What is the correct protocol and priority for academic degrees listed after a name?

Answer 1

In the United States, it is most common to list only the highest degree awarded. Thus John Smith might have earned a bachelor of science degree (B.S.) and a master of science degree (M.S.) and a doctoral degree (Ph.D.), but he would normally only list the highest, thus: John Smith, Ph.D.

In England, it is common to list all degrees earned after the bachelor's degree, thus: John Smith, M.S., Ph.D. (The absence of The Bachelor's degree seems to trace back to Medieval Europe where the bachelor's degree was considered simply the entrance to the field of study, so that two degrees only were recognized: the master's and the doctoral.) In some cases, the bachelor's degree may be listed, thus, a physician might be shown: John Smith, M.B, B.S. where in the U.S. a physician would most likely be shown as: John Smith, M.D. (or D.O., since the Doctor of Osteopathy degree is usually recognized as equivalent to the Doctor of Medicine).