In writing, is it masters degree or master’s degree? The correct spelling is the one with the apostrophe (master’s degree), but people commonly misspell it the other way. If you keep reading, you’ll learn more about what a master’s degree is and why it’s spelled that way.
Related:
- Surprise or Suprise: Which Spelling Should You Use?
- Behaviour or Behavior: Which Spelling Is Correct?
- Fulfil vs Fulfill: What’s the Correct Spelling?
What Is a Master’s Degree?
When you attend a college or university, you seek an undergraduate degree called a bachelor’s (usually of Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS)). After that, you may choose to pursue a postgraduate degree, either a master’s or a doctorate.
Earning a master’s degree confers more knowledge and skill (a mastery) in a particular field. It often improves one’s career prospects and earning potential. For some positions, it can be the minimum educational attainment required.
Tip: If you are thinking of getting a master’s degree, keep in mind that it involves more coursework programs, and there are prerequisites required (like test scores or GRE).
Examples:
- After teaching for six years, she took two years off to pursue a master’s degree in education.
- Holding an MBA means you have a master’s degree in business administration.
- I can’t decide whether I want to go for a master’s degree or go all the way for a PhD.
- In order to rise to management in this company, you’ll need a master’s degree.
- The starting salary here is a lot higher if you have a master’s degree.
What Are the Different Types of Master’s Degrees?
As with college majors, there are many different fields where you can earn a master’s degree. The following are some of the most well-known master’s programs.
- Master of Arts: The MA focuses on a specific area of fine arts, humanities, or social sciences and typically takes 2-3 years to complete.
- Master of Science: People with a bachelor’s in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) may pursue an MS. As with the MA, it usually focuses on a specific area.
- Master of Business Administration: An MBA course focuses on administration, entrepreneurship, and management in business.
- Master of Education: Educators with an MEd have more knowledge of instructional techniques, classroom management, and curriculum development. Teachers interested in rising to administration often work for an MEd. Many others pursue one because it usually means having higher earnings.
- Master of Fine Arts: An MFA differs from an MA because it focuses on fine arts such as creative writing, music, graphic design, etc. You usually need a bachelor’s degree in the fine arts to enroll in an MFA program.
- Master of Public Health: With an MPH, you’re prepared to help improve the physical and mental health of communities. This is through things like education, promoting healthy practices, and performing research. An MPH does not certify you to practice medicine.
- Master of Social Work: Going into social work as a career can require an MSW for state licensure. This program focuses on clinical social work.
- Master of Library Sciences: There’s a lot more to being a librarian than checking books in and out. An MLS holder can help students access, process, and disseminate information, often through technology. Many librarians in public schools or who manage public libraries have an MLS.
- Masters in Nursing: There are several different types of master’s degrees, which is why there’s no abbreviation here. Some common ones are for nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and nurse administrators.
- Master of Public Administration (MPA): Does a career in leadership in public or nonprofit sectors interest you? An MPA will prepare you for that.
Tip: Keep in mind admission and requirements of your chosen field can vary.
What Is the Correct Way To Write Master’s Degree?
Master’s degree, with the apostrophe, is the only correct way to write the term. Think of a master’s degree as the “degree of a master.” There is an implication that a person, the “master,” has something (the degree). Therefore, you need an apostrophe to show the possessive case.
How Do You Write a Master’s Degree Title?
You normally don’t capitalize master’s degree on its own. An exception would be when it’s in a title. For example, the top of a college’s web page might say, “Master’s Degree Programs Offered Available at …”
This changes when you’re talking about a specific degree title. That’s the formal name, making it a proper noun that needs capitalization. If you have a masters in the fine arts, you hold a Master’s of Fine Arts. You can also title yourself as a Master of Fine Arts.
Always capitalize the abbreviations for specific master’s degrees. Many people use the abbreviation after first spelling out the entire title.
Tip: Still confused? Read our Do You Capitalize Degree Titles? guide.
Trick to Remembering the Correct Spelling
To remember whether it’s masters degree or master’s degree, think of the person with the degree as the “master.” This master possesses something, the degree. In English, we use apostrophes with nouns to show possession. Thus, this educational achievement is a master’s degree.
Also, if you already know that an undergraduate degree is a bachelor’s degree, then it’s consistent for master’s degree to have an apostrophe as well.
Final Thoughts
For masters degree or master’s degree, only the latter (with the apostrophe) is correct. This is because the holder of the degree is in possession of it, and the apostrophe shows that. Masters is just the plural of master and thus does not indicate possession.
