Degree initials after name?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by nobycane, Jul 26, 2005.

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  1. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    It has been my impression that we list our degrees (potential or awarded) on this forum because by doing so we give readers a clue about where we've been and where we're going in our educational careers. It seems to me that this information could be useful in identifying for readers which posters might be able to advise on specific things.

    Of course, under that analysis, we should list ALL of our degrees and schools. For SOME (not me), that would take up a bit of room!
     
  2. I wish all of you guys did put the schools you received degrees from.

    It is very helpful for someone who may not know a lot about distance education or just education in general to find the right program.

    I think it'd be interesting to list job titles too. Give everyone on the board an idea of what it takes (degree wise/certification wise) to get a particular job.

    For example, I remember when Rich Douglas listed all of his schools, and I saw he got his bachelors from Excelsior. I thought, well...if he can get into grad school with an Excelsior degree so can I.
     
  3. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Re: Re: Mandatory use of titles

    I am a California PG (Professional Geologist) and also a California Civil PE Candidate. In California, there is professional overlap between PEs and PGs on such issues as foundations, water supply, and environmental cleanup.

    The PE is much more common in civil engineering (and branches of civil, such as structural or geotechnical) than it is in electrical engineering. In general, senior-level civil engineers are expected to hold PE licenses. Unlicensed engineers can get promoted if they have exceptional administrative or sales ability, but it would still be viewed as a deficiency.

    The PE does have more personal responsibility, but there is usually plenty of potential liability to go around; businesses carry "errors and omissions" insurance for that reason.

    Some people like the fact that the PE system puts engineers -- and not clients, managers, lawyers, or marketers -- in the driver's seat. If a given design requires a PE stamp, then the PE, by law, has the final say. The Civil PE has a degree of authority and technical control that engineers in other fields may lack (at least, that's the impression that I get from reading "Dilbert" cartoons).
     
  4. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    OK, here goes:

    Job title
    Full time: Coordinator of Learning Technologies, Northeastern Illinois University
    Part time: Adjunct Professor of Educational Technology, La Sierra University (teaching online courses)
    In the fall I will begin teaching hybrid (part online/part face-to-face) for Northeastern as well


    Degrees:
    A.A., B.A., Ed.M. Brigham Young University
    Ed.D. La Sierra University

    Other schools attended (taken at least 1 class):
    Fullerton College, Fresno City College, West Hills College, California State University-Fresno, Rio Salado College, Arizona State University

    For the purpose of DL experience, I have taken courses via DL (but have no DL degrees), I have developed and taught DL courses, have served as a campus administrator for both WebCT and Blackboard, have designed a DL masters programs that was acccredited by WASC and current serve as a full-time university administrator with responsibility to provide leadership and support for DL on my campus.

    There, I think that I have complied with the concept of "full disclosure".

    By the way, I have know several with degrees from Regents/Excelsior College and Thomas Edison State College who have been accepted at and have successfuly completed grad school.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 29, 2005
  5. mattiberry85

    mattiberry85 New Member

    It really depends on your job, the setting, and the field.

    Example:
    In education, I never have seen an educator list their education. But, within education, school social workers, school psychologists, and (occasionally) school counselors list their credentials.

    Nursing/health care, a RN wouldn't list a degree, unless they have a BSN (and usually this is only happens in supervision, management), likewise for a respiratory therapist or radiation technologist. For the most part, unless they have a masters, individuals in healthcare (besides a select few on an ego trip) just list their licenses.

    In my field (mental health), besides causal conversations, you are generally required to list your education, licenses, and certifications on everything. I have to list all of my credentials on every letter, report, or whatever I may send out to a lawyer or to a court. This is true for all individuals in mental health, not just those who work in forensics. While working on my masters, I actually had to list my bachelors on all notes, letters, and reports that I typed as well.
     
  6. Koolcypher

    Koolcypher Member

    Holy thread resurrection Batman!

    [​IMG]
     
  7. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    When is boasting permitted?

    But one of perennial interest.

    I never used degree initials until about a year ago when I went from being the Court's attorney to being the Clerk of the Court, an administrative position. Court administrators conventionally do list their professional degrees in e mails and letters. Those degrees are almost always Master's in various branches of public administration or finance.

    My LL.M. is in taxation which has at least some connection to finance and accounting so that's the one degree I list with my signature.
     
  8. warguns

    warguns Member

    degrees after name

    In Britain, one not only indicates the degree but also where it was earned in a Latin abbreviation.

    examples

    MA (Oxon)
    PhD (Cantab)
    LLM (Londin)

    Very classy. Military awards also often appear. Example MC (for Military Cross)

    I have the RVN "Gallantry Cross with Palm" but I never get to put the initials after my name.
     
  9. Highlander

    Highlander New Member

    MOB? It stands for Mother of the Bride. Very common title (especially among families that shell out megabucks for the wedding!).
     
  10. bibletalk01

    bibletalk01 New Member

    Religious Titles

    In the education community I agree with everyone that has posted prior. I personally have a Bachelors of Science degree in Bible/Ministry and a Masters of Science degree in Christian Ministry. I am also working on my Dmin in Family therapy. With that said, I have done some research. I do not believe in using titles in the religious setting unless it comes from the bible. So for example even though I preach I go by my name or Preacher/Evangelist. However, If I am writing a letter (academic) or within the church I feel it is completely appropriate and respectful for someone to add their degrees at the end of the name. I do agree using the undergrad "BS" would be a little weird so I typically have my signatures set as follows...:

    Evangelist John Doe, MS Christian Ministry
    churches of Christ
    [email protected]
    phone number

    Once I obtain my my Dmin and my state board License in professional counseling it will look like this:

    Dr. John Doe, Ms Christian Ministry, Dmin Family Therapy, LPC, LMFT

    OR

    Dr. John Doe, MS, Dmin,LPC,LMFT

    Not sure if this helps or if this is correct but this is the way I was told to do it..haha
     
  11. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    If one has a doctorate, it is appropriate to list it either at the beginning OR end of the name--not both. If you list additional degrees or certifications, that is fine, but you drop the "Dr." at the beginning. For example:

    Dr. John Doe OR John Doe, DMin - OK.
    Dr. John Doe, DMin - Not OK

    John Doe, MS, DMin, LPC, LMFT - OK
    Dr. John Doe, MS, DMin, LPC, LMFT - Not OK
     
  12. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    For people who are supposedly advocates of humility, pastors sure do love their titles.
     
  13. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    They are not alone in wanting to add to their credibility. Many of my colleagues in I.T. and culinary arts routinely follow their names with a laundry list of certification acronyms. A number of my medical colleagues list MD, MS, FACS after their names.

    Some of my colleagues here on Degreeinfo also are not shy about listing their various credentials.. More power to them.

    Tony Piña, A.A., B.A., M.Ed., M.S., Ed.D., C.N.G. (Certified Nice Guy)
     
  14. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member


    Or Compressed Natural Gas. You are an educator, no? ;-)
     
  15. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Certainly cannot argue with you on that one:wink:
     
  16. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    Jon Doe, COF, COGM

    Certified Old F**t & Certified Grumpy Old Man
     
  17. AdamTheAlaskan

    AdamTheAlaskan New Member

    New Field And An Associates Degree

    Hey, so... I realize that this is an old thread but anyhow... I'm getting into a new field of work soon or rather a startup. I just earned my AAS (Associates of Arts and Sciences) degree and was wondering how weird it might be to list it behind my name on a business card? I'm trying to transition from being a Sign Language Interpreter to being a Hearing Instrument Specialist.

    -Adam
     
  18. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    Adam, congratulations on earning an Associates degree. Its a first degree a foundation degree an I think its a good starting place.
    There are careers that AAS degree is the entry in to these careers, for example RN or RVT to name a few.
    In USA I think its weird to use Associates degree AAS as post nominal.
    I think in some forums or situations its more acceptable then in others.
    I'm far from being an expert so its just my opinion.
     
  19. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Rather than your AAS, you should list your professional certification- not sure what that is in your field, but I googled your title "Hearing Instrument Specialist" and this popped up Certification Requirements It looks like your degree meets the requirements to sit the board certification exam.
    They go on to say if you hold an associates, you'd list something like this:
    Adam Alaskan, BC-HIS
    but when you earn a bachelor's or higher, that it would become this:
    Adam Alaskan, BA, BC-HIS

    Congratulations on your graduation too! All the best.
     
  20. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    This seems reasonable to me too.
     

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