* Commas separate multiple degrees: Use commas to separate each degree. Do *not* use periods after the abbreviations unless that's a stylistic preference (less common) of the guide you're following.
* No Oxford comma before "and": If you have more than two degrees, don't use an Oxford comma before the final "and."
Examples:
* Correct: Jane Doe, MA, PhD
* Correct: John Smith, BA, MA, PhD
* Correct: Sarah Jones, BA and PhD (only two degrees; the "and" acts as the separator)
* Correct (less common): Jane Doe, M.A., Ph.D. (Uses periods after abbreviations.)
* Incorrect: Jane Doe, MA. PhD. (Incorrect punctuation between degrees)
* Incorrect: Jane Doe, MA, and PhD (Redundant use of "and" with commas)
Important Considerations:
* Style Guides: Always adhere to the specific style guide required by your institution or publication. Some guides might have specific formatting preferences not covered above.
* Relevance: Only include degrees that are relevant to the context. Listing every degree earned might be excessive.
* Professional Context: In some professional contexts, it's acceptable to omit degrees entirely, especially if your profession is well-understood from your title or role.
In most cases, the simpler, comma-separated format (without periods after the abbreviations) is preferred for clarity and conciseness.