What order to list degrees after name?
Asked by: Christelle Watsica | Last update: March 15, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (52 votes)
When listing degrees after a name, the general order is from highest to lowest, with academic degrees first, followed by professional licenses and certifications, separated by commas (e.g., John Doe, PhD, MBA, RN). You typically only list the highest degree unless a lower degree is in a distinct field, but the key is to prioritize by level (Doctorate > Master's > Bachelor's > Associate's).
Do you put bsn or rn first?
Whether BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) goes before RN (Registered Nurse) depends on context: in academia and for formal etiquette, degrees (BSN) come first, but in clinical practice, listing the license (RN) first (RN, BSN) is common and often preferred to show immediate qualification, though both are acceptable. The recommended order is usually highest degree, then licensure, then certifications (e.g., BSN, RN, CCRN), but many nurses use RN, BSN for clinical work.
In what order do you write degrees?
List the highest education degree first, for example, Michael Anderson, PhD, MSN. In most cases, one degree is enough, but if your second degree is in another relevant field, you may choose to list it. For example, a nurse executive might choose Nancy Gordon, MBA, MSN, RN.
In what order should I put my credentials?
The general rule is to list credentials in the following sequence: permanent credentials, professional licenses, national certifications, and then additional certifications. Permanent credentials are educational degrees, whereas professional licenses are often state-issued (e.g., counseling, respiratory therapy).
Do you put Dr. and PhD in title?
The 2017 book Etiquette Rules! gives identical forms for addressing a "doctor of medicine (MD), dental surgery (DDS), veterinary medicine (DVM), etc.", and the holder of a PhD, advising in both cases the use of initials after the name for formal correspondence and Dr. before the name for social correspondence.
Academic Degrees Part 2 - How to list
Which is higher, Dr or PhD?
No, a PhD is not a higher degree than a professional doctorate. If you're wondering what's better than a PhD, both PhDs and professional doctorates are the highest level of college education that can be earned. Both degrees are doctoral degrees.
What is the lowest rank of a doctor?
The lowest rank of a doctor in training is typically an Intern, who is a medical school graduate in their first year of residency, requiring supervision; below them are medical students, and then foundation doctors in some countries like the UK, who are provisionally registered after medical school. In general practice, a General Practitioner (GP) (or Family Doctor) is considered the entry-level physician role after training, focusing on broad primary care.
How to arrange degrees after name?
If you have a degree, start by listing the highest degree you've earned immediately after your name, such as a master's degree, bachelor's degree or associate degree. If you have multiple degrees, you may choose to list only the highest degree you have earned since this often eclipses previous degrees.
In what order do I list my degrees?
List Multiple Degrees in Reverse-Chronological Order. When citing multiple degrees on your resume, put them in reverse-chronological order, or newest to oldest. If you've earned a master's, bachelor's, and associate degree all within the same major, feel free to leave off your associate to save space.
What order are degrees in from lowest to highest?
The standard order of college degrees from lowest to highest is: Associate's Degree, followed by a Bachelor's Degree, then a Master's Degree, and finally a Doctoral Degree (or professional degree), with each level building on the previous one for deeper specialization and expertise.
How to list qualifications after name?
Post-nominal letters should be listed in the following order:
- Civil honours.
- Military honours.
- Appointments (e.g. MP, QC)
- Higher Education awards (in ascending order, commencing with undergraduate)
- Membership of academic or professional bodies.
How to write 33 degrees?
To write 33 degrees, you use the degree symbol (°), so it becomes 33°, adding the symbol after the number, often with a space for clarity (like 33°C or 33°F). You can type it using keyboard shortcuts like Alt + 0176 on Windows, Option + Shift + 8 on Mac, or by using the Symbol/Emoji menu in most apps.
What are common credential mistakes?
You'd be surprised how often applications are rejected because of the tiniest issues—a misspelled name, wrong NPI number, missing malpractice certificate, or an outdated license. And many payers don't notify you immediately; instead, your application just sits in limbo.
Do hospitals prefer RN or BSN?
Hospitals strongly prefer nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) over just a Registered Nurse (RN) license (which can come from an ADN or diploma), due to better patient outcomes, critical thinking skills, and leadership readiness; many facilities require a BSN for new hires, especially for specialty or management roles, and Magnet-recognized hospitals often mandate it for leadership. While you can work as an RN with an ADN, the industry trend pushes for BSNs, with some states even having "BSN in 10" laws requiring nurses to earn their bachelor's within a few years of licensure.
What is a 2 year RN called?
An associate's degree in nursing is most commonly called an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), but you might also see it as an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS); all prepare graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN).
Which is higher, RN or NP?
Yes, a Nurse Practitioner (NP) is considered a higher, more advanced level than a Registered Nurse (RN) because NPs have graduate-level education (Master's or Doctorate) and can perform advanced duties like diagnosing illnesses, creating treatment plans, and prescribing medications, granting them greater autonomy and a broader scope of practice than RNs, who work under physician supervision.
Do you put RN or BSN first after your name?
There are no official regulations on how to write your RN BSN signature. In fact, there are situations when you should display your nursing degrees and accreditation differently. Here are Professor Maier's takeaways on whether you write RN or BSN first. In either instance, list your certifications last.
How to properly write degrees?
Academic Degrees
General references, such as bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, are not capitalized. Use an apostrophe (possessive) with bachelor's degree and master's degree, but not in Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science. Do not use an apostrophe with associate degree or doctoral degree.
What order should degrees be listed on a resume?
Similar to the work experience section of your resume, it's common practice to list the information in your education section in reverse chronological order, meaning you'll start with the education you've earned most recently and move backward.
How to write degree after name?
Do not precede a name with a courtesy title for an academic degree and follow it with the abbreviation for the degree in the same reference (e.g., Jane Doe, Ph. D., not Dr. Jane Doe, Ph. D.).
Do employers prefer BA or BS?
For most employers, the difference between a BA (Bachelor of Arts) and a BS (Bachelor of Science) matters very little; they focus more on your major, relevant skills, internships, portfolio, and overall experience than the specific degree letter, though a BS might be preferred for highly technical/scientific roles where deeper math/science is key, while a BA's broader focus is great for liberal arts/business. The specific courses taken and your demonstrated abilities are usually more important than whether it was an "Arts" or "Science" degree.
Which is correct, BSc or B SC?
A Bachelor of Science receives the designation BSc for an ordinary degree and BSc (Hons) for an honours degree.
What's the hardest doctor to become?
What's the hardest doctor to become? Neurosurgery is usually regarded as the most difficult specialty to pursue as a medical doctor. Training is long and intensive, with four years in medical school and seven years in a residency program viewed as the norm.
Is an MD or OD better?
Neither an OD (Optometrist) nor an MD (Medical Doctor) is inherently "better"; they are different types of doctors with distinct training and scopes, with MDs often having broader surgical/specialty training and ODs focusing on vision care, though both diagnose and treat patients, with the best choice depending on your specific health needs and philosophy of care. MDs (and DOs) practice allopathic medicine (treating disease), while ODs (optometrists) focus on eye health, but some MDs also have eye training (ophthalmology), while DOs offer holistic care with manipulative techniques.
What's the lowest paid doctor?
The lowest-paid doctors are generally in Pediatrics, with subspecialties like Pediatric Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases often topping the list of lowest earners, followed closely by Preventive Medicine, Family Medicine, and Medical Genetics, reflecting a trend where primary care and child-focused fields earn less than surgical or specialized adult fields.