A MA or an MA degree is a popular postgraduate qualification that helps students gain advanced knowledge and expertise in a specific subject area. It is commonly pursued after completing a bachelor’s degree and is widely respected in academic and professional fields. Many students choose this program to improve their research skills, strengthen their career prospects, and build deeper understanding in areas like education, literature, history, psychology, and more.
Whether you say a MA or an MA degree depends on pronunciation rules, but the degree itself remains an excellent choice for personal and professional growth. It can open doors to higher-paying jobs, teaching positions, research opportunities, and even further studies like a PhD. Overall, an MA degree is a strong step forward for anyone aiming to stand out in today’s competitive world.
A MA or An MA Degree — The Short, Clear Answer
Let’s get straight to it.
| Phrase | Correct or Wrong | Why |
| a MA degree | ❌ Incorrect | “MA” starts with a vowel sound |
| an MA degree | ✅ Correct | Pronounced “em-ay” |
| a master’s degree | ✅ Correct | Starts with consonant sound “muh” |
The rule depends on sound, not spelling. Your ears decide. Your eyes don’t.
“MA” begins with the sound /ɛm/ — the same opening sound as email or empty. That vowel sound requires an.
Why “An MA Degree” Is Grammatically Correct
Most people learned this rule in school, but they remember it halfway.
Use the before consonants.
Use the before vowels.
That version is incomplete. Here’s the real rule.
Use a before consonant sounds.
Use an before vowel sounds.
Notice the word sounds. That’s the key.
“MA” is spelled with a consonant letter, but it is spoken as:
M → “em”
A → “ay”
Together: “em-ay.”
That “e” sound at the start triggers an.
The Sound Rule Most Writers Forget
English spelling lies. English pronunciation tells the truth.
Here’s how the rule works in real life.
| Word or Phrase | First Letter | First Sound | Article |
| MA | M | em | an MA |
| MBA | M | em | an MBA |
| MSc | M | em | an MSc |
| Master’s | M | muh | a master’s |
| University | U | yoo | a university |
| Hour | H | ow | an hour |
Your brain sees the letter M and thinks “consonant.” Your ear hears “em” and says “vowel.”
Your ear wins.
A MA vs A Master’s Degree — Why the Article Changes
This is where confusion explodes.
Both phrases refer to the same level of education. One uses an. The other uses a.
| Phrase | Correct Form | Why It Changes |
| ___ MA in English | an MA | “em” vowel sound |
| ___ MA degree | an MA degree | Same vowel sound |
| ___ master’s degree | a master’s degree | “muh” consonant sound |
| ___ master of arts | a master of arts | Spoken normally |
The abbreviation changes the sound. The sound changes the article.
Same qualification. Different grammar triggers.
Why Abbreviations Cause So Much Grammar Trouble
Abbreviations don’t follow normal reading patterns. We don’t sound them out as words. We say the letters.
That shifts everything.
Abbreviations That Use AN
These begin with vowel sounds when spoken.
- an MA
- an MBA
- an MSc
- an MP
- an FBI agent
- an NGO
- an LCD screen
- an SOS call
Abbreviations That Use A
These begin with consonant sounds.
- a PhD (“pee”)
- a URL (“yoo”)
- a UFO sighting (“yoo”)
- a UK university
- a US citizen
The pattern becomes clear. If the spoken letter starts with e, a, i, o, u sounds, use an.
Phonetics Behind “An MA Degree”
Let’s break it down like a linguist.
The letter M is pronounced /ɛm/ in English. That symbol /ɛ/ represents the same vowel sound as in:
- end
- elephant
- engine
English articles respond to phonemes (speech sounds), not orthography (spelling).
That’s why:
- an MA
- an MBA
- an MSc
all follow identical logic.
The Silent Letter Connection
Understanding silent letters makes the MA rule feel obvious.
| Word | First Sound | Correct Form |
| Honor | on | an honor |
| Hour | ow | an hour |
| Heir | air | an heir |
| MA | em | an MA |
The letter h disappears in pronunciation. The letter m changes into a vowel sound when spelled out.
English doesn’t care what you see. It cares what you say.
Read More:Is It Correct to Say “Thank You All”? Meaning, and Better Alternatives
How This Rule Affects Academic Writing
This isn’t just a classroom detail. It shows up everywhere.
Common Situations
- CV education section
- LinkedIn profiles
- Research bios
- University websites
- Scholarship essays
- Academic conference programs
One incorrect article makes writing look careless. Readers notice small grammar errors more in formal contexts.
Real-World Example: Resume Impact
Incorrect:
She completed a MA in Linguistics at Stanford.
Correct:
She completed an MA in Linguistics at Stanford.
The second version signals attention to detail. In competitive academic or corporate spaces, small signals matter.
Quick Memory Trick for MA vs Master’s
Use this fast mental shortcut.
If the abbreviation starts with a spoken vowel like:
em, ef, el, en, es
→ use AN
Examples:
- MA → em
- MBA → em
- MSc → em
- MP → em
- FBI → ef
Works every time.
Grammar Deep Dive: Why Articles Follow Sound
Indefinite articles evolved for ease of speech. Saying “an apple” forces a stop. Saying “an apple” flows smoothly.
That extra n acts like a sound bridge.
Try saying these fast:
- a MA
- an MA
Your mouth naturally prefers the second.
English grammar often follows speech comfort. This is one of those cases.
Common Mistakes with Academic Degrees
People often mix rules between abbreviations and full terms.
| Wrong | Correct |
| a MA | an MA |
| a MBA | an MBA |
| an PhD | a PhD |
| an university degree | a university degree |
| an hour | an hour |
Patterns repeat across contexts. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
Does Any Style Guide Disagree?
No.
APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard — all follow the sound rule. None base article choice on letters.
Academic publishing stays consistent here. The answer remains:
an MA degree
Why “A MA Degree” Looks Right But Sounds Wrong
Your brain reads silently. It notices letters, not sounds. That visual bias causes the mistake.
Spoken English drives article use. Written English only reflects it.
That mismatch tricks even fluent speakers.
Case Study: University Websites
Many university pages correctly use:
- “Applicants must hold an MA or equivalent.”
- “She earned an MA in History.”
Institutions stick to formal grammar standards. That consistency reinforces the sound rule.
How to Instantly Decide Between A and An
Use this three-step test.
- Say the word out loud
- Listen to the first sound
- Choose the article that flows naturally
If it sounds smooth, it’s correct.
Why This Rule Matters for SEO and Professional Writing
Search engines evaluate content quality. Grammar errors reduce trust. Users leave pages that look sloppy.
Clean language improves:
- credibility
- readability
- professionalism
- authority signals
Tiny words influence big impressions.
Related Degree Abbreviation Rules
| Degree | Correct Form |
| MA | an MA |
| MBA | an MBA |
| MSc | an MSc |
| MPhil | an MPhil |
| PhD | a PhD |
| BA | a BA |
Notice the shift. “B” is pronounced “bee,” a consonant sound.
Why Native Speakers Still Get It Wrong
Fluency doesn’t equal analysis. Native speakers rely on instinct. Abbreviations break instinct because spelling overrides sound in the brain.
That’s why this mistake appears in newspapers, blogs, and resumes.
FAQs
Is it a MA or an MA degree?
An MA degree is correct.
Why isn’t it based on the letter M?
Articles follow pronunciation, not spelling.
Is it a master’s degree?
Yes. “Master’s” starts with a consonant sound.
Do all abbreviations use an?
No. Only those beginning with vowel sounds.
Is it an MBA for the same reason?
Yes. MBA begins with “em.”
Conclusion:
“MA” is spoken “em-ay.” That opening vowel sound makes the correct phrase an MA degree, not a MA degree. The same logic explains an MBA, an MSc, and an MP — while phrases like a master’s degree or a PhD follow different patterns because their first sounds change.
When choosing between a and an, don’t trust your eyes. Trust your ears. Say the phrase out loud. If it starts with a vowel sound, use an. If it starts with a consonant sound, use a.
