Janice Lozano
When writing, it is important to know when to capitalize words and when not to. Capitalization is generally reserved for proper nouns, which are the names or titles of specific people, places, or things. For example, when referring to a group of international students, the phrase should not be capitalized as it is not a proper noun. However, if you are referring to a specific organization or entity with International Student in its name, then it should be capitalized. Additionally, when writing about academic or professional titles, there are specific guidelines to follow. Titles that come before a name are generally not capitalized, while those that come after a name can be capitalized as part of a formal title.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Capitalization rules | Capitalization is generally reserved for proper nouns, which are the actual names/titles of specific persons, places, or things. |
| International student capitalization | "International student" should not be capitalized as it is not a proper noun and does not refer to the name of a specific person, place, or thing. |
| Proper noun examples | Proper nouns include names like "Kalamazoo", proper adjectives like "Romance languages", and common nouns used as part of a specific name like "Kanley Chapel" and "Waldo Library". |
| Academic degree capitalization | Academic degrees are generally not capitalized unless the full name of the degree is used, such as "Bachelor of Arts" or "Master of Science". |
| Course title capitalization | Names of specific course titles should be capitalized, while general academic subjects are not. For example, "Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics". |
| Title capitalization | Titles that follow names or stand alone are generally not capitalized. For example, "John Smith, Professor of Biology". |
| University-related capitalization | Only capitalize the official and complete names of universities, colleges, schools, departments, etc. For example, "Department of Biology" or "School of Dental Medicine". |
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What You'll Learn
Capitalizing Academic Degrees
When it comes to capitalizing academic degrees, there are a few rules and style guidelines to follow. Firstly, let's differentiate between general references to degrees and specific degree names.
General References to Degrees
When referring to degrees in general terms, such as "bachelor's", "master's", or "doctoral degree", these terms are not capitalized. For example, one might say, "She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration." Here, "bachelor's" is not capitalized because it is a general reference to the degree level.
Specific Degree Names
When referring to the specific name of a degree, such as "Bachelor of Arts" or "Master of Social Work", the degree name is capitalized. For example, "He holds a Master of Science in Computer Science." Here, "Master of Science" is capitalized because it is the specific name of the degree.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Abbreviations and acronyms for degrees, such as "B.A.", "M.S.", or "Ph.D.", are generally not capitalized in regular text. However, they may be capitalized when used in resumes, business cards, diplomas, or alumni directories, where they take on a more titular role. For example, "Mary Smith, Ph.D." is the correct format for an alumni directory, while "Mary Smith earned her PhD in 2005" is correct in a general context.
Academic Subjects and Course Titles
It is important to distinguish between academic subjects and specific course titles. Academic subjects, such as "biology" or "history", are not capitalized. However, specific course titles, like "Medical Biology" or "Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery", are usually capitalized. For example, "He is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Medical Biology," where "Medical Biology" is a specific course of study within the broader academic subject of biology.
When referring to someone's title or profession, such as "attorney" or "pianist", these terms are generally not capitalized, even when they precede the person's name. For example, "attorney Jane Doe" is correct, while "Attorney Jane Doe" is not.
In summary, when capitalizing academic degrees and related terms, it is important to consider the context and specificity of the reference. General degree terms are not capitalized, while specific degree names and course titles are. Abbreviations and acronyms may be capitalized in certain formal contexts, and academic subjects are typically lowercased. Titles and professions are generally not capitalized unless they are an integral part of a person's name.
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Capitalizing Specific Course Titles
When it comes to capitalizing specific course titles, there are a few guidelines to follow. Firstly, it's important to distinguish between proper nouns and common nouns. Proper nouns refer to specific individual names and should always be capitalized. For example, in the phrase "Kalamazoo History Class of '62," "Kalamazoo" is a proper noun and thus capitalized.
On the other hand, common nouns only need to be capitalized when they are part of a specific name. For instance, you would not capitalize "I'm taking a history class this semester," but you would capitalize "I'm enrolled in History 101: Medieval Europe." The specific course title, "History 101: Medieval Europe," distinguishes it from a general reference to a history class.
Additionally, academic degrees are only capitalized when the full name of the degree is used. For example, "Bachelor of Arts" or "Master of Social Work" are capitalized, while general references like "bachelor's" or "master's" are not. The same rule applies to universities, schools, colleges, and departments. Only use capitalization when referring to their official and complete names, such as "the University of Colorado Boulder" or "the Department of Aerospace Engineering."
When it comes to titles that follow names, it is generally preferred to keep them lowercase. For example, "John Smith, Professor of Biology," or "the chancellor of the university." This guideline also applies to occupations and professions. For instance, "attorney Jane Doe" or "pianist John Doe" should not be capitalized.
Lastly, when referring to committees, centers, groups, programs, institutes, or initiatives, avoid capitalization unless they are officially recognized and formally named. For example, "search committee" or "admissions committee" are not capitalized, while "the Admissions Office" or "the Board of Regents" are, as they are official bodies.
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Capitalizing Names of Colleges, Schools, Departments, Divisions, and Offices
When it comes to capitalizing the names of colleges, schools, departments, divisions, and offices, there are a few key rules and styles to keep in mind. Here is a detailed guide:
Capitalizing Names of Colleges and Universities
The capitalization rules for colleges and universities can vary depending on the style guide followed by the institution or publication. Here are some general guidelines:
- Proper Names: When referring to a college or university by its proper name, capitalize it. For example, "Western Michigan University" and "Lewis University" would be capitalized since they are specific institution names.
- Common Nouns: Capitalize common nouns like "college" or "university" only when they are part of a specific name. For instance, "Franklin College of Arts and Sciences" would be capitalized as it is the official name. However, in general references, you would lowercase "college" or "university" unless it is part of the official title, like "the university's campus."
- University Departments and Offices: When referring to specific academic departments or university offices, treat them as proper nouns and capitalize them. For example, "The Department of Art and Design" or "Office of Admissions." However, do not capitalize "department" or "office" when they follow the name of the program or when used in plural forms ("departments" or "offices").
- Degrees and Programs: Capitalize official college degrees and programs when referring to specific ones. For example, "Bachelor of Science" or "Master of Arts." However, general references like "bachelor's degree" or "master's degree" are not capitalized.
Capitalizing Names of Schools
- Formal Names: When referring to the full, formal names of schools, capitalize them. For example, "Hodgson School of Music" or "School of Dental Medicine."
- Informal References: Do not capitalize informal or shortened versions of school names. For instance, "the school of education" or "education policy analysis center."
- Administrative Divisions: Generally, capitalize the full, formal names of major administrative divisions within a school or college. For example, "Division of Student Affairs" (capitalized when referred to formally), but "the student affairs division" on the second reference.
- Centers and Institutes: Capitalize the full, formal names of centers and institutes associated with the school or college, such as "Institute of Higher Learning." On second reference or in informal usage, lowercase the name ("the higher education institute").
General Guidelines
- Proper Nouns: Always capitalize proper nouns, which include specific individual names, proper adjectives (derived from proper nouns), and common nouns or adjectives when used as part of a specific name. For example, "Kalamazoo," "Romance languages," "Kanley Chapel," or "Brown and Gold Room."
- Articles: The use of articles (a, an, or the) can be an important indicator for capitalization. For instance, "a bachelor of science degree" vs. "the Bachelor of Science program."
- Prepositions: The handling of prepositions in titles varies between style guides. Some recommend capitalizing prepositions with 5 or more letters, while others suggest keeping all prepositions lowercase in titles.
- Consistency: Ensure consistency in capitalization throughout your text or publication to maintain a professional and polished appearance.
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Capitalizing Titles
When it comes to capitalizing titles, there are a few key rules and guidelines to keep in mind.
Firstly, it is important to distinguish between proper nouns and common nouns. Proper nouns refer to the specific names or titles of individuals, places, or things, and they are always capitalized. For example, in the phrase "London's international student population," only "London" is capitalized because it is a proper noun, while "international student" is not a proper noun and thus remains lowercase.
When it comes to titles of individuals, there are varying practices. One approach is to place the title after the name in lowercase, such as "John Smith, professor of biology," or "the chancellor of the university." This style is recommended by the Chicago Manual of Style. However, other styles may capitalize the title when it precedes the name, such as "Professor John Smith" or "Chancellor Mary Smith." It is essential to maintain consistency within your text or publication.
For academic degrees, the rules vary depending on the style guide you follow. The AP Stylebook and The Chicago Manual of Style offer different recommendations. According to the AP Stylebook, use an apostrophe for possessive forms like "bachelor's degree" and "master's degree," but not for "Bachelor of Arts" or "Master of Science." The Chicago Manual of Style, on the other hand, suggests writing academic degrees in lowercase when used generically, such as "a master's degree" or "a doctorate." However, when using the degree as a title before a name, some styles may capitalize it, such as "Master of Science in International Politics."
When referring to official course titles, it is standard practice to use initial capital letters. For example, "She was required to take Fundamentals of Nursing during her first year." Additionally, degree abbreviations are capitalized, such as "Ph.D." or "M.S."
Lastly, when capitalizing titles of colleges, schools, departments, and offices, only use capital letters for the official and complete names. For example, "Department of Biology" or "School of Dental Medicine." Informal or general references, like "spring semester" or "fall commencement," are not capitalized.
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Capitalizing Common Nouns
When it comes to capitalizing common nouns, there are a few rules and guidelines to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to understand the difference between common nouns and proper nouns. Common nouns refer to general people, places, or things, while proper nouns are the specific names or titles of people, places, or things.
- Capitalize Common Nouns in Titles: When a common noun is part of a title, such as a book, song, or organization, it is usually capitalized. For example, "The History of the English Language" or "The United Nations." This helps to distinguish the title from general usage.
- Acronyms: Acronyms, which are formed from the first letters of a series of words, should generally be capitalized. For example, "NASA" for National Aeronautics and Space Administration or "DOB" for Date of Birth. However, some acronyms have become common words and are not capitalized, such as "laser."
- First Word of a Sentence: A basic rule of capitalization is to always capitalize the first word of a sentence. This is a standard convention in English writing.
- Specific Context or Names: Common nouns that are part of a specific name or context may be capitalized. For example, "Golden Gate Bridge" or "Grand Canyon." Capitalization in these cases helps to identify the specific entity being referred to.
- Academic Degrees: When referring to specific academic degrees by their full name, they are capitalized. For example, "Bachelor of Arts" or "Master of Science." However, general references such as "bachelor's degree" or "master's degree" are not capitalized.
- Family Titles as Proper Nouns: When family titles, such as "aunt" or "uncle," are used as proper nouns (replacing the person's name), they are capitalized. For example, "Uncle Bob" or "Aunt Jane." However, when used as common nouns ("my uncle" or "my aunt"), they are not capitalized.
It's important to note that capitalization rules can vary depending on specific style guides or conventions, and there may be exceptions to these rules in certain contexts.
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Frequently asked questions
No, capitalization is generally reserved for proper nouns, which are the actual names/titles of specific persons, places, or things.
No, even in this context, "international students" should not be capitalized. Capitalizing it would imply that you are referring to the name of a specific group or organization.
While it is generally not correct to capitalize "international student," there may be stylistic or creative reasons to do so in certain contexts. For example, if you are using a non-standard capitalization style or writing in a poetic or artistic format where capitalization is flexible.
While it is generally not necessary to capitalize "international student," there may be specific style guides or conventions in certain publications, organizations, or fields that require capitalization for consistency or branding purposes. Always refer to the specific guidelines provided by the relevant authority.
