University-Specific Info

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”