Is It Masters or Master’s? Correct Spelling, and Examples (2026)

Have you ever written about your education and wondered if to use masters or master’s? You are not alone. Many students and professionals get confused about these two forms when writing a CV, filling out a university application, or talking about their degrees.

The confusion often appears when people write phrases such as “I have a masters degree” or “I completed my master’s.” Both forms look similar, but they are not always used in the same way. The apostrophe (‘) makes a difference in standard English.

You may see these words in school assignments, university websites, workplace documents, LinkedIn profiles, and social media posts. Students in the United States, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Canada, and Australia may also come across different degree names and writing styles.

Understanding the difference is useful because correct grammar makes your writing clearer and more professional. It can also help you prepare a better CV, write academic documents, and communicate with teachers or employers.

So, is it masters or master’s? The answer depends on the meaning and sentence. When you refer to a postgraduate degree, the standard forms are usually master’s degree or master’s, while masters has other uses.

In this guide, you’ll learn the meaning, examples, usage, differences, common mistakes, and simple explanations in easy English.

Is It Masters or Master’s? – Quick Answer

Master’s is generally correct when referring to a postgraduate degree. Write master’s degree when you mean a degree awarded after completing a master’s-level program.

The apostrophe and the letter s are important parts of the standard expression.

Examples:

• Correct: I am studying for a master’s degree.
• Correct: She completed her master’s last year.
• Usually incorrect in standard writing: He earned a masters degree.

Simple rule: Use master’s degree for the qualification. Use masters when the word is a plural noun or verb, depending on the sentence.

The Origin of Masters and Master’s

The word master comes from older forms of English and French, with roots in the Latin word magister, meaning a teacher, leader, or person with authority.

Over time, universities began using master as the name of an academic degree awarded after further study.

The phrase master’s degree follows a possessive pattern in English. The apostrophe indicates a traditional relationship between the word master and the degree.

Today, this form is widely used in academic writing, university applications, job applications, and professional profiles.

The word masters also exists in English. It can refer to more than one master, describe someone who masters a skill, or appear in other expressions. However, when naming the qualification, master’s degree is the standard form.

British English vs. American English Usage

British and American English generally use master’s degree with an apostrophe. There is no major difference in this spelling rule.

However, degree names and style preferences may vary between universities and institutions. Some universities use capital letters in official program titles, while ordinary references to a degree usually use lowercase letters.

Feature	British English	American English	Notes
Standard degree phrase	Master’s degree	Master’s degree	Both use an apostrophe
Short form	Master’s	Master’s	Correct when the degree is clear
General reference	A master’s degree	A master’s degree	Usually lowercase
Official degree title	Master of Arts	Master of Arts	Capitalize the formal title
Informal spelling	Masters degree	Masters degree	Avoid in standard writing

Examples:

• British English: She is studying for a master’s degree in English.
• American English: He earned a master’s degree in computer science.

Both sentences follow the same basic rule.

Which One Should You Use?

The correct choice depends on what you want to say.

Use “Master’s Degree” for Education

Use this phrase when talking about a postgraduate qualification.

Examples:

• I want to earn a master’s degree.
• She has a master’s degree in business.
• He is applying for a master’s degree program.

Use “Master’s” as a Short Form

You can use master’s without the word degree when readers already understand the meaning.

Examples:

• I completed my master’s in 2025.
• She is working toward her master’s.
• My master’s took two years to complete.

Use “Masters” in Other Contexts

The word masters can be correct when it has a different grammatical meaning.

Examples:

• The masters of the house welcomed their guests.
• He masters new skills quickly.
• The Masters is the name of a well-known golf tournament.

Notice that these examples do not use masters as the standard spelling of a postgraduate degree.

Common Mistakes With Masters or Master’s

Here are five common mistakes and how to correct them.

Mistake 1: Leaving Out the Apostrophe

❌ Incorrect: She earned a masters degree.

✔ Correct: She earned a master’s degree.

Why? The standard expression uses an apostrophe before the s.

Mistake 2: Using an Apostrophe After the S

❌ Incorrect: I completed my masters’.

✔ Correct: I completed my master’s.

Why? When referring to one postgraduate degree, use master’s, not masters’.

Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Form in a CV

❌ Incorrect: Education: Masters Degree in Marketing.

✔ Better: Education: Master’s Degree in Marketing.

Why? The second version follows standard spelling and looks more polished in a CV.

Mistake 4: Capitalizing Every Word

❌ Incorrect in ordinary prose: I Have a Master’s Degree in Biology.

✔ Correct: I have a master’s degree in biology.

Why? In normal sentences, degree names are generally lowercase unless a proper noun or formal title requires capitals.

Mistake 5: Confusing a Degree With a Subject

❌ Incorrect: I have a master’s of computer science.

✔ Correct: I have a Master of Science in Computer Science.

Why? Use the official degree title when naming a specific qualification. The exact title depends on the university and program.

Masters or Master’s in Everyday Examples

The easiest way to understand the difference is to see how each form works in real situations.

At Work

• Correct: She has a master’s degree in finance.
• Correct: My manager completed his master’s while working full-time.
• Correct: He masters difficult tasks quickly.

The first two examples refer to education. The third uses masters as a verb.

At School or University

• Correct: I plan to pursue a master’s degree after graduation.
• Correct: My sister is studying for her master’s.
• Correct: The university offers several master’s programs.

These are common ways to discuss postgraduate education.

On Social Media

• “Finally completed my master’s degree!”
• “Starting my master’s journey this fall.”
• “One step closer to my career goal: a master’s in computer science.”

These examples use the standard spelling in captions and posts.

In Daily Life

• “What degree are you studying for?”
• “I am working toward a master’s degree.”
• “Did you finish your master’s?”

About casual conversations, people may leave out the word degree when the meaning is clear.

In Text Messages

Friend A: Are you doing a master’s?

Friend B: Yes, I started my master’s in business administration.

This is a natural informal conversation. The apostrophe remains correct even in a text message.

Masters or Master’s – Google Trends and Usage Data

People search for “is it masters or master’s” because they want to check spelling, grammar, and academic writing rules.

The question is especially useful for students preparing applications, writing essays, updating professional profiles, or creating a CV.

Here are some common reasons people look up this phrase:

• They are unsure whether an apostrophe is needed.
• They want to write the name of a degree correctly.
• They are preparing a university application.
• They want to improve their English grammar.
• They need to write a professional biography or résumé.

Students and professionals in the US, UK, India, Pakistan, Canada, and Australia may all have this question.

However, without verified Google Trends data, it would not be accurate to rank these countries or claim that searches are increasing or decreasing. Search interest can change over time and depends on the selected period and location.

The main point is simple: this is a practical grammar question connected to education and professional writing.

Comparison Table: Masters vs. Master’s

Word or phrase	Meaning	Correct example
Master’s degree	A postgraduate qualification	She earned a master’s degree.
Master’s	Short form of master’s degree	He completed his master’s.
Masters	Plural noun in some contexts	The masters met at the event.
Masters	Verb meaning controls or becomes skilled at	She masters new skills quickly.
Master of Arts	Formal degree title	He earned a Master of Arts.
Master of Science	Formal degree title	She holds a Master of Science.

Remember: If you are talking about your postgraduate education, master’s degree is usually the safest choice.

Masters or Master’s in Professional Life

Correct spelling matters in professional settings because it helps you present your qualifications clearly.

You may need to use the term in:

• CVs and résumés: Write the name of your degree accurately.
• LinkedIn profiles: Use the official qualification or program title.
• Job applications: Follow the wording used on your university certificate.
• Emails: Use correct grammar when contacting employers or university staff.
• Professional biographies: Clearly describe your education and area of study.

For example:

Better CV entry: Master of Business Administration (MBA), ABC University, 2025.

If your actual degree is titled Master of Business Administration, use that official name rather than changing it to an informal version.

Masters or Master’s for Students and Beginners

Students often struggle with this rule because English uses apostrophes in several different ways.

The apostrophe can show possession, form contractions, or appear in special expressions. In master’s degree, it is part of the traditional degree name.

Here are three easy learning tips:

1. Learn the full phrase: Remember “master’s degree” as one expression.
2. Check the official title: Look at your university’s website or certificate.
3. Read your sentence aloud: Ask yourself whether you are discussing a qualification or using masters in another sense.

For example, if you write “I want to do a master’s,” the meaning is usually clear. If you write “I want to do a masters degree,” add the apostrophe to make it standard.

Signs or Characteristics Related to Masters and Master’s

You can identify the correct form by looking at the sentence.

• Education: If the sentence refers to a postgraduate qualification, use master’s degree.
• Short form: If the word degree is left out but the qualification is clear, use master’s.
• Plural noun: If you mean more than one master, masters may be correct.
• Verb: If you mean becoming skilled at something, use masters with a singular subject.
• Official qualification: If you are naming a specific award, use the university’s exact title.
• Formal writing: In academic documents, use standard spelling and consistent capitalization.

These clues help you choose the correct word without memorizing a long list of grammar rules.

Simple Trick to Remember Masters or Master’s

Here is an easy way to remember the difference:

• Master’s degree = education
• Masters = plural noun or verb, depending on context

Think of it this way: when you write about the degree you are studying for, remember the apostrophe in master’s.

Examples:

• “I want a master’s degree.” Correct.
• “I finished my master’s.” Correct.
• “She masters English grammar.” Correct, because masters is a verb here.

A quick proofreading trick is to search your document for “masters degree.” If you mean a postgraduate qualification, change it to “master’s degree.”

FAQs:

1. Is it masters or master’s degree?

Master’s degree is the standard form. Use the apostrophe before the s when referring to this postgraduate qualification.

2. Is master’s degree grammatically correct?

Yes. Master’s degree is grammatically correct and widely used in British and American English.

3. Can I write “I have a master’s”?

Yes. You can write “I have a master’s” when the reader understands that you mean a master’s degree.

4. Why does master’s have an apostrophe?

The apostrophe is part of the traditional possessive form used in the name of the academic qualification.

5. Is it Masters or Master’s on a CV?

Use master’s degree in a general description. If you are listing a formal qualification, use its official title, such as Master of Science or Master of Arts.

6. Is “Masters degree” ever correct?

In standard writing, master’s degree is preferred. Although you may see “masters degree” online, it is generally treated as a spelling or punctuation error.

7. Should Master’s Degree be capitalized?

In ordinary sentences, write master’s degree in lowercase. Capitalize the words in an official degree title when required, such as Master of Science.

Conclusion

The difference between masters and master’s becomes easy once you understand the context. When you talk about a postgraduate qualification, master’s degree is the standard form. You can also use master’s as a short form when the meaning is clear.

The word masters is correct in other situations, such as when it is a plural noun or a verb. However, it is not the preferred spelling for the general degree phrase.

Final memory rule: Write master’s degree when talking about education, and check the official degree title when preparing a CV or university application.