You’d think someone with a college education would know whether or not to use an apostrophe, but apparently they don’t teach this anymore.

The professor says use an apostrophe. Why you ask, o seeker of knowledge? Because bachelor has two meanings: An unmarried man and someone (male or female) who has earned a college degree. Since the degree is owned by this graduate, an apostrophe is needed to show possession.

One more thing: Lowercase bachelor unless giving the name of a specific degree. So you can have a bachelor’s degree or a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Bonus for advanced students seeking additional coursework: The same rules apply for masters degree vs. master’s degree.

______________

My name is Rob Bignell. I’m an affordable, professional editor who runs Inventing Reality Editing Service, which meets the manuscript needs of writers both new and published. I also offer a variety of self-publishing services. During the past decade, I’ve helped more than 300 novelists and nonfiction authors obtain their publishing dreams at reasonable prices. I’m also the author of the 7 Minutes a Day… writing guidebooks, four nonfiction hiking guidebook series, and the literary novel Windmill. Several of my short stories in the literary and science fiction genres also have been published.