A MRS Degree or M.R.S. Degree is a slang term in North American English[1] for when a young woman attends college or university with the intention of finding a potential spouse[2], as opposed to pursuing academic achievement for a future career.[3][4] The term derives from "Mrs.", a common honorific for married women,[5] and its similarity to abbreviations for academic degrees, such as "M.S." for a Master of Science. It is a faux acronym, as it does not stand for anything individually even though its letters are pronounced individually when spoken aloud.[5] The earliest use of the term was in 1860,[1] but the term "MRS degree" was most commonly used during the mid 20th century in North America, a period of time when higher education became more accessible, yet the possibilities for women were still very limited.[6][1]
