Degree initials after name?

**nobycane** · 07-25-2005 04:05 PM

I did a vague search on this issue first and came up limited, so I will start a newer thread.

When is it proper to use your degree level initials after your name in a professional manner?
For example, it is very common for individuals whom have obtained their doctorate (Ph.D.) to use the abbreviations after their name (ie: John Q. Public, Ph.D.)...especially in the academic world.

However, is it common to use a graduate degree after your name, such as a Master's level? (ie: John Q. Public, M.A.)

I have seen individuals use both B.A./B.S., M.A./M.S. as their title and seems a bit unusual.

My educational institution is implementing a new procedure in making educational business cards to hand out to students and parents...and their is an option to mark bachelor's, master's or doctorate level.

What are you opinions on this issue?

**Ted Heiks** · 07-25-2005 04:14 PM

Originally posted by nobycane
I did a vague search on this issue first and came up limited, so I will start a newer thread.

When is it proper to use your degree level initials after your name in a professional manner?
For example, it is very common for individuals whom have obtained their doctorate (Ph.D.) to use the abbreviations after their name (ie: John Q. Public, Ph.D.)...especially in the academic world.

However, is it common to use a graduate degree after your name, such as a Master's level? (ie: John Q. Public, M.A.)

I have seen individuals use both B.A./B.S., M.A./M.S. as their title and seems a bit unusual.

My educational institution is implementing a new procedure in making educational business cards to hand out to students and parents...and their is an option to mark bachelor's, master's or doctorate level.

What are you opinions on this issue?

Degree ettiquette says that one can sign onesself "John Doe, PhD" or "John Doe, MBA " or whatever (assuming John Doe actually has the degrees he claims) when acting in a capacity in which the field of expertise of one's degree is relevant. One does not sign onesself "John Doe, PhD" when writing a letter to the editor of your local paper ... unless you have a PhD in World Affairs.

In your case, since the question involves mentioning your degree on educational business cards prepared by your school, you would be perfectly justified in claiming your degrees earned (as degrees in progress, if noted as such).

**me again** · 07-25-2005 04:23 PM

As a cop, I don't use my academic title. But when I teach, I do.

07-25-2005 06:04 PM

As a cop I didn't use my academic title, but who wants to be arrested by mdoneil BS MIS?

As a nurse I didn't use my academic title, but I used my licensure mdoneil RN.

As a librarian I try not to sign stuff.

**DesElms** · 07-25-2005 06:38 PM

Originally posted mdoneil's signature:
Very seldom posting to degreeinfo because of nuts and shills that have made it as bad as AED.

How do you figure that? Just curious.

**Lerner** · 07-25-2005 06:46 PM

Well,

I think it deferes from country to country.
Take UK for example, there people list their degrees and memberships, once a person becomes member of IEE they can use
MIEE designation after their name, CEng is registere with UK EC and also people use degree title in their email signature.

I think in Israel the same a degree is great honor and on email, professional letters one states his degree after his name.

In US I think it's more for Ph.D, Dr and many professional titles such as MD, JD, RN, PE etc.

Learner MSEE, MSIT , PE ;-)

**Mr. Engineer** · 07-25-2005 07:41 PM

In the high tech field, a BS degree is usually the minimum. I have never seen anyone put that on their business card. The oddest one I saw was a Plasma Physicist who put PhD, CCNA, and MCP (even though their job had nothing to do with IT). I had a boss at one company use his certified commercial real estate certification on his business card (previous job - everyone thought it was really odd).

I plan to put MBA on my business card once I finish the course. My brother who is a Chippie has his title (Sgt and then MPA ) on his official business card. My bosses now use dual titles Dr. and PhD.

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**friendorfoe** · 07-25-2005 07:54 PM

Generally the only experience I have had with people using letters after their name BS degree and lower has involved professional certification...such as A+, Network+, MCSE , MCP or the like.

**jimwe** · 07-25-2005 08:55 PM

I saw someone who had "MOB" after their name. What is that? Did they graduate from Mafia U?

**Ted Heiks** · 07-25-2005 09:06 PM

Originally posted by jimwe
I saw someone who had "MOB" after their name. What is that? Did they graduate from Mafia U?

Master of Organizational Behavior?

07-25-2005 10:45 PM

Originally posted by DesElms
How do you figure that? Just curious.

My lack of turning it off presently. Six or eight months ago I was more assured of it.... but now it seems to have settled down. I don't mind divergent opinions (in fact I enjoy divergent opinion I find that divergent opinion challenges my beliefs and that is the only way I may change my opinions or beliefs).

There was a bunch of nonsense arguing going on at that time. I usually remove the tick mark from show signature now.... but apparently it is time to correct my signature.

**Bruce** · 07-25-2005 11:36 PM

Originally posted by me again
As a cop, I don't use my academic title. But when I teach, I do.

I don't, in either situation.

As a cop, I'm known as "Officer Tait", but when I teach, I insist on being addressed as "Bruce". Since I address my students by their first name, why should I be exempt?

**PatsFan** · 07-26-2005 05:12 AM

In the mental health field I see masters degrees and doctorate initials after names, but rarely bachelors degrees. In Massachusetts oftentimes it's just one's license these days, but often its both degree and license:

"MSW , LICSW" or just "LICSW."

Tom

**DesElms** · 07-26-2005 11:17 AM

Originally posted by mdoneil
I don't mind divergent opinions (in fact I enjoy divergent opinion I find that divergent opinion challenges my beliefs and that is the only way I may change my opinions or beliefs).

Now that's refreshing: Someone who not only gets how it's supposed to work, but appreciates -- ne, embraces -- it. We're of one mind on this.

Originally posted by mdoneil
There was a bunch of nonsense arguing going on at that time. I usually remove the tick mark from show signature now.... but apparently it is time to correct my signature.

Ah, now I understand. Cool.

Actually, that's a very good way, now that you call my attention to it, to give readers your status if you take a hiatus from this place. I keep forgetting that whatever one keys-in to one's signature is reflected in all of one's posts, past and present. In other words, the signature does not freeze in time in an old post like the post itself does. If one changes one's signature, it is reflected at the bottom of posts even three or four years ago.

So, for example, if a person were to sign-off from here for a while to, for example, concentrate on his dissertation for a while, he could say so in his signature so that even when people see something he posted a long time ago they would be able to see that he's not around much anymore and, therefore, anything written in response may not get read or further responded to.

Interesting. And useful. See? Ya' learn (or, at the very least have called to your attention) something new every day. Thanks.

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**nosborne48** · 07-26-2005 11:36 AM

Health care folks NEED to use their degree abbreviations when signing work related stuff because the degree initials can convey a lot of useful information to the reader. Putting "M.D." after a physician's signature is not done to impress the reader or gratify the physician. It's done to convey that the writer is a physician and trained, and empowered, to decide and do certain important things. That's th best rule, I think. No one should attempt to use a degree abbreviation just to impress, IMHO.

But BOY do they ever! Especially in Education (sorry Dr. Pina)!

Now, when discharging particular professional duties, the signer may be required to demonstrate his professional authority. "John Smith, C.P.A." MUST sign annual statements concerning the entities he audits WITH his title. (But not, mind you, with his M. Acc . degree)

Lawyers sign pleadings with a statement identifying whom they represent, i.e. "John Smith, Attorney for the plaintiff Fred Jones" but usually avoid "Attorney at Law" and almost ALWAYS avoid "J.D." Again, the designation is used to convey significant information rather than to impress the reader.

**CalDog** · 07-26-2005 02:34 PM

Originally posted by nosborne48
Now, when discharging particular professional duties, the signer may be required to demonstrate his professional authority...Again, the designation is used to convey significant information rather than to impress the reader.

In California, Professional Engineers and Professional Geologists are required to use the PE or PG titles. Not just on stamped plans or reports -- they are required to notify clients and potential clients of that fact that they are state-licensed and state-regulated, even before any report is prepared. There are different ways to satisfy the notification requirement; they include using the titles on business cards and correspondence, or displaying license certificates or signs in the office. The regulations even specify what minimum size font you can use (presumably so it is not buried in the fine print).

For the same reason, you will also see license certificates displayed at the barber shop or hair salon.

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