If you're confused about the correct spelling of "Master's" (or "Masters"), you're not alone. Even those who have a Master's degree are often using the wrong one, which can make them look less professional in formal settings. So let's determine which one is correct: Master's or Masters degree?

What is a Master's degree?

Once you complete a one or two-year postgraduate program, open to Bachelor's degree holders, at a college or a university, you'll be awarded a Master's degree. This degree level means you have extensive knowledge of a specific field of study, and increases your value as a skilled professional on the job market.

There are many types of Master's degrees:

• Master of Science (MSc), awarded for most Science, Technology and Maths subjects
• Master of Arts (MA), awarded for most Arts, Humanities and Social sciences subjects
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), awarded to business professionals
• Other specialized degrees - Law (LLM), Education (MEd), and many more.

Is it Masters or Master's degree?

The correct spelling is "Master's" with an apostrophe. While this is a common noun, you should generally capitalize it if you're referring to a specific program or degree (for example, in your motivation letter).

The "s" in "Master's" is a marker for a possessive noun and not a plural form, therefore the correct spelling is "Master's", meaning this degree belongs to a Master. The reason why your autocorrect might not catch this is that "Masters" as a word still exists and is correct in a certain context.

To remember the correct usage try to figure out what you're trying to say. Unless you are talking about two people who are considered to be a master in something, use an apostrophe.

Note: If you want to refer to someone as a master of a specific field, you should omit the "s" - Master of Psychology, for example.

Does Master's degree have an apostrophe?

Yes, the correct spelling of "Master's" contains an apostrophe, since it represents a possessive noun. In terms of grammar, "Master's" in "Master's degree" is an adjective. If you take the apostrophe out, then you're left with just a plural form of a noun so the phrase doesn't have the meaning you're going for.

Why is it important to spell Master's degree correctly?

Just like any other spelling and grammar mistakes, using "Masters" in an academic or professional setting could leave the wrong impression. Especially if you are applying for a Master's degree, every detail is important, and misspelling the name may paint you as careless. According to U.S. News, having errors in the application essay is one of the top common reasons why your application may get rejected.

The member of the committee that reviews your application will only have the documents to get an impression of who you are. Some people can look past that, but for others, spelling errors can signify a lack of attention to detail and low professionalism. A survey conducted on hiring managers by HR Future shows that 76% of HR respondents automatically reject a cover letter if it has typos or spelling mistakes.

Conclusion

Correct spelling is important if you want to create the best possible impression. You should always use "Master's" (a possessive) and not "Masters" when talking about a degree, thesis, or program. Take a second to check if your words convey the intended message.

Even small errors can be enough reason for your application to get turned down. So go over your documents and make sure that all the "Master's" there have an apostrophe!

Read more:

• How Long Does It Take to Get a Master's Degree?
• The Cheapest Countries to Study in Europe for Master's Students (2024)
• Ultimate Master's Degree Guide