What Is the Title for Someone with a Master’s Degree?

The proper title for someone with a master’s degree is typically not a formal one like “Dr.,” but depending on the degree type and context, certain professional titles or suffixes may be used informally or in specific industries.

Common Titles for Master’s Degree Holders

Unlike doctoral degrees, a master’s degree does not grant a legally recognized title such as “Doctor.” However, there are informal and contextual titles or designations that may be appropriate:

• Mr./Ms./Mx. Name, M.A./M.S./MBA, etc. – This is often used in academic or formal documents where credentials are listed.
• Professional Titles – In business or technical fields, individuals may refer to themselves based on role or certification (e.g., “Licensed Clinical Social Worker” or “Project Manager”).

How to List a Master’s Degree Title

Here are some common examples of how to list someone’s title based on their master’s degree:

Degree	Suffix	Example Usage
Master of Arts	M.A.	Jane Smith, M.A.
Master of Science	M.S.	John Doe, M.S.
Master of Business Administration	MBA	Sam Lee, MBA
Master of Education	M.Ed.	Maria Chen, M.Ed.
Master of Fine Arts	MFA	Alex Turner, MFA

When to Use the Title

Using a master’s degree title is context-dependent. In most casual and even professional interactions, it’s common to omit the suffix. However, it may be used in:

• Resumes and CVs
• Academic or research publications
• Conference name tags or speaking engagements
• Professional email signatures

Conclusion

While a master’s degree does not confer a formal title like “Doctor,” holders may use suffixes such as M.A., M.S., or MBA to denote their qualification in formal writing or professional contexts. The choice to use a title is largely stylistic and situational rather than legally prescribed.

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