Normally people say they have a: Bachelor's degree in X Master's degree in Y What is the correct designation for the doctorate? I have seen: Doctor's degree in X & Doctoral degree in X or Doctorate in X North
FWIW: I usually use "doctorate," sometimes use "doctoral" (usually to refer to something that happens as part of the doctorate--e.g. "doctoral dissertation"), and never use "doctor's." I think all three are acceptable. Cheers,
I usually use 'doctorate' as a noun: "He earned a doctorate". 'Doctoral' seems more appropriate as an adjective. "He completed his doctoral dissertation." The phrase 'doctor's degree' sounds odd to me, perhaps because in everyday speech the word 'doctor' usually means "physician": "He went to the doctor." That very common usage would suggest that a "doctor's degree" would be an M.D. But ultimately, I think that it is probably arbitrary. Just a matter of traditional usage. We say it the way we do because that's how everyone else says it.
Re: Re: Doctoral versus Doctor's I usually say I have a Ph.D and let them convert it their minds to either/or.
The former posts have all been informative, North. Personally, I never use the description doctor's degree. It not only sounds odd, as Bill has stated, it doesn't sound professional. While technically one could probably say I got me one of them there doctor's degrees , the nomenclature I have most frequently heard is either: He/she earned their doctorate at UCLA. He/she completed their doctoral studies at UCLA. or, He/she earned their Ph.D./Ed.D./D.Min./JD/DBA/etc., at UCLA. That there doctor's degree business just doesn't sound professional, but that's only my opinion.
Personally, when I do something legal, I say "I doctored it." Nosborne, JD (who would rather eat broken glass than call himself doctor and expose himself to endless, well deserved ridicule and abuse.)
Well . . . Having earned a doctorate and written a doctoral dissertation, thus being able to call myself Doctor, I usually say, "Hi. I'm Steve." BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!
Strange. The attorneys in my agency usually say "Hey, Dennis.. I unf****d that case you sent up." I keep looking in Black's Law Dictionary, but for some reason the term hasn't made it into the new printings.
I have to agree with Dr. Levicoff on this matter. I normally request that my students refer to me by the more plebian title, "Your Highness".
I have not seen one in a few years, but UCLA's catalog course descriptions would indicate which professors taught a particular course. It would always say "Mr. Harris," or "Ms. Lare," when clearly they held doctorates. Also I remember reading that medical doctors in England prefer the title "Mr." Certain Navel ranks are still "Mr." in keeping with English maritime tradition. I remember in college we usually called the teachers "professor," which I think is a better title--and to me more honorific--than doctor. I know several RC clergy who prefer and only use "Father," but have doctorates. I don't care, personally, but I do get a little bothered by people who employ double titles...Rev. Dr. I think a Rev. Dr. sounds a bit like a medical incompetent who can at least administer last rites when he needs to. Rev. Mr. Craig, Th.D.
Believe it or not I noticed that Dr. Charles Stanley's book covers refers to his "master's and doctor's degrees" from Luther Rice Seminary. It sounded rather odd when I read it. I think Master's & Doctorate from LRS sounds better. North (undoctored)