Editing Master's degree (section)

{{short description|Postgraduate educational qualification}}
{{use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
[[File:Columbia University Master's Degree.jpg|thumb|A [[Master of Science]] degree conferred by [[Columbia University]] in [[New York City]]]]
A '''master's degree'''{{NoteTag|The spelling of ''master's degree'' and ''master's'' without an apostrophe is considered a mistake by many (see [[Apostrophe#Non-standard English use|non-standard apostrophe use]]), but it is becoming more common. It is considered incorrect by most if not all US and most UK and Australian universities, style guides, and dictionaries, for example:  [https://web.archive.org/web/20120719141948/http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/master OED], [http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/master-s-degree Collins], [http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/master-s-degree?a%3Dbritish Cambridge Dictionaries Online], [https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q%3DMaster%27s American Heritage] (master's), [https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q%3Dmaster%27s+degree American Heritage] (master's degree), [http://www.merriam-webster.com/interstitial-ad?next%3D/dictionary/master%27s%20degree Merriam-Webster], and the Macquarie Dictionary as shown in the following Monash University quotation. Monash University's [http://www.monash.edu/about/editorialstyle/editing/apostrophes style guide] directly admits that the incorrectly missing apostrophe used to be more widespread in publications of this and therefore presumably other Australian universities: "Note that both 'bachelor's degree' and 'master's degree', when used in a generic sense, require an apostrophe. While some dislike this convention, it is prescribed by the ''Macquarie Dictionary'' (the Australian standard) and the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' (the UK standard), and aligns with our key institutional partner Warwick University. Currently, you will find the terms used both with and without an apostrophe throughout our online and print publications – gradually, we need to move toward correct usage."}} (from [[Latin]] {{Lang|la|magister}}) is a [[postgraduate]] [[academic degree]] awarded by [[University|universities]] or [[college]]s upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific [[field of study]] or area of [[Profession|professional practice]].<ref name="aqf.edu.au">[http://www.aqf.edu.au/masters.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021072219/http://www.aqf.edu.au/masters.htm|date=October 21, 2008}}</ref> A master's degree normally requires previous study at the [[bachelor's degree|bachelor's]] level, either as a separate degree or as part of an integrated course. Within the area studied, master's graduates are expected to possess advanced knowledge of a specialized body of [[theory|theoretical]] and applied topics; high order skills in [[analysis]], [[Critical thinking|critical evaluation]], or professional application; and the ability to [[problem solving|solve complex problems]] and think [[rigor]]ously and independently.