maestría
/maesˈtɾia/
In Spanish, a master degree is expressed as maestría.
The term refers to an advanced academic degree awarded by a university after a student completes a course of study beyond a bachelor's degree. To specify a field of study, you should follow the word with the preposition en, such as maestría en [subject].
Which one should you use?
While maestría is the standard term in many Latin American countries, the term máster is more frequently used in Spain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Maestría is widely used across many Latin American countries, whereas máster is more prevalent in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of maestría is maestrías. The term máster is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/maesˈtɾia/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid translating 'master's degree' literally as grado de maestro, as this sounds like a teaching certification rather than an academic postgraduate degree.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking academic contexts, a person holding a maestría might be referred to as a magíster, a title borrowed directly from Latin.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word maestría also refers to a person's 'mastery' or exceptional skill in a specific craft or art.
- The word maestría comes from the Latin word magister, which is the same root found in the English word 'magistrate'.
Examples in context
- Obtuve un máster en Ciencias Políticas.I obtained a master's degree in Political Science.
- Ella está cursando un máster en Administración de Empresas.She is pursuing a master's degree in Business Administration.
- Decidí especializarme y realizar un máster en Derecho Internacional.I decided to specialize and pursue a master's degree in International Law.
- Decidí realizar un posgrado en Ingeniería Biomédica.I decided to pursue a postgraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering.
- Obtuve mi máster en Derecho Internacional.I obtained my master's degree in International Law.
- Estoy terminando mi máster en Psicología.I am finishing my master's degree in Psychology.
- Voy a comenzar mi maestría en Literatura Española.I am going to start my master's degree in Spanish Literature.
- Ella está terminando su maestría.She is finishing her master's degree.
- Quiero estudiar una maestría en España.I want to study for a master's degree in Spain.
- El requisito es tener una maestría.The requirement is to have a master's degree.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their career plans over coffee.
- Alejandro¿Vas a cursar una maestría el próximo año?Are you going to take a master's degree next year?
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, quiero especializarme en marketing.Yes, Alejandro, I want to specialize in marketing.
- AlejandroEs una gran idea para tu carrera.It is a great idea for your career.
- MaríaGracias, espero encontrar una buena universidad.Thanks, I hope to find a good university.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry maestría, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maestría, CC BY-SA 4.0.
