Do You Say Master's Degree or Masters Degree? | Which Is Correct and Why

Ever paused while writing and had a thought whether to write master's degree or masters degree, if yes then you are not alone in this. Students, professionals and experienced writers also get confused with this seemingly minor grammatical aspect. The misunderstanding can be explained by the fact that English possessives are a bit of a puzzle, and in the case of academic qualifications, it is important to spell it correctly more than you may believe.

In this guide, we shall resolve the argument forever, take you through the rule of capitalization, the common variations and the types of degrees offered to enable you make sound academic choices.

Master’s or Masters: Understanding the Grammatical Rule

Now to the point: master's degree is the right way to say it - with an apostrophe and an s.

The answer is in the simple grammar of the English language for those who are having the doubt that whether it is master's degree or masters degree. Possessive apostrophe is used in the term master’s degree which implies that the degree belong to or it is granted by a master of field. Also consider it just as you would say, bachelor's degree or doctoral’s degree. The apostrophe indicates an ownership or an association.

The masters vs master's debate in a nutshell is as follows:

The term masters is not a possessive but a plural noun (as there were several masters of the craft). In describing the academic qualification, the possessive form, that is, master’s is always necessary.

So next time you have a question in your mind is it masters or master’s then you can be sure that the answer is master’s with the apostrophe. 

Is Master's Degree Capitalized? The Definitive Guide

Among the most frequently asked follow-up questions to the apostrophe sorting out is: is the master's degree capitalized? It all depends on your context of applying the term.

The times when NOT to capitalize.

In a typical everyday writing, the word master’s degree is lower-case. This is used when you are using it in general terms not in the particular formal title.

Examples:

• She received a master's degree in psychology.
• He is in the process of attaining a master's degree in data science.
• A master's degree will be able to help you earn a lot more.

When TO Capitalize

You are to capitalize Master's Degree when:

• It is included in a formal or official degree name: Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Master of Arts.
• It is featured in a resume, certificate or official document in which the names of degrees are used as proper nouns.
• It comes directly before the title is placed before the name of a person (however this is not common to degrees)

Examples:

• Her degree is: Master Of Science in Computer Engineering.
• The program is granted with Master of Arts in International Relations.

Quick Reference Table

Still confused is master's degree capitalized then worry not you can take quick help from this table to get the clear idea:

The golden rule: use lowercase when it is general and capital when it is specific and formal in the degree names.

Master vs. Masters: Common Variations and Phrases

It is not only the apostrophe that can aid in the understanding of the master or masters usage. Let us consider such variations that people come across most of the time.

Is it "a master's degree" or "a masters degree"?

The proper way to spell it is always a masters degree - with the possessive apostrophe. One of the most searched questions in academic writing is asking whether it is a master’s degree or a masters degree and the answer is a definite one.

• Right: She earned a master's degree in 2 years.
• wrong: She has got a masters degree in two years.

There is no apostrophe in the term masters degree hence masters is a simple plural form that in this sentence does not grammatically modify degree. A structured, meaning relationship existing between the master and the degree is represented by the possessive form.

"Master degree" vs. "Master's degree": Why the 's matters.

The other variant that you will often come across is the term master degree - the apostrophe and s are omitted completely. This does not hold true in standard English usage either.

The reason the 's is important:

• Linguistic tradition: The term has developed out of Latin scholastic tradition in which the granting of degrees was done in the manner of a master. Naturally, the possessive comes before English.
• Parallel form: The apostrophe-s is a grammatical form of construction at any level of degree as we call it a bachelor's and an associate's degree.
• Clarity: The possessive form distinguishes between the credential (a master's degree) and informal/incomplete (master degree program is sometimes colloquially used in some areas but is non-standard).

Sometimes used phrases and their proper forms:

Types of Correct Degree Title in Context

We have now determined the proper grammar, so we can see how degree titles are to be organized correctly. Academic degrees are named in a similar pattern that entails the combination of the type of degree and the area of study.

Undergraduate Degrees

• Associate of Arts: Usually a community college degree that is 2 year long.
• Associate of Science: 2-year degree with a science emphasis.
• Bachelor of Arts: Humanities, social sciences, liberal arts.
• Bachelor of Science: STEM and applied sciences.
• Bachelor of Fine Arts:  Visual and performing arts.
• Bachelor of Commerce: Commerce and business related field.

Graduate Degrees (Masters Level)

• Master of Arts: Humanities, social sciences, education.
• Master of Science: Sciences, technology, engineering.
• Master of Business Administration: Business management and leadership.
• Master of Fine Arts: Creative writing, visual arts, film.
• Master of Education: Teaching and educational leadership.
• Master of Public Health: Epidemiology, Health policy.
• Master of Laws: advanced legal studies.
• Master of Engineering: Applied engineering subjects.
• Master of Social Work: Social services and welfare.
• Master of Public Administration: Government and policy.

Doctoral Degrees

• Doctor of Philosophy: Research based, in all fields.
• Doctor of Medicine: Medical practitioners.
• Doctor of Education: Educational policy and leadership.
• Juris Doctor:  Law degree.
• Doctor of Business Administration: Advanced business research.
• Doctor of Psychology: Clinical psychology practice.

Note: The degree name must be used in full the first time (e.g., Master of Science in Nursing), and thereafter can be used in full or abbreviated (e.g., master's degree or M.S.N.).

Different Degree Options Explained for Future Students

Making the appropriate degree choice is one of the most important choices that you will make. Here is a feasible outline to students assessing their choices.

Associate Degrees (2 Years)

Associate degree is generally accomplished in two years either in a community college or technical college. It is perfect to the students who wish to move into the labor market or join a four-year university. Some of the common ones are nursing, IT and business administration. Associate degrees are time- and cost-effective and are a powerful basis.

Bachelor's Degrees (4 Years)

The most common undergraduate degree is the bachelor degree which is recognized worldwide. It is a four year program that includes basic and professional studies in a specialty of choice. It is still the prerequisite in the majority of professional entry-level jobs and a qualification in master degrees.

Is a bachelor's degree right for you?

Wondering whether bachelor’s degree is right for your or not then the simple answer is it is right for you when you are:

• You are venturing into an extremely competitive field.
• You desire general schooling first, and then later specializing.
• You intend to do graduate studies in the future.

Master's Degrees (1–3 Years)

A master’s degree is a postgraduate degree that is offered to students who wish to enhance knowledge, change profession or to be eligible to hold senior positions. The majority of programs are one to two years of full-time study. They can be:

• Lectures, seminars, assessments taught (coursework-based).
• Research based: Thesis or dissertation based.
• Professional: MBA, M.Ed., MPH - career-specific qualifications.

The master's degree is best suited to those professionals who want to get to the next level of management, academia, research or technical specifications.

Doctoral Degrees (3–7 Years)

The highest educational qualification is the doctorate. Ph.D. programs are in-depth research-based and result in an original dissertation contributing to the body of knowledge in the field. Professional doctorates (such as M.D. or J.D.) prepare practitioners as opposed to researchers.

Doctoral education is most appropriate to those individuals who plan to work in academia, advanced research, medicine, law or executive consultancies.

Professional Certifications and Diplomas

In addition to conventional degree courses, a significant number of students are enjoying the advantages of postgraduate diploma, professional qualifications, and vocational qualification. The shorter qualifications may be added to a degree or act as an independent pathway to a certain sector such as project management, digital marketing, or data analytics.

Conclusion

The master's degree or masters degree debate has a definite winner, always the grammatically correct choice is the master's degree, with apostrophe. The possessive form is a reflection of English grammatical traditions, and is consistent with the nomenclature of all academic degrees of the same type, and with the nomenclature of other comparable academic degrees worldwide.