Choosing between a MA and an MA degree can seem confusing because the abbreviation begins with the written letter M. Since M is a consonant letter, it may look as if a should come before it.
But English articles follow pronunciation, not simply spelling.
When MA means Master of Arts, it is normally pronounced “em-ay.” The first sound is a vowel sound, so the correct article is an.
That gives us an MA and an MA degree.
The form a MA does not follow standard English article usage when MA is being pronounced as the letters M and A.
Quick Answer
The correct form is an MA degree, not a MA degree.
Use:
- an MA
- an MA degree
- an MA in English
- an MA program
The reason is simple: MA is pronounced “em-ay.” Because the first sound is a vowel sound, an is the appropriate indefinite article.
For example:
She earned an MA degree in history.
You can also make the sentence shorter:
She earned an MA in history.
Both are grammatically correct.
The word degree is not required when MA already makes the academic meaning clear.
Why People Confuse Them
The confusion comes from looking at the first written letter instead of listening to the first sound.
The abbreviation MA starts with the letter M. On paper, M is a consonant. However, the name of the letter is pronounced “em.” That spoken form begins with a vowel sound.
This is why the article is an:
an + MA
The same principle explains why some other abbreviations use an, while others use a. What matters is the sound immediately following the article.
The issue is therefore not that MA has a special grammar rule. It follows the normal sound-based rule for indefinite articles.
Key Differences At A Glance
| Feature | a MA | an MA degree |
|---|---|---|
| Standard US English | No | Yes |
| Intended meaning | Master of Arts abbreviation | Master of Arts degree |
| Article | Incorrect in standard usage | Correct |
| First spoken sound | “em” | “em” |
| Natural construction | No | Yes |
The important point is that a MA and an MA degree are not two equally acceptable ways to express the same idea. The first uses the wrong article when MA is pronounced “em-ay.”
Compact comparison
- a MA → incorrect article
- an MA → correct
- an MA degree → correct
- a Master of Arts → correct
Meaning and Usage Difference
The two literal expressions do not differ mainly in meaning. The central difference is grammatical.
a MA attempts to place the indefinite article a before the abbreviation MA. Because MA begins with a vowel sound when spoken, that article is not appropriate.
an MA degree uses an, which matches the opening vowel sound of “em.”
For example:
She is pursuing an MA degree in history.
You can also write:
She is pursuing an MA in history.
The shorter version is often enough because MA already identifies the academic qualification.
When the field is included, in normally introduces it:
He earned an MA in English.
She is completing an MA in psychology.
The full degree name has a different article:
She earned a Master of Arts in history.
Here, a is correct because Master begins with the consonant sound /m/.
Tone, Context, and Formality
The article choice itself is grammatical rather than a matter of casual versus formal style.
An MA degree works well in academic, professional, and general writing when you want to identify the qualification explicitly.
For example:
The position requires an MA degree in English.
However, an MA is often more concise when the context already makes the qualification clear:
She has an MA in English.
The full form a Master of Arts is also appropriate, especially when the degree name is being written out.
The important distinction is not formality between a MA and an MA degree. Instead, a MA has the wrong article, while an MA degree follows standard grammar.
Which One Should You Use?
Use an MA degree when you want to state clearly that someone has or is pursuing a Master of Arts degree.
Use an MA when the context already makes the meaning obvious.
Examples:
He earned an MA degree in history.
He earned an MA in history.
She is applying for an MA program.
Her résumé lists an MA in communication.
Avoid:
He earned a MA degree.
The safest practical rule is to say the abbreviation aloud. If MA sounds like “em-ay,” choose an.
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
A MA sounds wrong because it does not match the first sound of the abbreviation.
Compare these:
a MA ❌
an MA ✅
The spelling can mislead you because M looks like a consonant. But pronunciation controls the article.
There is another useful contrast:
an MA ✅
a Master of Arts ✅
These forms refer to the same degree, but the words immediately following the article sound different.
MA begins with “em,” while Master begins with an /m/ sound. That is why the article changes.
The same principle also means that you should not automatically use an before every academic abbreviation.
Common Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)
Mistake 1: Choosing the article from the letter M
She has a MA in English. ❌
Fix:
She has an MA in English. ✅
Mistake 2: Carrying the abbreviation’s article into the full degree name
She earned an Master of Arts. ❌
Fix:
She earned a Master of Arts. ✅
Mistake 3: Adding “degree” unnecessarily
She earned an MA degree in English. ✅
This is grammatical, but when the context is already clear, the shorter form may be cleaner:
She earned an MA in English. ✅
Mistake 4: Forgetting the preposition before a subject
She has an MA English. ❌
Fix:
She has an MA in English. ✅
The problem in the first sentence is not just the article. The field of study needs the natural in construction.
Everyday Examples
Here are natural US-English examples showing how the correct form works:
Maria earned an MA in English last spring.
Jordan is applying for an MA program in history.
She has an MA degree from a state university.
His résumé says that he holds an MA in communication.
I am considering an MA after completing my bachelor’s degree.
The position requires an MA in a related field.
She chose an MA because she wanted advanced study in literature.
He completed a Master of Arts before beginning his doctoral studies.
Notice that the article changes in the last example because the full expression begins with Master, not the abbreviation MA.
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Verb
a MA: Not used as a verb. The expression is intended as an article plus an academic abbreviation, and the article choice is incorrect in standard usage.
an MA degree: Not used as a verb. It is a noun phrase referring to a Master of Arts degree.
Noun
a MA: As written, this is not the standard noun phrase for a Master of Arts. The issue is the incorrect article before MA.
an MA degree: A noun phrase referring to a Master of Arts degree. MA is the abbreviation for Master of Arts.
Synonyms
a MA: No exact synonym applies because the phrase is not the standard grammatical form.
an MA degree: Closest plain alternatives include an MA and a Master of Arts, depending on the sentence and whether the abbreviation or full degree name is preferred.
Example Sentences
a MA:
She earned a MA in English. ❌
This example illustrates the common article error.
an MA degree:
She earned an MA degree in English. ✅
A shorter version is also natural:
She earned an MA in English. ✅
Word History
a MA: The phrase has no separate word history as a standard expression. Its problem comes from the modern grammatical use of the indefinite article before the abbreviation.
an MA degree: MA is an abbreviation for Master of Arts. Current dictionary references identify MA as the abbreviation and give its pronunciation as “em-ay.”
Phrases Containing
a MA: This form should not normally be used when MA means Master of Arts.
an MA degree: Common constructions include an MA degree in English, an MA degree in history, and an MA degree program.
Other natural constructions include:
- an MA in English
- an MA in history
- an MA program
- an MA student
- an MA from the university
FAQs
Is “an MA degree” grammatically correct?
Yes, an MA degree is grammatically correct. MA is pronounced “em-ay,” so its first spoken sound is a vowel sound. The indefinite article therefore becomes an, giving the natural form an MA degree.
Why is “a MA” incorrect?
A MA is incorrect in standard usage when MA is pronounced as the letters M and A. The letter M is pronounced “em,” which begins with a vowel sound. Therefore, the correct construction is an MA.
Is “an MA” enough without the word “degree”?
Yes, an MA is often enough. Because MA already identifies a Master of Arts qualification, adding degree may be unnecessary when the context is clear. For example, She has an MA in English is concise and natural.
Why is “a Master of Arts” correct?
A Master of Arts is correct because the article comes directly before Master, not the abbreviation MA. Master begins with a consonant sound, so a is appropriate. The same qualification can therefore be written as an MA or a Master of Arts.
Can “a MA degree” ever be used in standard US English?
No, a MA degree is not the standard form when MA is pronounced “em-ay.” Although the spelling begins with M, the article follows the spoken sound. Use an MA degree in standard US English writing.
Does the same rule apply to other degree abbreviations?
Yes. The same sound-based principle applies to other abbreviations. If the abbreviation begins with a vowel sound, use an; if it begins with a consonant sound, use a. The written letter alone does not determine the article.
Conclusion
The correct form is an MA degree, not a MA degree.
The reason is pronunciation. MA is pronounced “em-ay,” and em begins with a vowel sound. Therefore, standard English uses an before the abbreviation.
Use:
- an MA
- an MA degree
- an MA in English
- a Master of Arts
The simplest rule is to listen to the first sound rather than look only at the first written letter. Once you apply that rule, the choice becomes straightforward.
