Editorial Style and Usage Guide

The Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing follows the Associated Press Stylebook on matters of style and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary on questions of spelling. This style and usage guide is not intended as a substitute for more comprehensive guides. Specific academic disciplines are governed by their own style guides, such as Chicago Manual of Style and APA style, that are not applicable here. 
 
The style and usage guide is intended to evolve in order to reflect current usage and to embrace new terms as they come into common use. 

  • abbreviations and acronyms – Spell out the full name and put the acronym in parentheses on first reference. Example: Center for Teaching and Learning (CETL). 
     
    addresses – Use the abbreviations Ave., Blvd. and St. with a numbered address. Spell out and capitalize when part of a formal street name without a number. All similar words are spelled out. 
     
    courtesy titles – Courtesy titles such as Mr., Mrs., or Ms. are not used, except in formal documents, such as invitations. 
     
    doctor – Use Dr. in first reference as a formal title for a medical doctor on first reference. Do not use Dr. before names of individuals who hold other types of doctoral degrees, except in formal documents such as invitations. 
     
    names – Use person’s full name and title upon first reference. Do not use courtesy titles, such as Mr. and Mrs., except for medical doctors, which take Dr. on first reference. Use last name only on second reference. In formal documents, such as invitations, courtesy titles may be used. 
     
    Ph.D. – Use periods; do not use an apostrophe in forming the plural Ph.D.s. 
     
    p.m., a.m. – Lowercase with periods. 

  • academic degrees – Capitalize the proper names of academic degrees. Do not capitalize 
    incomplete names of academic degrees. When abbreviating the degree name, list in all caps with no periods, except where noted below.  

    Kennesaw State offers the following undergraduate degrees: 
     
    (+) Undergraduate degrees 
        Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology (B.A.S.) 
        Bachelor of Architecture (BARCH) 
        Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies (BA) 
        Bachelor of Arts in Dance (BA) 
        Bachelor of Arts in English (BA) 
        Bachelor of Arts in Geography (BA) 
        Bachelor of Arts in History (BA) 
        Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs (BA) 
        Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language and Culture (BA) 
        Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (BA) 
        Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance Studies (BA) 
        Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (BBA) 
        Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics (BBA) 
        Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship (BBA) 
        Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance (BBA) 
        Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management (BBA) 
        Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Security and Assurance (BBA) 
        Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Systems (BBA) 
        Bachelor of Business Administration in Management (BBA) 
        Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing (BBA) 
        Bachelor of Business Administration in Professional Sales (BBA) 
        Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art (BFA) 
        Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Animation (BFA) 
        Bachelor of Music (BM) 
        Bachelor of Music Education 
        Bachelor of Science in Anthropology (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Biology (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Computer Game Design and Development (BSCGDD) 
        Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Construction Management (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (BS-CYBR) 
        Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics 
        Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (ECE) 
        Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in English Education (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Sciences (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Activity Leadership (HPAL) 
        Bachelor of Science in History Education (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Human Services (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Integrated Health Science (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Interactive Design (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Emerging Media (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Learning, Design, and Technology (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics Engineering (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Media and Entertainment (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 
        Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Communication (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Physics (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Political Science (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Public Relations (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (BSED) 
        Bachelor of Science in Sociology (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Sport Management (BS) 
        Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication (BS) 
     
    (+) Graduate Degrees 
     
     
        Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) 
        Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology (Ed.D.) 
        Doctor of Education in Secondary and Middle Grades Education (Ed.D.) 
        Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership (Ed.D.) 
        Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (Ph.D.) 
        Doctor of Philosophy in Data Science and Analytics (Ph.D.) 
        Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Engineering (Ph.D.) 
        Doctor of Philosophy in International Conflict Management (Ph.D.) 
        Ph.D. in Business Administration (Ph.D.) 
     
        Business Administration/Conflict Management Dual Master’s Degree (MBA/MSCM) 
        Business Administration/Information Systems Dual Master’s Degree 
        Business Administration/Public Administration Dual Master’s Degree (MBA/MPA) 
        Business Administration/Social Work Dual Master’s Degree 
        Executive Master of Business Administration (Executive MBA) 
        MPA/MSCJ Dual Master’s Degree 
        Master of Accounting (MAcc) 
        Master of Arts in American Studies 
        Master of Arts in Art and Design 
        Master of Arts in Integrated Global Communication 
        Master of Arts in Professional Writing 
        Master of Arts in Teaching 
        Master of Business Administration (MBA) 
        Master of Business Administration - Online (WebMBA) 
        Master of Education in Educational Leadership 
        Master of Education in Elementary and Early Childhood Education 
        Master of Education in Instructional Technology 
        Master of Education in Secondary and Middle Grades Education 
        Master of Education in Special Education 
        Master of Education in Teacher Leadership 
        Master of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 
        Master of Public Administration 
        Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) 
        Master of Science in Chemical Sciences 
        Master of Science in Civil Engineering 
        Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) 
        Master of Science in Conflict Management 
        Master of Science in Construction Management 
        Master of Science in Criminal Justice 
        Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSCYBR) 
        Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics (MSDSA) 
        Master of Science in Digital Financial Technologies (Fintech) 
        Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering 
        Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) 
        Master of Science in Exercise Science 
        Master of Science in Healthcare Management and Informatics 
        Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) 
        Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) 
        Master of Science in Integrative Biology 
        Master of Science in Intelligent Robotic Systems 
        Master of Science in International Policy Management 
        Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering 
        Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) 
        Master of Science in Nursing – Leadership (MSN) 
        Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics (MSPO) 
        Master of Science in Software Engineering (MSSWE) 
        Master of Science in Systems Engineering 
        Master of Social Work 
        Public Administration/Integrated Global Communication Dual Master’s Degree  

  • academic departments, schools, and colleges – Capitalize the complete formal names of academic departments but lowercase informal or incomplete references.
     
    Kennesaw State has the following colleges and academic departments: 

    Clarice C. and Leland H. Bagwell College of Education
    Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education 
    Department of Secondary and Middle Grades Education 
    Department of Inclusive Education 
    Department of Educational Leadership 
    School of Instructional Technology and Innovation
     
    Michael J. Coles College of Business 
    School of Accountancy 
    Michael A. Leven School of Management, Entrepreneurship and Hospitality 
    Department of Economics, Finance and Quantitative Analysis 
    Department of Information Systems and Security
    Department of Marketing and Professional Sales 
     
    College of Architecture and Construction Management 
    Department of Architecture 
    Department of Construction Management 
     
    College of Computing and Software Engineering 
    Department of Computer Science 
    Department of Information Technology 
    Department of Software Engineering and Game Development
    School of Data Science and Analytics
     
    Robert S. Geer Family College of the Arts 
    School of Art and Design 
    Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music 
    Department of Dance 
    Department of Theatre and Performance Studies 
     
    Wellstar College of Health and Human Services 
    The Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth
    Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management 
    Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education 
    Department of Social Work and Human Services
    Wellstar School of Nursing 
     
    Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences 
    School of Communication and Media 
    School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development 
    School of Government and International Affairs 
    Department of English 
    Department of Geography and Anthropology 
    Department of History and Philosophy 
    Department of Interdisciplinary Studies 
    Department of Psychological Science 
    Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice 
    Department of Technical Communication and Interactive Design
    Department of World Languages and Cultures
     
    College of Science and Mathematics 
    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry 
    Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology 
    Department of Mathematics 
    Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology 
    Department of Physics 
     
    Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology 
    Department of Civil and Envioronmental Engineering 
    Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering 
    Department of Engineering Technology 
    Department of Mechanical Engineering 
    Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering 
    Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering 
     
    Graduate College 
     
    Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College 
     
    Community and Professional Education 
    Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 
     
    college – Include the full name of the college on first reference. Subsequent references can include abbreviations or shortened names. Capitalize formal references to colleges; lowercase otherwise. Examples: He studies at the Michael J. Coles College of Business. The college is next to the residence hall. 
    Kennesaw State has 11 colleges: 

    • College of Architecture and Construction Management 
    • College of Computing and Software Engineering 
    • Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences 
    • College of Science and Mathematics 
    • Robert S. Geer Family College of the Arts 
    • Graduate College 
    • Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College
    • Clarice C. and Leland H. Bagwell College of Education
    • Michael J. Coles College of Business 
    • Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology 
    • Wellstar College of Health and Human Services 

  • building names – Never abbreviate. Capitalize the proper names of buildings.

    Buildings on the Kennesaw Campus include:

    A.L. Burruss Building 
    Alumni House 
    Ann and John Clendenin Computer 
    Science Building 
    ATOMS Center and GYSTC 
    Auxiliary Services & Programs 
    Bobbie Bailey Athletic Complex 
    English Building 
    Horace W. Sturgis Library 
    Howard Logan Stillwell Theater 
    Humanities Building 
    International House 
    James V. Carmichael Student Center 
    Morgan and Bailey Academic Learning Center 
    Music Building 
    Music and Entertainment 
    Business Program 
    Nursing Building 
    Office Annex 
    Prillaman Hall 
    Public Safety Building 
    Science Laboratory Building 
    Campus Services Building 
    C.A.S.A. and Center for Elections 
    CETL 
    Chastain Pointe 
    Chet and Hazel Austin Student Residence Complex 
    Cox Family Enterprise Center 
    Distance Learning Center 
    Dr. Betty L. Siegel Student Recreation and Activities Center 
    Dr. Bobbie Bailey and Family Performance Center 
    Joe Mack Wilson Performing Arts Building 
    Kennesaw Hall 
    KSU Convocation Center 
    KSU Center 
    KSU Place 
    Legacy Gazebo 
    LeoDelle and Lex Jolley Lodge 
    Mathematics and Statistics Building 
    The Summit 
     
    Buildings on the Marietta Campus include:

    Academic Building 
    Administration Building 
    Architecture Building 
    Atrium Building 
    Civil Engineering Tech Building 
    Clarence Arntson MET Building 
    Complex 
    Design Building 
    Engineering Lab Building 
    Engineering Technology Center 
    Gymnasium 
    Hornet Village 
    Howell Hall 
    Science Building 
    Social Sciences Building 
    Student Health Services 
    Technology Annex 
    The Commons 
    Town Point 
    University College 
    University Village 
    Visual and Commercial Arts Building 
    Willingham Hall 
    Wyman Pilcher Public 
    Service Building 
    Norton Hall 
    Recreation and Wellness Center 
    Student Competition Team Building 
    Walter Kelly Sr. Memorial Field 
    University Columns 
    University Commons  
    University Courtyard 
    Crawford Lab Building 
    Joe Mack Wilson Student Center 
    Clair Harris Textile Center 
    Lawrence V. Johnson Library 
    Mathematics Building 
    Wilder Communications Center 
    Stingers Restaurant 

  • academic programs – Capitalize the names of formal programs of study; lowercase informal and generic references to programs and courses of study. Examples: He was enrolled in the geology program. He was enrolled in courses offered by the Department of Geology. 
     
    academic terms – Lowercase generic terms. Examples: The fall term begins on Monday. 
    Classes for the Coles College of Business begin in the fall semester. But when referring to a 
    specific term, capitalize. He started at KSU in Fall 2019. 
     
    academic titles and names – Capitalize formal titles when they precede a name. 
    Capitalize formal titles, such as dean, president, director, vice president or chancellor, when they precede a name. The description professor is lowercase except in the case of Professor Emeritus before a name or for named professorships, fellowships and chairs. Otherwise, lowercase such titles when they stand alone or when they follow a name. Examples: Dean Jeff Smith; Jeff Smith, dean of the Johnson School of Journalism; professor Jeff Smith; Jeff Smith, Cal H. Fullerton Professor of Journalism; Regents’ Professor of Journalism Jeff Smith. 
     
    academic units – Capitalize the formal name of an academic unit. Lowercase partial or informal unit names. Examples: The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is located on the campus. The center is located on the campus. 
     
    alumni association – Capitalize only when part of a formal name. Examples: She is a member of the Kennesaw State Alumni Association. She is a member of the alumni association. 
     
    athletic director – Capitalize when preceding the name. Example: Athletic Director John Doe. 
     
    Board of Trustees – References to the Kennesaw State University Board of Trustees are always capitalized. Example: The Board of Trustees approves the budget. 
     
    building names – Never abbreviate. Capitalize the proper names of buildings. 
     
    cabinet – lowercase the generic term cabinet. President’s Cabinet is uppercase. 
     
    campus – lowercase the generic term campus. Capitalize when referring to Kennesaw Campus or Marietta Campus. 
     
    center – Capitalize only when it is part of a formal name. Example: The event is at the KSU 
    Center. The center is hosting the event. 
     
    college – Capitalize formal references to colleges; lowercase otherwise. Examples: He studies at the Coles College of Business. The college is next to the residence hall. 
     
    conference – Capitalize formal conference titles; lowercase informal references. Examples: the KSU Social Networking Conference; the social networking conference. 
     
    course titles – Capitalize official course titles. 
     
    departments – Capitalize the formal names of departments and other divisions or offices. 
    Lowercase informal references.  
     
    FLIGHT – Capitalize name of first-year program, FLIGHT: First Year Connections. When 
    referring to a specific class, add year to end of word. Example: FLIGHT28 
     
    Foundation – Capitalize when referring to KSU Foundation. 
     
    office – Capitalize when office is part of the formal name. Upon second reference, the shortened form that drops “Office of” is capitalized. Informal references are lowercase. Examples: The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is open tomorrow. Staff from Undergraduate Admissions will present a report. He filed the application in the admissions office. 
     
    president – When referring to KSU’s president, always spell out. Capitalize when used before a name; lowercase otherwise. Use last name on second reference.  
     
    professor – Lowercase as a job description, not a formal title, except in the case of Professor Emeritus before a name or for named professorships, fellowships and chairs.  
     
    school – Capitalize only as part of a formal name; lowercase informal and incomplete references. 
     
    seasons – Lowercase names of seasons unless they are part of a formal name or designate an issue of a periodical.

    University – Capitalize as part of a complete formal name or as informal reference to Kennesaw State University. Lowercase otherwise. Examples: The University started a football program in 2015. She went to a different university before attending KSU. 

  • ages – Use figures for ages. Example: The 5-year-old girl participated in the event. The boy is 7 years old. 
     
    alumni class year – Spell out the class year in running text unless the alumnus status is obvious from the context. Examples: Joe Smith, a 2005 KSU graduate; 2005 graduate Joe Smith; Joe Smith, Political Science ’05. (Note: the reverse apostrophe is used with class years, not single quotation mark: ’97). 
     
    dates – Use figures, without st, nd, rd or th. Some months are abbreviated when used in exact dates (Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.). Some months are never abbreviated (March, April, May, June, July). All months are spelled out when alone or with year only. Examples: The game was on Jan. 15, 2012, in Kennesaw. The event will be on Tuesday, Feb. 14, in the theater. The program begins April 22. He took the job in November 1998. 
     
    dimensions – Use figures and spell out measurements such as inches, feet, yards. Examples: He is 6 feet 3 inches tall. The 6-foot-3-inch man left on foot. They dropped the 8-by-12 painting. 
     
    numbers – Spell out whole numbers less than 10 or when the number begins a sentence; use figures for 10 and above. Use figures for academic course numbers, addresses, ages, percentages, and dimensions. Examples: There were nine courses available. Thirty-six students took the class. He saw 36 students. About 300 students ages 8-18 visited 5 Main St. 
     
    telephone numbers – Complete phone numbers should be provided in written copy. Use 
    parentheses to separate the area code from the seven-digit number. Example: (770) 423-6000. 
     
    time – Use figures except for noon and midnight. Omit the :00 following the hour. Examples: The event begins at 5 p.m., and the dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. The festival is from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be Wednesday, March 3, 8-9 a.m. Exceptions: In formal documents, such as invitations, the :00 may be used. The alternate abbreviations AM and PM are acceptable. 

  • academic year – Use a hyphen for academic year. Example: The 2020-21 academic year. 
     
    a.m., p.m. – Lowercase with periods. 
     
    ampersand – Do not use & in place of and unless it is part of a formal name. 
     
    artist-in-residence – use hyphens 
     
    bachelor’s degree – use apostrophe 
     
    Commas – Oxford commas (comma before the “and” in a list) are used in simple lists. 
     
    hyphens – Use hyphens between the parts of compound modifiers when preceding a noun, except when one of the words is the adverb “very” or an adverb ending in “-ly.” Examples: a part-time position; a do-it-yourself project. But: a perfectly tuned piano. 

    master’s degree – use apostrophe 

  • annual – The first occurrence of an event is the first or inaugural, not first annual. Upon the 
    second occurrence, second annual may be used. 
     
    Kennesaw State University – The official name is Kennesaw State University. The full name Kennesaw State University must be used as a first reference in all news releases, feature articles, publications and on the web. Kennesaw State is acceptable on second reference once the full name has been used. The abbreviation KSU is acceptable on second reference, but it should be used sparingly. The capitalized term, the University, may also be used on subsequent references. 
     
    theater, theatre – Use theatre in reference to the Department of Theatre and Performance 
    Studies or as part of a proper name. Use theater for general purposes. Examples: She is a student in the theatre department. The performance was in Stillwell Theater. After the performance, the theater was empty.