Write master’s degree with a lowercase m and an apostrophe; use Master of Arts/Science when naming the degree.
People write this term in resumes, essays, emails, and forms. That’s when the little details bite right away: an apostrophe that vanishes, a capital M that shows up in the wrong spot, or a plural that reads odd. This page gives you a clean way to write it every time, plus copy-paste lines you can drop into school or work writing. If you’re stuck on how do you write master’s degree?, start with the apostrophe, then pick caps based on context.
Fast Reference Table For Common Uses
Use this table to pick the right form based on where you’re writing. Then read on for the “why” and the edge cases that trip people up.
| Where You’re Writing | Write It Like This | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General statement | a master’s degree | Lowercase in running text. |
| Specific named degree | Master of Science in Nursing | No apostrophe; capitalize the formal name. |
| Education section (resume) | Master of Arts, History | Field can be after a comma if your layout uses it. |
| Resume bullet or bio line | Master’s degree in economics | Capitalize only if your line is styled as a title; stay consistent. |
| Plural, general | master’s degrees | Apostrophe stays; add s to degrees. |
| Plural, degree level | master’s-level courses | Hyphenate when it modifies the next noun. |
| Abbreviation after a name | Sam Lee, MS | Many style guides drop periods; follow your school or employer style. |
| Program name | Master of Public Health Program | Capitalize as a formal program title in that context. |
| Casual note or text | my master’s degree | Lowercase still reads clean and normal. |
Master’s Degree Vs Masters Degree: What’s Right
If you mean the graduate degree level, master’s is the form people expect in standard English. The apostrophe shows possession: a degree of a master. The version without the apostrophe, masters degree, is a common typo.
Masters without an apostrophe can be correct in other situations. It can be a plural noun (“two masters walked in”) or a proper name (a tournament called “The Masters”). Those cases are not the degree label you’re trying to write.
What the apostrophe is doing
Think of the hidden phrase: “degree of a master.” English often shortens that kind of phrase into a possessive. That’s how we get bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. The apostrophe marks the missing words.
Plural forms that still keep the apostrophe
When you’re talking about more than one, the apostrophe does not move. You write master’s degrees, not masters’ degrees, because each degree is still “of a master.” The plural sits on degrees.
Master’s-level, Master’s degree, And Other Hyphen Cases
Sometimes you need the term as an adjective, not the main noun. That’s when hyphens help. Write master’s-level with a hyphen when it comes right before a noun: “master’s-level seminar,” “master’s-level certificate,” “master’s-level research methods.” If the phrase comes after the noun, drop the hyphen: “The seminar is at the master’s level.”
Use the same pattern for bachelor’s-level and doctoral-level, with the apostrophe kept in master’s.
Capitalization Rules For Master’s Degree In Sentences
Most writing styles treat degree levels as common nouns in the middle of a sentence. That means lowercase: “She earned a master’s degree.” Save capitalization for formal degree names or for spots where your text is acting like a title line.
APA Style is a common reference point for academic writing, and it leans toward lowercase in running text unless you’re using a proper noun or a formal title. You can check the APA Style capitalization rules when you need a cited standard for class writing.
When a capital M is fine
Capitalize when you write the formal name of a degree: Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration. These read like titles, not generic degree levels.
Capitalize when the phrase appears as a heading on a page, a diploma line, or a resume header that is styled like a title. That’s a design choice. Pick one style and stick with it through the document.
When lowercase is the safer default
Lowercase fits most sentences, most application letters, and most school papers: “I’m applying after finishing my master’s degree.” It keeps your writing steady and avoids random capitalization.
Writing Master’s Degree On Resumes, CVs, And Bios
This is where people get twitchy, because you want it to look polished. The clean rule is simple: use the full formal degree name if you know it, then keep the rest consistent. If your resume uses title-style capitalization in headings, match that style. If it uses sentence-style text, stay lowercase in bullets.
Education section lines you can copy
- Master of Science (MS), Computer Science — University Name, 2024
- Master of Arts (MA), English — University Name, 2023
- Master’s degree in business analytics — University Name, 2022
After your name: MA, MS, MFA, MBA
Post-name letters are common in some fields and odd in others. If you’re using them, keep them short and clean. Many style guides write them without periods: MA, MS, MBA, MFA, MEd, MSW. Your school might have its own preferred forms for international variants like MSc.
In running text, MLA Style Center gives clear guidance on styling academic degrees and abbreviations. Their page, MLA styling for academic degrees, is handy when you need a source for class writing or departmental style.
LinkedIn and profile blurbs
Profiles mix sentence text with headline text. A headline often uses title styling, so a capital M can look normal there. In the body paragraph, lowercase still reads clean: “I have a master’s degree in data science.” The win is consistency, not fancy caps.
Master Of Arts, Master Of Science, And Why The Apostrophe Drops
Here’s the quick pattern: if you write master’s degree, you’re naming the level. If you write Master of ___, you’re naming the formal degree title. That’s why the apostrophe disappears in the second case.
These two sentences show the difference:
- I completed a master’s degree last spring.
- I completed a Master of Science in Information Systems last spring.
Both can be right. Pick the one that matches the formality of your document and the detail your reader needs. A transcript, a university bio, or a grant application often wants the full degree name. A casual email or a short resume bullet often does not.
Where People Slip And How To Fix It Fast
Most mistakes come from mixing patterns. You start with a generic phrase, then you drift into title case, then you drop the apostrophe. Use the fixes below and you’ll stop second-guessing every time you type it.
Mixing “Master’s” with “of”
Wrong: “Master’s of Science.” Fix: write Master of Science (no apostrophe) or write master’s degree (no of phrase).
Writing “Masters degree” in a sentence
Wrong: “I earned my masters degree.” Fix: “I earned my master’s degree.” The apostrophe is the whole point.
Dropping the word “degree” in the wrong spot
You can drop degree when the sentence still reads clear: “She has a master’s in education.” That’s casual. In formal writing, keep degree so it can’t be misread: “She has a master’s degree in education.”
Adding a second apostrophe
Don’t write “master’s’ degree.” English uses one apostrophe for the possessive, then you move on.
Second Table: Quick Punctuation And Capitalization Checks
Use this when you’re editing. It’s short on purpose, so you can scan it in seconds.
| What You Want To Say | Write It Like This | Common Wrong Form |
|---|---|---|
| General degree level | master’s degree | masters degree |
| Plural, general | master’s degrees | masters’ degrees |
| Formal title | Master of Arts | Master’s of Arts |
| Formal title with field | Master of Science in Biology | Master’s degree of Science in Biology |
| Short casual form | a master’s in education | a masters in education |
| After-name letters | Jordan Kim, MS | Jordan Kim, M.S. |
| Level adjective | master’s-level course | masters level course |
| Sentence start | Master’s degrees can vary by field. | master’s degrees can vary by field. |
How Do You Write Master’S Degree? In Academic Papers
In a paper, your safest move is to treat the degree level as a normal noun. That means lowercase: “After my master’s degree, I continued in research.” If you need the formal degree title, switch to the full name and keep it consistent through the paragraph.
If your paper uses a style manual, match it. Schools often publish a writing style page for degrees and abbreviations. If your department has a house style, follow it even if another guide writes it a bit differently.
In citations and references
Degree names rarely belong inside citations. When they do show up, they are usually part of an author bio, a university name, or a program title. Treat those as proper names and match the capitalization in the official source.
Quick Checks Before You Hit Send
This checklist is for the last pass, when your eyes are tired and typos sneak in.
- Did you mean the level (master’s degree) or the formal title (Master of ___)?
- Is there one apostrophe, placed right before the s in master’s?
- Are you keeping capitalization consistent from top to bottom?
- Are you using the same format for abbreviations all the way through (MS vs M.S.)?
- In a resume, does the degree line match the style of your other education lines?
Copy-Paste Lines For Emails, Forms, And Statements
Use these as templates. Swap the field and school name, then you’re set.
Short email line
I earned a master’s degree in public health and I’m applying for the research role you posted.
Formal degree line
Master of Science in Data Science, University Name (2024)
Sentence inside a personal statement
My master’s degree work strengthened my skills in statistics, writing, and project planning.
Answer for a form field labeled “Highest degree earned”
Master’s degree (or write the formal name if the form asks for it)
One Last Note On Consistency
The cleanest writing looks calm because it’s consistent. Pick one pattern for degree lines, one pattern for abbreviations, and stick with it. Once you do that, the whole document reads like it was written by one steady hand.
And if you landed here by typing the question how do you write master’s degree? into a search bar, now you’ve got the answer and the templates to match.