what does ba ma and phd mean in degrees

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD - what do they all mean?

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD (and more) are abbreviations of British degrees.

They reflect the specific level and discipline of a qualification achieved at university.

While most courses are conducted on a full-time basis, there are options for part-time, distance learning and other flexible learning arrangements.

Here is a breakdown of some of the most common qualifications and ones that Aberystwyth University offers.

• BA = Bachelor of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences;
• BSc = Bachelor of Sciences;
• BENG = Bachelor of Engineering (Software, Robotics and Physics);
• LLB = Bachelor of Law.

Achieved after 3 to 4 years of study. The extra year (for a 4 year course) can be from a year studying abroad or a year working in industry.

Integrated-Masters:

• MARTS = Masters of Arts;
• MBIOL = Masters of Biology;
• MCOMP = Masters of Computer Science;
• MENG = Masters of Engineering;
• MMATH = Masters of Mathematics;
• MPHYS = Masters of Physics;
• MSCI = Masters of Sciences and Humanities.

4 years course (3-year Bachelors, 1 year Masters) that enables you to secure a loan for the full duration rather than having to fund a Masters degree separately.

• MA = Masters of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences;
• MSc = Masters of Sciences;
• MBA = Masters of Business Administration;
• MPhil = Masters of Philosophy: Advanced research Masters degree;
• MRes = Masters of Research: Contains some taught and research elements;
• LLM = Masters of Law.

Achieved after graduation from Bachelors level, usually 1-2 years duration.

• PhD = Doctor of Philosophy: for a range of disciplines.

Achieved after graduating from Masters level, usually 3-8 years duration.

A wide range of Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Further-Research courses – across the Arts and Sciences – are available at Aberystwyth.

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What Does BA, MA & PhD Mean in Degrees?

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College students have several options when choosing which type of degree to pursue. For some careers, only an undergraduate degree is necessary, while others may require a more advanced degree. It is essential for students to have a general understanding of each type of degree in order to choose the one that is best for their career goals. This article discusses the three main types of college degrees in the United States.

Bachelor's Degrees

There are two different types of bachelor's degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.). Both are considered undergraduate degrees and require about four to five years of study. Those who study humanities or liberal arts earn a Bachelor of Arts and might work in education, journalism or psychology. Those who study in math or science fields earn a Bachelor of Science and might have careers in accounting, nursing or computer science.

Master's Degrees

A graduate, advanced or master's degree is the next step. A Master of Arts (M.A.) or a Master of Science (M.S.) degree usually takes about two additional years to earn, and it often requires students to perform original research and write a thesis. Holding a master's degree can make job seekers more competitive in their field or lead to increased salaries. For some positions, such as school administrator, librarian and clinical psychologist, a graduate degree is a necessity.

Doctoral Degree

Ph.D. is an abbreviation for "Doctor of Philosophy," commonly called a doctoral degree. It is typically the highest academic degree awarded and requires at least four years of study and extensive original research. Doctoral degree candidates must also complete and defend a dissertation on their research, and often they publish portions of this dissertation during their studies. University professor, scientist and researcher are examples of positions that may require a doctoral degree.

Choosing the Right One

Choosing a degree is an important process and can be overwhelming. Students should research careers they are interested in and seek the help of a college advisor to help determine which type of degree is preferred or necessary in their desired field. It is also important to make sure that the degree is earned from an accredited institution.

• The College Board: Quick Guide: Your College Degree Options
• The College Board: Matching Careers to Degrees
• College Atlas: Types of College Degrees

Houston area native Marie Anderson began writing education articles in 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Science in exercise and sports science and a Master of Science in education administration. She has seven years of teaching and coaching experience within the Texas public school system.

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What is an MA Degree?

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

What is a master’s degree, exactly? A master's degree is  a graduate degree that you typically pursue following the completion of a bachelor’s degree. These degrees come in various lengths and specializations and can better prepare you for a career in your field of study.

A master’s degree can provide you with a more focused education while allowing you to build upon your desired skill sets.

There are many types of master’s degrees for you to consider. Each offers its own specialization. So whether you are interested in anything from the arts and humanities to STEM or business, there is a master’s degree for you.

What Does MA Degree Stand For?

There are two prominent types of master’s degrees - the Master of Arts (MA) and the Master of Science (MS). These types of master's include various unique courses for you to explore.

Your personal goals will determine which type of master’s program you should consider. There are several reasons to consider a master’s program, including if you want to continue your education or prepare yourself for the workforce. One type of master’s program is the Master of Arts or MA. An MA degree focuses on subjects within the arts and humanities fields.

What Are Some Types of MA Degrees?

Here are a few examples of MA degrees and their job outlooks:

• MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling : A master’s in counseling can allow you to take an active role in improving mental health and prepare you for a career as a clinical mental health counselor. The median salary for counselors in 2021 was $48,520 , according to BLS.
• MA in Communication : Solid communication skills are in demand across broad industries. There are tons of career options for effective communicators, and many continue to grow. The public relations specialist role, for example, is expected to grow by 11% through 2030, according to BLS. Likewise, positions in advertising, promotions and as marketing managers are expected to grow by 10% through 2030.
• MA in Creative Writing : With a master’s in creative writing, you can continue to develop your style and voice while focusing on your goals as a writer. Writers and authors earned a median salary of $69,510 in 2021, and the field is expected to grow by 9% through 2030, according to BLS.
• MA in English : If you have a passion for using the English language in various ways, such as editing and writing, then a master’s in English may be for you. With a master’s in English, many careers may be available to you, such as editor, survey researcher, copywriter or content writer, among many others. Editors earned a $63,350 median pay, and survey researchers earned a $59,740 median wage in 2021, according to BLS.
• MA in History : With a master’s in history, you can learn to preserve, organize and assess your knowledge of various historical topics. A few concentrations available to you are American, military and public history. Historians earned $63,940 in median pay in 2021, according to BLS. Other roles that you could pursue include archivists, curators and museum workers, who earned a median income of $50,120 in 2021.

These are only a handful of the MA degrees available for you to consider. There are plenty of other degrees available to you, so be sure to take your time before making a decision.

Is a BA or MA Better?

One path to getting your MA would be to get your Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. While you don’t need a BA to pursue an MA, it can be a suitable pathway as a BA offers similar courses that focus on the arts and humanities.

While neither the BA nor MA are better, the MA is something you would consider later in your educational path. The main difference between bachelor’s and master’s  degrees is the number of credit hours required for completion and their depth of content focus.

Most bachelor’s programs are 120 credits  or about 40 courses in length. A bachelor’s program is a curriculum composed of general education and specialized courses from an area of study, with the opportunity to take elective courses. Once you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree, you are eligible to enroll in a graduate degree, such as a master’s program.

While both a BA and MA have their benefits, the one that will be better for you will be determined by where you are in your educational journey.

The type of work you may be doing also may determine what degree level you want to achieve. There are plenty of jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree , and with a bachelor’s, you open up a variety of new entry and mid-level positions. With a master’s degree, you may give yourself a leg up in job interviews, and you could even open the door to management positions.

Earning a master’s degree could mean upwards of an extra $200 a week in earnings. The median weekly earnings were $1,545 for those with a master’s, compared to $1,305 for those with a bachelor’s, according to BLS .

Is a Master's Right For You?

With so many options available for you to consider, it’s essential to do your research to ensure you are getting the best education for your own goals.

The primary difference between MA and MS  is the focus of the field of study. MA programs tend to focus on the arts and humanities, while MS programs focus on more technical topics like business and STEM.

Whether you are considering an MA, MS or other master's program, you will take courses that continue to develop skills in your field of study and prepare you for the workforce.

Here are some of the other types of master's you could consider:

• Master of Business Administration ( MBA )
• Master of Education ( MEd )
• Master of Fine Arts ( MFA )
• Master of Public Health ( MPH )

While the specializations of these master's are different - all master’s programs have something to offer. Take your time to ensure that the degree you consider is right for you. Also consider your desired career and the kind of work you hope to do. Be sure to review any potential program curriculum and reach out to an advisor if you have any questions.

A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU master’s program  that can best help you meet your goals.

Nicholas Patterson is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with him on LinkedIn .

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About southern new hampshire university.

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

Academic Degrees, Professional Designations, and Periods

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Since it’s the season of graduations, I thought it appropriate to talk about how to use academic degrees and professional designations.

Typically, abbreviations of academic degrees are written with periods after each element of the degree:

The term “MBA” is commonly written without periods when talking about an executive with certain training rather than the degree itself. The degree is still “M.B.A.” with the periods.

When using the degree as part of the name, do not use personal titles before the name and only use the degree when using a person’s full name:

• Dr. John Powell, M.D. SHOULD BE John Powell, M.D.
• Mr. John Smith, Ph.D. SHOULD BE John Smith, Ph.D.

However, other titles may precede the name when they do not convey the same meaning as the degree that follows the name:

• Dean John Smith, Ph.D.

When two or more academic degrees follow a name, they should be listed in the order they were awarded and honorary degrees should follow earned degrees.

Professional designations are generally written without periods when used alone, but  with periods when used with academic degrees:

• Frank Brown, CPA
• Frank Brown, B.S., M.B.A., C.P.A.
• Kathy Sieckman, PP, PLS, ACP

List professional designations only where one’s professional qualifications are relevant to the topic under discussion. I take this to mean that when you have worked hard to earn professional certifications, they should be used whenever you are representing your profession.

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Names of our degrees

An explanation of the differences in degree names between universities in Scotland and those elsewhere in the UK.

Like other Scottish universities, many of our undergraduate degrees are named 'masters'.

This is unlike elsewhere in the UK , where first degrees are generally 'bachelor' degrees.

Most arts, humanities and social science degrees at Edinburgh are awarded as MA (Hons). This is a conventional undergraduate degree, not equivalent to a postgraduate masters.

Arts degrees studied at Edinburgh College of Art are mostly BA (Hons). They are equivalent to Edinburgh undergraduate degrees named MA - the difference in name is historical.

In science and engineering subjects there is often the choice of a BSc or an integrated masters degree such as MPhys , MChem or MEng . These programmes entail a further year of in-depth study at masters level.

Undergraduate law degrees are awarded as Bachelor of Laws, or LLB (Hons).

The School of Divinity offers the Bachelor of Divinity, BD (Hons)/MDiv (Hons), in addition to MA (Hons) undergraduate degrees.

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In most UK universities, the Master of Arts is a degree awarded by examination. At Cambridge, the MA is conferred by right on holders of the BA degree of the University and on certain other senior members and is not available as a postgraduate qualification.

Possession of the MA, or any other Cambridge masters degree or doctorate, confers membership of the University Senate. This gives the right to:

• participate in Discussions (part of the University's decision-making process)
• vote in the election of a new Chancellor or High Steward
• borrow books from the University Library

Many colleges also offer their senior members the opportunity to dine at High Table on a certain number of occasions each year.

This method of conferment of the MA also exists at the universities of Oxford and Dublin.

Getting your MA

A Bachelor of Arts may be admitted to Master of Arts not less than six years from the end of his or her first term of residence, provided that a supplicat for the latter degree may only be entered after the former degree has been conferred.

This removes the previous requirement for the B.A. Degree to be held for two years before the M.A. can be conferred.

Someone who qualified for the BA but has never had it conferred cannot be entered for the MA, even if the necessary time has passed since the end of their first term of residence, unless and until the BA has been conferred on them.  You cannot have the BA and MA conferred during the same ceremony.

• Further details are available from your college , which will usually inform you when you become eligible.

The MA may also be conferred, under Statute B.II.2, on Heads and Fellows of Colleges and on University Officers who are not Cambridge graduates after (except in the case of Heads and Professors) three years in post.

• Further details are available here.

Degrees by Incorporation

Graduates of the Universities of Oxford or Dublin who hold a post in the University of Cambridge or in a Cambridge College have the privilege of being admitted to an equivalent Cambridge degree 'by incorporation' under Statute B.II.2. Eligibility is similar to that for the MA under statute B.II.2

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MA, MBA, BS, MS, MSW, PhD – What Does It Stand For?

There are lots of benefits of obtaining a degree, be it associate, B.A., M.A. or Ph.D.

Of course, obtaining a degree can be quite expensive but still, there are lots of people who consider it a good investment.

Nevertheless, making a decision about a degree, you want or need to obtain, you need to understand what all these acronyms mean.

Also, what is the difference between, for example, a B.B.A. and a BSN?

If you want to learn about all these aspects, keep reading the article.

In this article, you can find information about all the available degrees and their specifics.

Article Table of Contents

• 1.1 A.A. Associate of Arts
• 1.2 A.S. Associate of Science
• 2.1 B.A. Bachelor of Arts
• 2.2 B.S. Bachelor of Science
• 2.3 B.F.A. Bachelor of Fine Arts
• 2.4 B.B.A. Bachelor of Business Administration
• 2.5 B.Arch Bachelor of Architecture
• 2.6 BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• 2.7 B.E. Bachelor of Engineering
• 3.1 M.A. Master of Arts
• 3.2 M.B.A. Master of Business Administration
• 3.3 M.S. Master of Science
• 3.4 M.S.W. Master of Social Work
• 4.1 Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy
• 4.2 Psy.D. Doctor of Psychology
• 5.1 What Do Those Letters Stand For?
• 5.2 What Is the Difference Between Arts and Science Degrees?
• 5.3 What Designations Exist for Doctoral Students?
• 5.4 What Other Specialized Degrees Exist?

Associate Degrees

Full-time students can obtain an associate degree in two years but part-time students may need more time to complete their training.

It is an undergraduate degree and it can be obtained at vocational schools, community, and technical colleges as well as some universities.

There are 3 main categories of an associate degree:

• A.A. – Associate of Arts
• A.S – Associate of Science
• A.A.S – Associate of Applied Science

If you are interested in technical or vocational career options, an associate degree is a perfect option for you.

You just need to get some post-secondary education to enroll in one of these careers.

It is a formal degree that can be obtained in the shortest period of time and with minimal expenses.

Also, it is a perfect stepping stone for those who plan to get a four-year degree in the future.

After completing such training program, you can transfer your credits towards a bachelor’s degree.

“Graduates with an associate degree had median annual salary of $50,230, compared with $36,210 for high school graduates. They also had a better unemployment rate.”  *Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015

A.A. Associate of Arts

The associate of arts – it is an entry-level undergraduate degree that can be obtained after completion of two years of training.

It can be obtained at junior or community college, trade school or technical school.

Most students apply for it to make it easier to get a bachelor’s degree in the future.

A.S. Associate of Science

A.S. Associate of Science is similar to A.A and it can be obtained just after two years of full-time training.

To obtain this degree, you need to complete a program related to science or technology.

Read more:  Associate Vs. Traditional Education: Differences & Similarities

Bachelor’s Degrees

Most students tend to apply for a bachelor’s degree.

In other words, it is one of the most popular degree options when it comes to post-secondary education.

Also, it is a minimal training requirement for a whole variety of career options.

To obtain this degree, in most cases, you need to complete a four-year training program on a full-time basis.

Nevertheless, in some cases, you may need more time to obtain this degree or you can apply for an accelerated course and obtain your degree faster.

There are two main types of degree – Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.).

Also, there are some other variants usually related to some more specific areas such as Science in Nursing.

Typical Bachelor’s degree course contains 120-semester credits and half of them is general and liberal art disciplines.

The other half – it is subjects related to your majors.

“Bachelor’s degree holders had median annual wages of $70,400 in 2015 — nearly twice the median wages for all occupations and nearly $20,000 more per year than graduates with an associate degree.” *Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015

B.A. Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts is a perfect option for those who want to pursue a career in such fields as liberal arts, humanities or social sciences such as English, creative writing, fine arts or political science.

To obtain it, you need to complete a 4-year program provided by a traditional school or university.

B.S. Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science is a perfect choice for students interested in science and technical areas.

B.F.A. Bachelor of Fine Arts

If you are interested in art history, theater, photography, and film studies, Bachelor of Fine Arts is exactly what you need.

B.B.A. Bachelor of Business Administration

Bachelor of Business Administration is a perfect degree option for anyone who wants to work in such spheres as management, accounting, marketing, etc.

B.Arch Bachelor of Architecture

Anyone, interested in architecture career, should apply for Bachelor of Architecture.

BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing

This technical and hands-on training oriented degree is an ideal option for those who want to obtain a nursing license.

B.E. Bachelor of Engineering

Those who are interested in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer engineering, should apply for a Bachelor of Engineering degree.

Master’s Degrees

Master’s degree – it is a graduate-level training course.

You need about two years of full-time studies to complete it.

You can apply for this program only after obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

According to the data, most graduate students have a full-time job so colleges and universities tend to offer flexible schedules for them.

In such a case, you need more than 2 years to complete your training but it will allow you balancing between your work and studies.

As we’ve already mentioned, you need to have a bachelor’s degree to be able to apply for a master’s degree.

It is a great opportunity to advance your career options or enter a career field that requires a higher level of education.

There are three the most popular master’s degree options:

• M.A. – Master of Arts
• M.S. – Master of Science
• M.B.A. –  Master of Business Administration

“The BLS predicts 13.8% growth in employment for master’s degree holders between 2014 and 2024 — the highest of any level of education.” *Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015

M.A. Master of Arts

This graduate-level degree is the best option for students interested in the humanities, social sciences or fine arts.

M.B.A. Master of Business Administration

You can obtain the Master of Business Administration after completing business administration or management-oriented training program.

Training programs offered for this degree usually oriented around subjects that are closely related to business disciplines such as marketing, accounting, and analysis.

M.S. Master of Science

If you are interested in science and technologies, the Master of Science is a perfect option for you.

M.S.W. Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work is similar to M.B.A.  as it is closely related to social work and most programs are based on related subjects.

Usually, these programs comply with a clinical track or practice track.

The first one is related to work with patients while the second one – to policy, politics, and management.

Doctoral Degrees

A Doctoral degree is the highest academic degree and it can be obtained only in a university.

To complete your training, you need from 3 to 8 years and sometimes even more, depending on the field you are interested in.

Some doctoral degree programs are available only to those who have a bachelor’s degree while others can be obtained after completing an undergraduate program.

There is a variety of Doctoral degree options but the most popular is the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

After completing this degree program, you can work as a teacher in a university or apply for some careers that require extensive training.

For example, psychologists and medical doctors need a doctoral degree if they want to be licensed.

“Workers with a doctoral degree had both the highest median annual salaries — more than $100,000 — and the lowest unemployment of any level of educational attainment.” *Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015

Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy

To begin with, Doctor of Philosophy is a degree that is not only for philosophers.

It is related to a whole variety of disciplines.

Usually, it is programs that are oriented on some intensive researches.

You can apply for it if you already have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree.

Psy.D. Doctor of Psychology

This doctoral degree is quite similar to the standard doctorate.

However, it is a good choice only for those who are interested in psychology.

What Do Those Letters Stand For?

These letters can be divided into two parts.

The first letter indicates the level of the degree:

• B – bachelor’s degree;
• M – master’s degree;
• D – doctoral degree.

The second part of the abbreviation stands for the field of training:

• S -science;
• Ph – philosophy and so on.

What Is the Difference Between Arts and Science Degrees?

As we’ve said before, there are two main types of degree fields – art and science.

Usually, art degrees cover a wide range of disciplines and issues.

At the same time, being a “science” student means you need to have some deep, technical understanding of your field of interest.

What Designations Exist for Doctoral Students?

When it comes to liberal art disciplines, Ph.D. or Doctor of Philosophy is the highest degree you can obtain.

At the same time, those interested in clinical and counseling psychology can obtain PsyD, Doctor of Psychology degree.

Medical students can apply for an M.D. degree and law students – for J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree.

What Other Specialized Degrees Exist?

Among other degrees, there are Master of Social Work (MSW), Doctor of Social Work (DSW), Master of Education degree (MaEd), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

After learning about all the available degree options and their specifications, you can make the right choice.

Just make sure to check various school to find the program that suits your needs most of all.

Noteworthy Resources

• Bachelor’s Degree: What Is It?
• List of College Degrees: What Each of Them Mean
• Associate Vs. Traditional Education: Differences & Similarities
• 10 Best Majors for Undecided Students
• 15 Best Jobs for Psychology Majors