Master’s or Masters | A Quick Guide for Students and Writers In 2026

Quick Answer
Master’s is correct when you mean a graduate degree, as in “a master’s degree.” Masters is the plural of “master” or a third-person verb, so it has different meanings.

If you are unsure whether to write master’s or masters, you are not alone. The two forms look almost identical, but the apostrophe changes how the word functions in a sentence. When referring to an academic degree, master’s is generally the correct form because it is a possessive construction, as in “master’s degree.” Understanding when to include the apostrophe can help you write more accurately in applications, resumes, academic documents, and everyday English.

The word masters without an apostrophe has a different use. It can refer to more than one master, while master’s commonly refers to something associated with a master, particularly an academic degree. In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between master’s or masters, show you how each form works, and provide clear examples so you can confidently choose the right spelling in your writing.

Which One Is Correct?

When referring to a graduate academic degree, master’s is the correct form.

The standard expression is master’s degree, with an apostrophe before the s. Examples include:

• She is pursuing a master’s degree in psychology.
• He completed his master’s program last year.
• I need a master’s degree for this position.
• Her master’s thesis explores climate change.

The apostrophe indicates a possessive relationship. Historically, the degree is understood as belonging to or being associated with a master.

By contrast, masters without an apostrophe is not the standard spelling for a single graduate degree. It can be correct in other contexts, though.

For example:

• Several masters competed in the tournament.
• She masters difficult concepts quickly.
• The university offers several master’s degrees.

So, the answer depends on what you mean.

If you mean one graduate degree, use master’s. If you mean more than one master or use “masters” as a verb, the spelling without an apostrophe can be correct.

Meaning of the Correct Word

Definition

Master’s is the singular possessive form of master. In academic English, it commonly appears in the phrase master’s degree, meaning a graduate degree completed after a bachelor’s degree.

A master’s degree usually involves advanced study in a particular academic or professional field. Depending on the program, students may complete coursework, research, a thesis, a capstone project, an internship, or a combination of these requirements.

The word can also appear in other possessive phrases, such as:

• master’s thesis
• master’s program
• master’s student
• master’s research
• master’s coursework

Explanation

The apostrophe in master’s matters because it signals possession or association.

Think of master’s degree as a shortened form of a phrase such as “master’s degree,” where the degree is associated with the academic rank of master. English commonly uses possessive forms this way in established educational terms.

The same pattern appears in expressions such as:

• bachelor’s degree
• bachelor’s program
• bachelor’s thesis
• master’s degree
• master’s program
• master’s thesis

Notice that both bachelor’s and master’s use an apostrophe before the final s when they refer to an individual degree.

However, Master of Arts and Master of Science follow a different structure. These are formal degree names, not possessive phrases.

For example:

She earned a Master of Science in chemistry.

You would not normally write:

She earned a Master’s of Science in chemistry.

The formal degree title is Master of Science, while the general term is master’s degree.

Usage

Use master’s when referring to a graduate degree in general.

Common examples include:

• master’s degree
• master’s education
• master’s student
• master’s coursework
• master’s thesis
• master’s program
• master’s studies

The phrase master’s degree is especially common in admissions, education, employment, and professional contexts.

For instance, a university application might ask whether you are applying to a master’s program. A job description might state that a master’s degree is preferred.

Real-World Examples

Here are several natural examples:

1. Maria earned a master’s degree in public health.
2. He is applying to a master’s program in engineering.
3. Her master’s thesis focused on renewable energy.
4. I completed my master’s degree two years ago.
5. The position requires a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.
6. She is a master’s student at the university.
7. His master’s research examines artificial intelligence in education.

In each example, the apostrophe belongs in master’s because the word refers to the academic degree or something connected with it.

Meaning of the Incorrect or Alternative Word

Incorrect

Masters is incorrect when you use it to mean one graduate academic degree.

For example:

I am pursuing a masters degree.

In standard American English, this should be:

I am pursuing a master’s degree.

The missing apostrophe changes the grammatical form.

Typo

In academic writing, masters may simply be a typographical error when someone forgets the apostrophe.

This mistake is especially common because English speakers often drop apostrophes in fast typing. It can also happen because masters looks visually natural as a plural word.

If you are writing a résumé, university application, research paper, or professional biography, check phrases such as “masters degree” carefully.

Slang

Masters is not normally a slang spelling of master’s degree.

People may omit the apostrophe in informal digital writing, but that does not make the spelling grammatically standard. Text messages and casual posts often ignore punctuation, yet formal writing should preserve the apostrophe.

Regional Variation

There is no major American-versus-British spelling difference that makes masters degree standard in one variety of English.

Both American and British English commonly use master’s degree for the general academic qualification.

Universities may differ in their official degree titles, but that is a matter of institutional naming rather than a simple spelling difference between American and British English.

Rare but Valid Usage

Masters is completely valid when it has another grammatical function.

As a plural noun, it can refer to more than one master:

The two masters of the craft taught different techniques.

As a verb, masters is the third-person singular form of master:

She masters new software quickly.

It can also appear in proper names and titles. For example, The Masters is the established name of a major golf tournament.

These uses are grammatically different from master’s degree.

Key Differences Between the Two Words

Interestingly, master’s and masters are usually pronounced the same way in ordinary speech. The apostrophe is therefore a writing distinction rather than a major pronunciation distinction.

Why the Apostrophe Matters

An apostrophe can signal possession. In master’s degree, it separates the phrase from the plural masters.

Compare:

• master’s degree = a graduate degree
• masters = more than one master
• masters = succeeds in mastering something

The meaning comes from the grammar and context.

Common Mistakes People Make

Writing “Masters Degree”

This is probably the most common mistake.

Incorrect:

She has a masters degree in nursing.

Correct:

She has a master’s degree in nursing.

The apostrophe belongs before the s.

Writing “Master Degree”

Another frequent error is removing both the apostrophe and the final s.

Incorrect:

He earned a master degree in finance.

Correct:

He earned a master’s degree in finance.

In standard English, master degree is not the normal general expression for the qualification.

Confusing “Master’s” With “Master of”

The phrases master’s degree and Master of Arts are related, but their structures differ.

Correct:

She earned a master’s degree in history.

Correct:

She earned a Master of Arts in history.

Incorrect:

She earned a Master’s of Arts in history.

When using the formal title, use the institution’s official wording.

Treating “Masters” as a Plural Degree

A master’s degree is normally singular when you are referring to one qualification.

For multiple qualifications, you can say:

She has two master’s degrees.

Notice that the plural is master’s degrees, not masters degrees.

The word degree becomes plural, while master’s remains the possessive form.

Dropping the Apostrophe in Professional Writing

A missing apostrophe may seem minor, but professional documents need accurate terminology.

Check the wording carefully in:

• Résumés
• Cover letters
• University applications
• Academic papers
• Research profiles
• Professional biographies
• LinkedIn profiles
• Scholarship applications

Correct punctuation makes your writing look polished and precise.

Correct Usage Examples

Casual Examples

Here are examples from everyday conversation:

• I’m working on my master’s degree right now.
• My sister just finished her master’s.
• I’m thinking about getting a master’s degree.
• He started his master’s program last fall.
• She needs a master’s for that career path.

In casual conversation, people often shorten master’s degree to simply master’s when the context is clear.

For example:

What are you studying?

I’m doing my master’s.

That usage is natural and widely understood.

Professional Examples

Professional writing usually benefits from the full phrase when clarity matters:

• The position requires a master’s degree in accounting.
• She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership.
• Applicants with a master’s degree may qualify for advanced roles.
• His master’s research supports the company’s sustainability initiative.
• The candidate completed a master’s program in data science.

These examples show how master’s works naturally before nouns.

Educational Examples

Academic contexts provide some of the clearest examples:

• The master’s program lasts two years.
• Students must submit a master’s thesis before graduation.
• Her master’s coursework includes statistics and research methods.
• He is considering a master’s degree after completing his bachelor’s.
• The university offers several master’s programs.

Notice the difference between master’s program and master’s programs. The second phrase is plural because programs is plural.

Literary/Metaphorical Examples

The word master also has broader meanings outside education.

For example:

• She is a master of negotiation.
• He became a master of the violin.
• The artist was a master of subtle detail.
• Years of practice helped her master the technique.

In these sentences, the word does not refer to an academic degree.

You could also write:

He is a master of his craft.

Here, master is a noun describing exceptional skill.

The verb appears in:

She mastered the language after years of study.

And:

He masters complex problems with patience.

These examples help explain why masters can be perfectly correct in the right context.

Word Origin / Etymology

The word master has a long history in English. It developed from Old French maistre, which came from Latin magister, meaning a teacher, leader, or person with authority.

Over time, master developed several related meanings. It could describe someone with authority, someone highly skilled in a craft, or someone who had reached a high level of knowledge.

The academic sense developed from this idea of advanced knowledge and expertise. A master’s degree therefore carries a historical connection to the concept of mastery.

The apostrophe in master’s reflects English possessive grammar. In the established phrase master’s degree, it distinguishes the singular possessive form from masters, which can function as a plural noun or verb.

The modern academic phrase became firmly established as higher education developed standardized degree structures. Today, universities use formal titles such as Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Business Administration, while master’s degree remains the common general expression.

Why the Incorrect Version Became Popular

The form masters degree appears frequently because English writers often associate the ending -s with plurals. Without careful attention to the apostrophe, master’s can visually resemble an ordinary plural.

Another reason is pronunciation. In normal speech, master’s and masters sound almost identical. Speakers cannot hear the apostrophe, so writers must choose the correct form based on meaning and grammar.

Digital communication can reinforce the problem. Apostrophes are easy to overlook while typing, especially on phones or when writing quickly.

Searches, informal profiles, résumés, and user-generated content can also contain inconsistent punctuation. Seeing masters degree repeatedly may make the form appear more acceptable than it is.

However, frequency does not automatically determine standard grammar. In formal American English, the established expression remains master’s degree.

Easy Memory Tricks

Think “One Master, One Apostrophe”

When you mean one academic degree, think:

one master → master’s degree

The apostrophe marks the singular possessive form.

Remember “Master’s = Degree”

If you see degree, program, thesis, or student, master’s is usually the form you need.

Examples:

• master’s degree
• master’s program
• master’s thesis
• master’s student

Think “Masters = More Than One or Does”

Use masters when it functions as a plural noun or a verb.

For example:

The masters gathered for the ceremony.

Or:

She masters every new challenge.

A quick memory line is:

Master’s = academic qualification; masters = plural or verb.

Remember the Bachelor Pattern

The same rule applies to bachelor’s degree.

You would write:

bachelor’s degree

not:

bachelors degree

So when you remember the apostrophe in bachelor’s, apply the same pattern to master’s.

FAQs

Is “master’s degree” correct?

Yes. Master’s degree is the standard expression for a graduate academic degree.

Is “masters degree” grammatically correct?

No, not when you mean one graduate degree. The standard form is master’s degree.

Is “masters” ever correct?

Yes. Masters can be a plural noun or a third-person singular verb, depending on context.

Do I write “master’s degrees” for more than one degree?

Yes. The correct plural is master’s degrees, not “masters degrees.”

Is “master degree” correct?

No. In standard English, use master’s degree when referring to the academic qualification.

Is “Master of Arts” different from “master’s degree”?

Yes. Master of Arts is a formal degree title, while master’s degree is the general term.

How do you pronounce “master’s”?

It is commonly pronounced MAS-terz, with the final sound similar to the -s in “masters.”

Should “master’s degree” have a capital M?

Usually, no. Write master’s degree when using the general term. Capitalize a formal degree title such as Master of Arts.

Conclusion

When choosing between master’s or masters, use master’s when you mean a graduate academic degree or something associated with it.Masters is still a correct English word, but it works as a plural noun, a verb, or in certain proper names.
Remember that master’s degree and master’s degrees keep the apostrophe even when “degrees” becomes plural.The simplest rule is clear: for the academic qualification, choose “master’s,” not “masters.”

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Christopher Parker

Christopher Parker is a writer and blogger at GramScript.com, sharing thoughtful insights and engaging stories across a range of topics. His writing blends clarity, curiosity, and a distinctly human perspective.