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Appendices
Approved for publication

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Abbreviations and acronyms are used to refer to many of the programs and organizations of the University, as well as many of the associations with which the University is affiliated.

It is generally acceptable to use an abbreviation in the lead sentence or paragraph of an article, provided that the full name is introduced not later than the second paragraph. Except for the lead sentence or paragraph, always identify programs, organizations and associations by their full names in the first reference in any correspondence or publication. The only exception to this rule applies to programs and organizations that are more commonly known to the general public by their abbreviations than by their full names, such as FBI, IBM and NCAA.

Use of periods

Periods are not used in acronyms.
MAC (Mid-American Conference) - no periods
Periods are not used in abbreviations containing three or more letters.
USA, WMU, USPS - no periods
U.S. - use periods
Periods should be used in abbreviations of academic degrees.
B.A., M.S.E., Ph.D., Ed.D.
There are no spaces in abbreviations with internal periods.
U.S., Ph.D., a.m.

Abbreviations for Western Michigan University

Acceptable abbreviations may be used after the full name Western Michigan University has been introduced. Remember that the full name is usually introduced on the front cover of WMU publications and in the letterhead of University correspondence. Therefore, while it may still be desirable to include the full name in the text of a correspondence, it is not necessary to use the full name in the first reference.

Preferred: WMU is the most specific to Western Michigan University and also the shortest and most versatile.
Acceptable: WMU, the University, Western and Western Michigan
Do not use the mascot as a general reference to the University, such as Bronco course offerings or Bronco commencement. Do not refer to WMU as “the brown and gold,” even in sports references.

Correct abbreviations for academic degrees

The following are the correct abbreviations for many of the degrees offered by WMU, past and present. This is not a complete list of degrees offered.

B.A. Bachelor of Arts
B.B.A. Bachelor of Business Administration
B.F.A. Bachelor of Fine Arts
B.M. Bachelor of Music
B.S. Bachelor of Science
B.S.E. Bachelor of Science in Engineering
B.S.M. Bachelor of Science in Medicine
B.S.W. Bachelor of Social Work
M.A. Master of Arts
M.B.A. Master of Business Administration
M.D.A. Master of Development Administration
M.F.A. Master of Fine Arts
M.M. Master of Music
M.P.A. Master of Public Administration
M.S. Master of Science
M.S.A. Master of Science in Accountancy
M.S.E. Master of Science in Engineering
M.S.W. Master of Social Work
Ed.S. Specialist in Education
Ed.D. Doctor of Education
Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy
D.P.A. Doctor of Public Administration
Litt.D. Doctor of Letters (honorary)
LL.D. Doctor of Laws (honorary)
2C.T. Two-Year Teaching Certificate