Write “bachelor’s degree” with a lowercase b and an apostrophe, or write the full degree name (Bachelor of Arts) when you mean a specific credential.
If you searched “how do you write bachelor’s degree?”, you’ve probably seen several versions and wondered which one looks right. There are only a few standard patterns, and picking one clears the confusion fast.
This article walks you through the formats that work across résumés, bios, emails, and online forms. You’ll get copy-ready templates, plus punctuation rules that keep your writing tidy and consistent.
Common Ways To Write A Bachelor’s Degree
There are two main paths, and you’ll choose based on what you’re trying to say. Both are correct.
- General reference:bachelor’s degree (lowercase, apostrophe).
- Specific degree title:Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science (capitalized, no apostrophe).
Match the form to your meaning. If you’re naming the credential, use the full title or an accepted abbreviation. If you’re speaking in general terms, stick with bachelor’s degree.
| Where You’re Writing It | Best Way To Write It | Slip That Looks Off |
|---|---|---|
| Résumé education section | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or BS in Nursing | Bachelors Degree (missing apostrophe) |
| Résumé summary line | Bachelor’s degree in Economics | Bachelor’s of Economics (extra “of”) |
| LinkedIn education field | Degree: Bachelor’s degree or Bachelor of Arts; Field: Major | BA degree (doubling) |
| Email signature | Rikta Islam, BA (or BSc, BS) | Rikta Islam, B.A. (mixing styles on one page) |
| Bio paragraph | She has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. | She has a bachelors degree (missing apostrophe) |
| Academic profile | Bachelor of Arts, University Name (only when needed) | Bachelor’s of Arts (apostrophe where it doesn’t belong) |
| Job application form | Level: Bachelor’s; Degree: BA/BS/BBA; Major: Subject | Pasting one long résumé line into every box |
| Business card / name tag | BA (only if the setting expects credentials) | BA, Bachelor’s Degree (doubling) |
| Cover letter sentence | I earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. | I earned a Bachelor’s degree (random capitalization) |
How Do You Write Bachelor’s Degree? On A Résumé
A résumé is a layout document first. Recruiters skim it. Your education line should tell three things with minimal noise: what you earned, where you earned it, and when (if you’re listing dates). Pick a pattern that matches your region and your field, then use the same style for every credential on the page. Two solid options.
- Full title: Bachelor of Arts in English, University Name — 2023
- Abbreviation: BA in English, University Name — 2023
If your institution uses a distinctive abbreviation (AB instead of BA, in one case), matching the school’s styling can reduce confusion. The Chicago Manual of Style notes that following an institution’s own convention can make sense when it’s known for a particular form. See the Chicago Manual of Style FAQ on BA vs AB abbreviations.
Where To Put Your Major
On a résumé, the major often belongs in the degree line when it helps the reader connect your education to the role. Put it right after the credential.
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- BA in English
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
If your work history already does the heavy lifting, you can shorten the education line to the credential and school. That keeps the section compact.
How To Handle Dates Without Clutter
Dates are optional once you’ve built experience. If you include them, keep one format across entries. If you leave them off, leave them off everywhere. Avoid mixing styles in the same section, like using “Class of 2023” for one entry and a year range for another.
- University Name — 2023
- 2019–2023
- Expected 2026
Résumé Lines You Can Copy
Swap in your details. And keep the punctuation the same across every line.
- Standard: Bachelor of Arts in History, University Name — 2022
- Short: BA in History, University Name — 2022
- In progress: Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University Name — Expected 2026
Writing bachelor’s degree in sentences and bios
In sentences, treat the degree like a common noun unless you’re naming the full credential title. That’s why you’ll usually write bachelor’s degree in lowercase with an apostrophe. University editorial style pages often spell this out: use the apostrophe in bachelor’s degree, and drop it in Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science.
One clear reference is the University of Oregon’s editorial style guide, which states that bachelor’s degree takes an apostrophe and that degree abbreviations are written without periods in that house style. See the University of Oregon editorial style guide section on academic degrees.
Choose The Form That Matches Your Meaning
These two sentences sound similar, yet they point to different levels of detail. Use the general form when the exact degree type is not the point.
- She has a bachelor’s degree in economics. (general)
- She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. (named credential)
Use the full title when the credential itself matters. Like in a formal bio, a university directory, or a grant profile.
Apostrophes And The “Bachelor’s Of” Slip
A common slip is writing “bachelor’s of” followed by a subject. That structure doesn’t fit standard degree naming. In plain writing, the “of” belongs inside the formal degree title. In a general reference, it’s bachelor’s degree, not bachelor’s of.
- Right: She completed a bachelor’s degree in business.
- Right: She completed a Bachelor of Business Administration.
- Wrong: She completed a bachelor’s of business.
Abbreviations: BA, BS, BSc, And Periods
Degree abbreviations are a style choice. Some styles use periods (B.A., B.S.). Others drop them (BA, BS). Many schools and modern house styles lean toward no periods for short degree abbreviations, so you’ll see BA and BS on lots of official university pages.
What matters most in a résumé or profile is consistency. Pick one system and keep it steady across the document.
Common Bachelor’s Degree Abbreviations
- BA: Bachelor of Arts
- BS: Bachelor of Science
- BSc: Bachelor of Science (common in many countries)
- BBA: Bachelor of Business Administration
- BEng: Bachelor of Engineering
- BSN: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- BFA: Bachelor of Fine Arts
If your school prints a specific abbreviation on your transcript or diploma, matching that form is a safe call. If you’re unsure, using the full degree title avoids the punctuation choice.
Skip “Degree” After An Abbreviation
A line like “BA degree” reads redundant because BA already means Bachelor of Arts. On a résumé or profile, write one of these.
- BA in English
- Bachelor of Arts in English
- bachelor’s degree in English
How To Write A Bachelor’s Degree After Your Name
Adding BA or BS after your name is optional. In many fields, people skip it unless the setting expects credentials. If you do use it, keep it short and stick to one style.
Clean Formats For Signatures And Bios
These formats read clean and keep your name line easy to scan. Use one style across your résumé, email signature, and profile.
- Rikta Islam, BA
- Rikta Islam, BS
- Rikta Islam, BSc
If you’re listing more than one credential, the order can vary by field. If you only have a bachelor’s credential listed, one comma and two letters usually does the job.
Keep A Signature From Getting Noisy
An email signature is not a résumé. If your role already explains who you are, degree letters can feel like clutter.
Table Of Style Choices You Can Apply Anywhere
Use this table to pick a consistent style. For sentences, degree titles, and abbreviations.
| Style Choice | Degree Letters | Where It Fits Best |
|---|---|---|
| General reference | bachelor’s degree | Cover letters, bios, paragraphs |
| Full degree title | Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science | Formal profiles, credential lists |
| Abbreviation without periods | BA, BS, BSc, BBA | Résumés, signatures, tight layouts |
| Abbreviation with periods | B.A., B.S. | Documents following a period-using house style |
| After-name credential | Name, BA | Speaker bios, some academic settings |
| Degree + major line | BA in English | Education sections and quick summaries |
| Form field split | Level + Degree + Field | Applications with separate boxes |
| Short sentence | bachelor’s degree in [major] | Cover letter and profile text |
Writing Your Bachelor’s Degree On LinkedIn And Forms
LinkedIn and job portals store education in structured fields. That changes the task: you’re not writing a sentence; you’re filling in labels. Use the credential name in the “Degree” field, then put your major in the field of study box.
LinkedIn Education Entries
In the degree field, “Bachelor of Arts” and “Bachelor’s degree” both work. If you use abbreviations, enter BA or BS only when it matches how you present your education elsewhere. Consistency across your résumé and profile makes you look detail-oriented.
Job Application Boxes
Forms often separate level (Bachelor’s), degree type (BA/BS/BSc), major, and school. Match each box to what it asks for, and avoid pasting a full résumé line into every field.
- Level: Bachelor’s
- Degree: BA / BS / BSc / BBA
- Major: Economics
- School: University Name
Small Details That Make Your Degree Look Clean
These are the little choices that turn a messy education line into one. That reads smoothly.
Capitalization Rules That Stay Reliable
These rules keep your writing consistent across résumés, letters, and profiles. They work well even when you switch between sentences and credential lines.
- Use lowercase in general: bachelor’s degree, master’s degree.
- Capitalize the full credential name: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science.
- Capitalize proper nouns inside a major: English, Bangla, American Studies.
- Keep most majors lowercase in running text: economics, biology, marketing.
Commas After Names
If you write the credential right after a person’s name in a sentence, commas are the usual punctuation. In a signature block, many people still keep the comma for a clean break.
- In a sentence: Rikta Islam, BA, spoke at the event.
- In a signature: Rikta Islam, BA
Skip Decorative Punctuation
A résumé line should be readable at a glance. Avoid slashes and stacked punctuation that make the line feel cramped.
- Good: BA in English, University Name — 2023
- Less clean: BA/English-University Name (2023)
Copy-Ready Templates For Common Situations
Use these templates as plug-and-play lines. They cover most situations where a bachelor’s credential shows up in writing, and they keep your formatting consistent.
Education Section Templates
- Full title: Bachelor of Arts in [Major], [School] — [Year]
- Abbreviated: BA in [Major], [School] — [Year]
- In progress: Bachelor of Science in [Major], [School] — Expected [Year]
- No dates: Bachelor of Business Administration in [Major], [School]
Sentence Templates
These sentence patterns work well in cover letters and bios. They keep the degree wording natural and avoid awkward punctuation.
- I have a bachelor’s degree in [Major].
- She earned a Bachelor of Science in [Major] from [School].
- He holds a bachelor’s degree and works in [Field].
Email Signature Templates
Pick one signature style and keep it steady across devices. That way your messages look consistent whether the reader opens them on a phone or laptop.
- [Name], BA
- [Name] | [Job Title]
- [Name] | [Job Title] | [Phone]
Quick Checklist Before You Hit Send
When the question “how do you write bachelor’s degree?” comes up again, run this quick pass and you’ll be set. It takes under a minute and keeps your writing consistent.
- Use bachelor’s degree for general references (lowercase, apostrophe).
- Use Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science when naming the credential.
- Pick one abbreviation style (BA vs B.A.) and keep it consistent.
- Skip “BA degree” and “BS degree.”
- On a résumé, keep the line scannable: degree + major + school + year.
- On forms, match each box to what it asks for.
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