Use “master’s in” for a field of study; use “Master of …” when you’re naming the degree title.
A one-word slip can make a degree line feel off. That’s why this question pops up on résumés, LinkedIn, scholarship forms, and university emails: should it be master’s of or master’s in?
The good news: English follows a steady pattern. Once you learn it, you’ll stop second-guessing every sentence.
Why These Two Phrases Get Mixed Up
Writers often blend two different ideas:
- The credential’s official name (a title): Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Education.
- The subject area you studied (a field): economics, education, data science, linguistics.
Titles use of. Fields use in. Most mistakes happen when a field gets treated like a title.
Master’s Of or Master’s In: Which Form Fits In Writing
Pick the structure that matches what you mean.
- Field wording:a master’s in + field (what you studied).
- Title wording:Master of + degree name (the credential’s official title).
When “Master Of” Is The Right Choice
Use “Master of …” when you’re naming the credential the way it appears in catalogs, transcripts, or diploma text. Common forms include:
- Master of Arts
- Master of Science
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Public Health
Because these are titles, they’re usually capitalized. Many editors treat generic degree mentions as lowercase and formal degree names as capitalized; the Chicago Manual of Style guidance on degree capitalization shows that split in practice.
When “Master’s In” Is The Right Choice
Use “master’s in …” when your sentence is about the subject area, not the exact credential label.
- She’s finishing a master’s in nursing.
- He earned a master’s in computer science.
- I’m applying for roles that want a master’s in statistics.
Many university style guides show the same pattern. The University of Kansas style guide entry for academic degrees pairs “Master of Science” with “master’s in journalism.”
Capitalization And Apostrophes That Make Your Line Look Polished
After you choose in or of, lock in these basics.
Use Lowercase For Generic Mentions
- a master’s degree
- a master’s in finance
- bachelor’s and master’s degrees
This wording describes a type of degree, not a named title.
Use Capitals For Official Degree Titles
Write the formal title with capitals and no apostrophe:
- Master of Arts
- Master of Science
- Master of Social Work
Capitalize The Field Only When It Has A Proper Noun
- a master’s in English
- a master’s in French
- a master’s in Latin American studies
Most other fields stay lowercase in running text.
Resume And Bio Formatting That Avoids Awkward Phrasing
Sometimes the grammar is fine, but the layout makes it read strange. Two formats work well on most résumés and profiles.
- Title-first label:Master of Science, Data Science. The comma turns the second phrase into a descriptor, which keeps the line short.
- Field-first sentence:Master’s in data science, expected 2027. This reads like normal English and fits a one-line education entry.
If you’re unsure about your credential’s official name, check your program page or your transcript. Use the title form when you need exact wording, like licensing paperwork. Use the field form when you want a smooth sentence that still tells the truth.
Common Mistakes And Quick Fixes
If you’ve written one of these, you’re not alone. The fixes are fast.
Mistake 1: “Master’s Of” + A Field
Draft: master’s of computer science
Fix: master’s in computer science
If you want the credential title, write it as a title: Master of Science in Computer Science (only if that matches your program’s name).
Mistake 2: “Master’s In” + A Degree Type
Draft: master’s in science (meaning an M.S.)
Fix: Master of Science or M.S.
“Science” as a field is broad, so the reader may not know what you studied.
Mistake 3: Title Case Everywhere
On résumés, title case can make a line feel shouty: “Master’s Degree In Biology.” A calmer default is lowercase for generic mentions and capitals only for official titles.
Quick Reference Table For Real Documents
Use this table as your copy-and-paste map when you’re writing a bio, résumé, cover letter, or school form.
| Situation | Best Wording | Small Note |
|---|---|---|
| Generic mention | a master’s degree | Lowercase; apostrophe stays. |
| Field of study | a master’s in education | Use in for fields. |
| Official title | Master of Education | Capitalize; no apostrophe. |
| Official title with field wording | Master of Science in Nursing | Use when it matches your credential name. |
| Résumé label line | Master of Science, Data Science | Comma makes the field a descriptor. |
| Program sentence | a master’s program in finance | Here “program” is the noun. |
| Abbreviation label | M.A. in History | Periods depend on your style. |
| Plural mention | master’s degrees in STEM fields | Apostrophe stays in the possessive form. |
| Degree title as a noun phrase | a Master of Public Health | Use of because it’s the title. |
Edge Cases That Still Follow The Same Rule
Some degree names look like field phrases, but they’re still titles. Treat them like titles when you’re naming the credential.
Professional Titles That Act Like Degree Names
Credentials such as Master of Engineering, Master of Architecture, and Master of Laws often use the discipline as part of the title. If you’re writing the official name, keep the “Master of …” structure and capitalization.
Programs With Long Official Names
Many universities publish credential names like “Master of Science in Data Science.” If accuracy matters, mirror that exact wording. In a casual sentence, “a master’s in data science” usually reads smoother and still tells the truth.
Specializations And Concentrations
Attach the specialization to the noun that carries meaning.
- a master’s in education with a concentration in curriculum design
- Master of Science in Computer Science, specialization in machine learning
Second Table: Draft Lines And Cleaner Rewrites
These are common résumé and profile lines that trigger the question. Use the rewrite, then match the capitalization to your document style.
| Draft Line | Better Line | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s of Data Science | Master’s in Data Science | In signals a field of study. |
| Master’s in Science (MS) | Master of Science (M.S.) | Names the title, then the abbreviation. |
| Completed Masters Degree in economics | Completed a master’s degree in economics | Adds the apostrophe and fixes casing. |
| Master Of Arts in english | Master of Arts in English | Fixes capitalization and the proper noun. |
| Pursuing a Master’s in MBA | Pursuing an MBA | MBA stands alone as a credential name. |
| Master of Computer Science | Master of Science in Computer Science | Matches a common official naming pattern. |
| Master’s in the Education | Master’s in Education | Drops “the,” which doesn’t fit here. |
| Earned my masters in business | Earned a master’s in business | Adds the apostrophe form used in many styles. |
A Fast Checklist Before You Submit A Form Or Update A Profile
- Name check: Are you stating the official credential title, or just the field?
- Preposition check: Titles use “Master of …”; fields use “master’s in …”.
- Case check: Generic mentions stay lowercase; official titles get capitals.
- Apostrophe check: Keep it in “master’s”; drop it in “Master of …”.
Once those four checks feel automatic, this whole topic turns into a two-second edit.
References & Sources
- The Chicago Manual of Style.“FAQ: Capitalization.”Shows lowercase generic degrees and capitalized “Master of …” degree titles.
- University of Kansas.“University Style Guide: Academic degrees.”Gives examples pairing “Master of …” titles with “master’s in …” field phrasing.