When should the word "master's" or " bachelor's" be capitalized with apostrophe s?

Question

When I'm specifically not mentioning if its MS or MEngg degree. What is the correct way to say - pursuing master's/masters/Masters/Master's in Electrical Engineering and during my bachelor's/bachelors/Bachelors/Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering at Univ f Gotham?

See also “Masters degree” — capital M or not? and Is there an apostrophe in a master's degree?. — choster, Dec 06 '13 at 14:52

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 06 '13 at 08:34

You only capitalize the master/bachelor part when you are giving the official name of the degree. Otherwise, no capitalization is required.

For example:

Master of Science, Electrical Engineering
Bachelor of Arts, English Literature

But no capitalization in the following:

I'm currently studying to get my master's in electrical engineering at University of Gotham.
I attended University of Gotham for 3.5 years where I graduated with my bachelor's degree.

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38

0

Going on to address the apostrophe issue, THEAO uses bachelor's degree and master's (an acceptable shortening of master's degree). Though this is not incorrect, the modern trend (try a Google search) is to drop the apostrophe from the 'associative rather than true' possessive construction (as in working mens club ).

Thus,

I have two bachelors degrees and one masters (degree).

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38

Community

1

answered Dec 06 '13 at 09:12

Edwin Ashworth

83,272

1

THEAO sounds interesting, but what is it? – Damkerng T. Dec 06 '13 at 11:51
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The person giving the first answer. – Edwin Ashworth Dec 06 '13 at 16:47

When should the word "master's" or " bachelor's" be capitalized with apostrophe s?

2 Answers2