Is It Bachelors Degree or Bachelor’s Degree?
You finally finished your four-year degree, and now you’re updating your resume or filling out an official form and suddenly you stop. Do you write bachelors degree or bachelor’s degree? Should there be an apostrophe? Should it be capitalized?
Honestly, this tiny grammar question trips up more people than you’d think. Even those who studied English formally aren’t always sure about this one. The good news is, the answer is pretty straightforward once you understand the reason behind it.
So let’s break it all down clearly, simply, and once and for all.
Do You Use an Apostrophe When Spelling Bachelor’s Degree?
Yes, absolutely. The correct way to write it is bachelor’s degree with an apostrophe before the “s.” Writing it as bachelors degree without the apostrophe is incorrect, even though you’ll see that mistake all over the internet and even on some official-looking documents.
But why does it take an apostrophe? That’s where things get interesting.
The Historical Reason Behind the Apostrophe
Back in old English, the term bachelor’s degree literally meant “a degree belonging to a bachelor.” At that time, a bachelor referred to a young man, sometimes even a knight who had completed the lowest degree level at a university. Because the degree belonged to that person, the possessive form was used: bachelor’s.
Think of it the same way you’d say “a doctor’s office” or “a teacher’s classroom.” The office belongs to the doctor. The classroom belongs to the teacher. And in the same way, the degree belonged to the bachelor. That’s why the apostrophe stays.
So when you’re asking yourself about a bachelor degree or bachelor’s degree, always go with bachelor’s. The apostrophe is not optional, it’s grammatically required because this is a possessive noun.
Common Mistake People Make
A lot of people write bachelor degree or bachelors degree thinking it’s just a descriptive phrase, like “science degree” or “arts program.” But that’s not how this term works historically or grammatically. The possessive apostrophe is built into the origin of the phrase, and dropping it changes the grammatical nature of the word.
Similarly, bachelors or bachelor’s is another common confusion point. Whether you’re speaking casually or writing formally, the version with the apostrophe is always the grammatically correct one.
The same rule applies to master’s degree. You’d never correctly write “masters degree” without the apostrophe. The degree belongs to the master, just as it belongs to the bachelor. Keep the apostrophe in both cases, and you’ll never go wrong.
Should Bachelor’s Degree Be Capitalized?
Now here’s where things get a little more layered but don’t worry, it’s still pretty simple once you see the pattern.
The short answer is: it depends on how you’re using it.
When to Keep It Lowercase
In everyday speech and everyday writing, bachelor’s degree is treated as a common noun and should stay lowercase. For example:
“She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology.”
In this sentence, you’re using it as a general description, a category of academic degree, not as a specific formal title. Because it’s acting like a common noun here, it stays lowercase. The same goes for master’s degree in regular use.
“He is working toward his master’s degree in education.”
No capitals needed there. You’re describing a type of degree, not naming a specific program title.
When to Capitalize It
However, when bachelor’s degree is part of a specific, formal title, then you absolutely need to capitalize it. For example:
“She holds a Bachelor of Science degree.”
Here, “Bachelor of Science” is functioning as a proper noun — it’s the official name of a specific credential. That makes capitalization necessary. The same logic applies to titles like Master of Business Administration or Bachelor of Arts.
Think of it this way. You wouldn’t capitalize “dog” in a sentence, but you would capitalize “Golden Retriever” because that’s a specific breed name. A bachelor’s degree is a general type, while a Bachelor of Science is a specific title. Once you see that distinction, the capitalization rule becomes really easy to follow.
What About Resumes and Official Documents?
This is where most people really need to get it right. When listing your educational credentials on a resume, business card, or alumni directory, you should capitalize the degree title because it’s being used as a proper title in that context.
So on your resume, write:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Not:
bachelor’s degree in computer engineering
The first version looks professional, specific, and polished. The second version looks vague and informal. Make sure you use the formal title version whenever your degree appears in a professional context.
Real-World Examples That Clear It Up
Let’s say someone studied at Creighton University and earned a bachelor’s in nursing. On their resume, they would write: Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Meanwhile, in a cover letter, they might write: “I hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Creighton University.” Both are correct, just used in different contexts.
Similarly, someone who studied at UNK and earned a bachelor’s in psychology would follow the same pattern. The formal title gets capitalized; the general description stays lowercase.
And if someone went on to earn a master’s in nursing education from Methodist College, they would write Master of Science in Nursing Education on their diploma or resume — because that’s the official, formal title.
The Capitalization Rule for Headlines and Sentence Starts
There are two more cases worth mentioning. First, if bachelor’s degree appears at the start of a sentence, capitalize the “B” just as you would any other word starting a sentence. Second, in a headline or title, follow the headline capitalization style you’re using — typically, major words get capitalized, including “Bachelor’s.”
Want to Learn More English Grammar?
If questions like bachelor’s degree or bachelors degree have you curious about other grammar rules, you’re not alone. Grammar is full of small but important details that can affect how professional and polished your writing looks.
Some related topics worth exploring include possessive nouns, the difference between common nouns and proper nouns, how to capitalize job titles, and how to list educational background correctly on a resume. Each of these topics connects directly to everyday writing situations from job applications to formal emails to academic papers.
10 Responses to “Is It Bachelors Degree or Bachelor’s Degree?”
Over time, real readers have raised some great follow-up questions on this topic. Here’s a summary of the most useful ones because chances are, you’ve wondered about some of these too.
Bachelor in Digital Media or Bachelor’s in Digital Media?
The correct version is bachelor’s in digital media lowercase, with the apostrophe. You only capitalize when it’s part of a full formal title like Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media.
Is “Their” Correct When Talking About a Bachelor?
One reader raised a great point about using “their” as a gender-neutral indefinite third-person singular pronoun. For example: “A bachelor’s degree is the academic designation ascribed to their educational level.” This is grammatically correct. Major dictionaries confirm that “their” can be used with a singular antecedent like “person” or “someone” for gender neutral writing. So there’s no need to use “his” unless you’re specifically referring to a male individual.
How Do You List a Translated Degree Title?
One reader asked about listing degrees translated from another language such as animal engineering or zoo engineering. The guidance here is practical: list your degree as it appears on your diploma, or use the closest accurate English equivalent. On a resume, you might write: Bachelor of Science in Animal Engineering or Bachelor of Science in Zoo Engineering. Make sure the title reflects what your degree actually covered.
How to Write Multiple Degrees on a Resume?
If you hold more than one degree, say a bachelor’s in psychology, a bachelor’s in nursing, and a master’s degree in nursing education list each one separately. Use the formal, capitalized title for each. For example:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology — Creighton University
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing — UNK
- Master of Science in Nursing Education — Methodist College
This format looks clean, professional, and easy to read.
Does the Same Rule Apply to Master’s Degree?
Yes, completely. Master’s degree follows the same rules as bachelor’s degree. Use the apostrophe always. Capitalize only when it’s a formal title or listed on a resume. Write master’s degree in regular sentences but Master of Business Administration when it’s a proper title.
Conclusion
When it comes to bachelors degree or bachelor’s degree, the rule is simple: always use the apostrophe. The possessive form is correct because the degree historically belonged to the bachelor. As for capitalization, keep it lowercase in general writing but capitalize it when using a formal title on a resume or official document. The same rules apply to master’s degree. Get these two things right, and your educational credentials will always look polished and professional.
FAQs
Is it bachelors degree or bachelor’s degree?
It is always bachelor’s degree with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows possession, meaning the degree belongs to the bachelor, making it grammatically correct in English.
Should bachelor’s degree be capitalized on a resume?
Yes, capitalize it on a resume as a formal title write Bachelor of Science. In general sentences, keep bachelor’s degree lowercase as a common noun.
Does the apostrophe rule apply to master’s degree too?
Absolutely. Master’s degree always needs an apostrophe, just like bachelor’s degree. Drop the apostrophe in both cases and your writing becomes grammatically incorrect.
When should Bachelor of Science be capitalized?
Capitalize Bachelor of Science when using it as a specific, formal degree title. In general descriptions like “she has a bachelor’s degree,” lowercase is the correct choice.
How should I write my degree on official documents?
Always use the formal, capitalized title as it appears on your diploma — for example, Bachelor of Science in Nursing — for resumes, business cards, and official documents.
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