Master Of Arts Or Masters Of Arts | Correct Degree Name

People meet this doubt when they are building a resume, filling out an application, or polishing a LinkedIn headline. One small word change can make a credential look messy. The good news is that the rule is simple once you see the pattern behind formal degree titles and general degree terms.

This article explains the wording you should use, why the mix-up happens, and how to write the degree in sentences, lists, and abbreviations. You will also get short templates you can drop into your own documents without second-guessing.

Master Of Arts Or Masters Of Arts In Real Writing

When you name the credential as an official qualification, the standard form is Master of Arts. It follows the same structure as Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science. In these formal titles, the noun is singular and there is no apostrophe.

“Masters of Arts” reads like a plural group of people who are masters across many arts, not a single graduate award. That is why you almost never see it in university catalogs, transcripts, or diploma text.

If you are searching master of arts or masters of arts, you are really asking which version looks official on paperwork. The answer is that the singular title is the safe choice for formal lines.

Context	Correct Form	Why It Fits
Official degree title on a resume	Master of Arts (M.A.)	Uses the formal name with singular “Master.”
General reference to level	master’s degree	Possessive form for the type of degree.
Plural general reference	master’s degrees	Apostrophe stays with the singular base word.
A program description	Master of Arts program	Formal program name stays intact.
Informal shorthand in conversation	a master’s	Works in relaxed contexts when meaning is clear.
Degree listed after a name	Rina Karim, M.A.	Abbreviation is common in short bios.
Common error	Masters of Arts	Looks like a plural noun phrase, not a degree title.

Why The Confusion Shows Up So Often

English uses several patterns for academic credentials, and they look similar fast. We also hear people say “I’m doing my masters,” which is casual speech. That spoken shortcut can slide into formal writing.

Another source of confusion is the apostrophe. The plural noun “masters” is different from the possessive adjective in “master’s degree.” Many university style guides state that you use an apostrophe with master’s degree and bachelor’s degree, but not in the formal names like Master of Arts. The University of Hartford notes this distinction in its academic degrees entry.

Two Simple Rules That Cover Most Cases

1. Use Master of Arts when you are naming the official qualification.
2. Use master’s degree when you are talking about the level or category in general.

Once you learn these two lines, you can apply them to other credentials as well. You would write Master of Science but master’s degree in data science. The pattern stays stable across fields.

Capitalization And Abbreviation Choices

After you choose the right noun form, capitalization becomes straightforward. Proper titles get capitals. General degree levels stay lowercase. This keeps your writing consistent across resumes, emails, and academic text.

When To Capitalize

• Capitalize the full, formal name: Master of Arts in History.
• Capitalize the abbreviation: M.A.
• Lowercase the generic term: She earned a master’s degree.

Periods In M.A. Vs MA

Many U.S. style references still write M.A. with periods. Some schools drop them. When you are writing for one institution, match its house style. When no house style is stated, periods are common and easy to read.

If you list degrees in a roster or a conference program, keep the same abbreviation style for everyone on that list. Mixing M.A., M.S., and MA in one block can look like a copy-and-paste patch. A quick scan before you publish usually catches these small mismatches. For the reader too.

Articles Before The Abbreviation

You would write “an M.A.” because the letters are read as “em ay,” which starts with a vowel sound. This small detail can make a sentence look more polished in formal bios.

How Universities Label The Degree

Most diplomas and transcripts list the credential in a fixed, formal way. You may see a line like “Master of Arts” followed by the field or department. Some schools add a concentration line below the main title. These variations do not change the core grammar rule.

If you are unsure of your school’s exact wording, copy the phrasing from your transcript. Using the institution’s own wording is the safest path for applications and credential checks.

Common Formal Variants You May See

• Master of Arts in Teaching
• Master of Arts in Education
• Master of Arts in International Relations
• Master of Arts in Communication
• Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

In each case, “Master” stays singular. The field name follows the preposition phrase.

Use In Course Catalog Copy

Departments often write short descriptions that begin with the formal title. A line like “The Master of Arts in History prepares students for research and teaching roles” is standard. When you write this kind of copy for a student club site or a departmental newsletter, keep the formal name intact. If you shift to a general statement about entry rules, switch to the possessive form, as in “students must hold a master’s degree in a related field.” Using both styles for their proper jobs makes the text read like it came from a real catalog, not a rushed rewrite.

How To Write The Degree On Resumes And LinkedIn

Education sections reward clean formatting. Recruiters scan fast. You want a degree line that looks standard at a glance and matches the wording a background checker expects.

Resume Education Section Template

• Master of Arts in [Field], [University], [Year]

LinkedIn Headline Or About Line Template

• M.A. in [Field] | [Role] | [Focus Area]

If your program name is interdisciplinary, copy the wording from your records. That small step prevents accidental edits that can sound unofficial.

When A General Phrase Is Better Than The Full Title

Some job ads ask for a “master’s degree in a related field” without naming a specific credential. In those cases, you can mirror the ad’s language. The generic phrase signals that the level matters more than the formal label.

Email Signatures, Bios, And Short Lists

Short credential lines are where errors spread the fastest. You are often working with a tight character limit, and autocorrect may suggest an apostrophe in the wrong place. A clean pattern will keep you out of trouble.

After Your Name

• [Name], M.A.

In A One-Line Bio

• Master of Arts in [Field], [University]
• M.A., [Field]

If you list more than one credential, keep the style consistent across the block. Do not mix “MA” and “M.A.” on the same line unless your institution requires it.

Using “Master’s” As A Standalone Word

Writers often wonder whether they can drop the word “degree.” In relaxed settings, “a master’s” is understood. In high-stakes writing, keeping “degree” is safer because it avoids confusion with job titles or mastery rankings.

Most style notes also recommend the apostrophe when you use this shorthand. The same guidance appears in many university writing pages. Western Michigan University lists this pattern in its apostrophe rules for degrees.

Here is a tidy way to handle plural forms:

• One master’s degree
• Two master’s degrees
• Several master’s programs

Common Sentence Patterns That Read Smoothly

These models work for essays, scholarship forms, and recommendation letters. Replace the bracketed text with your own details.

Formal Credential Statements

• She earned a Master of Arts in [discipline] from [university].
• He completed a Master of Arts program centered on [topic].
• The department awarded three Master of Arts degrees in [field] this year.

General Level Statements

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree in [discipline].
• This role prefers candidates with a master’s in [area].
• The policy applies to students in any master’s program.

Notice the pattern: the formal name stays intact, while the general term uses the apostrophe form.

International And Cross-Style Notes

Rules are similar across many English-language universities. The formal degree title remains “Master of Arts.” The general term remains “master’s degree.” Variation tends to appear in small details such as abbreviation punctuation, ordering of field names, and whether a school lists a concentration on the diploma.

When you are writing across borders, check the exact official title your institution uses. Some universities award an M.A., while others may award an MSc or a region-specific title. Your best source is your own transcript wording.

Quick Checks Before You Hit Submit

This checklist catches the errors that most often show up in admissions essays, CVs, and staff bio pages.

• Is the degree name written as Master of Arts when used as a title?
• Is the general level written as master’s degree with an apostrophe?
• Is your field capitalized only when part of the formal title line?
• Does your abbreviation match the school’s style?
• Did you avoid “Master’s of Arts” and “Masters of Arts” in formal lists?

Examples Of Correct And Incorrect Forms

Seeing the contrast helps the rule stick and gives you quick copy for your own writing.

Write This	Not This	Where You Might Use It
Master of Arts in English	Masters of Arts in English	Resume, transcript quote
a master’s degree in education	a masters degree in education	Job ad, scholarship form
two master’s degrees	two masters degrees	Bio, career summary
[Name], M.A.	[Name], MA’s	Email signature
Master of Arts program	Master’s of Arts program	Catalog description
She finished her master’s	She finished her Masters	Casual profile text
Master of Arts or Master of Science	Masters of Arts or Masters of Science	Comparative writing

What To Do If Your School Uses A Slightly Different Label

Some institutions place the specialization directly on the credential line, and some treat the field as part of the degree title. You do not need to guess. Copy the official wording from your records.

If you are writing a short bio, you can shorten the line to “M.A. in [field]” without losing clarity. This form is common in university news releases and keeps the line compact.

People searching master of arts or masters of arts are often worried about public-facing profiles. Using the singular formal name and the possessive general term will keep those profiles clean.

Answering The Choice With Confidence

Use Master of Arts when you are naming the specific credential, and use master’s degree when you are speaking about the level. Skip “masters of arts” as a degree title. This rule will serve you across resumes, applications, and academic writing.