Using the title "Dr." based on an honorary doctorate

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by RAM PhD, Sep 13, 2012.

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  1. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    Wow, I wasn't aware of that. This sounds like a diploma mill based on how you worded that. If so, which mill are their degrees from?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 14, 2012
  2. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    I think consideration of the source plays a factor in this. For example, a person who has made countless breakthroughs and valuable contributions to a particular field over a long period of time has probably earned the right to get that honorary doctorate and use the title if he/she chooses. Whereas a person who has done little or nothing would be considered out of line to do the same thing.
     
  3. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Jack Van Impe and Rexella purchased their doctorates from Pacific International University, but it looks like the degree mill has taken down their website.

    [​IMG]

    Jack Van Impe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    I feel very very bad for them because they don't' appear to understand that it's a diploma mill.
     
  4. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Damn! This thread is beginning to smell a bit damp and MUSTy.
     
  5. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    And where is Pacific International University located?
     
  6. vadro

    vadro New Member

    I totally agree. An honorary doctorate, or a doctorate honoris causa confers the title of "Doctor", mind you it is an academic title and not a professional qualification. Cambridge University has been conferring honorary degrees for some 500 years. Cambridge Honorary Degrees
     
  7. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    In a clinical setting, neither.

    In a non-clinical setting, "doctor."
     
  8. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Unresponsive. If you don't want to reveal it, but you want to answer the question, then say you don't want to reveal it.

    BTW, if you don't reveal it (name, degree, school), you don't have one (for the purposes of this discussion). Facts you keep to yourself are not facts.
     
  9. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Then it is not "legitimately accredited," which is what you first said.

    Perhaps the school is considered comparable to an accredited one in the U.S. Perhaps not. Perhaps you have a Ph.D. Perhaps not. But since you don't reveal it, it doesn't matter. For the purposes of discussion, you don't have one.
     
  10. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Does this mean that a nurse with a doctorate in nursing gets called "nurse" in a clinical setting, just like the associate's, bachelor's, and master's qualified nurses?
     
  11. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    You might. Or you might not. No one but you knows, so you don't have one for the purposes of this discussion. But I'm sure readers here would be very interested in your degree and your research. Perhaps you would like to share it?
     
  12. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    My hesitancy, Rich, in stating an alma mater is that I would rather post anonymously on this site. I hold the B, M and professional doctorate from USA brick/mortar schools (all RA). After completing these degrees, I earned two research degrees (M & PhD) from a South African school (CHE/SAQA). You are correct in noting that since I haven't listed the source of each degree, no one on this site knows for sure. Since I have no reason to misrepresent my academic background, my word shall have to suffice.
     
  13. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    As someone who posts openly, that seems reasonable to me. And I don't see what any of this had to do with your actual point anyway.
     
  14. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Yes. The title "doctor" in the clinic refers to the professional title held by physicians.

    If he/she has a DNP, then the title is "nurse practitioner." If we see a higher level license for NPs because of the DNP, we might see a change. But I suspect the AMA will just freak out over that.
     
  15. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I bestowed the title of "Maniac" upon myself, but I think I've done plenty in the time since to add legitimacy to it. I also named myself Big Moderator, although that hasn't caught on. Probably because I haven't been using this image enough...

    [​IMG]

    Nor it's counterpart. The one that shows just how deep the conspiracy really is...

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I agree with Steve. The legitimacy of a members posts does not rest on their screen name or their willingness to disclose personal information.
     
  17. Jeffery Simpson

    Jeffery Simpson New Member

    "Dr"

    look folks your talking about an honorary degree in Medicine that's a MUCH different scene. it is much different then lets say Divinity or also an honorary Mayor. That not the same issue. If someone earned a honorary doctorate for their life's work in Divinity and the University or Church wants to bestow a degree then I see no problem with that person calling him or her a Dr. LEGALLY THEY ARE A DOCTOR, honorary and all, My uncle has his honorary doctorate in Theology Th.D and i tell you This he is much more knowledgeable and much smarter then any graduate of a 8 year program. It's usually the person who worked for 10 years at a University and racked up a 100 thousand dollar debt doing the complaining, even if that person is NOT brighter and smarter then the Honorary, but he says iv'e work harder then you that's not fair. I don,t understand the logic, we give a University all the credit to teach and to put out Smarter and wiser people, but when that same school say's here is a honorary degree suddenly that's not good enough.
     
  18. Jeffery Simpson

    Jeffery Simpson New Member

    Not the same thing at all. A reverend who worked all his life and his Church Honors him with an D.D. is more creditable then a theologian with Little faith and no real contact with any Church issuing its own D.D. and regards to the Mayor Job, that elected seat you can't even compare the two.
     
  19. Leon Rolls

    Leon Rolls New Member

    T
    Why is it it unethical
     
  20. Leon Rolls

    Leon Rolls New Member

    I am glad you said "in your family" and that is justified it's just a family decision.
     

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