In general, avoid using abbreviations in running text (including the ampersand) except when they are part of official names. Spell out acronyms on first reference. If speaking to an audience outside of the university community, acronyms should be avoided. To aid understanding, the abbreviation may be listed in parentheses following the first reference; however, do not list UTHSCSA in parentheses following The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. UTHSCSA is never correct.
Avoid overusing abbreviations/acronyms. Use generic terms on second reference.
Example: The Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio is one of 33 centers of excellence for dementia care and research in the nation. The institute is also the only one in Texas recognized as a National Institute on Aging-designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
One exception is STRONG STAR Consortium, which is an acronym of South Texas Research Organizational Network Guiding Studies on Trauma And Resilience, a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research consortium funded by the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs. STRONG STAR is fine on first reference, but must be explained.
Abbreviations of degrees, certifications and licensures do not take periods, an exception to AP Style. Time expressions and countries’ names take periods without spaces:
√ PhD, MD, BA, FACP
√ a.m., p.m., B.C., A.D.
√ U.K., U.S. (USA is an exception)
Use periods and no space when an individual uses initials instead of a first name:
√ L.J. Shrum