Use Master of Science for the degree title; use master’s degree in science for a general reference, not “masters of science.”
You’ll see all three versions in the wild: Master of Science, master’s degree, and masters of science. Only one of them is the normal way to name the credential on a transcript or diploma. The others belong in narrower spots, or they’re plain mistakes.
If you’ve typed is it master of science or masters of science? while polishing a résumé, a LinkedIn headline, or an email signature, you’re not alone. The confusion comes from two different jobs these words can do: one is a formal degree name, the other is a general phrase about the level of study.
| Where You’re Writing | Best Wording | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Transcript, diploma, graduation program | Master of Science | It’s the official degree name, capitalized, with no apostrophe. |
| Résumé education line | Master of Science (MS) in Biology | Formal title plus common abbreviation keeps scanning fast. |
| Cover letter sentence | a master’s degree in biology | Generic reference uses an apostrophe and lowercase. |
| LinkedIn headline | MS, Data Science | Abbreviations save space; punctuation depends on the style you follow. |
| Bio line | holds a Master of Science in Nursing | Full title reads clean in third person and stays formal. |
| Multiple credentials | two master’s degrees | Only “degrees” becomes plural; “master’s” stays the same. |
| Talking about programs | master’s programs in science | Program type is generic, so it’s lowercase with an apostrophe. |
| What to avoid | masters of science | It mixes up plural “masters” with the degree title. |
Use degree title on forms; use master’s degree in prose.
Master of science vs. master’s of science in formal writing
When you mean the credential as a named degree, write Master of Science. That phrase works like a proper name. It’s treated as a title, so it’s capitalized, and it does not take an apostrophe. Many university style guides state this rule: capitalize the full degree name, and reserve the apostrophe form for a general mention of a degree level.
When you mean the level of study, write master’s degree. That’s a descriptive phrase, not a degree title. It’s the same pattern as bachelor’s degree. The apostrophe shows possession: a degree of a master. In day-to-day writing, this is the phrasing people reach for most, since it communicates the credential without locking into a specific degree label.
When to write Master of Science
Use Master of Science when you’re naming the credential the way a school names it. This is common in an education section, a credentialing form, a scholarship application, or a certification portal that asks for the exact degree name.
- Education line: Master of Science in Computer Science, University of X
- Credential form: Degree earned: Master of Science
- Official list: Master of Science, Master of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy
When to write master’s degree
Use master’s degree when the reader doesn’t need the official title. This is common in narrative writing: a personal statement, a cover letter, a website bio, or a sentence that describes what you studied without quoting the credential line-by-line.
- I earned a master’s degree in biomedical engineering.
- She’s finishing a master’s degree in statistics.
- They require a master’s degree for this role.
Why “masters of science” sounds off
“Masters of science” often shows up when someone tries to pluralize “master” the way we pluralize job titles: two masters, three masters. In degree writing, that’s not the usual pattern. You either name the degree (Master of Science) or you describe the level (master’s degree).
Is It Master Of Science Or Masters Of Science? Common confusions
This question pops up in a handful of repeat situations. The fix is easier when you spot what the document is doing: naming a credential, describing a level, or listing multiple degrees.
Résumé and CV education lines
In a résumé, clarity and scan speed matter. If you earned an MS, you can write the full title once and add the abbreviation. Many readers know “MS” at a glance, and the long form removes doubt.
Common patterns:
- Master of Science (MS) in Data Science, University of X, 2023
- MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of X, 2023
Email signatures and business cards
Signatures are space-tight. Abbreviations shine here. If your industry expects post-nominals, “MS” is usually enough. If your role is global, note that “MSc” is common in many countries, while “MS” is common in the United States. Pick one and stay consistent.
LinkedIn headlines and summaries
On LinkedIn, the platform already labels the degree field, so you can keep the wording simple. “Master of Science” fits cleanly in the Education section. In your headline, use the abbreviation if it helps the line read like a job title, not a full sentence.
School websites and program pages
Program pages often talk about “master’s programs” or “master’s degrees” in general. That’s where the apostrophe form belongs. When the page lists the exact credentials offered, you’ll see formal names like Master of Science and Master of Arts.
Apostrophes, plurals, and abbreviations that trip writers up
Most errors come from two moves: dropping the apostrophe in master’s, or putting an “s” on master when you mean the credential title. A quick pass for apostrophes and plurals can clean up a whole page.
Plural: one master’s degree, two master’s degrees
Pluralize the noun degree, not the modifier. The phrase is “master’s degree,” so the plural becomes “master’s degrees.” This pattern is widely taught in editorial guidance. It’s the same structure as “doctor’s appointment” and “doctor’s appointments.”
Apostrophe: master’s, not masters
If you mean the degree level, the apostrophe carries meaning. Many style guides and dictionaries treat “master’s” as the noun form for the degree. Merriam-Webster lists master’s as a noun meaning a master’s degree, which matches how people write “a master’s in biology.”
Abbreviations: MS, M.S., MSc
Abbreviations vary by style and region. Some styles prefer periods (M.S.), while many universities and modern brand guides drop them (MS). “MSc” is common outside the U.S. There’s no single rule for all schools. Match your institution’s usage when you can, or match your document’s style guide.
Capitalization rules you can apply fast
Here’s the quick mental split: formal name gets capitals, generic level stays lowercase. A university style guide from Purdue notes that the full degree name is capitalized (like Master of Science), while general terms stay lowercase (like master’s degree). You can see that guidance in Purdue’s editorial style guide entry on degrees.
Another clear statement comes from the University of Hartford’s editorial style guide section on academic degrees, which pairs capitalization with the apostrophe rule in one place.
Degree titles with a field
When you add the field, keep the title case for the formal degree name, and write the field in lowercase unless it contains a proper noun. That’s why you’ll see “Master of Science in biology” and “Master of Science in English” with “English” capitalized as a language.
General references with a field
In running text, “a master’s degree in biology” stays lowercase. If the field is a proper noun, you still capitalize that part: “a master’s degree in English.”
Copy-ready wording for résumés, forms, and bios
When the goal is clean, consistent copy, it helps to keep a few templates on hand. Use the formal title when the reader expects an official name. Use the apostrophe form when the sentence is about the level of education.
Education section templates
- Master of Science (MS) in [Field], [School], [Year]
- MS, [Field], [School], [Year]
- Master of Science, [School], [Year] (if the field is clear elsewhere)
Cover letter and statement templates
- I completed a master’s degree in [Field] to build stronger research and lab skills.
- My master’s degree work focused on [topic], with a capstone on [topic].
Bio and speaker intro templates
- [Name] holds a Master of Science in [Field] from [School].
- [Name] earned a master’s degree in [Field] and works in [area].
Second table: quick fixes for the most common lines
This table is built for the spots where errors show up most: headings, bullets, and short credential lines. Pick the row that matches your use case, then copy the wording as-is.
| Use Case | Write This | Avoid This |
|---|---|---|
| Degree name in Education | Master of Science in Chemistry | Masters of Science in Chemistry |
| Generic credential in a sentence | a master’s degree in chemistry | a masters degree in chemistry |
| Multiple degrees | two master’s degrees | two masters degrees |
| Short post-nominal | MS | Masters |
| Program description | master’s programs in science | masters programs in science |
| Dropdown field: degree type | Master of Science | Masters of Science |
| When field is a language | a master’s degree in English | a masters degree in english |
Edge cases that still follow the same rule
A few situations can make you pause. The good news is the same split still works: formal title when you name it, apostrophe form when you describe it.
When the degree is part of a longer credential string
Some schools list combined credentials, like “Master of Science and Graduate Certificate.” Keep each named credential in its formal form. If you shorten, shorten consistently across the document.
When the program name differs from the degree name
A program might be called “Data Science Master’s Program,” while the awarded credential is “Master of Science.” If you’re writing a program description, use the program’s chosen name. If you’re stating what you earned, use the credential name on your transcript.
When you hold more than one MS
Write “two master’s degrees” or “two Master of Science degrees” depending on the tone. In a formal list, “Master of Science degrees” can read cleaner than repeating “Master of Science” twice.
A final self-check before you publish or send
If you’re still stuck on is it master of science or masters of science?, run this quick check. It takes under a minute and catches most slips.
- Am I naming the credential the school awards? If yes, write Master of Science.
- Am I describing the education level in a sentence? If yes, write master’s degree.
- Am I talking about more than one? Pluralize degrees: master’s degrees.
- Do I need an abbreviation? Use MS, M.S., or MSc based on the document’s style.
- Did I stay consistent across headings, bullets, and forms? Fix the odd one out.