.S. | Bachelor of Science |
| Cert.Dent. | Certificate of Specialization in Dental Hygiene | |
| Education | A.B.Ed. | Bachelor of Arts Education |
| B.S.Ed. | Bachelor of Science Education | |
| A.M. | Master of Arts | |
| M.S. | Master of Science | |
| Ed.D. | Doctor of Education | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Ed.S. | Specialist in Education | |
| Engineering | B.S. | Bachelor of Science in Engineering |
| B.S.AOSS | Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric, Oceanic & Sp S | |
| B.S.E.Aero | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Aerospace E | |
| B.S.E.B.E. | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Biomedical E | |
| B.S.E.C.S. | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Computer Sci | |
| B.S.E.Ch E | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Chemical Eng | |
| B.S.E.Civ | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Civil Engin | |
| B.S.E.CivE | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Civil & Env | |
| B.S.E.Comp | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Computer Eng | |
| B.S.E.E.P. | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Eng Physics | |
| B.S.E.E.S. | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Eng Science | |
| B.S.E.Elec | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical E | |
| B.S.E.Env. | Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences Eng | |
| B.S.E.ESSE | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Earth Sys Sc | |
| B.S.E.I.O. | Bachelor of Science in Engineering Indust & Oper E | |
| B.S.E.M.M. | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mat & Met E | |
| B.S.E.M.S. | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mat Sci & En | |
| B.S.E.Mech | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechan Engin | |
| B.S.E.Met | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Meteorology | |
| B.S.E.N.E. | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Nuclear Eng | |
| B.S.E.Nav | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Nav Ar & M E | |
| B.S.E.NERS | Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Nuc E & Rad S | |
| B.S.Meteor | Bachelor of Science in Meteorology | |
| B.S.P.O. | Bachelor of Science in Physical Oceanography | |
| M. Eng. | Master of Engineering | |
| M.S. | Master of Science | |
| M.S.E. | Master of Science in Engineering | |
| D.Eng.Mfg. | Doctor of Engineering in Manufacturing | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Aero.E. | Aerospace Engineer | |
| I.&Op.E. | Industrial and Operations Engineer | |
| Nav. Arch. | Naval Architect | |
| Nuc. E. | Nuclear Engineer | |
| Cert.Grad. | Certificate of Graduate Studies | |
| Cert.Adv.S. | Certificate of Advanced Studies in Engineering | |
| Information | A.M. | Master of Arts |
| M.I.L.S. | Master of Information and Library Studies | |
| M.S.I. | Master of Science in Information | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Public Policy | M.P.A. | Master of Public Administration |
| M.P.P. | Master of Public Policy | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Cert.Grad. | Certificate of Graduate Studies | |
| A.B. | Bachelor of Arts | |
| Kinesiology | A.B. | Bachelor of Arts |
| B.S. | Bachelor of Science | |
| A.M. | Master of Arts | |
| M.S. | Master of Science | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Cert.Grad. | Certificate of Graduate Studies | |
| Law | LL.M. | Master of Laws |
| M.C.L. | Master of Comparative Law | |
| S.J.D. | Doctor of the Science of Law | |
| J.D. | Juris Doctor | |
| Literature, Science, & the Arts | A.B. | Bachelor of Arts |
| B.G.S. | Bachelor in General Studies | |
| B.S. | Bachelor of Science | |
| B.S.Chem. | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry | |
| A.M. | Master of Arts | |
| M.F.A. | Master of Fine Arts | |
| M.S. | Master of Science | |
| M.M.P. | Master of Museum Practice | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Cert.Prg.C. | Certificate of Program Completion | |
| Cert.Grad. | Certificate of Graduate Studies | |
| Medicine | M.S. | Master of Science |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| M.D. | Doctor of Medicine | |
| Cert.Grad. | Certificate of Graduate Studies | |
| Music, Theatre & Dance | B.D.A. | Bachelor of Dance Arts |
| B.F.A. | Bachelor of Fine Arts | |
| B.Mus. | Bachelor of Music | |
| B.Mus.A. | Bachelor of Musical Arts | |
| B.S. | Bachelor of Science | |
| B.T.A. | Bachelor of Theatre Arts | |
| BFA.Mus.Tht. | B.F.A. (Music Theatre) | |
| A.M. | Master of Arts | |
| M.F.A. | Master of Fine Arts | |
| M.Mus. | Master of Music | |
| A.Mus.D. | Doctor of Musical Arts | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| S.M. | Specialist in Music | |
| Cert.Grad. | Certificate of Graduate Studies | |
| Natural Resources & Environment | B.S. | Bachelor of Science |
| M.L.Arch. | Master of Landscape Architecture | |
| M.S. | Master of Science | |
| M.F. | Master of Forestry | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Cert.Grad. | Certificate of Graduate Studies | |
| Nursing | B.S.N. | Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| M.S. | Master of Science | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Public Health | A.M. | Master of Arts |
| M.H.S.A. | Master of Health Services Administration | |
| M.P.H. | Master of Public Health | |
| M.S. | Master of Science | |
| Dr.P.H. | Doctor of Public Health | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Cert.Comp | Certificate of Academic Competencies | |
| Pharmacy | B.S. | Bachelor of Science |
| M.S. | Master of Science | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Pharm.D. | Doctor of Pharmacy | |
| Rackham | A.M. | Master of Arts |
| M.R.P. | Master of Regional Planning | |
| M.S. | Master of Science | |
| M.S.E. | Master of Science in Engineering | |
| M.S.I. | Master of Science in Information | |
| Ph.D. | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| Cert.Grad. | Certificate of Graduate Studies | |
| LSA Residential College | A.B. | Bachelor of Arts |
| B.S. | Bachelor of Science | |
| B.S.Chem. | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry | |
| Social Work | M.S.W. | Master of Social Work |
| Cert.Comm. | Certificate in Jewish Communal Service & Judaic St | |
| Cert.Aging | Certificate of Specialization in Aging | |
| Cert.Mgt. | Certificate of Management |
Graduation Year with Degree
When including a graduation or expected graduation year with a degree, abbreviate the year with an apostrophe and include a space between the year and the degree. Be sure to use an apostrophe (’63) and not a single open quote mark (‘63).
- Vijay Patel (BGS ’84) will return to U-M this fall as a first-year student at Michigan Law.
- Ann McCarthy (BFA ’72, MBA ’80) will establish a scholarship for students majoring in fine arts.
i.e. and e.g.
Use these two potentially confusing abbreviations sparingly. The abbreviation “i.e.” means “that is.” Use it to restate something, explain the meaning of a term or phrase, or give a complete list. The abbreviation “e.g.” means “for example” or “such as.” Both “i.e.” and “e.g.” should have periods after each letter and be followed by a comma. They may be enclosed in parentheses.
- The school administration, i.e., the dean and associate deans, attended a retreat.
- Several majors (e.g., economics, engineering, and chemistry) require strong math skills.
Plurals of Abbreviations and Acronyms
Form the plurals of abbreviations and acronyms by adding s alone (no apostrophe).
- All of the department’s MAs, PhDs, and GSIs spent several hours at the seminar.
State and City Abbreviations
Spell out state and city names in running text (especially if your audience might include international readers). Follow U.S. Postal Service format abbreviations in addresses or if the copy is a lengthy list of place names. Do not use city abbreviations such as NYC, L.A., Chi., etc. The exception is the use of St. for Saint, such as St. Louis or St. Paul. (Note that the second example below needs semicolons between entries because individual items in the list include commas.)
- The class included students from Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Montana, and West Virginia.
- The donors came from: Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Chicago, IL; Ft. Wayne, IN; Shreveport, LA; Midland, MI; St. Paul, MN; and Cincinnati, OH.
- Alumni in Fort Wayne, Indiana and St. Paul, Minnesota gave the largest bequests.
United States
The two-letter abbreviation for the United States of America uses periods. The three-letter abbreviation (and, customarily, other abbreviations of more than two letters) does not use periods.
- The U.S. Senate bill guarantees health insurance for all U.S. children living in poverty.
- Products made in the USA have become a rarity due to increased global manufacturing.
Abbreviate the United States only when used as an adjective. Spell it out whenever it is used as a noun.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began calculating the Consumer Price Index in 1913.
- The government of the United States is one of the nation’s largest employers.
University of Michigan
For external audiences, spell out the complete name the first time you refer to it, unless the context and nature of the document require an abbreviation (e.g., in an advertisement). Note the use of hyphens in both the long and abbreviated forms. (See “Dashes” in the Punctuation section for more information.)
the University of Michigan
the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (hyphen)
the University of Michigan-Dearborn (hyphen)
the University of Michigan-Flint (hyphen)
Unless it is the first word in a sentence or part of an official title, the should not be capitalized in running text.
- John attends the University of Michigan.
- NOT John attends The University of Michigan.
Abbreviations for the University of Michigan and its campuses.
U-M (hyphen)
UM-Ann Arbor (hyphen)
UM-Dearborn (hyphen)
UM-Flint (hyphen)
the university
Note the elimination of the hyphen from the abbreviated form of U-M when a campus designation is used: UM-Dearborn NOT U-M-Dearborn. Although U-M is usually pronounced “U of M” when spoken, this abbreviation should not be used in written text.
Use of the article “the” is optional with the abbreviated form of the university name:
- John attends the U-M.
- John attends U-M.
Because it can cause confusion with the state of Michigan, avoid referring to U-M as “Michigan” unless the context is obvious. For example: Michigan donors can take advantage of a new tax law that allows deductions for charitable gift annuities. Is a “Michigan” donor anyone who gives money to U-M or a donor who resides in the state of Michigan?