If you’re wondering whether to write “a MA” or “an MA,” the answer is simple: “an MA” is correct.
This is because “MA” starts with a vowel sound when spoken aloud, even though the letter M is technically a consonant. Keep reading to understand exactly why.
Is It “A MA” or “An MA”?
The correct phrase is always “an MA,” never “a MA.” This rule applies whether you’re talking about earning an MA degree, applying to an MA program, or writing about someone who holds an MA.
Why “An MA” Is Grammatically Correct
When you say the letter “M” out loud, it sounds like “em.” That “em” sound starts with a vowel sound, so it takes “an” instead of “a.”
The Common Mistake People Make with “A MA”
Writers often apply the visual rule (M is a consonant, so use “a”) instead of the sound rule. This mix-up shows up constantly in essays, resumes, and even published articles.
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The Rule Behind “An MA” — Sound, Not Spelling
English grammar bases the choice between “a” and “an” on pronunciation, not on whether a letter is technically a vowel or consonant. This is one of the most misunderstood rules in the language.
Vowel Sounds vs. Vowel Letters
A word takes “an” when its first sound is a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u), regardless of the actual first letter. “MA” is pronounced “em-ay,” and “em” opens with a vowel sound.
Other Examples Like “An MA” (An MBA, An Hour, An Honor)
| Word | Correct Article | Why |
|---|---|---|
| MBA | an MBA | “em” sound |
| Hour | an hour | silent H |
| Honor | an honor | silent H |
| Umbrella | an umbrella | vowel sound |
| University | a university | “yoo” sound (consonant sound) |
Correct Usage Examples
- She earned an MA in psychology last spring.
- He’s applying to an MA program in creative writing.
- Having an MA can boost your earning potential in many fields.
Incorrect Usage to Avoid
- ❌ She earned a MA in psychology.
- ❌ He wants a MA degree.
- ❌ Having a MA helped her career.
Does It Change If You Write “Master of Arts” Instead of “MA”?
Yes, it does. This is where a lot of confusion comes from, so it’s worth breaking down clearly.
“A Master of Arts” vs. “An MA” — Why Both Can Be Right
When you spell out the full phrase, it starts with the consonant sound “M” as in “Master,” so you use “a Master of Arts.”
But when you use the abbreviation, the first sound is “em,” so you use “an MA.” The written form changes the sound, and the sound decides the article.
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Common Exceptions and Tricky Abbreviations
Abbreviations are the biggest source of “a” vs “an” mistakes because they’re often pronounced letter-by-letter rather than as full words.
Words That Confuse the A/An Rule (MA, MBA, PhD, Hour)
- An MA — pronounced “em-ay”
- An MBA — pronounced “em-bee-ay”
- A PhD — pronounced “pee-aych-dee” (starts with consonant sound “pee”)
- An hour — silent H, vowel sound follows
When to Use “A” vs “An”
Here’s a simple checklist you can apply to any word or abbreviation, not just “MA.”
A Simple Checklist You Can Always Use
- Say the word out loud first, not just the spelling.
- If it starts with a vowel sound, use “an.”
- If it starts with a consonant sound, use “a.”
- With abbreviations, sound out each letter individually.
Conclusion
The rule is short and easy to remember: always write “an MA,” never “a MA,” because the letter M sounds like it starts with a vowel. Once you sound out the word instead of just looking at the spelling, this rule becomes second nature.
FAQs About “A MA” or “An MA”
Is it “a MA” or “an MA” degree?
It’s always “an MA” degree, since “MA” is pronounced “em-ay,” which starts with a vowel sound.
Why is it “an MA” and not “a MA” if M is a consonant?
The rule follows pronunciation, not spelling, and “em” begins with a vowel sound.
Is it “a MBA” or “an MBA”?
It’s “an MBA,” for the same reason as “an MA” — the letter M sounds like “em.”
Do all abbreviations starting with vowels use “an”?
Mostly yes, but it depends on how each letter is actually pronounced aloud, not just its written form.
Is “an M.A.” the same rule as “an MA”?
Yes, punctuation doesn’t matter here. Note that British English sometimes punctuates it as “an M.A.,” but the sound-based rule for “an” stays the same either way.
Olivia Smith is the author and admin of GrammarAct, an informational grammar website. She writes clear guides, simple explanations, and helpful lessons to make grammar easy for everyone.