A master’s degree abbreviation is the short form of a program’s full name. Schools and employers use these abbreviations on resumes, transcripts, and applications. Common ones include MA, MS, MBA, MSc, and MFA.
MA stands for Master of Arts and usually covers fields in the humanities and social sciences. MS or MSc stands for Master of Science and covers science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. MBA stands for Master of Business Administration. MFA stands for Master of Fine Arts and covers creative fields like writing, art, and design.
Other abbreviations include MEd for Master of Education, MPH for Master of Public Health, MPA for Master of Public Administration, and MPhil for Master of Philosophy. Usage varies by country and by school, so check the institution’s own naming.
On a resume, use the abbreviation your school uses. Write it after your name or in the education section, for example “Jane Smith, MA.” Be consistent throughout the document. Browse master’s degree courses or the full courses list to see how programs are named. Our note on capitalizing degree names covers style rules, and program length explains how long each type usually takes.

