How do you write the abbreviation for degrees after your name?
Use commas to separate credentials, skip periods in abbreviations, and never add the word "degree" after them.
If your academic credentials look wonky in emails or LinkedIn, you're not alone. Most people get this wrong, and it makes resumes look unprofessional.
What's going on with academic credential formatting?
Academic credentials after a name need specific formatting to stay professional and clear.
In 2026, the rules are simple: no periods in abbreviations, commas between credentials, and never tack "degree" onto the end. Get this wrong, and your resume might scream "amateur hour."
How do I format multiple degrees correctly?
List degrees from highest to lowest, separated by commas, with no periods in abbreviations.
Start with your doctorate if you have one, then your master's, and finally your bachelor's. For example: Jane Smith, PhD, MBA, BSc. Honestly, this is the cleanest way to present yourself professionally.
Where do professional licenses go in the sequence?
Add professional licenses right after your degrees, still separated by commas.
After your academic credentials, drop in your licenses like RN or NP. So it becomes: John Doe, PhD, RN, NP. Keep them in the same string—no extra punctuation needed.
How should certifications appear after degrees?
List certifications last, separated by commas, following the same no-period rule.
Certifications like CDE or PMP go at the very end. Your full string might look like: John Doe, PhD, RN, NP, CDE. Think of it as building a professional hierarchy—degrees first, then licenses, then certifications.
Why shouldn't I use periods in degree abbreviations?
Periods in abbreviations are outdated and make credentials look cluttered.
You wouldn't write B.A. or Ph.D. in 2026 unless you're stuck in the 1980s. Modern style guides (and most hiring managers) prefer clean, period-free abbreviations like BA and PhD.
Is it ever okay to write "degree" after an abbreviation?
Never add "degree" after an abbreviation—it's redundant and looks unprofessional.
Saying BS degree is like saying "ATM machine." Just write She earned a BS and MS instead. The abbreviation already implies the degree.
How do I handle multiple degrees at the same level?
List them chronologically by award date, separated by commas.
If you have two master's degrees, for example, put the older one first: Jane Smith, MA, MSc, PhD. It shows progression without favoring one over the other.
What if my formatting still doesn't match institutional standards?
Double-check your institution's guidelines or use LinkedIn's credential field for automatic formatting.
Some universities have quirky rules for alumni communications. If you're unsure, your degree-granting institution's style guide is the ultimate authority. LinkedIn also handles this automatically if you use their dedicated credential field instead of typing it into your name.
How can I ensure LinkedIn formats my credentials correctly?
Enter credentials in LinkedIn's dedicated credential field rather than typing them into your name.
If you dump Jane Smith, BSc, MBA, PhD into your name field, LinkedIn won't format it properly. Use the credential field under "Licenses & Certifications" instead—it'll handle the commas and spacing for you.
Do professional organizations have specific credential rules?
Some fields, like healthcare or engineering, have strict credentialing standards for public documents.
For example, nurses might need to list RN before other credentials, while engineers could have specific order requirements. Always check your field's governing body for exact formatting rules.
How can I prevent formatting mistakes in the future?
Save properly formatted credential templates for email signatures, resumes, and LinkedIn.
Once you get your credentials right, save them as a template. Copy-paste that template whenever you update your resume or email signature. It takes two minutes now but saves you from future headaches.
What's the best way to format credentials in an email signature?
Create a signature template with your credentials already formatted correctly.
Set it once, forget it. Your signature should look like: Jane Smith, PhD
CEO, Example Corp. No extra periods, no "degree" nonsense—just clean, professional formatting.
Should I update my resume template with proper credential formatting?
Yes—create a master resume file with correctly formatted credentials to reuse for future applications.
Every time you tweak your resume, use this master file. It ensures consistency and saves you from reformatting every single time. (Trust me, you'll thank yourself later.)
Where can I find authoritative formatting guidelines?
The AP Stylebook is the gold standard for most professional writing. If your field has specific rules, your institution's alumni office can provide tailored advice. When in doubt, default to the AP Stylebook—it won't steer you wrong.
