Is It Associate's or Associates Degree? (And "Associate Degree")

It's one of the most second-guessed phrases on a résumé: is it an associate's degree, an associate degree, or an associates degree? Here's the clean answer. The possessive form, "associate's degree" (with an apostrophe), is the version universities, the U.S. Department of Education, and most style guides prefer. "Associate degree" (no apostrophe) is also correct — it's what AP style, used in journalism, recommends. And "associates degree" (plural, no apostrophe) is the one to avoid: it's common, but it's considered incorrect. When in doubt, write associate's degree.

The three versions, ranked

• Associate's degree — recommended for most writing. The possessive form, used by universities, registrars, the U.S. Department of Education, employers, and the Chicago Manual of Style. Safe for résumés, cover letters, applications, and academic work.
• Associate degree — correct in AP style. The Associated Press Stylebook drops the apostrophe and treats "associate" as a descriptive word rather than a possessive. Common in news writing and in some institutions' branding.
• Associates degree — avoid. A plural with no apostrophe. It shows up everywhere, but it isn't the accepted form in either camp.

So both "associate's degree" and "associate degree" are defensible depending on the style guide you're following; "associates degree" is the misstep.

Why there are two "correct" answers

The split comes down to which style guide a writer follows:

• AP style (journalism) favors brevity and treats academic levels as modifiers, so it writes associate degree, bachelor degree — no apostrophe.
• Academic and professional usage — universities, the Department of Education, Chicago style — treats the level as possessive: the degree of an associate, hence associate's degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree.

For anything institutional — a transcript, an application, a résumé read by a registrar or hiring manager — the possessive form is the safer choice, because that's what those readers expect.

The same rule for bachelor's and master's

The apostrophe question isn't unique to the associate level. The same logic runs up the ladder:

• Bachelor's degree (possessive) is standard; "bachelors degree" is the common error.
• Master's degree (possessive) is standard; "masters degree" is the error.
• Doctorate / doctoral degree sidesteps the issue — no apostrophe needed.

If you remember "bachelor's" and "master's" take an apostrophe, "associate's" fits the same pattern.

A note on capitalization

Lowercase the generic reference — an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree — and capitalize only the full, formal name of a specific degree: Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science. So "She earned an associate's degree" but "She earned an Associate of Applied Science." This trips people up as often as the apostrophe does.

Quick reference

You wrote…	Verdict
associate's degree	✅ Preferred (universities, Chicago, employers)
associate degree	✅ Correct in AP (journalism) style
associates degree	❌ Avoid — common but incorrect
Associate of Arts (AA)	✅ Capitalize the formal degree name

Why the exact wording matters

On a résumé or application, small errors in how you name your own credential can read as carelessness to the person reviewing it — and the credential is the thing they're checking. Getting associate's degree right is a tiny detail that signals you sweat the details. If you're weighing the credential itself rather than how to spell it, our guides to diploma vs. degree and the types of college degrees cover what each one means.

And once you've earned it, the diploma is the part you frame. If your associate or bachelor's diploma is lost or damaged, or you'd like a clean copy for the wall, DiplomaCraft makes replica college diplomas recreated from your details, printed on heavyweight acid-free parchment with a metallic gold foil seal. These are novelty, replacement, and display keepsakes — not official credentials, not issued by any school, and not for employment, enrollment, licensing, or any government process.

Frequently asked questions

Is it associate's or associates degree?
Use "associate's degree" (with the apostrophe) for résumés, academic, and professional writing. "Associate degree" (no apostrophe) is correct in AP/journalism style. "Associates degree" is incorrect.

Does "associate degree" without an apostrophe count as wrong?
No — it's the accepted AP style form. It's only "associates" (plural, no apostrophe) that's considered incorrect.

Is it "associate's degree" or "Associate's Degree"?
Lowercase for the generic reference ("an associate's degree"); capitalize only the formal name of a specific degree, like "Associate of Science."

What about bachelor's and master's?
Same rule — both take an apostrophe. "Bachelors degree" and "masters degree" are the common errors.

The bottom line

Write associate's degree and you'll be right in almost every context that matters — résumés, applications, and academic writing. Associate degree is fine in AP/journalism style. Just skip associates degree, which is the one version no style guide endorses.

Sources

• Apostrophe usage and AP vs. academic style: The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation; AP Stylebook guidance on academic degrees (as summarized by Writing Explained).
• Possessive form preference reflects university style guides, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Chicago Manual of Style.