I'm a seasoned academic advisor with a deep understanding of academic conventions and standards. In the academic world, the use of punctuation in the abbreviation of degrees can vary. Let's delve into the specifics regarding the use of periods after "PhD."

The abbreviation "PhD" stands for "Doctor of Philosophy," which is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities to those who have conducted original research and submitted a thesis or dissertation. The use of periods in academic degree abbreviations is a matter of style and can depend on the context or the publication's guidelines.

When it comes to the use of periods in abbreviations, there are general rules that can be applied. For very common abbreviations, periods are often omitted, such as "rpm" for revolutions per minute or "mph" for miles per hour. This is because these abbreviations are widely recognized and the periods are considered unnecessary.

In the context of academic degrees, the use of periods is more flexible. Some style guides suggest that periods can be used or omitted, while others have specific rules. For example, in American English, it is common to see academic degrees written without periods, such as "PhD" or "MBA." However, in British English, periods are often used, as in "Ph.D." or "M.B.A."

It's important to note that within the degree itself, periods are not used. For instance, you would not write "P.h.D." or "M.B.A." within the context of the degree name. The periods are only a matter of style when abbreviating the full name of the degree.

When deciding whether to use periods in academic degree abbreviations, consider the following:


1. Consistency: Maintain consistency throughout your document or publication. If you choose to use periods, apply this style to all academic degrees.


2. Publication Guidelines: If you are writing for a specific publication or submitting to a journal, adhere to their style guide.


3. Audience: Consider your audience. If you are writing for an international audience, omitting periods may be more widely understood.


4. Recognition: Use periods if the abbreviation is less common or if it helps to avoid confusion with other words.


5. Personal Preference: Ultimately, the choice can come down to personal preference, as long as it is applied consistently.

In conclusion, there is no definitive rule that mandates the use of periods after "PhD" or any other academic degree. It is a matter of style and context. Whether you choose to use periods or not, ensure that your choice is consistent and appropriate for your audience and the context in which you are writing.

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For very common abbreviations, leave out the periods, as in rpm and mph. ... (Note the space after "Lt.") Academic degrees can be written with periods or not, but don't insert spaces -- Ph.D. or PhD, M.B.A. or MBA -- within the degree.read more >>