Master of Arts

American  

noun

1. a master's degree given usually in a specific branch of the humanities or social sciences.

2. a person who has been awarded this degree. M.A., A.M.

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Master of Arts British  

noun

1.  MA.  a degree, usually postgraduate and in a nonscientific subject, or the holder of this degree

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Etymology

Origin of Master of Arts

First recorded in 1490–1500

Compare meaning

How does master-of-arts compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Master of Arts vs. Master of Science

Example Sentences

In June, he completed his graduate studies for the Master of Arts in criminal justice program, she said.

From Washington Post • Dec. 30, 2022

So Kinley began her educational journey to gain a Master of Arts in leadership at City University of Seattle in 2018.

From Seattle Times • May 9, 2022

A New Jersey university is launching what it called the world's first "Master of Arts in Happiness Studies."

From Fox News • Mar. 26, 2022

So we went through all the programs they had, and they led me down the garden path to one called the Master of Arts in Leadership.

From Slate • Jul. 16, 2020

In 1914 Dartmouth conferred upon him the honorary Master of Arts degree.

From Contemporary One-Act Plays by Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew)