master of arts

noun phrase

often capitalized M&A

1

: the recipient of a master's degree that usually signifies that the recipient has passed an integrated course of study in one or more of the humanities and sometimes has completed a thesis involving research or a creative project and that typically requires two years of work beyond a bachelor's degree

2

: the degree making one a master of arts

—abbreviation MA, AM

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1