Advanced Degree Acronyms and Their Meanings
This list contains some of the advanced degrees offered in the United States and Canada along with some common international designations. For related advanced degrees in other countries, consult Wikipedia’s Doctorate entry, for example.
Master's Degrees
The full name of the degree as well as capitalization of the acronym can vary by institution. The preposition "in" is sometimes used instead of "of" in the formal title. Some institutions also list the full area of specialization with the degree on the transcript and/or diploma. There are too many master's degrees to list here. Below are some of the more common.
- LLM (Legum Magister) Master of Laws
- MA (AM) Master of Arts
- MArch Master of Architecture
- MEng Master of Engineering
- MFA Master of Fine Arts
- MS Master of Science(s)
- MBA Master of Business Administration
- MSc Master of Science
- MSW Master of Social Work
- MPhil Master of Philosophy
- MPH Master of Public Health
- PMA Professional Master of Arts
- PSM Professional Science Master's
Doctoral Degrees
Both research and professional doctorates are listed below with no distinction between the two.
- EdD Doctor of Education, Educational Doctorate
- DA Doctor of Arts
- DBA Doctor of Business Administration
- DDS Doctor of Dental Surgery
- DEng Doctor of Engineering
- DFA Doctor of Fine Arts
- DM Doctor of Management
- DMA Doctor of Musical Arts
- DNP Doctor of Nursing Practice
- DPharm Doctor of Pharmacy
- DPhil Doctorate of Philosophy (Europe, et al.)
- DrPH Doctor of Public Health
- DSc Doctor of Science
- DSS Doctor of Social Science
- DTh Doctor of Theology
- DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
- EngD Engineering Doctorate (UK)
- JD (Juris Doctor) Doctor of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence
- MD (Medicinae Doctor) Doctor of Medicine
- PhD Doctor of Philosophy
- ScD Doctor of Science