Quick answer: The correct spelling is Bachelor’s degree (with an apostrophe). The phrase “bachelors degree” (without an apostrophe) is a grammatical error, as the degree belongs to a bachelor, making it a possessive noun that requires punctuation.
When searching for the correct phrasing between a bachelors degree or bachelors degree, you are encountering one of the most common punctuation pitfalls in the English language. This confusion arises because the apostrophe is completely silent when spoken aloud, leading many writers to assume the word is simply a plural noun rather than a possessive one. Furthermore, aggressive autocorrect software on smartphones and laptops frequently strips punctuation from compound phrases, normalizing the incorrect spelling over time. As a veteran copy editor who has corrected this exact mistake in thousands of real manuscripts, cover letters, and resumes, I can tell you that mastering this rule is essential for projecting professional credibility.
| Term | Meaning / When to use | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | The grammatically correct, possessive form used to describe an undergraduate academic qualification. | She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology last spring. |
| Bachelors degree | An incorrect, non-standard spelling that omits the necessary possessive apostrophe. | (Incorrect) He is pursuing a bachelors degree in computer science. |
When to use Bachelor’s degree
You must use Bachelor’s degree whenever you are referring to the general undergraduate academic qualification. This is not a stylistic suggestion or a minor formatting preference; it is a hard grammatical rule enforced by every major editorial style guide, including the APA Publication Manual, the MLA Handbook, and the Chicago Manual of Style. The term is possessive because the degree conceptually “belongs” to the rank of a bachelor.
In professional and academic writing, precision matters. Hiring managers and admissions committees often use minor grammatical errors as a filter to assess a candidate’s attention to detail. Getting this right signals that you understand basic professional grammar conventions. Here is how this looks in real-world professional contexts:
- Resume Education Section: “Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, University of Texas, 2022.” Notice that “degree” is lowercase, and “Bachelor’s” contains the apostrophe. This signals to hiring managers that you understand basic professional grammar.
- Cover Letter: “My bachelor’s degree in communications has equipped me with the strong writing and analytical skills necessary for this role.” Again, the “b” is lowercase because it is a general reference, but the apostrophe remains non-negotiable.
- Professional Email: “I am writing to inquire about prerequisite courses for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.” Using the correct punctuation here establishes immediate credibility with academic advisors or admissions officers.
When to use bachelors degree
You should never use “bachelors degree” in formal, academic, or professional writing. It is a grammatical error. The only acceptable time to type this exact phrase is when you are intentionally quoting a typo, analyzing search engine keyword data, or explicitly discussing the error itself (as we are doing in this very article).
Because this is an incorrect form, your “usage” of it will almost always involve identifying and correcting it. Here is how you handle this in practical scenarios:
- Correcting a Draft: If you are editing a peer’s essay and see the sentence, “She is pursuing a bachelors degree,” you must change it to “She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree” before it is submitted or published.
- Quoting or Correcting a Text: If a friend texts you, “Just finished my bachelors degree!”, you might reply, “Congratulations on finishing your bachelor’s degree!” to subtly model the correct spelling without being overtly pedantic.
- SEO and Web Content Strategy: If you are writing website copy, you might note internally, “Many applicants mistakenly search for ‘bachelors degree’ online, but our university landing page must always display ‘bachelor’s degree’ to maintain institutional credibility.”
How to remember the difference
The most reliable way to remember this rule is to apply the Ownership Test. Ask yourself: Does the degree belong to the bachelor? Yes. Therefore, it requires an apostrophe followed by an “s”, exactly like “the dog’s bone,” “the teacher’s desk,” or “the company’s policy.” The degree is a possession of the scholar who earned it.
Here is a veteran editor-level insight that beginners often overlook: this possessive pattern holds perfectly true across all levels of higher education. You would never write “a students degree” or “a masters degree.” The grammatical structure is identical. It is always an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree. The only exception at the highest level is the “doctoral degree” or “Doctor of Philosophy,” which uses an adjective form rather than a possessive noun. By memorizing the entire academic ladder as possessive nouns, you inoculate yourself against making this mistake on any resume or formal document.
Common mistakes and exceptions
Even when writers know the basic rule, several nuanced exceptions and frequent mistakes can trip them up. The most common error I correct in manuscripts is the improper capitalization of the term. Writers often assume that because it is an academic credential, it must be capitalized. This is false. The rule is straightforward: when you use the general possessive form, it is always lowercase (“bachelor’s degree”). You only capitalize the word “Bachelor” when you are stating the full, official name of the degree. In that specific case, you drop the word “degree” and the apostrophe entirely.
Consider these precise examples:
- Correct (general): She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology.
- Correct (specific): She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
- Incorrect: She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology.
- Incorrect: She earned a bachelor of science in biology.
Another major exception involves pluralization. Writers frequently stumble when trying to indicate that a person holds more than one of these qualifications. The correct plural form is bachelor’s degrees. The apostrophe remains firmly before the “s” in “bachelor’s” because each individual qualification is a “bachelor’s degree.” You simply make the word “degree” plural by adding a regular “s” to the end.
- Correct: He holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in history and one in economics.
- Incorrect: He holds two bachelors degrees.
- Incorrect: He holds two bachelor’s degree’s.
To understand why this rule exists, it helps to look at the history of the terminology. According to Degree, an academic degree is a qualification awarded on successful completion of a course of study in higher education. The possessive form indicates the classification of this qualification, linking it to the historical rank of the scholar. Furthermore, the historical root of the term, as noted in entries on Bachelors, traces back to medieval universities where a “bachelor” was a junior member of a guild or university. Because the degree belongs to that specific rank or person, the English language requires the possessive apostrophe to show that relationship.
Finally, regarding US vs. UK differences, the possessive rule remains identical in both variants of English. Whether you are writing for a London-based publisher or a New York-based corporation, “bachelor’s degree” is the mandated standard. In the UK, you may see the term abbreviated more frequently as “BA” or “BSc” without the word “degree” attached, but whenever the full phrase is written out, the apostrophe is non-negotiable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bachelor’s degree or bachelor degree? It is always “bachelor’s degree” with an apostrophe when used in the possessive form. While “bachelor degree” is sometimes used as an informal shortcut in casual conversation, it is considered grammatically incorrect in all formal writing and professional contexts.
Do you capitalize bachelor’s degree on a resume? No, you should lowercase it as “bachelor’s degree” unless you are writing the full, specific, official name of the degree, such as “Bachelor of Arts in History.” General references to the credential are always lowercase.
How do you make bachelor’s degree plural? The correct plural form is “bachelor’s degrees.” The apostrophe remains before the “s” in “bachelor’s” because the possessive nature of the word does not change, and you simply add a regular “s” to the end of “degree” to make the noun plural.
Why do some people write bachelors degree without an apostrophe? This is almost always a typographical error, a result of aggressive autocorrect software stripping punctuation, or a fundamental misunderstanding of possessive grammar rules. It is not accepted or endorsed by any major academic or professional style guide.
Tyler Miller is an enthusiastic language analyst with a focus on word comparisons who has spent the past five years contributing to WhichWordHub with insightful content. Graduating with a degree in English Language and Linguistics from the University of Michigan, Tyler quickly developed a keen interest in how subtle differences in word choice can alter meaning and tone. Prior to his current role, he worked as a freelance writer and language tutor, where he gained valuable insights into the varied challenges learners face with English vocabulary. His passion for helping others understand these subtleties inspired him to write extensively on word distinctions and their practical applications. Tyler’s articles often emphasize context-driven language use and the importance of selecting the right word to convey the intended message accurately. He is committed to guiding readers through the complex web of English vocabulary, offering clear explanations and real-world examples to enhance their linguistic proficiency.