The difference comes down to one apostrophe. “Master’s degree” uses the possessive form: the degree belongs to the master, the person who earned it. Write “I completed my master’s degree in 2024.” The same rule applies to “bachelor’s degree.”
“Masters” without an apostrophe is simply a plural. It refers to more than one master, as in “She learned from several masters of the craft.” It should not be used as a substitute for “master’s degree.”
Getting this right matters on resumes and applications, where small errors suggest carelessness. Proofread your documents before sending them. See professional resume writing tips, how to write a master’s degree candidate resume, and resume formatting and content tips for more guidance.

