Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - master of arts

 Usage: often capitalized M&A  Date: 15th century  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 ~ — abbreviation MA, AM