Is It “A MA” or “An MA” Degree? The correct form is “an MA” or “an MA degree.” English uses a and an based on the sound that follows, not simply the first letter of a word or abbreviation.
In “an MA,” the abbreviation MA is pronounced “em ay,” which begins with a vowel sound. That is why an is correct, while a MA is not standard English. For example:
- She has an MA in English. ✅
- He earned an MA degree in history. ✅
- She has a MA in English. ❌
Once you understand this sound-based rule, similar abbreviations become easier to handle. The same principle explains forms such as an MBA and an MS, while abbreviations such as a BA and a PhD take a because their spoken forms begin with consonant sounds.
Is It “A MA” or “An MA” Degree?
The correct expression is “an MA degree.”
Here, MA is an abbreviation for Master of Arts. When spoken aloud, the abbreviation is pronounced “em ay.” Because the word begins with the vowel sound /ɛ/ in “em,” the correct indefinite article is an.
Consider these examples:
- I am pursuing an MA degree in history.
- She earned an MA from the university.
- He is applying for an MA in English literature.
- They offer an MA degree in psychology.
By contrast, “a MA degree” is not the standard form because a normally comes before a consonant sound.
Why “An MA” Is Correct
The choice between a and an depends on how the following word or abbreviation sounds when spoken.
The abbreviation MA begins with the sound of the letter M, which is pronounced “em.” Since “em” starts with a vowel sound, it requires an.
Therefore:
an + MA → an MA
The same principle explains why we say an MBA rather than a MBA. The letter M is pronounced “em,” so the first sound is a vowel sound.
How the A/An Rule Actually Works
The basic rule is straightforward:
- Use a before a consonant sound.
- Use an before a vowel sound.
For instance:
- a book
- a university
- a teacher
- an apple
- an hour
- an MA
Notice that this is a rule about pronunciation, rather than simply the first written letter.
Articles Are Based on Sound, Not Spelling
A common mistake is to choose a or an by looking only at the first letter.
However, English does not always work that way. A word can begin with a vowel letter but a consonant sound, or with a consonant letter but a vowel sound.
For example:
- a university — “university” begins with a /y/ sound, similar to “you.”
- a European country — “European” begins with a /y/ sound.
- an hour — the h is silent, so the word begins with a vowel sound.
- an honest person — the h is also silent.
- an MA — “M” is pronounced “em,” which begins with a vowel sound.
So, the better question is not “Does this word start with a vowel letter?” Instead, ask:
“What sound do I hear first?”
Vowel Letters vs. Vowel Sounds
The difference between letters and sounds is especially important with abbreviations.
The written form MA starts with the letter M, which is a consonant letter. Nevertheless, the spoken form starts with the sound /ɛ/ in “em.”
That difference explains why an MA is correct.
Similarly:
| Expression | First sound | Correct article |
|---|---|---|
| MA | “em” | an MA |
| MBA | “em” | an MBA |
| BA | “bee” | a BA |
| PhD | “pee” | a PhD |
| MS | “em” | an MS |
The important point is that the written abbreviation does not determine the article by itself. Its pronunciation does.
Why Does “MA” Take “An”?
MA takes an because the abbreviation is normally pronounced by saying the names of its letters: “em ay.”
The first spoken sound is therefore the vowel sound in “em.” As a result, the natural form is:
- an MA
- an MA degree
- an MA in English
- an MA from the university
For example:
She completed an MA in history last year.
Here, an comes directly before the spoken abbreviation MA, so the vowel sound determines the article.
This same approach works with many initialisms. If an abbreviation begins with a letter whose name starts with a vowel sound, an is usually required.
“An MA” vs. “A Master of Arts”
There is an important difference between the abbreviation and the full degree name.
The correct forms are:
- an MA
- a Master of Arts
Why does the article change?
When you say MA, you pronounce the abbreviation as “em ay.” That begins with a vowel sound.
When you say Master of Arts, the first word is Master, which begins with the consonant sound /m/. Therefore, it takes a.
Compare these examples:
- She earned an MA in history.
- She earned a Master of Arts in history.
Both constructions can refer to the same type of degree, but the article changes because the pronunciation of the first word changes.
The rule can be summarized like this:
an MA → “em ay” → vowel sound
a Master of Arts → “master” → consonant sound
This is a useful example of why English articles should be chosen by sound rather than spelling.
How to Use “MA” in Real Sentences
Once you understand the pronunciation rule, using MA in sentences is straightforward.
Here are several natural examples:
- She is studying for an MA in English.
- He holds an MA in history.
- I am considering an MA after completing my bachelor’s degree.
- The university offers an MA in economics.
- She received an MA from a leading university.
- He completed an MA degree before beginning his doctoral studies.
In each example, an comes before MA because the abbreviation is pronounced “em ay.”
“An MA” or “An MA Degree?”
Both “an MA” and “an MA degree” can be correct.
Use an MA when the context already makes it clear that you are discussing an academic degree:
She earned an MA in English.
Use an MA degree when you want to make the reference more explicit:
She earned an MA degree in English.
In many sentences, an MA is enough because MA already identifies the degree.
For example:
He is applying for an MA in history.
There is no need to add degree unless you want extra clarification.
MA With a Field of Study
When you specify the subject of the degree, in is normally used before the field:
- an MA in English
- an MA in history
- an MA in psychology
- an MA in education
- an MA in political science
For example:
She is pursuing an MA in English literature.
The structure is simple:
an MA + in + field of study
Avoid constructions such as “an MA English” when you mean the degree is in English. In standard usage, an MA in English is the natural form.
MA, Master’s Degree, and Master of Arts: What’s the Difference?
These expressions are related, but they are not interchangeable in every context.
MA
MA is an abbreviation commonly used for Master of Arts.
Examples include:
- an MA in English
- an MA in history
- an MA in psychology
Master of Arts
Master of Arts is the full name of the degree.
For example:
She earned a Master of Arts in English.
Because Master begins with a consonant sound, the correct article is a.
Master’s Degree
Master’s degree is a broader expression for a graduate-level degree at the master’s level.
For example:
She plans to earn a master’s degree.
The term does not necessarily specify the exact degree type. Depending on the program, a person might earn a Master of Arts, Master of Science, or another type of master’s degree.
Therefore, the three expressions serve slightly different purposes:
| Expression | Use |
|---|---|
| MA | Abbreviated form of Master of Arts |
| Master of Arts | Full degree name |
| master’s degree | General term for a master’s-level degree |
MA or M.A.: Which Abbreviation Should You Use?
You may see the degree abbreviation written as either MA or M.A.
Both forms appear in standard American English writing. However, punctuation preferences can vary between universities, publications, style guides, and other organizations.
For example, you might encounter:
- MA in English
- M.A. in English
The choice between MA and M.A. does not change the article. When the abbreviation is pronounced “em ay,” the correct form remains:
- an MA
- an M.A.
For formal academic or professional writing, follow the style required by your university, employer, publication, or other relevant organization.
Does the Same Rule Apply to Other Degree Abbreviations?
Yes. The same sound-based principle applies to many academic abbreviations.
For example:
- an MBA — “em bee ay”
- an MS — “em ess”
- a BA — “bee ay”
- a PhD — “pee aych dee”
- a JD — “jay dee”
Consider these sentences:
She earned an MBA after working for several years.
He has a BA in history.
She completed a PhD in chemistry.
He holds an MS in computer science.
The first letter of an abbreviation does not automatically determine whether you use a or an. Instead, pronounce the abbreviation and listen to its first sound.
Capitalization and Apostrophes in Degree Names
Degree names can appear in different forms depending on whether you are using a formal name or a general description.
Master of Arts vs. master’s degree
When referring to the formal degree name, capitalize the main words:
She earned a Master of Arts in English.
When using the general term, lowercase it:
She earned a master’s degree in English.
The apostrophe in master’s indicates the possessive form.
The same distinction appears with other degree terms:
- Master of Arts — formal degree name
- master’s degree — general description
- Bachelor of Arts — formal degree name
- bachelor’s degree — general description
Capitalization can vary somewhat depending on the style guide and institutional preference, so follow the requirements of the publication or organization you are writing for.
Degrees vs. Fields of Study
Fields of study are generally written in lowercase when they are used as common nouns:
- an MA in history
- an MA in English
- an MA in psychology
- a master’s degree in education
Some field names, such as English, are capitalized because they are proper nouns or contain proper names. Most general academic subjects are lowercase.
Common Mistakes With “A MA” and “An MA”
Several mistakes appear regularly when writers use degree abbreviations.
1. Writing “a MA”
❌ She has a MA in English.
✅ She has an MA in English.
The problem is the article. MA begins with the vowel sound in “em,” so it requires an.
2. Using “an” before “Master of Arts”
❌ She earned an Master of Arts.
✅ She earned a Master of Arts.
Here, the full phrase begins with Master, which starts with a consonant sound.
3. Choosing the article from the written letter
A writer may see the consonant letter M and assume that a must come before it.
That approach does not work with abbreviations pronounced by their letter names. The spoken form of M is “em,” which starts with a vowel sound.
4. Writing “an MA English”
❌ She is pursuing an MA English.
✅ She is pursuing an MA in English.
The issue here is not the article. The natural construction uses in to connect the degree with the field of study.
5. Using “an” before every abbreviation
The opposite mistake is assuming that every abbreviation requires an.
For example:
- a BA — “bee ay”
- a PhD — “pee aych dee”
- an MA — “em ay”
- an MBA — “em bee ay”
Again, pronunciation determines the article.
A Simple Three-Step Test for Choosing “A” or “An”
If you are unsure which article to use before an abbreviation, follow these three steps.
Say the Expression Aloud
First, pronounce the abbreviation as you normally would.
For MA, say:
“em ay”
Do not focus only on the written letter M.
Listen to the First Sound
Next, identify the first sound you hear.
In “em ay,” the first sound is a vowel sound. Therefore, the abbreviation requires an.
The same process works with other abbreviations:
- MBA → “em bee ay” → an MBA
- MS → “em ess” → an MS
- BA → “bee ay” → a BA
- PhD → “pee aych dee” → a PhD
Choose the Article
Finally, place the correct article before the abbreviation.
For MA:
an + MA = an MA
This three-step method is more reliable than trying to memorize every abbreviation individually.
Quick Reference: Correct and Incorrect Forms
Use this table as a quick reference when proofreading your writing:
| Incorrect or less suitable | Correct form |
|---|---|
| a MA | an MA |
| a MA degree | an MA degree |
| an Master of Arts | a Master of Arts |
| an MA English | an MA in English |
| an BA | a BA |
| an PhD | a PhD |
| a MBA | an MBA |
The pattern becomes easier to recognize once you focus on pronunciation.
FAQs About “A MA” and “An MA”
Q1. Is “an MA degree” grammatically correct?
Yes. “An MA degree” is grammatically correct because MA is pronounced “em ay,” which begins with a vowel sound.
Q2. Is “an MA” enough, or should I write “an MA degree”?
Both can be correct. “An MA” is usually sufficient when the context already makes the meaning clear. “An MA degree” can be useful when you want to explicitly identify the qualification as a degree.
Q3. Is “a Master of Arts” correct?
Yes. “A Master of Arts” is correct because the full expression begins with Master, which starts with the consonant sound /m/.
Q4. Is “an MA in English” correct?
Yes. “An MA in English” is a natural construction. The word in connects the degree with its field of study.
Q5. Should I write MA or M.A.?
Both MA and M.A. are used. Punctuation preferences vary among style guides and institutions. Whichever form you use, the article is still an when the abbreviation is pronounced “em ay.”
Q6. Does the same article rule apply to MBA and PhD?
Yes. The article depends on the first sound of the spoken abbreviation. Therefore, we write an MBA because “M” is pronounced “em,” but a PhD because “P” is pronounced “pee.”
Conclusion
The correct form is “an MA” or “an MA degree.” Since MA is pronounced “em ay,” it begins with a vowel sound and therefore takes an.
When you write the full degree name, use “a Master of Arts” because Master begins with a consonant sound. If you are unsure about an article before an abbreviation, say it aloud and listen to the first sound. That simple habit will help you choose between a and an correctly.