has a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has completed a course of study at a college or university and received a degree as a qualification. Example: "She has a degree in biology, which has helped her in her research career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He has a degree in management.

The New York Times

He also has a degree in archaeology.

The New York Times

Neither has a degree.

The Guardian - Books

Lignelli has a degree in fashion design.

The New York Times

She also has a degree in sculpting.

The Guardian - Business

Ramírez has a degree of fame.

The New York Times - Sports

Neither has a degree in journalism.

The New York Times

She has a degree in psychology from Sheffield University.

The Guardian - Sport

Finley, a fifth-year senior, has a degree in psychology.

The New York Times - Sports

Bethan Jenkins, 26, already has a degree in biology.

The Guardian

Like Jimmy, she has a degree but no fulfilling job.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's credentials, follow "has a degree" with the field of study for clarity. E.g., "She "has a degree" in computer science".

Common error

Be precise about the degree level. Using "has a degree" is acceptable for bachelor's degrees, but specify "has a master's degree" or "has a doctorate" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a degree" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that the subject possesses a formal academic qualification. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it's used to describe individuals' educational achievements, supporting its role in conveying factual information about someone's credentials.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has a degree" is a grammatically sound and common way to indicate that someone possesses an academic qualification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and professional settings. When using this phrase, be specific about the field of study and level of degree, and consider alternatives like "holds a degree" or "is a graduate" for variety. Be mindful of the subject-verb agreement: "has a degree" for singular subjects and "have a degree" for plural subjects. The phrase serves primarily to inform, often adding credibility or context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

holds a degree

Replaces "has" with "holds", emphasizing possession of the degree.

possesses a degree

Uses "possesses" instead of "has", conveying a more formal tone.

is a graduate

Focuses on the state of being a graduate rather than possessing a degree.

completed a degree

Highlights the action of finishing the degree program.

earned a degree

Emphasizes the effort put into obtaining the degree.

obtained a degree

Focuses on the act of getting the degree.

is degreed

Uses an adjective form, implying possession of a degree.

is qualified

Implies that the person has met specific requirements, which may include a degree.

has a qualification

Broader term than degree, as it encompasses other types of qualifications.

is a university graduate

Specifies the level of education more explicitly.

FAQs

How to use "has a degree" in a sentence?

You can use "has a degree" to state someone's educational background, for example, "He "has a degree" in engineering from MIT".

What can I say instead of "has a degree"?

Alternatives include "holds a degree", "possesses a degree", or "is a graduate".

Is it correct to say "have a degree"?

No, the correct form is "has a degree" when referring to a singular subject or third-person singular pronoun (he, she, it). "Have a degree" is used with plural subjects (they, we) or second-person pronouns (you).

What's the difference between "has a degree in" and "is a graduate of"?

"Has a degree in" specifies the field of study, e.g., "He "has a degree" in biology". "Is a graduate of" specifies the institution, e.g., "He is a graduate of Harvard University".