Listing Credentials?????

Hi All,

Something I've noticed over time in the forum is how many posters are increasingly listing their educational credentials, ie. AA, etc. and even in progress or future planned.

Is their any etiquette for this? should everyone?
If you don't are you hiding something?

Its petty but hey, aren't we all at times.

Any opinions?

 

There is little utility in listing an AA, but most of us worked for it and so we proudly list it. Besides, it makes us look like we have more than what is really there. It is filler, sort of like adding bread to meatloaf.

In the real world, one would never list an academic degree that they did not possess. Having said that – I have seen it done, but it is not etiquette, IMO. But here in the surreal world of an educational chat forum, many people list their unearned degree simply to inform onlookers of what their goal is.

While at this forum and out of a great deal of curiousity, I always look to see what schools people graduated from, if they have them listed in their signature. Sometimes I'm disappointed when they don't list their degrees because it makes it harder for me to ascertain "where they are coming from."

 

The only time I wonder about someone's current education status is if they are being nasty or condescending to someone else about their education. Otherwise, I don't much care. I do enjoy, I think it's ItalianSuperNova's litany of created degrees under his signature. It's very funny.

 

IMO it is a personal choice, I don't, but not because of any problem I just don't.

But here they are:

Undergrad And the snow is finally gone (had 12" on the ground last week!)

MBA

Currently Attending(PhD)

 

My husband and I have had this debate. He has his AA, and then a bachelor's, same field. I think he should only name the bachelor's, since it is an extension of the exact same degree, but that would not hold for a graduate degree. .

I have an undergrad in marketing, MBA, and going for the doctorate. I would list them all, I guess, but that would make the above argument wrong, and hey I can't be wrong to my husband I guess I will have to make him dinner and say I am sorry!!!

All joking aside, there was a posting about a year ago about business cards and how crudentials should be shown. It is a grey area.

I would not list the AA if I had the bachelor's, but would list all graduate work degrees, and not certifications. Put it all on the resume.

 

Hi Han: I think decent people should keep their "crudentials" covered up, at least in public.

But seriously, it's a matter of personal choice. I've defined mine (all RA: BA, MDiv, MA), but since they are all from schools which offer no distance learning at all, the names seem irrelevant.

Also, since my not naming the schools (refusal is really too strong a word) seems to drive the um other fora crazy, it's now a point d'honneur instead of merely an irrelevancy shunned.

I don't know for the life of me why somebody with an associates degree would omit it just because it's the low man on the totem pole. It's two years of real work and an honorable degree. If I had one I'd surely define it along with the others, or name it if naming were my choice.

Yours cordially, Janko

 

Thanks Uncle Janko, I happen to agree. I worked harder for my little AAS than anything else I'll do in my entire life, and it did lead to the professional designation of RN. I can't believe that anything else I do education-wise will be as difficult to obtain as that first hellish degree.

 

Uncle Janko and my husband agree - at home, work (I work with him), here - I think I am out numbered!!!!

 

Hi Seekinghelp: I'm glad the exercise program paid off...

 

Here are my four alma maters:

 

By choice, I do not list either my degrees or alma maters. I do, however, post under my real name. Somehow, in all of this, perhaps there is an explanation why I find it so amusing that an individual would use a pseudonym to post in a public forum, yet have no compunction claiming a specific degree(s). For example, if someone felt the need to post under a “handle” such as “I. M. Fictitious, Ph.D.” or “Dr. Feelgood,” how can that individual credibly lay claim to a specific degree? Unless they are in possession of a diploma with that particular nomenclature (both name and degree) the claim is suspect, as it cannot be verified.

 

Izzat Neil Hayes hiding under the bridge ogling the ducks? Oh. I thought not.

 

I see Mike's effort has started a trend. The view's are awesome.

 

I agree. And that is why we cannot be sure that your user name is, indeed, your real name. We have to take you at your word.

 

Is the listing of my PowerPoint certificate not sufficient for one to know "where I am coming from?"

It was "earned" at Alamance Community College in 2002, comprising 20 contact hours, 10 lab hours, reading the text and the PDE (project demanding excellence). An oral defense (presentation) was also required. Completion of all course requirements allowed the receipt of a beautiful 6 X 8 certificate designed to enhance most any office decor.

 

The practice in British Universities is not to parade one's credentials at every opportunity. It is a British thing to understate one's self or situation. Your qualifications are listed in the University's handbook (but not the internal phone book), in the Association of Commonwealth Universities Handbook, as submitted by your University and not yourself (this establishes a secure source for other universities to rely upon) and on odd items when 'appropriate' (like sensitivity, you either 'know' when to use your 'letters' or you don't).

Some inappropriate uses include the academic author who lists his or her degrees on the title page of a book, though I notice this is usually done from the sub-university level. Adam Smith's 'Wealth of Nations' in some early editions listed his LL.D, until he wrote firmly to the publishers and told them to remove it.

On a web site? I do not think so. There is a case for degreeinfo folks but the fact that so many use 'funny names' it seems to me an affectation ('Look you dumb heads, I have an earned degree from a RA school and you can't criticise me!', Mickey Mouse, BA!).

The proper etiquette is to use your real name, rank and institution, or a fake name, and nothing else. There are some pretty well qualified academics who, in my experience, are sometimes silly in their pronouncements - that is not an invitation to say that 'there sure is, Gavin, and you're one of them'. At one University I taught at many years ago, a Professor argued a case that was so much against the interests of the institution that I followed him with the observation that 'it is a good job we do not set intelligence tests for professors'. Listing his numerous degrees on his Senate paper would not have helped his silly case.

I judge the worth of contributions on degreeinfo by their content and not the signature degrees listed. Anonymous or fake signatures, first name only, real name and location, or current institution (student or faculty) increases the credibility in that order, but only to the extent that the content of the message is credible too. You earn the right to be listened to, or read, by your contributions not by your position, degrees, or sincerity.

 

I list my B.S. through Embry-Riddle so that if anybody has questions about that school and its DL programs, they can direct them towards me.

I list my masters as "in progress" to remind myself that I have nine credits down, 23 to go. Next summer, I won't know what to do with all the free time that I have been using to study over the last couple years.

Time to get back to reading for next month's class...

 

Agreed.

Cute.

But more importantly, did your Powerpoint Certificate come from an RA institution?

 

Indeed it did! ACC is a RA community college. Therefore, the PP certificate adds legitimacy and credibility to my CV.

 

I'm inclined to agree with Prof. Kennedy. It doesn't really matter very much.

Generally speaking, posts rise or fall on their own merits, not on those of their authors. If a post makes a weak point or asserts something that's incorrect, it doesn't really matter what's in the sig line.

An exception is obviously a PowerPoint Certificate. Individuals possessing these always make powerful points.

Sure, people do often relate their own experiences with a school, program or process. But all of that context is usually explained in the body of posts.

I consider this sig-line stuff a matter of individual choice and don't really give it much thought.

Degreeinfo don't need no stinkin' etiquette on all this.