Names of Colleges, Schools, and Departments

Names of Colleges, Schools, and Departments Ryan Askew

colleges, schools

Capitalize formal names of colleges and schools. Lowercase otherwise, unless the name of the college or school is a proper noun. Examples:

  • College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; the college
  • School of Public Health and Health Sciences; the school

However ...

  • Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, initial reference;
    Isenberg on subsequent reference.
    Do not use: SOM, ISOM, UMass Isenberg, or Isenberg SOM.
  • Stockbridge School of Agriculture, initial reference;
    Stockbridge, subsequently.

academic departments

Capitalize formal department names. Lowercase otherwise, unless the name of the department is a proper noun. Examples:

  • the Department of History, the history department, the English department
  • Department of Polymer Science and Engineering; the polymer science and engineering department; polymer science and engineering; the department

Commonwealth Honors College

Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community

Integrated Sciences Building

Integrative Learning Center

Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management

McGuirk Alumni Stadium

Mullins Center

Named Schools and Colleges

Use the full name of the school or college on the cover and in first mention in non-promotional, formal publications and other prominent public displays (e.g., invitations, signage). Examples:

  • Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
  • Robert and Donna Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences

Use last name and full name of school or college on the cover, in first mention in promotional publications, editorial materials, correspondence, and web content. Examples:

  • Marieb College of Nursing
  • Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences
  • School of _______ or College of _______ may be used in subsequent mentions.

Do not use the last name, abbreviations, or initialisms alone. "Isenberg" is the only exception in subsequent mentions of Isenberg School of Management.

Uppercase College and School when used as part of the proper name of a school or college. Lowercase when used alone, whether or not it refers to a specific school or college.
Example:

  • The College of Education is highly selective. The college began in 1906 under a different name.

(See Named Schools and Colleges Guide for more information.)

Old Chapel (not "the Old Chapel")

Example: We will meet on Tuesday at Old Chapel.

W. E. B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies

W. E. B. Du Bois Library