How to Sign Your Name with a Masters Degree

Include your academic credentials with your signature to assure colleagues or potential employers of your qualifications. In general, you can include the abbreviation for your master's degree in your signature if you work in research, academia or a field where the degree is required to practice. Include the master's degree on documents such as research papers, professional correspondence, résumés and business cards.

Instructions

1. Type or print your full name followed by a comma and a space.

2. Add the appropriate abbreviation for your master's degree after the space. For example, "M.S." for Master of Science or "MBA" for Master of Business Administration.

3. Include the abbreviations for any professional credentials or other relevant affiliations after your academic degree. Separate multiple abbreviations with commas. Abbreviations for religious orders or theological degrees come before your academic degree.

Tips & Warnings

• If you hold a degree higher than a master's, include that degree after your signature and omit the master's degree.

• Do not include your credentials when signing casual correspondence.

• Refrain from including your master's degree in your signature before you complete the degree. Instead, note that you will receive the degree or are a candidate for the degree and state your expected graduation date.

References

• The Protocol School of Washingtion: How to Address Professionals and Academics
• Fitzgerald Health Education Associates, Inc.: How Do I Sign My Name?