Have you ever stopped mid-sentence while writing your resume or a cover letter and thought — wait, is it a MA or an MA? You’re not alone. This is one of those small grammar questions that trips up native and non-native English speakers alike, even professional writers.
The answer lies not in spelling, but in sound. Once you understand that principle, everything else — including capitalization, apostrophes, and abbreviation styles — starts to make perfect sense. This guide walks you through all of it, clearly and completely.
Understanding A MA or An MA: The Definitive Guide
How English Articles Work: A vs An
English has two indefinite articles: a and an. They are not interchangeable, and they are not chosen based on spelling. Their entire job is to reflect the sound that follows them.
Here’s the rule, as simple as possible:
- Use a before words that begin with a consonant sound (e.g., a university, a book, a master’s degree)
- Use an before words that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple, an hour, an MBA)
The key word is sound, not letter. This is where most people go wrong.
Examples That Prove It’s About Sound
Consider these well-known examples:
- A university — even though “u” is a vowel, the word sounds like “yoo-ni-versity,” which opens with the consonant sound “y”
- An hour — even though “h” is a consonant, the word is pronounced “ow-er,” starting with a vowel sound
- An honest answer — again, the “h” is silent, so the vowel sound triggers “an”
English grammar follows your ears, not your eyes. That’s the rule, and it applies universally — including with abbreviations and academic degree titles.
Why Abbreviations Change the Rule
Most people look at the letter “M” in MA and instinctively think: consonant letter → use “a.” That reasoning is understandable but incorrect.
Abbreviations like MA, MBA, MSc, and PhD are initialisms — each letter is pronounced separately. When you say “MA” aloud, you don’t say mah. You say em-ay. That opening sound — em — is a vowel sound, just like the “e” in “elephant.”
Because the abbreviation starts with a vowel sound, the correct article is an, not a.
Compare these:
| Abbreviation | Spoken Aloud | First Sound | Correct Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA | em-ay | vowel (em) | an MA |
| MBA | em-bee-ay | vowel (em) | an MBA |
| MSc | em-ess-see | vowel (em) | an MSc |
| PhD | pee-aitch-dee | consonant (p) | a PhD |
| BA | bee-ay | consonant (b) | a BA |
| NASA | na-suh | consonant (n) | a NASA |
The pattern is clear: the spoken first letter — not the written one — determines your article choice.
So… Is It A MA or An MA?
✔ The correct form is: an MA
This applies in both spoken and written English, across all contexts — resumes, academic papers, cover letters, and professional bios.
Correct Sentence Examples
- She completed an MA in Psychology last year.
- He is enrolled in an MA program at the University of Edinburgh.
- Earning an MA in English Literature takes approximately two years.
- She holds an MA and a PhD in Linguistics.
Incorrect Examples
- ~~She completed a MA in Psychology.~~ ❌
- ~~He is applying for a MA degree.~~ ❌
- ~~I earned a MA from Oxford.~~ ❌
The incorrect versions aren’t just grammatically wrong — they disrupt the natural flow of the sentence when read aloud.
Understanding What MA Means (Pronunciation + Meaning)
Key Facts About the MA Degree
MA stands for Master of Arts — one of the oldest graduate-level degrees in academic history, typically awarded in humanities, social sciences, and fine arts disciplines.
When spoken, MA is pronounced em-ay (/ɛm eɪ/). The first phoneme is the vowel sound /ɛ/, the same sound you hear at the start of words like “empty” or “effort.”
This pronunciation is the sole reason we use an before MA. Grammar follows phonetics here, not appearance.
A Master of Arts or An Master of Arts?
When you write the full degree name rather than the abbreviation, the rule flips.
“Master” begins with the consonant sound m (as in “man”). Therefore, you use a, not an.
Correct Examples
- She holds a Master of Arts in History.
- He earned a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago.
- I am pursuing a Master of Arts in International Relations.
This is not a contradiction — it’s the same rule applied consistently. Master starts with a consonant sound → use a. MA starts with a vowel sound → use an.
Read Also: Shown vs Showed: The Complete Guide to Using These Two Forms Correctly ✨
Capitalization Rules for Academic Degrees
General Rules
Capitalization of academic degrees is context-dependent. The key principle is:
- Capitalize the full, official degree title (e.g., Master of Arts, Bachelor of Science)
- Lowercase when used generically or descriptively (e.g., master’s degree, bachelor’s degree)
- Always capitalize abbreviations (e.g., MA, PhD, MBA)
Table: What to Capitalize
| Context | Example | Capitalize? |
|---|---|---|
| Full official degree name | Master of Arts in English | ✅ Yes |
| General/descriptive reference | master’s degree in English | ❌ No |
| Abbreviation | MA, PhD, MBA | ✅ Always |
| Field of study (not a proper noun) | master’s degree in history | ❌ No |
| Field of study (proper noun) | master’s degree in French | ✅ Yes |
| Resume or diploma listing | Master of Arts, Linguistics | ✅ Yes |
Examples From Style Guides
Major style authorities — AP Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS), APA, and MLA — largely agree on these principles:
- AP Stylebook: Lowercase generic references (master’s degree); capitalize specific titles (Master of Arts). Use periods in abbreviations (M.A.).
- Chicago Manual of Style: Lowercase degree names in running text. Capitalize on diplomas, resumes, and business cards.
- APA: Use the possessive form in lowercase for general references. Abbreviate without periods (MS, MA).
- MLA: Use the possessive form in lowercase. Use periods in abbreviations (M.A.).
All four major style guides agree: always capitalize abbreviations like MA, PhD, and MBA.
Possessive Forms: Master’s vs Masters
Why?
The phrase master’s degree uses an apostrophe because it reflects possession — it is the degree of a master. This grammatical structure dates back centuries and is supported by every major style authority.
Correct Usage
- She earned her master’s degree in Political Science.
- He is working toward a master’s in Communication.
- It’s a master’s degree, not a job title.
Incorrect Usage
- ~~She earned her masters degree.~~ ❌ (missing apostrophe)
- ~~He completed a masters’ degree.~~ ❌ (apostrophe after the “s” implies plural possession)
Important: The possessive apostrophe belongs in master’s degree — but NOT in the abbreviation. Write MA, not MA’s or M.A.’s when using the initialism as a noun.
Abbreviating the Degree: MA vs M.A.
Both MA and M.A. are correct. The choice depends on your style guide and regional convention.
Regional Differences
| Format | Common In | Used By |
|---|---|---|
| MA | UK, modern American usage | Most universities, online writing |
| M.A. | Traditional American usage | AP Style, MLA, some formal documents |
Consistency Is Key
Whichever format you choose, stay consistent throughout your document. Don’t write “MA” in one sentence and “M.A.” in the next. Pick one and stick to it. If you’re submitting to a publication or institution, follow their house style.
Degree vs Field of Study
One more nuance worth knowing: when you reference both the degree and the field, the preposition in bridges them.
Correct Formats
- She holds an MA in Linguistics.
- He earned an MA in Political Science.
- She is studying for an MA in French Literature.
You do not drop the preposition:
- ~~She holds an MA Economics.~~ ❌ (missing “in”)
- ~~He earned an MA in Political Science.~~ ❌
Some informal usage does drop “in,” but in academic and professional writing, always include it.
Quick Comparison Table
| Form | Correct? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| an MA in [field] | ✅ | an MA in History |
| a MA in [field] | ❌ | — |
| a Master of Arts in [field] | ✅ | a Master of Arts in History |
| an Master of Arts in [field] | ❌ | — |
| a master’s degree in [field] | ✅ | a master’s degree in history |
Common Mistakes People Make
Frequent Errors
- Writing a MA instead of an MA (ignoring the vowel sound rule)
- Writing masters degree — missing the possessive apostrophe
- Writing masters’ degree — incorrect plural possessive
- Capitalizing master’s degree in running text (e.g., “She has a Master’s Degree“)
- Using an before the full name: an Master of Arts ❌
- Mixing MA and M.A. inconsistently in the same document
- Omitting in between the degree and the field: an MA History ❌
Why These Errors Happen
Most of these mistakes trace back to one of two sources:
- Trusting spelling over sound: Looking at “M” and assuming consonant = “a”
- Overcorrecting capitalization: Assuming all degree-related words should be capitalized
How to Avoid These Mistakes
Use this simple mental checklist before writing about your degree:
Article Checklist
- [ ] Say the abbreviation aloud. Does it start with a vowel sound? → Use an
- [ ] Are you writing the full name (Master of Arts)? → Use a
Capitalization Checklist
- [ ] Full official title? → Capitalize (Master of Arts)
- [ ] General reference? → Lowercase (master’s degree)
- [ ] Abbreviation? → Always capitalize (MA)
Apostrophe Checklist
- [ ] General degree reference? → Include apostrophe (master’s degree)
- [ ] Full official title? → No apostrophe (Master of Arts)
- [ ] Abbreviation? → No apostrophe (MA)
Consistency Checklist
- [ ] Using MA throughout? Don’t switch to M.A. mid-document.
- [ ] Following AP, Chicago, or APA style? Apply that guide uniformly.
FAQs
Is it correct to say “a MA degree”?
No. The correct form is an MA degree because MA is pronounced em-ay, beginning with a vowel sound. English article rules follow pronunciation, not spelling.
Why do we use “an” before acronyms like MA?
Because MA is an initialism — each letter is pronounced individually. The letter M sounds like em, which opens with a vowel sound. That vowel sound requires an, regardless of the written letter.
Is it “a Master of Arts” or “an Master of Arts”?
It’s a Master of Arts. When writing the full degree name, Master starts with a consonant sound, so a is correct. The article changes only when you use the abbreviation MA.
What’s the difference between MA and M.A.?
Both refer to the same degree — Master of Arts. MA is more common in British English and modern usage; M.A. is the traditional American form favored by AP Style and MLA. Both are accepted; just be consistent.
Can I say “an MA Economics”?
Almost — but the standard form is an MA in Economics. Include the preposition between the degree and the field of study in formal and professional writing.
Conclusion
The answer to a MA or an MA is clear: it’s always an MA. English article choice is governed by sound, not spelling. Since MA is pronounced em-ay — beginning with the vowel sound em —, the indefinite article an is required every single time.
Beyond the article question, writing about your degree correctly also means:
- Capitalizing Master of Arts when stating the full title
- Using master’s degree (with apostrophe, lowercase) in general references
- Staying consistent with your abbreviation style (MA vs M.A.)
- Always including in before the field of study
These aren’t just technical rules — they signal precision, professionalism, and respect for language. Whether you’re updating a CV, drafting an academic paper, or introducing yourself at a conference, getting these details right makes your communication sharper and more credible.
