Ph.D. title

Wanted to see what the general consensus was about when and where it's appropriate for a Ph.D. to refer to himself as "Doctor" or to put "Ph.D" in his signature block.

I'm working on my master's right now, and am a "wannabe Ph.D." in a nonmedical field. My take on it is that unless I was teaching a course, writing for publication, or specifically asked to indicate it, it would be pretentious to use "Doctor" or "Ph.D."

On the flip side, we have the lady who came into the legal office where I work and asked to have her signature notarized on a stack of real estate documents. She deemed it necessary to write "Ph.D." following her signature on each page, as if it was her last name. I briefly debated calling her "Mrs. Doe" just to see if I'd get an outraged "that's DOCTOR" correction, but I behaved myself.

How sayeth the Peanut Gallery? To Ph.D, or not to Ph.D.? That is the question.

 

There was a recent thread on this that may answer some of your questions: http://www.degreeinfo.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002144.html

 

1. In a signature block, I would (will?) use "Ph.D." after my name, not "Doctor" before.

2. In writing, I would substitute "Doctor" wherever "Mister" would be used along with a last name (or when just the name would be used).

3. In signing, I would just use my name. Signing "Ph.D." after one's name is pretty excessive, eh?

Rich Douglas, remembering Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Walter Rummersfield.

 

Well, Just Plain Bill, my suggestion is that if you earn a Ph.D., you call yourself . . . Just Plain Bill.

Or, as I've written at least 100 times on various boards, forums, and newsgroups, when you've got the real thing, you don't have to flaunt it.

Nonetheless, if you want the etiquette, here it is:

You will be either Dr. Just Plain Bill or Just Plain Bill, Ph.D., but never Dr. Just Plain Bill, Ph.D.

You may refer to yourself as "Dr. Bill" any time you wish and in any environment - yes, including hospitals, providing that you are not doing so with intent to defraud or in an attempt to imply that you are a physician. Remember, all physicians are doctors, but not all doctors are physicians - just ask some of the Ph.D., Psy.D., and D.P.H. holders who work in health care.

If you write a letter, the signature line may read "Just Plain Bill, Ph.D.," but you should not include the title in the signature itself. It's not only redundant, it's obnoxious. Indeed, if you read the diploma signature lines of any legitimately accredited college or university, you will generally find that the signature does not include a degree title. Remember, if you've got it, you don't have to flaunt it.

If you do use the title in correspondence, it should be the Ph.D. form after the name, not the word "Doctor" before the name, at least the first time - whether you are referring to yourself or someone else. Those who know doctorates want to see the specific type of doctorate.

In other words, "Dr. Laura" is an obnoxious boor, but she has never done anything deceptive in terms of her title. Ditto Dr. Ruth. Ditto anyone who holds a D.Min. or an S.T.D. If you've got the title, you can use the title - again, providing there is no intent to defraud or create a false impression.

All that said, if you truly have your head together and don't need to get your ego jollies, you never have to use the title at all. If you are asked for information on your credentials, you should always be willing to provide it, but you don't have to shove your credentials down someone's throat.

Finally, you should not bother to use a doctoral title to get a restaurant reservation. No one gives a shit.

Incidentally, the only time I use my title is if a physician walks in and introduces himself as Dr. So-and-So. I extend my hand and reply, "Dr. Levicoff." From that moment on, it's a first-name basis.

- Just Plain Steve

P.S. There's a doorman in our building that called me Dr. Levicoff for several months. One day, I asked him to call me Steve - that's my preference. But every time I see him, he continues to cheerfully greet me with, "Hi, Doctor." So I accept it and let him do it. Why? Because some people like knowing someone with a doctoral title. And as much as we shouldn't be constipated enough to demand it, we shouldn't be offended by it. If that's how he gets his jollies (addressing me by title), more power to him. In other words, don't be hung up about the title, one way or the other.

On the other hand, I recently accompanied my 86-year-old father to a doctor's office, and the 18-year-old receptionist addressed him for the first time by his first name. I became righteously indignant, because youngin's don't have the right to address senior citizens on such an informal basis without an invitation. The issue was not title, but respect for one's elders (something they apparently don't teach much anymore). But if I ever had a doctor that came into a room and said, "Hi, Steve, I'm Dr. So-and-So," I'd find another doctor without such a big ego.

The bottom line: Decorum is appropriate, but pedestals are made to be shattered.

End of sermon.

 

I haven't quite figured what I'll do if/when I finish my DBA. Here in Silly-con Valley, if I put DBA after my name the first question I'd be asked would be, "Is that Oracle, MS-SQL, or Sybase?"

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Humans are the only animals that protect
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I remember my amazement when, upon entering the den of a former mentor whom I had known for years, I noticed a huge document hanging on his wall. I'd known him for years, but had no clue that he held a doctorate from one of Canada's most prestigious universities. In fact, I'd had no clue that he held a doctorate at all.

Not that he didn't carry himself appropriately -- he was my mentor, after all, and helped me a great deal to focus and learn -- but he never once mentioned it in all those years.



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Quinn

 

What always comes first to my mind is Doing Business As WHO????

 

Yes -- whenever I see:

Some-such-Person, DBA

I always expect "John's Bar and Grill" or something to follow.


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Quinn

 

using "Dr"

A lot depends upon local custom. In the town where I live real PhD's are like cockroaches. They're so ubiquitous that the local newspaper uses "Dr" only for MD's, vets, and dentists. (The same rule is followed at better colleges). I would never use "dr" here. In fact yesterday, an associate of over 10 years inquired if I had a PhD, when we were discussing the futility of one.

On the other hand, I visited Florida recently and every other alligator wrestler had a PhD or DD from a storefront church. Everyone called himself "dr".

 

When I complete my PhD, I will demand everyone call me DOCTOR. I will answer my mother unless she refers to me as DOCTOR or SIR!!

 

I mean I will NOT answer my mother.

 

Yeah, yeah, yeah....

we always talk that trash about our wives and mothers until they are actually there.....

 

re: talking to Mom

My Mom died when i was 13. I would gladly give up my PhD if I could talk to her again. She could call me whatever she wants.

 

Only in professional situations. My PhD is for me, no one else. I wont even make my students refer to me in that vein.

 

Re: Yeah, yeah, yeah....

Not true...my mother just visited and I was talking trash when she was here...well behind her back anyway.

 

Another great post (on a great thread) by Steve Levicoff. Thanks!

 

It is also considered appropriate to call yourself "Doc" when playing poker.

Try "Here you are, Mrs. Fudd."

 

Ettiquette says that you may sign yourself "Dr." or "PhD" (assuming you actually have the degree claimed) when your doctorate is relevant to what is being commented upon. If you wish to sign yourself "Dr. Just Plain Bill" or "Just Plain Bill, PhD" when writing letters to the editor on world affairs, then your PhD had better be in world affairs.

 

And how many Drs. go before the name of the Rev. Dr. Chief Swift Eagle, just out of curiosity?

 

Miss Manner's Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior says that having a non medical doctorate is like hving lace underwear (for women, anyway). YOU know you have it but it's really inappropriate to mention it to anyone else.

Of course, in appropriate PROFESSIONAL encounters...