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Guest Posted 23 years ago
Grammar

Proper use of apostrophe in the term "Master's Programs"

I know there has been many topics about the proper use of an apostrophe. I am curious about the validity of the specific use of an apostrophe in the term "Master's Programs". A quick search on google.com returns many results with and with out an apostrophe.
Which is correct? "Master's Programs" or "Masters Programs"?

The phrase is to indicate a list of programs (degrees) a university offers.

Thanks
  

Top answer

In this case 'masters' refers to a general type of degree. therefore the 'programs' isn't a possesion of the 'masters' as it isn't a person, animal or thing it can't possess anything. Therefore without the apostrophe!

— David lyon

  • In this case 'masters' refers to a general type of degree.
  • therefore the 'programs' isn't a possesion of the 'masters' as it isn't a person, animal or thing it can't possess anything.
  • Therefore without the apostrophe!
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5 Answers
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In this case 'masters' refers to a general type of degree. therefore the 'programs' isn't a possesion of the 'masters' as it isn't a person, animal or thing it can't possess anything.

Therefore without the apostrophe!
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Okay...I'm a student at a university in Sweden. We've just completed our thesis for a Master's Degree or Masters Degree....Which is it? May we write

Master's Degree Project

for the title and then

This Masters project is ....

in the abstract?

This has been a heated debate at our school.

Thank you ~Linda
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Master's degree
Doctor's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree program
Master's program
Master's Specialization
Post Master's Specialization
etc.
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My thoughts are (as a copywriter at a major UK university).

The degree is a Master of Arts or Master of Sciences, therefore a Master's degree is the degree of a Master in that subject. It takes the possessive, therefore it takes an apostrophe. It's amazing that so many universities (including Oxford and Cambridge) have inconsistency on this.

The same goes for Bachelor's degree.
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It carries an apostrophe but is should NOT be capitalized when used in a sentence.

Example: I have a master's degree from MIT.

C'mon, get it right!
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