Academic Matters

1. On first reference, the University should be referred to as Southeast Missouri State University.

   On second reference, the University, Southeast or Southeast Missouri State is acceptable. SEMO is unacceptable, except in references to the Southeast athletic teams.

2. Use an apostrophe in bachelor's degree, master's degree, etc.
   ie. He has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
3. When stating the full degree, capitalize the name of the degree, but not the discipline. Also, do not use the word "degree" in these references as it is repetitive. The only disciplines that should be capitalized are names of foreign languages, such as English.
   ie.
   Correct:
   He holds a Bachelor of Science in biology.
   She has a Bachelor of Arts in English.
   Incorrect:
   She holds Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.
4. The Master of Business Administration or Master of Business Administration program is referred to on second reference as the MBA (no periods) program.
5. Use doctoral degree or doctorate. Do not use doctorate degree.
   ie.
   Correct:
   He holds a doctoroal degree in physics.
   He holds a doctorate in physics.Incorrect:
   He holds a doctorate degree in physics.
6. Course work is two words.
7. In references to academic departments, they should be called "Department of (discipline)"
   The words "Department" and the discipline (ie. Music) should both be uppercased.

   Correct:
   Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology
   Department of English
   Department of Music

   Incorrect:
   Music Department
   English Department

   When referring to multiple departments in the same reference, lowercase the word "departments" and the discipline, except when the discipline is a proper noun, such as English.
   ie. "The departments of math and biology are cosponsoring a conference today."
   ie. "The departments of English and psychology are cosponsoring a conference today."

8. Lowercase names of disciplines, except in reference to languages.
   ie. He is studying mathematics and English.
   ie. She is majoring in Spanish with a minor in history.
9. Capitalize college when part of a proper name: "The College of Science, Technology and Agriculture is planning a field trip to visit Boeing in St. Louis," but "The college currently has six departments."
10. Please refer to the following list for the proper names of Southeast's Colleges and Schools:
    College of Education
    College of Health and Human Services
    College of Liberal Arts
    College of Science, Technology and Agriculture
    Donald L. Harrison College of Business
    Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts
    School of Graduate Studies
    School of Online and Extended Learning
    School of University Studies
11. Please refer to the following list for the proper names of Southeast's academic departments.

    Donald L. Harrison College of Business
    Department of Accounting
    Department of Economics and Finance
    Department of Management and Marketing

    College of Education
    Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling
    Department of Elementary, Early and Special Education
    Department of Middle and Secondary Education

    College of Health and Human Services
    Department of Aerospace Studies
    Department of Communication Disorders (note the s on Disorders)
    Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology
    Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation
    Department of Human Environmental Studies
    Department of Nursing
    Department of Social Work

    College of Liberal Arts
    Department of Communication Studies
    Department of English
    Department of Global Cultures and Languages
    Department of History
    Department of Mass Media
    Department of Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion
    Department of Psychology
    Department of Art (Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts)
    Department of Music (Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts)
    Department of Theatre and Dance (Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts)

    College of Science, Technology and Agriculture
    Department of Biology
    Department of Chemistry
    Department of Computer Science
    Department of Mathematics
    Department of Physics and Engineering Physics
    Department of Agriculture
    Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology

12. The Jane Stephens Honors Program is always referred to as such on the first reference. On second reference, "Stephens Honors Program" may be used.
13. The word "theatre" should always be spelled as such, both in reference to a facility or the art.