When you search for advanced academic credentials, the phrase "master of arts" frequently appears in your results. You might wonder about the correct grammatical structure, specifically whether it should be written as "is it masters of arts or master of arts." The standard and correct form is "Master of Arts," which is the official title for a specific type of postgraduate degree. Understanding the distinction between the title of the degree and the general description of academic levels is crucial for anyone navigating the landscape of higher education.
The Correct Title: Master of Arts
In the context of academic nomenclature, "Master of Arts" is a proper noun serving as the formal name of a degree. Similar to how one would refer to a "Bachelor of Science" or a "Doctor of Philosophy," the official title is capitalized. When asking, "is it masters of arts or master of arts," the answer is definitively the latter. The degree title is treated as a singular entity; therefore, "Master" is singular, and "Arts" is capitalized as part of the full name. You would say, "I am earning a Master of Arts," or "She holds a Master of Arts in History."
Grammatical Number and Possession
Confusion often arises regarding the word "master" because the word "mastered" exists as a past tense verb. However, in the context of the degree, "master" functions as a noun. When describing the degree itself, it is singular. If you are referring to the degree belonging to one specific person, you would use the possessive form "Master's." For example, "This is the master's degree requirements list." Conversely, if you are talking about multiple degrees awarded to multiple people, you would write "Masters" without an apostrophe, as in, "The university awarded several masters degrees last year."
Pluralization and Possessive Nuances
To further clarify the distinction between is it masters of arts or master of arts, it helps to examine how we refer to the concept in general. If you are discussing the academic discipline or the level of study independent of the specific degree title, you do not capitalize it. For instance, you might say, "He has a master's level of expertise in mathematics." In this case, "master's" is a lowercase adjective describing the level, indicating a general sense of advanced study rather than a specific branded credential.
The degree title is capitalized: Master of Arts.
The general academic level is lowercase: master's degree.
The plural of the degree title is Masters (no apostrophe): He has two masters.
The possessive form shows ownership: the master's thesis.
The Logic Behind Capitalization
The question of "is it masters of arts or master of arts" touches on a broader rule of academic writing. Formal degree titles are typically capitalized when they follow a person's name or stand alone. This is because they are the official names of qualifications, much like a trademark. However, when these terms are used generically to describe the academic level—such as when discussing entry requirements or career progression—they are usually lowercased. Therefore, the specific answer to the user's query is "Master of Arts" when referring to the credential, and "master's" when describing the category.
Common Errors and Misconceptions
One of the most frequent errors is the addition of an apostrophe to create the plural, resulting in "Master's Degrees." This is incorrect. The term "Masters Degrees" implies possession, as if the degrees belong to a master. The correct way to refer to multiple instances of the degree is simply "master's degrees" (lowercase 'm' for the general term) or "Master of Arts degrees" (capitalized 'M' when using the full title multiple times). Another error is confusing the degree with the verb "to master," but the context of higher education makes the noun usage clear.
