Grammar Nazi: Lesson 4
Here is how to correctly reference common collegiate degrees in America. (It is painful to work for a college and see it printed incorrectly.)
(1) If writing about the degree generally, then it's just a master's, a bachelor's, or an associate's degree. Don't capitalize the first letter but remember the apostrophe; it's a possessive noun.
(2) If writing about the degree specifically, then it is a Master of Arts, a Bachelor of Civil Law, or a Associate of Science. The word "bachelor" should be capitalized but not possessive, followed by the word "of" (not capitalized) and the type of degree (capitalized).
Examples
I earned an associate's degree (an Associate in Science) in 2003 and a bachelor's degree (a Bachelor of Science) in 2004. I am scouting school programs for a master's degree program compatible with my interests and finances. I have not yet decided whether I will initially pursue a Master of Arts or Master of Science, but I am inclined toward the latter because I do not want my lack of college-level foreign language credit to delay me.
INCORRECT: Bachelor's degree (should not be capitalized)
INCORRECT: bachelor degree (should be possessive)
CORRECT: bachelor's degree
INCORRECT: Associate's of Arts (should not be possessive)
INCORRECT: associate of arts (should be capitalized)
CORRECT: Associate of Arts
INCORRECT: masters degrees (should be possessive)
INCORRECT: Master's of Arts (should not be possessive)
CORRECT: masters' degrees
CORRECT: master's degree
CORRECT: Master of Science
(1) If writing about the degree generally, then it's just a master's, a bachelor's, or an associate's degree. Don't capitalize the first letter but remember the apostrophe; it's a possessive noun.
(2) If writing about the degree specifically, then it is a Master of Arts, a Bachelor of Civil Law, or a Associate of Science. The word "bachelor" should be capitalized but not possessive, followed by the word "of" (not capitalized) and the type of degree (capitalized).
Examples
I earned an associate's degree (an Associate in Science) in 2003 and a bachelor's degree (a Bachelor of Science) in 2004. I am scouting school programs for a master's degree program compatible with my interests and finances. I have not yet decided whether I will initially pursue a Master of Arts or Master of Science, but I am inclined toward the latter because I do not want my lack of college-level foreign language credit to delay me.
INCORRECT: Bachelor's degree (should not be capitalized)
INCORRECT: bachelor degree (should be possessive)
CORRECT: bachelor's degree
INCORRECT: Associate's of Arts (should not be possessive)
INCORRECT: associate of arts (should be capitalized)
CORRECT: Associate of Arts
INCORRECT: masters degrees (should be possessive)
INCORRECT: Master's of Arts (should not be possessive)
CORRECT: masters' degrees
CORRECT: master's degree
CORRECT: Master of Science