If you’ve ever paused before writing bachelors degree or bachelor’s degree, you’re not alone I’ve seen this small apostrophe cause confusion in resumes, applications, and professional writing. I’ve learned that the correct choice depends on whether you’re using the phrase as a general description or as the name of a specific degree. So, which form should you use when you want your writing to look polished and professional?
Quick Answer
Bachelor’s degree is the correct standard form when you mean an undergraduate university degree.
The apostrophe and s show possession: a degree belonging to or associated with a bachelor.
- Correct: She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology.
- Incorrect: She earned a bachelors degree in biology.
However, when Bachelor is part of an official degree title, the wording can be different:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Business Administration
These official names do not use an apostrophe.
Bachelors Degree vs Bachelor’s Degree: Main Difference
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Correct? | Best Used For | Example |
| bachelor’s degree | An undergraduate university degree | Yes | General writing and conversation | “I have a bachelor’s degree.” |
| bachelors degree | Intended to mean a bachelor’s degree | No, in standard English | Avoid this form | “She earned a bachelors degree.” |
| bachelors | Plural of bachelor, meaning unmarried men | Yes | Referring to more than one bachelor | “The two bachelors lived together.” |
| Bachelor of Arts | A specific degree title | Yes | Official degree names | “He earned a Bachelor of Arts.” |
| Bachelor of Science | A specific degree title | Yes | Official degree names | “She has a Bachelor of Science.” |
What Does Bachelor’s Degree Mean?
A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate academic degree normally awarded after completing a bachelor’s program at a college or university.
The word bachelor’s contains an apostrophe because it is a possessive form.
You can think of it as meaning a degree of a bachelor.
Examples:
- “I am working toward a bachelor’s degree in English.”
- “She completed her bachelor’s degree last year.”
- “He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science.”
- “A bachelor’s degree can help you qualify for many professional positions.”
- “My sister is studying for her bachelor’s degree.”
The phrase can refer to many undergraduate degrees, including degrees in education, business, science, arts, engineering, and other fields.
What Does Bachelors Degree Mean?
Bachelors degree is usually an attempt to write bachelor’s degree without the apostrophe.
In standard English, this spelling is incorrect when you mean an undergraduate degree.
The confusion often happens because people hear the phrase rather than see it written. The apostrophe does not change the pronunciation, so it is easy to leave it out when typing.
For example:
- Incorrect: “I have a bachelors degree in history.”
- Correct: “I have a bachelor’s degree in history.”
There is a legitimate word bachelors, but it has a different meaning. It is the plural of bachelor, referring to more than one unmarried man.
For example:
“Three bachelors rented the apartment.”
Here, bachelors is correct because it is simply the plural noun. It does not describe a degree.
How to Use Bachelor’s Degree
Use bachelor’s degree when you are talking generally about an undergraduate university degree.
1. Use the apostrophe
Write:
bachelor’s degree
Not:
bachelors degree
2. Use lowercase for a general reference
When you are talking about a degree generally, lowercase is normally appropriate:
“She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.”
3. Capitalize an official degree name
When using a formal degree title, capitalization may be appropriate:
“She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.”
Notice that Bachelor of Science does not contain an apostrophe.
4. You can shorten the phrase
After the meaning is clear, you can often simply say bachelor’s:
“He has a bachelor’s.”
This is grammatically acceptable, although bachelor’s degree is clearer when the reader needs complete information.
Correct and incorrect examples
- Correct: “I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree.”
- Incorrect: “I am pursuing a bachelors degree.”
- Correct: “She earned a Bachelor of Arts.”
- Incorrect: “She earned a Bachelor’s of Arts.”
The second correction is important: Bachelor of Arts is the standard degree title, not Bachelor’s of Arts.
Where to Use Bachelor’s Degree
The phrase bachelor’s degree works in almost every type of communication.
School writing
“Students can pursue a bachelor’s degree after completing secondary education.”
Formal writing
“Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.”
Emails
“I have attached my résumé and information about my bachelor’s degree.”
Everyday conversation
“What did you study for your bachelor’s degree?”
Professional communication
“The position requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.”
Applications and résumés
On a résumé, you may write either a general description or the official degree name:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
This is often better than simply writing bachelor’s degree because it identifies the exact qualification.
Why People Get Confused
The main problem is the apostrophe.
When people say bachelor’s degree, the apostrophe cannot be heard. This makes it easy to write bachelors degree by mistake.
There is also a second source of confusion: bachelor has more than one meaning.
A bachelor can mean an unmarried man, while a bachelor’s degree refers to an academic qualification.
Compare:
- “He is a bachelor.”
- “He earned a bachelor’s degree.”
The first sentence describes a person. The second describes an academic qualification.
Another common problem is confusing the general phrase bachelor’s degree with official titles such as Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Leaving out the apostrophe
Wrong:
“She has a bachelors degree.”
Correct:
“She has a bachelor’s degree.”
The apostrophe is required in the standard possessive form.
Mistake 2: Adding an apostrophe to a plural degree title
Wrong:
“She earned two bachelor’s degrees.”
Correct:
“She earned two bachelor’s degrees.”
The apostrophe stays because bachelor’s describes the type of degree, while degrees becomes plural.
Mistake 3: Writing Bachelor’s of Arts
Wrong:
“He earned a Bachelor’s of Arts.”
Correct:
“He earned a Bachelor of Arts.”
Bachelor of Arts is the standard formal degree title.
Mistake 4: Confusing bachelors with bachelor’s
Wrong meaning:
“The university offers several bachelors degrees.”
Correct:
“The university offers several bachelor’s degrees.”
Here, bachelors does not mean multiple degree programs.
Real-Life Examples
At school
“I plan to complete my bachelor’s degree before applying to graduate school.”
At work
“The company prefers candidates with a bachelor’s degree.”
In a meeting
“Does this position require a bachelor’s degree?”
In a message
“I finished my bachelor’s degree last summer.”
On a résumé
“Bachelor of Business Administration, 2025”
During a conversation
“What did you study for your bachelor’s?”
In an application
“Please provide details about your bachelor’s degree.”
Bachelor’s Degree vs Bachelor of Arts
These expressions are related but not identical.
Bachelor’s degree is a general phrase. It can refer to an undergraduate degree of many types.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a specific degree title.
Likewise, Bachelor of Science (BS or BSc) is a specific degree title.
For example:
“I have a bachelor’s degree.”
This gives general information.
“I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology.”
This gives the specific degree name and field.
This distinction is useful when completing job applications, university forms, résumés, and professional profiles.
A Simple Decision Guide
Use this quick guide:
Are you talking about an undergraduate degree generally?
↓
Use bachelor’s degree.
Are you naming a specific official qualification?
↓
Use Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or the official degree title.
Are you talking about more than one unmarried man?
↓
Use bachelors.
Are you writing “bachelors degree” to mean an academic qualification?
↓
Change it to bachelor’s degree.
Easy Trick to Remember
Think of the phrase as “a degree belonging to a bachelor.”
That possessive relationship helps you remember the apostrophe:
bachelor → bachelor’s degree
A quick visual rule is:
bachelor’s = degree
bachelors = unmarried men
If you are talking about education, remember the apostrophe.
Mini Quiz
- Which is correct?
a) bachelors degree
b) bachelor’s degree - Complete the sentence: “She earned a ___ degree in English.”
a) bachelor’s
b) bachelors - Which is correct?
a) Bachelor of Science
b) Bachelor’s of Science - Which word means more than one unmarried man?
a) bachelor’s
b) bachelors - Choose the correct sentence:
a) “He has a bachelors degree.”
b) “He has a bachelor’s degree.” - Which form is appropriate for a specific official qualification?
a) Bachelor of Arts
b) Bachelor’s of Arts
Quiz Answers
- b) bachelor’s degree
- a) bachelor’s
- a) Bachelor of Science
- b) bachelors
- b) He has a bachelor’s degree.
- a) Bachelor of Arts
Related Confusing Words
- bachelor’s degree or bachelors degree
- master’s degree or masters degree
- associate degree or associate’s degree
- Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor’s of Arts
- master’s or masters
- its or it’s
- your or you’re
- affect or effect
FAQs About Bachelor’s Degree
Is “bachelors degree” correct?
No. When referring to an undergraduate qualification, the standard form is bachelor’s degree with an apostrophe.
Is “bachelor’s degree” correct?
Yes. Bachelor’s degree is the standard general expression for an undergraduate degree.
Why does bachelor’s have an apostrophe?
The apostrophe marks the possessive form of bachelor. It indicates a degree associated with a bachelor.
Is “Bachelor of Arts” different from “bachelor’s degree”?
Yes. Bachelor’s degree is a general term, while Bachelor of Arts is a specific degree title.
Should “bachelor’s degree” be capitalized?
Usually, no, when it is used generally. For example, “She earned a bachelor’s degree.” Official degree names such as Bachelor of Arts are capitalized.
Conclusion
The correct standard form is bachelor’s degree, with an apostrophe before the s.
Use it when referring generally to an undergraduate university qualification.
For specific titles, write Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or the official name of the degree.
Remember: bachelor’s degree refers to education, while bachelors simply means more than one bachelor.
Sharpen Your English:
- Receive or Recieve | Confused Every Time You Type It? Here’s the Correct Answer
- Lice or Dandruff | Why That Itchy Scalp May Not Be What You Think
I am Nolan Everhart, a content writer interested in knowledge, useful discoveries, and practical guidance. I enjoy exploring questions that people commonly ask and breaking down information into straightforward explanations. My writing focuses on helping readers learn something valuable without having to search through confusing or unnecessary details. I believe that useful content should be accurate, engaging, and written with the reader’s needs in mind.
Books:
- The Everyday Knowledge Handbook
- Questions Worth Understanding
Marlowe Bennett
info.myworkonline@gmail.com