Post-nominal Letters: A Little Badge of Honor
What are post-nominal letters?
Post-nominal letters are letters placed after a person's name to indicate their qualifications, affiliations, or honors. They are often used in academic, professional, and military contexts.
Examples of Post-nominal Letters:
Here are some common examples:
Academic:
* BA: Bachelor of Arts
* MA: Master of Arts
* PhD: Doctor of Philosophy
* MBA: Master of Business Administration
* MD: Doctor of Medicine
* JD: Juris Doctor (Law)
* MSc: Master of Science
* LLB: Bachelor of Laws
Professional:
* CPA: Certified Public Accountant
* CFA: Chartered Financial Analyst
* PE: Professional Engineer
* CGA: Certified General Accountant
* RN: Registered Nurse
Military:
* USMC: United States Marine Corps
* USA: United States Army
* USN: United States Navy
* USAF: United States Air Force
* O: Officer
* E: Enlisted
Other:
* FRS: Fellow of the Royal Society
* QC: Queen's Counsel (barrister)
* FRSC: Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
* Hon: Honorary (often used in conjunction with a degree, like "BA Hon")
How to Use Post-nominal Letters:
* Spacing: Leave a space between the name and the post-nominal letters.
* Punctuation: Use a comma after the last letter if there are multiple post-nominal letters.
* Order: The order of post-nominal letters usually follows a specific hierarchy (e.g., academic degrees before professional designations).
* Context: Use common sense and be mindful of the context when using post-nominal letters. Avoid overwhelming the name with too many letters, especially in informal settings.
Note: The specific meaning of a post-nominal letter can vary depending on the country and institution. It's always best to confirm the meaning if you are unsure.