Choosing between “master’s” and “masters” can be confusing. The two forms look almost identical, but the apostrophe changes the meaning.
If you are talking about a graduate degree, the usual form is “master’s”. For example, you write “master’s degree,” “master’s program,” and “master’s thesis.” The apostrophe is part of the standard form.
But “masters” is also a real English word. It can be the plural of master, as in “the masters of the craft,” or the third-person singular form of the verb master, as in “She masters new skills quickly.” It can also appear in names and titles, such as the Masters golf tournament.
People often search for “master’s or masters” because the apostrophe is easy to miss in speech, online forms, resumes, and university websites. British and American English generally use master’s for the general academic degree, although capitalization and terms such as program and programme may differ.
This guide explains the difference, gives simple examples, covers British and American usage, and shows which form to use in professional and academic writing.
Master’s or Masters – Quick Answer
Use “master’s” when you mean a graduate academic degree.
Correct:
- She earned a master’s degree in biology.
- I am applying for a master’s program.
- He completed his master’s thesis.
- She has a master’s in education.
Use “masters” when it has another grammatical meaning.
Examples:
- The masters of the craft shared their knowledge.
- She masters difficult subjects quickly.
- The Masters is a major golf tournament.
Quick rule
Academic degree = master’s
Plural people or verb = masters
The apostrophe in master’s is important in phrases such as master’s degree. University style guidance commonly recommends lowercase master’s degree when speaking generally, while formal degree names such as Master of Arts are capitalized.
Comparison Table
| Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| master’s | Academic degree | She earned a master’s degree. |
| masters | Plural of master | The masters taught the students. |
| masters | Verb | He masters new skills quickly. |
| Master of Arts | Formal degree title | She earned a Master of Arts. |
| Master of Science | Formal degree title | He holds a Master of Science. |
| master’s degrees | More than one degree | She has two master’s degrees. |
The Origin of Master’s or Masters
The word master has a long history. It comes through Middle English from Old French and ultimately from Latin magister, meaning a teacher, leader, or person of authority.
Over time, master developed several meanings. It could describe a teacher, skilled person, owner, leader, or someone with advanced knowledge.
The academic use developed from the idea of a person who had reached a high level of learning.
The apostrophe in master’s marks a possessive or genitive relationship. Thus, master’s degree became the standard expression for the academic qualification.
English uses similar constructions in:
- bachelor’s degree
- master’s degree
- doctor’s degree
The spelling masters without an apostrophe has different grammatical functions. It can simply be the plural of master or a verb.
That is why master’s and masters should not be treated as interchangeable spellings.
Master’s vs. Masters: The Basic Difference
Master’s:
I am studying for a master’s degree.
Masters:
She masters difficult mathematical concepts.
Masters:
Several masters of the craft attended the event.
The apostrophe is therefore not decorative. It helps show the grammatical role of the word.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no major British-versus-American spelling difference between master’s and masters when referring to an academic degree.
Both varieties normally use:
master’s degree
For example:
- American English: She earned a master’s degree.
- British English: She earned a master’s degree.
The main differences often appear in surrounding words.
| Meaning | American English | British English |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate degree | master’s degree | master’s degree |
| Course | program | programme |
| Academic qualification | master’s degree | master’s degree |
| Formal title | Master of Science | Master of Science |
| Multiple degrees | master’s degrees | master’s degrees |
So this is correct in both varieties:
He is studying for a master’s degree in engineering.
A university may also have its own style rules. For example, some institutions may prefer specific capitalization or terminology. When writing an application or university document, follow that institution’s official style.
Master’s Degree vs. Master of Science
These forms are related but not identical in structure.
General description:
She earned a master’s degree in chemistry.
Formal degree title:
She earned a Master of Science in Chemistry.
Do not combine the two forms into:
❌ Master’s of Science
Use:
✅ Master of Science
or:
✅ master’s degree
Formal university degree names such as Master of Arts and Master of Science do not use the possessive apostrophe.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
The right choice depends on what you mean.
For US English
Use master’s when discussing a graduate degree.
Example:
I completed my master’s degree in computer science.
For a formal degree title, use the institution’s official name:
Master of Science in Computer Science
For UK and Commonwealth English
Use master’s for the general degree.
Example:
She is studying for a master’s degree in economics.
You may also see master’s programme because programme is common in British English.
For Global English
If your audience is international, master’s degree is the clearest choice.
It works well in:
- CVs
- Resumes
- LinkedIn profiles
- University applications
- Scholarship applications
- Emails
- Academic papers
- Professional biographies
On a Resume or CV
A polished entry might look like:
Master’s Degree in Business Administration
University Name, 2026
Or, when using the formal qualification:
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University Name, 2026
Check the official name of your qualification before changing its capitalization.
Common Mistakes with Master’s or Masters
1. Writing “masters degree”
❌ I earned a masters degree in physics.
✅ I earned a master’s degree in physics.
The apostrophe should be included in the standard general expression.
2. Writing “master degree”
❌ She is studying for a master degree.
✅ She is studying for a master’s degree.
3. Using “masters” for one academic degree
❌ He completed his masters in history.
✅ He completed his master’s in history.
In informal writing, you may see the apostrophe omitted, but master’s is the safer standard form for professional and academic writing.
4. Writing “Master’s of Science”
❌ She earned a Master’s of Science.
✅ She earned a Master of Science.
Or:
✅ She earned a master’s degree in science.
5. Capitalizing the general term
❌ She earned a Master’s Degree in English.
In ordinary prose, many editorial guides recommend:
✅ She earned a master’s degree in English.
Use capitalization when the words are part of an official degree title, such as Master of Arts.
6. Confusing “masters” with “master’s”
Masters can be correct when it means several masters:
The masters of the school met today.
It can also be a verb:
He masters new software quickly.
Neither meaning refers to the academic degree.
Master’s or Masters in Everyday Examples
The difference becomes easy when you see the words in real sentences.
In an Email
I am interested in applying for a master’s program in computer science.
In a Resume
Master’s Degree in Marketing, 2026
In a University Application
I plan to pursue a master’s degree in international relations.
In Academic Writing
The study examines students enrolled in a master’s program.
In News Writing
The university has introduced a new master’s degree in artificial intelligence.
On Social Media
Excited to start my master’s this fall!
Using “Masters” Correctly
She masters new skills very quickly.
Here, masters is a verb. There is no apostrophe because it is not a possessive noun.
Master’s or Masters – Google Trends & Usage Data
Google Trends can be useful for studying searches such as “master’s degree,” “masters degree,” and related queries. However, there is an important limitation: Google says Google Trends filters out special characters, including apostrophes. This means a direct Trends comparison between master’s and masters cannot always be treated as a clean measurement of the apostrophe difference.
Google Trends also measures relative search interest, not absolute search volume. Its results are normalized to a 0–100 scale based on the selected time and location. A score of 100 represents the highest relative popularity within that comparison, not 100 actual searches.
Country and Regional Context
Search interest can be examined by country and region. Google Trends provides regional maps and allows users to compare interest across locations.
For this keyword, search behavior can be influenced by:
- University application seasons
- Graduation periods
- Resume and CV writing
- Scholarship applications
- International students
- Searches for degree requirements
- Confusion over the apostrophe
The search “masters degree” may also appear frequently because people often omit punctuation when searching. That does not mean that the no-apostrophe version is the preferred form in formal writing.
For SEO, it can therefore be useful to address both “master’s or masters” and “masters degree” naturally while using master’s degree in polished copy.
Master’s or Masters: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Master’s | Masters |
|---|---|---|
| Academic degree | ✅ Yes | ❌ Not standard |
| Possessive form | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Plural of master | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Verb | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Used in “master’s degree” | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Used in “master’s program” | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Used in “masters of the craft” | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Used in “she masters the skill” | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Suitable for formal degree writing | ✅ Yes | ❌ Usually no |
FAQs About Master’s or Masters
1. Is it master’s or masters degree?
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The standard form is master’s degree.
Example:
She earned a master’s degree in psychology.
2. Is “masters degree” grammatically correct?
In standard formal writing, use master’s degree with the apostrophe. Masters has other grammatical meanings and is not the standard form for the general academic degree.
3. Is it master’s or masters program?
Use master’s program in American English.
In British English, you may see:
master’s programme
The apostrophe remains.
4. Is “Master’s of Science” correct?
No. The formal degree title is:
Master of Science
You can also say:
master’s degree in science
5. Is it master’s degree or master degree?
Use master’s degree.
The form without the apostrophe is not the standard general expression.
6. What is the plural of master’s degree?
The common standard form is:
master’s degrees
Example:
She has two master’s degrees.
Some institutional style guides may handle plural possessives differently, so follow your institution’s style if it specifies one.
7. Should “master’s degree” be capitalized?
Usually, no.
Write:
He earned a master’s degree in history.
Use capitals when writing an official degree title, such as:
Master of Arts
8. Is “masters” ever correct?
Yes. Masters is a valid word.
For example:
The masters of the art form taught the class.
Or:
She masters difficult tasks quickly.
It is simply not the standard form for the general phrase master’s degree.
Conclusion
The difference between master’s and masters is small but important. If you are talking about a graduate academic degree, use master’s. The standard phrase is master’s degree, and the same form appears in expressions such as master’s program, master’s thesis, and master’s student.
Masters has other meanings. It can be the plural of master, as in “several masters,” or the verb masters, as in “she masters the skill.” It can also appear in official names and titles.
British and American English generally agree on master’s degree. The bigger differences may involve surrounding words, such as program in American English and programme in British English. Formal degree names such as Master of Arts and Master of Science do not use the apostrophe.
For resumes, university applications, emails, academic writing, and professional documents, master’s degree is the clear standard choice. When in doubt, remember one simple rule: academic degree = master’s; plural or verb = masters.
