master degree

USAGE SUMMARY

"master degree" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a degree earned at the postgraduate level, such as a Master of Arts, Master of Science, or Master of Business Administration. For example, "I am currently pursuing a master degree in Mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The sample included 32 second tear master degree students.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

"There is even a master degree in fund-raising at New York University".

The New York Times

Main activities were related with the developing new study programs on bachelor and master degree levels.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

This paper describes the development of the international online gerontological master degree programme GEROM.

Nurse Education Today

What I am saying is that, when talking about corruption, Lula has a master degree.

The New York Times

Appendix C lists state ratios and reports weekly wages for teachers and other college graduates by bachelor and master degree.

The Washington Post

A satisfaction questionnaire was carried out between master degree students to evaluate the usefulness of the VL.

Journal of Cleaner Production

DP is a master degree student.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In fact, I would venture to say that she is smarter than both of her Master degree-holding parents.

Huffington Post

He obtained the Master Degree in 2013, and the Doctoral degree in 2016 from Waseda University.

Robotics and Biomimetics

This work was sponsored by CIISA/FCT as part of an Integrated Master degree in Veterinary Medicine.

BMC Veterinary Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about academic qualifications, ensure consistency in terminology. Decide whether to use "master's degree" or "master degree" and stick with it throughout the document. While both are acceptable, "master's degree" is more common.

Common error

Avoid using "master degree" and "master's degree" interchangeably in the same document. Although often used synonymously, maintaining consistency enhances clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "master degree" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as an adjective to describe a person or program (e.g., "master degree student", "master degree program"). It indicates the level of academic qualification achieved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "master degree" is a common way to refer to a postgraduate academic qualification, although "master's degree" is more prevalent. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable. Usage spans across scientific, news, and academic contexts. While grammatically sound, maintaining consistency in using either "master degree" or "master's degree" enhances clarity. When aiming for utmost precision, consider context-specific alternatives like "graduate degree" or "postgraduate degree".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

master's degree

Indicates the possessive form, commonly used and often considered interchangeable.

graduate degree

A broader term encompassing both master's and doctoral levels.

postgraduate degree

Synonymous term, especially common in British English.

master level qualification

Highlights the qualification level rather than the specific degree.

advanced degree

Emphasizes the degree's advanced nature, suitable in broader contexts.

second cycle degree

More formal term referencing the Bologna process.

professional master's

Focuses on degrees designed for professional advancement.

research master's

Focuses on master's degrees focused on research.

master's qualification

Emphasizes the qualification achieved through the degree.

higher degree

A generic term for any degree beyond a bachelor's.

FAQs

What's the difference between "master degree" and "master's degree"?

While both phrases refer to the same postgraduate academic qualification, "master's degree" is the more common and grammatically correct form, using a possessive. "Master degree" is also used, though less frequently.

What can I say instead of "master degree"?

You can use alternatives like "master's degree", "graduate degree", or "postgraduate degree" depending on the context.

How is a "master degree" different from a bachelor's degree?

A "master degree" is a postgraduate degree, meaning it requires a bachelor's degree for admission. It represents a higher level of specialization and advanced study compared to a bachelor's degree.

Which is correct, "master degree" or "graduate degree"?

"Graduate degree" is a broader term that encompasses both "master's degree" and doctoral degrees. "Master degree" specifically refers to a degree earned after a bachelor's but before a doctorate.