Master's or Masters? The Apostrophe Confusion Everyone Gets Wrong 2026

Ever typed out “I’m getting my masters degree” and then paused, finger hovering over the keyboard, wondering if you just made a grammar mistake? 🤔 You’re not alone.

This is one of the most googled grammar questions out there, and honestly, it makes sense why. The word looks almost the same whether you add an apostrophe or not, and both versions sound identical when spoken out loud. So how is anyone supposed to know which one is correct?

You’re updating your LinkedIn profile, writing a college application essay, or just texting a friend about grad school plans, getting this right matters more than you’d think. A misplaced (or missing) apostrophe can make even a polished resume look sloppy.

Quick Answer 🚀

“Master’s” (with an apostrophe) is almost always correct when referring to the degree — as in “master’s degree” or “master’s in psychology.” The apostrophe shows possession, similar to “bachelor’s degree.” “Masters” (no apostrophe) is only correct in specific contexts, like referring to multiple people who hold mastery, or names like “The Masters” golf tournament.

Understanding “Master’s” vs “Masters”: The Basics

Let’s break this down word by word so it actually sticks.

What Does “Master’s” Mean?

“Master’s” is the possessive form of the word “master.” It’s short for “master’s degree,” which technically comes from the Latin idea of a degree granted by a master or of mastery in a subject.

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Think of it like this: it’s the same grammatical pattern as:

Bachelor’s degree ✅
Doctor’s appointment ✅
Master’s degree ✅

Examples:

She earned her master’s in Business Administration last spring. 📚
He’s currently working toward a master’s degree in Computer Science.
Do you need a master’s to apply for this job?
My sister just finished her master’s thesis!

What Does “Masters” Mean?

“Masters” (no apostrophe) is simply the plural form of “master.” It refers to more than one master — as in multiple skilled people, multiple degree holders, or a proper noun like a tournament.

Examples:

The university has several masters programs, but this doesn’t refer to the degree name itself — it’s describing multiple “master” level programs (though in casual writing, many people still use “masters programs” loosely).
Chess masters from around the world gathered for the tournament. ♟️
The art exhibit features work from Renaissance masters like Da Vinci and Michelangelo. 🎨
He watched The Masters golf tournament all weekend. ⛳

Which Is Correct, Master’s or Masters?

When you are talking about an academic degree, master’s is the correct form because the word refers to a degree associated with a master. The apostrophe is important in standard English. For example, you should write “I have a master’s degree in English” rather than “I have a masters degree in English.” However, masters without an apostrophe can be correct when it is the plural of master, meaning more than one master. The word Master’s with a capital letter may also appear in a title or heading, depending on the writing style.

Form	Correct?	Meaning	Example
master’s	✅	One academic degree	“She earned a master’s degree.”
masters	❌ for one degree	Usually plural of master	“Several masters attended.”
master’s degree	✅	A postgraduate academic qualification	“He has a master’s degree.”
masters degree	❌	Missing apostrophe	“She has a masters degree.”

Easy rule: When you mean the academic degree, use master’s with an apostrophe.

Is It Master of Science or Masters of Science?

Phrase	Correct?	Explanation	Example
Master of Science	Correct	The formal name of the degree	She earned a Master of Science in Biology.
Master’s of Science	Generally incorrect	The standard degree name does not use an apostrophe after Master.	Write Master of Science.
Masters of Science	Generally incorrect	The formal degree name is singular Master, not Masters.	He has a Master of Science degree.
Master of Science (MS/MSc)	Correct	Common abbreviated forms vary by country and institution.	Master of Science (MSc) in Chemistry

Use Master of Science when writing the official name of the degree. For example, “I completed a Master of Science in Computer Science.” In the United States, MS or M.S. is common, while MSc is widely used in the United Kingdom and many other countries. Follow the official wording used by your university.

Is It Masters or Master’s Student?

The standard expression is master’s student. It refers to a student who is currently studying for a master’s degree. The apostrophe is used because the student is associated with or studying toward a master’s degree. For example, you can say, “I am a master’s student in education.” The phrase masters student is sometimes used informally, especially online, but it is not the preferred standard spelling.

Phrase	Correct?	Example
master’s student	✅ Standard	“She is a master’s student.”
masters student	⚠️ Common informal form	“He is a masters student.”
master’s students	✅ Plural	“The master’s students attended the seminar.”
masters students	❌ Not preferred	—

You can also write graduate student if you want a broader term that does not specifically identify the degree level.

Master’s Degree or Master’s Degree Capitalization

In ordinary sentences, master’s degree is usually written in lowercase. The word master’s is not normally capitalized simply because it refers to a university degree. For example, “She earned a master’s degree in education” is standard. In a heading, title, resume section, or official document, capitalization may change according to the particular style being used. If you are writing the official name of a specific degree, it is best to follow the capitalization used by the university or institution.

Version	Usage
master’s degree	✅ Standard in normal sentences
Master’s Degree	✅ Can be appropriate in a title or heading
Master’s degree	⚠️ Depends on title/style capitalization
master’s degree	✅ Correct; straight apostrophe is acceptable
masters degree	❌ Incorrect for the standard singular degree

Example:
✅ “I earned a master’s degree in education.”
✅ “Master’s Degree Programs” acceptable as a title depending on style.

Master or Masters Degree on Resume

When listing an academic qualification on a resume, master’s degree is the standard general expression. You can write something like “Master’s Degree in Education” as a resume heading, or use the exact official degree name awarded by your university. If you are writing a sentence, lowercase is usually preferred: “Earned a master’s degree in education.” Avoid “masters degree” because it leaves out the apostrophe.

For example:

Resume wording	Correct?
Master’s Degree in Education	✅
Master of Education (M.Ed.)	✅ Official degree-name style
Master’s in Education	✅ Common and natural
masters degree in education	❌
Masters Degree in Education	⚠️ Capitalization may be used as a heading, but the apostrophe should still be included if using master’s

If your university officially calls the qualification Master of Education, Master of Arts, or Master of Science, using that exact degree name on your resume is often the clearest option.

Masters or Master’s in Education

When you mean one postgraduate degree in the field of education, use master’s in education or, more fully, master’s degree in education. The apostrophe is important because you are referring to a singular master’s degree. For example, “She is pursuing a master’s in education.” If you are referring to the formal degree Master of Education, you can use the official title instead.

Phrase	Correct?	Example
master’s in education	✅	“I’m pursuing a master’s in education.”
master’s degree in education	✅	“She earned a master’s degree in education.”
Master of Education	✅	“He completed a Master of Education.”
masters in education	❌ Standardly	Missing apostrophe
masters degree in education	❌	Missing apostrophe

Quick Rule

Formal degree title: Master of Education ✅

One academic degree: master’s ✅

One academic degree + qualification: master’s degree ✅

Student studying for it: master’s student ✅

Field: master’s in education ✅

Masters or masters

Both Masters and masters can be correct, depending on how the word is being used. Master’s with an apostrophe is usually the correct form when you mean a master’s degree belonging to one person, such as “I am pursuing a master’s degree.” Masters without an apostrophe is used for the plural of master or in certain proper names, while Masters with a capital M is used for specific names or titles, such as The Masters golf tournament.

Form	Usage	Example
master’s	One master’s degree	“She has a master’s degree.”
master’s degree	Standard educational term	“He is studying for a master’s degree.”
masters	Plural of master	“The masters of the craft taught the students.”
Masters	Proper name/title	“He watched the Masters tournament.”

For education: use master’s, not masters, when referring to one degree.

Master’s vs Masters: Comparison Table

Term	Meaning	Grammar Type	Example Sentence
Master’s	Refers to the degree (possessive)	Singular possessive noun	“She has a master’s in Education.”
Masters	Plural of “master” (multiple people)	Plural noun	“The masters of the craft trained for decades.”
The Masters	Proper noun (golf tournament)	Proper noun	“He watches The Masters every April.”
Masters’	Possessive plural (rare)	Plural possessive	“The masters’ techniques were passed down.”
Masters degree (no apostrophe)	Common but technically incorrect	—	❌ “She has a masters degree.”
Master’s degree (correct)	Grammatically correct form	—	✅ “She has a master’s degree.”

Common Mistakes People Make 😬

Even native English speakers mix this up all the time. Here are the biggest culprits:

1. Dropping the Apostrophe Completely

❌ “I have a masters degree in finance.” ✅ “I have a master’s degree in finance.”

2. Adding an Apostrophe to the Plural

❌ “Many master’s compete in the tournament.” ✅ “Many masters compete in the tournament.”

3. Confusing It With “Masters'” (Plural Possessive)

This one’s rare, but it happens when you’re talking about something belonging to multiple masters. ✅ “The masters’ union voted on new rules.” (belonging to several masters)

4. Capitalizing When You Shouldn’t

❌ “I’m getting my Master’s in Nursing.” (unnecessary capital M unless it starts a sentence or is part of an official degree title like “Master of Science”) ✅ “I’m getting my master’s in nursing.”

Memory Trick: How to Never Mix This Up Again 🧠

Here’s a simple mnemonic to lock this in:

“It belongs to a master, so it needs an apostrophe.”

Just like:

A bachelor’s degree belongs to a bachelor 🎓
A cat’s toy belongs to a cat 🐱
A master’s degree belongs to (the concept of) a master

If you can mentally replace it with “belonging to,” you need the apostrophe. If you’re talking about multiple people, drop the apostrophe and just add an “s.”

Quick Test: Ask yourself “Am I talking about ONE degree, or MULTIPLE people?”

One degree → master’s (possessive)
Multiple people → masters (plural)

Real-Life Examples: Where You’ll See This in Action

📧 In Emails

“Hi Professor Smith, I’m reaching out because I’m interested in applying to the master’s program in Data Science for the fall semester.”

📱 On Social Media

“Just got accepted into my dream master’s program!! 🎉😭 #gradschool #newchapter”

📰 In News Articles

“According to recent data, enrollment in online master’s degrees has surged by over 20% in the past three years.”

🎓 In Academic Writing

“This study examines the career outcomes of individuals holding a master’s degree in the social sciences.”

💬 In Everyday Speech

“Yeah, she’s got her masters… I mean, her master’s, in psych. Sorry, always mix that up!”

(See? Even in casual conversation, people stumble over this one.)

British English vs American English: Any Differences? 🇬🇧🇺🇸

Good news — this is one grammar rule that’s consistent across both British and American English. Whether you’re in London or Los Angeles, “master’s degree” keeps its apostrophe.

However, there are a few regional style notes worth knowing:

Region	Common Style	Notes
🇺🇸 American English	“master’s degree”	Apostrophe strongly preferred in formal writing (APA, MLA, Chicago style guides)
🇬🇧 British English	“master’s degree”	Also uses apostrophe; style guides like Oxford follow the same rule
Informal/Casual Writing	“masters degree” (no apostrophe)	Increasingly common in casual speech and social media, but still considered incorrect formally

SEO/Trend Insight: Interestingly, if you check search trends, “masters degree” (without the apostrophe) actually gets searched more often than “master’s degree” — showing just how common this mistake really is online. Google’s autocomplete and most search engines are smart enough to recognize both as the same intent, but for professional writing, resumes, and academic papers, always stick with the grammatically correct master’s.

Related Grammar Tips Worth Knowing 📝

While we’re on the topic, here are a few related possessive rules that often trip people up too:

Bachelor’s degree ✅ (not “bachelors degree”)
Associate’s degree ✅ (not “associates degree” — though this one varies more by institution)
Doctorate — no apostrophe needed since it’s not possessive in the same way
PhD — no apostrophe, it’s an abbreviation, not a possessive noun

Keeping these consistent will make your writing look polished across resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles.

FAQs: People Also Ask 🙋‍♀️

1. Is it “master’s degree” or “masters degree”?

It’s technically “master’s degree” with an apostrophe, since it shows possession. However, “masters degree” is a very common informal variation you’ll see online.

2. Do you capitalize “master’s” in a sentence?

No, you generally don’t capitalize it unless it starts a sentence or is part of an official title, like “Master of Arts” or “Master of Science.”

3. Is “masters” ever correct without an apostrophe?

Yes! When referring to multiple people (like chess masters or Renaissance masters) or proper nouns like “The Masters” golf tournament.

4. What’s the plural of “master’s degree”?

It would be “master’s degrees” — the apostrophe stays, and the “s” for plural goes at the end of “degree,” not “master’s.”

5. Is “masters” correct in British English?

The grammatically correct form in British English is still “master’s,” just like in American English. The apostrophe rule doesn’t change across dialects.

6. Why do so many people drop the apostrophe?

Because “master’s” and “masters” sound identical when spoken, many people simply don’t realize there’s a written difference — it’s a common and very understandable mistake.

7. Is “Masters” capitalized when talking about the golf tournament?

Yes! “The Masters” is a proper noun referring to the specific golf tournament, so it’s always capitalized.

Conclusion: The Key Takeaway 🔑

Understanding the difference between Master’s and Masters helps you use the correct form in academic and professional writing. Master’s is usually the correct choice when referring to a master’s degree, such as “I have a Master’s degree in English.” The apostrophe shows possession.

Masters, without an apostrophe, is generally the plural form of “master” and can refer to multiple masters or experts. In most cases, when discussing an academic qualification, use Master’s degree. Remembering this simple distinction can make your writing more accurate, polished, and professional. Choosing the right spelling also helps avoid common grammar mistakes.