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University-Specific Info

University-Specific Info

Aug 30, 2021

  • Always capitalize “The” in “The University of Texas.”

  • Always reference the university as “The University of Texas at Austin” on first reference.

    • “UT” is acceptable on second.

  • Never capitalize “university,” “school,” or “college” midsentence unless paired with a proper name (e.g., “I work for The University of Texas at Austin. The university is a good employer.”)

  • Never capitalize the semester name (e.g. spring, summer, fall) mid-sentence.

  • Never capitalize a subject or department unless using a proper name OR a course title.

    • CORRECT: “Students can enroll in courses from the LBJ School of Public Affairs.

    • CORRECT: “She majored in physics and English.”

    • CORRECT: “She is a faculty member in the Department of Sociology.”

    • CORRECT: “She is a faculty member in the sociology department.”

    • CORRECT: “He is taking the Analytical Methods for Global Policy Studies course this semester.”

    • INCORRECT: “He is taking a course in Analytical Methods this semester.”

  • Never capitalize “bachelor’s” or “master’s” degree mid-sentence

  • Always use punctuation in “M.A., M.S., J.D.”

  • Always use punctuation in reference to doctoral degree: “Ph.D., PH.D.”

  • Degree abbreviations which do NOT require punctuation include: “MPAff,” “MGPS,” “MPP,” “MPH,” “MBA”

  • Capitalize job titles only when used before a name.

    • CORRECT: “JR DeShazo is dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs.”

    • CORRECT: “Dean DeShazo leads the LBJ School.”

    • CORRECT: “JR DeShazo, dean of the LBJ School, will attend the event.”

    • INCORRECT: “The Dean will hire new faculty next year.”

  • “Advisers,” not “advisors” — unless it is part of a specific title (Graduate Advisor Sherri Greenberg, Special Advisor to the President Joe Smith)

  • “Coursework,” not “course work”

  • References to course names should be formatted as follows:

    • CORRECT: “PA 397: Introduction to Empirical Methods for Policy Analysis”

    • CORRECT: “Introduction to Empirical Methods for Policy Analysis” [only in a context in which the course number is not relevant]

    • INCORRECT: “P A 397”

    • INCORRECT: “PA 397—Introduction to Empirical Methods for Policy Analysis”