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{{Short description|Type of master's degree in the fields of humanities and social sciences}}
{{wiktionary|-ma|Ma|ma|ma-}}
{{Other uses|Master of Arts (disambiguation)}}
'''Ma''', '''MA''', or '''master'''
{{Redirect|M.A.|other uses|MA (disambiguation)}}
{{Incomplete|Master of Arts in other continents|date=April 2019}}
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A '''Master of Arts''' ({{lang-la|Magister Artium}} or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated '''MA''' or '''AM''') is the holder of a [[master's degree]] awarded by [[University|universities]] in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of [[Master of Science]]. Those admitted to the degree have typically studied subjects within the scope of the [[humanities]] and [[social sciences]], such as [[history]], [[literature]], [[languages]], [[linguistics]], [[public administration]], [[political science]], [[communication studies]], or [[diplomacy]]; however, different universities have different conventions and may also offer the degree for fields typically considered within the [[natural sciences]] and mathematics. The degree can be conferred in respect of completing courses and passing examinations, research, or a combination of the two.
{{tocright}}
==Academia==
* [[Master of Arts]], a degree award
* [[Marin Academy]], a high school in San Rafael, California
* [[Minnehaha Academy]], a private high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota


The degree of Master of Arts traces its origins to the teaching license or {{lang|la|Licentia docendi}} of the [[University of Paris]], designed to produce “masters” who were graduate teachers of their subjects.<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Master of Arts}}</ref>
==Arts and entertainment==
===Music===
* [[Encyclopaedia Metallum]]: The Metal Archives, a website devoted to heavy metal bands
* [[Ma (Anjan Dutt album)|''Ma'' (Anjan Dutt album)]] (1998)
* [[Ma (Rare Earth album)|''Ma'' (Rare Earth album)]] (1973)
* [[Ma (Sagarika album)|''Ma'' (Sagarika album)]] (1998)
* [[Ma (Zubeen Garg album)|''Ma'' (Zubeen Garg album)]] (2019)
* [[Massive Attack]], a British trip hop band
* In music instructions, "but", especially in the phrase ''ma non troppo'' (see [[Glossary of musical terminology#M]])
* In [[tonic sol-fa]], a flattened me


==Europe==
===Other media===
===Germany===
* [[Ma (film)|''Ma'' (film)]], a 2019 horror film starring Octavia Spencer and Luke Evans
In Germany, the Master of Arts degree was called in [[Latin]] ''Magister Artium''. This degree, which usually required five years of studies, existed in the [[Holy Roman Empire]] and its successors, including the [[German Empire]] and the [[Federal Republic of Germany]], but not in the former [[East Germany]] where all degree courses led to a ''[[Diplom]]''. Traditional ''Magister'' degrees are granted in [[social science]]s and most of the humanities ([[International business|International Business]], Affairs, [[European studies|European Studies]]  and [[Economics]] included), with the exception of visual and performing arts such as music and theatre.
* [[Ma (negative space)]], a word of Japanese origin used in art and design
* "Mature audience", a U.S. [[television rating system]] category, abbreviated TV-MA
* "MA15+", a classification of the Australian [[Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)#Film and video game ratings|Office of Film and Literature Classification]], meaning "Not suitable for ages under 15"
* [[Memory Alpha]], a ''Star Trek''-oriented wiki
* [[Miss America]], a beauty pageant, and the title awarded at said pageant
* [[MA (journal)|''MA'' (journal)]], a Hungarian art magazine


The ''Magister Artium'' held either a double major degree or a combination of one major and two minors. German postgraduate Master's of Arts and Master's of Science degrees were introduced in 2001. Therefore, the new Master of Arts and the old ''Magister Artium'' degrees have existed side by side, since 2010; ''Magister Artium'' degrees are still awarded by some universities, as of 2020. The new Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees together also require five years of studies, which is the reason why the new Master of Arts and the old ''Magister Artium'' degrees are considered equivalent.
===Fictional characters===
* [[Ma (The Lion King)|Ma (''The Lion King'')]], a main character in the animated film ''Lion King 1½''
* [[Ma and Pa Kettle]], 1940s and 1950s comic film characters


===Netherlands===
==Businesses and organizations==
In the Netherlands, the Master of Arts and the Master of Science degrees were introduced in 2002. Until that time, a single program that led to the ''[[doctorandus]]'' degree (or the ''[[ingenieur]]'' degree in the case of technical subjects) was in effect, which comprised the same course-load as the Bachelor and Master programs put together. Those who had already started the ''doctorandus'' program could, upon completing it, opt for the ''doctorandus'' degree, which gave the title “Doctorandus” before their name, abbreviated to 'drs.'; in the case of ingenieur, this would be 'ir.'), or else opt for a master's degree as [[postnominals]] behind their name, in accordance with the new standard ('MA' or 'MSc'). Because these graduates do not hold a separate bachelor's degree (which is in fact – in retrospect – incorporated into the program), the master's degree is their first academic degree.
* [[Malév Hungarian Airlines]] (IATA designator: MA)
* [[Mastercard]] (NYSE stock symbol: MA)
* [[Motorcycling Australia]]
* [[Motorsport Australia]]
* [[Orange Movement]] (''Movimento Arancione''), an Italian political party
* [[Market America]], a product brokerage and internet marketing company
* [[Museums Association]], UK
* Musicians Australia, a trade union run by the [[Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance]]


===Poland===
==Ethnic groups==
The Polish equivalent of Master of Arts is "magister" (its abbreviation "mgr" is placed before one's name, like the title Dr). At the technical universities, a student is awarded with ''inżynier'' (engineer) after three years and then with "magister" after completing another two years of study and graduating. Such persons use titles "mgr inż". In the 1990s, the MA programs usually lasting five years were replaced by separate three-year bachelor's and two-year master's programs. The degree is awarded in the arts (literature, foreign languages, filmmaking, theatre etc.), natural sciences, mathematics, computer science fields, and economics. The completion of a research [[thesis]] is required. All master's degrees in Poland qualify for a [[doctorate]] program.
* [[Mạ people]], a Vietnamese ethnic group
* [[Meshwesh]] (Ma), an ancient Libyan (i.e., Berber) tribe from Cyrenaica


===Nordic countries===
==Human names and individuals==
In Finland, Denmark and Norway, the master's degree is a combined taught/research degree, awarded after two years of studies after completing the bachelor's degree. The student is required to write a scientific thesis.
* [[Ma (surname)]], a common Chinese family name
* [[Spanish naming customs#María|Maria]] (Mª or Ma.), according to Spanish naming customs
* [[Ma Barker]] (1873–1935), American criminal and mother of criminals
* [[Ma Rainey]], stage name of early American blues singer Gertrude Pridgett (1886–1939)
* [[Ma Anand Sheela]], Osho movement leader convicted of multiple attempted murders


In Finland, this master's degree is called a ''filosofian maisteri'' (in Finnish) or ''filosofie magister'' (in Swedish), and it is abbreviated as ''FM'' or "fil.mag.".
==Language==
* [[Má]], a Chinese word for cannabis
* [[Ma (cuneiform)]], a cuneiform sign
* [[Ma (Javanese)]] (ꦩ), a letter in the Javanese script
* [[Ma (kana)]], a Japanese kana
* [[Ma language]], a language spoken in the Democratic Republic of Congo
* [[Ma language (Papuan)]], a language of Papua New Guinea


In Sweden, there is still an intermediate degree between the Bachelor (''kandidat'') and Master called ''magister'' which only requires one year of studies, including a scientific thesis after completing the bachelor's degree. This fourth year typically constitutes the first half of a Master's programme. If not, it may be supplemented by a fifth year and a Master's thesis to obtain a master's degree in the field of study.
==Mythology==
* [[Ma (Sumerian mythology)]], in Sumerian mythology, that from which the "primeval land" was formed
* [[Ma (goddess)]], an Anatolian goddess
* Ma, a mythohistoric entrepreneur for whom the Malaysian town of [[Marang, Terengganu]] was purportedly named


===United Kingdom and Ireland===
==Places==
* [[Ma River]], a river in Vietnam and Laos
* [[Ma, Tibet]], a village and township in Tibet
* [[Morocco]] ([[ISO 3166-1]] country code)
** [[.ma]], the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Morocco
* [[FIPS 10-4]] country code of [[Madagascar]]
* [[Maranhão]], a state of Brazil, postal code MA
* [[Maluku (province)|Maluku]], a province of Indonesia ([[ISO 3166-2:ID]] subdivisions)
* [[Massachusetts]], a state of the United States


====Most universities====
==Science, technology, and mathematics==
Except at Oxford, Cambridge, and Trinity College Dublin (see below) the MA is typically a "taught" postgraduate degree, involving lectures, examination, and a dissertation based on independent research. Taught master's programs involve one or two years of full-time study. Many can be done part-time as well. Until recently, both the undergraduate and postgraduate master's degrees were awarded without grade or class (like the class of an [[honours degree]]). Nowadays, however, master's degrees are normally classified into the categories of Fail, Pass, Pass with Merit, or Pass with Distinction. This education pattern in the United Kingdom is followed in India and many [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth Nations]].
===Chemistry===
* [[Methyl anthranilate]], used as a bird repellent
* [[Minor actinides]], the actinide elements in used nuclear fuel other than uranium and plutonium
* [[Monomethyl aniline]], a solvent, chemical intermediate, and gasoline additive
* Methylammonium (CH<sub>3</sub>NH<sub>3</sub>), e.g., in [[methylammonium lead halide]]s


The [[Master of Laws]] (LLM) is the standard degree taught for law, but certain courses may lead to MA, MLitt, [[Master of Studies]] (MSt), and the [[Bachelor of Civil Law]] (BCL) at [[University of Oxford|Oxford]]. All of these degrees are considered substitutes to one another and are thus generally equivalent.
===Geology===
* [[mega-annum]] (Ma), a million years


====Scotland====
===Health and medicine===
In the [[ancient universities of Scotland]], the degree of Master of Arts is awarded in universities as a four-year undergraduate degree, see [[Master of Arts (Scotland)]].
* [[MA (chemotherapy)]] is an acronym for Mitoxantrone + standard-dose Ara-C (cytarabine) chemotherapy regimen
* [[Marijuana Anonymous]], a group recovery program aimed at marijuana addiction
* [[Marketing authorisation]], an authorisation granted by a regulatory authority to market a new drug
* [[Medical assistant]], a type of health care worker
* [[Metabolic acidosis]], a medical condition in which the pH of body is decreased beyond the normal range
* [[Metabolic alkalosis]], a medical condition in which the pH of body is elevated beyond the normal range
* [[Methamphetamine]], a psychostimulant


The degree of Master of Arts is the first degree awarded in [[arts]], [[humanities]], [[theology]], and [[social sciences]]. However, some universities in Scotland award the degree of [[Master of Letters]] (MLitt) to students in the [[arts]], [[humanities]], [[divinity (academic discipline)|divinity]], and [[social sciences]].
===Mathematics===
* [[MA (complexity)]], a set of decision problems that can be decided by an Arthur–Merlin protocol
* [[Martin's axiom]], an axiom in mathematical logic
* [[Moving-average model]] (MA), in statistics


====Oxford, Cambridge, Dublin (conferred)====
===Measurements===
{{Main|Master of Arts (Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin)}}
* [[Mach number]] (Ma), a measure of speed compared to the speed of sound
At [[University of Oxford|Oxford]], [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]] and the [[University of Dublin]], the title of Master of Arts is conferred [[Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)|after a certain number of years]], without further examination, to those who have graduated as [[Bachelor of Arts]] and who have the requisite years' standing as members of the university or as graduates. This happens, in England, only at the universities of [[University of Oxford|Oxford]], four years after completing a bachelor's degree, and [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]], six years after the first term of study. It is also the case at the University of Dublin.  The abbreviated name of the university (Oxon, Cantab or Dubl) is therefore almost always appended in parentheses to the initials "MA" in the same way that it is to higher degrees, e.g. "John Smith, MA (Cantab), PhD (Lond)", principally so that it is clear (to those who are aware of the system) that these are nominal and unexamined degrees.<ref>Debretts Correct Form (2013 edn) - Academics</ref>
* [[Megaannum]] (Ma), one million (1,000,000) years
* Milli[[ampere]] (mA), and Mega-ampere or Megampere (MA), multiples of Ampere, a unit of electric current
* [[myr#Debate|Myr]], [[Mya (unit)|Mya]], or Ma, meaning "million years ago"


The MLitt is a research degree at the [[University of Cambridge]], where the [[Master of Philosophy]] (MPhil) is the name given to the standard one-year taught degree with a unique research element, in contrast to the use of MPhil at other institutions for a research degree.
===Other uses in science and technology===
* [[Mechanical advantage]] (MA), mechanical multiplier of input force
* [[Mechanical alloying]] (MA), a technique to produce alloys
* Ma, a type of interface in an [[IP Multimedia Subsystem#Interfaces description|IP Multimedia Subsystem]] <!--pipe for section specification only-->


=====Confusion=====
==Other uses==
Research in 2000 by the universities watchdog, the [[Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education]], showed that two-thirds of employers were unaware that the Oxford and Cambridge MA did not represent any kind of post-graduate achievement.<ref>{{cite news|title=Oxbridge students' MA 'degrees' under threat|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/8318460/Oxbridge-students-MA-degrees-under-threat.html|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|access-date=2 January 2013}}</ref>
* [[Ma (mom)]], a synonym for [[Mother]]
* [[Ma clique]], a group of warlords from 1919 until 1928
* [[Martial arts]]
* [[Master-at-arms (United States Navy)]] (MA), an enlisted rating in the US Navy
* [[Metropolitan area]]
* [[Middle Ages]], a period of European history
* [[Motorcycle accident]]


In February 2011, the Labour Member of Parliament [[Chris Leslie (politician)|Chris Leslie]] sponsored a [[private member's bill]] in Parliament, the Master's Degrees (Minimum Standards) Bill, in order to "prohibit universities awarding Master's degrees unless certain standards of study and assessment are met". The Bill's supporters described the practice as a "historical anachronism" and argued that "unearned qualifications" should be discontinued in order to preserve the academic integrity of the taught MA. Further, they warned that the title gave Oxbridge graduates an unfair advantage in the job market. On 21 October 2011, the Bill received its second reading, but it failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session, meaning it fell.<ref>{{cite web|title=Parliamentary business|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/mastersdegreesminimumstandards.html|publisher=UK Parliament|access-date=2 January 2013}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Maa (disambiguation)]]
* [[Mother (disambiguation)]]
* [[Mommy (disambiguation)]]
* [[Mama (disambiguation)]]
* [[Mom (disambiguation)]]
* [[Mum (disambiguation)]]


====Oxford, Cambridge (earned)====
{{disambiguation}}
A number of different master's degrees may be earned at Oxford and Cambridge.  The most common, the Master of Philosophy degree (MPhil), is a two-year research degree. To prepare to graduate as a Master of Science (MSc) or a Master of Studies (MSt) takes only one year, both courses often combining some coursework with research. A Master of Letters (MLitt) is the holder of a pure research master's degree.  More recently, Oxford and Cambridge offer the degree of Master of Business Administration.  Master's degrees are generally offered without classification, although the top five percent may be deemed worthy of Distinction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/courses-a-z-listing|title=Graduate courses A-Z listing - University of Oxford}}</ref> Both universities also offer a variety of four-year undergraduate integrated master's degrees such as [[MEng]] or [[MMath]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/camdata/tripos.html|title=The structure of undergraduate courses at the University of Cambridge|publisher=University of Cambridge|access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses-listing/mathematics?wssl=1|title=Mathematics|publisher=University of Oxford|access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses-listing/engineering-science?wssl=1|title=Engineering Science|publisher=University of Oxford|access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref>
 
== North America ==
{{Main|List of master's degrees in North America}}
In Canada and the United States, the Master of Arts (''Magister Artium'') and [[Master of Science]] (''Magister Scientiæ'') are the basic graduate-level degrees in most subjects and may be course-based, research-based, or, more typically, a combination of the two.<ref>{{citation | url=http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/master.doc | publisher=International Affairs Office, [[U.S. Department of Education]] |date= February 2008 |title= Structure of the U.S. Education System: Master's Degrees |access-date=2010-02-25}}</ref>
 
Admission to a master's program is normally contingent upon holding a [[bachelor's degree]]. Some programs provide for a joint bachelor's and master's after about five years.<ref>See, for example, [http://www.cgu.edu/pages/623.asp the program] run by [[Claremont Graduate University]] for graduates of the [[Claremont Colleges]]</ref> Some universities use the Latin degree names, such as ''Artium Magister'' (AM) or ''Scientiæ Magister'' (SM). For example, [[Harvard University]], [[Dartmouth College]], the [[University of Chicago]], [[MIT]], the [[University of Pennsylvania]], and [[Brown University]] use the abbreviations AM and SM for some of their master's degrees.<ref>{{cite web|title=Degree Programs - The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences|url=http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/programs_of_study/degree_programs.php|publisher=Harvard University|access-date=13 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Degree Abbreviations - Harvard University|url=http://www.harvard.edu/on-campus/commencement/degree-abbreviations|publisher=Harvard University|access-date=3 October 2015}}</ref> A Master of Arts may be given in a scientific discipline, common at [[Ivy League|Ivy League universities]].
 
Many universities offer Master of Arts programs, which are differentiated either as Thesis or Non-Thesis programs. Usually, the duration for a Non-Thesis option is one to two years of full-time study. The period for a Thesis option may last longer, depending also on the required level of courses and complexity of the [[thesis]]. Sometimes, qualified students who are admitted to a "very high research" Master of Arts might have to earn credits also at the PhD level, and they may need to complete their program in about three years of full-time candidature e.g. at the universities [[Harvard University|Harvard]] in the US and [[McGill University|McGill]] in Canada.
 
A thesis must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline. Finally, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field.
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Authority control}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Master of Arts}}
[[Category:Master's degrees|Arts (postgraduate)]]

Latest revision as of 04:22, 8 May 2022

Ma, MA, or master

Academia[edit]

Arts and entertainment[edit]

Music[edit]

Other media[edit]

Fictional characters[edit]

Businesses and organizations[edit]

Ethnic groups[edit]

  • Mạ people, a Vietnamese ethnic group
  • Meshwesh (Ma), an ancient Libyan (i.e., Berber) tribe from Cyrenaica

Human names and individuals[edit]

  • Ma (surname), a common Chinese family name
  • Maria (Mª or Ma.), according to Spanish naming customs
  • Ma Barker (1873–1935), American criminal and mother of criminals
  • Ma Rainey, stage name of early American blues singer Gertrude Pridgett (1886–1939)
  • Ma Anand Sheela, Osho movement leader convicted of multiple attempted murders

Language[edit]

Mythology[edit]

Places[edit]

Science, technology, and mathematics[edit]

Chemistry[edit]

Geology[edit]

Health and medicine[edit]

Mathematics[edit]

Measurements[edit]

  • Mach number (Ma), a measure of speed compared to the speed of sound
  • Megaannum (Ma), one million (1,000,000) years
  • Milliampere (mA), and Mega-ampere or Megampere (MA), multiples of Ampere, a unit of electric current
  • Myr, Mya, or Ma, meaning "million years ago"

Other uses in science and technology[edit]

Other uses[edit]

See also[edit]

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