Academic Degrees and Terms

We use many Latin words and phrases in academic degrees and terms, as shown below.

• cum laude, with praise. Given with a diploma that has been earned with a grade of work higher than ordinary.
• magna cum laude, with great praise.
• summa cum laude, with highest praise.
• Alumnus, pl. Alumni, male graduate or graduates.
• Alumna, pl. Alumnae, female graduate or graduates.
• Alma Mater, nourishing mother. Refers to one's school or college.
• M.A. or A.M., Artium Magister. Master of Arts.
• B.A. or A.B., Baccalaureus Artium, Bachelor of Arts.
• B.S., Baccalaureus Scientiae, Bachelor of Science.
• D.D., Divinitatis Doctor, Doctor of Divinity.
• D.Litt. or Litt.D., Doctor Litterarum, Doctor of Literature or Letters.
• M.D., Medicinae Doctor, Doctor of Medicine.
• Ph.D., Philosophiae Doctor, Doctor of Philosophy.
• LL.D., Legum Doctor, Doctor of Laws.
• D.M.D., Dentariae Medicinae Doctor, Doctor of Dental Medicine.