Can you use different degree Abreviations than your university does?

Given the heavy research emphasis of Euro programs and the fact that many of their DBAs are equivalent to U.S. PhDs in terms of research and coursework--and are often stated as such by whatever those organizations are that determine degree equivalency for int'l degrees--I can understand why some would want to call their Euro DBA a "PhD" in the U.S. But still, it's a DBA, and many of those Euro schools also offer DL PhDs in addition to DBAs (Aston, for example), so you should really go with whatever your institution calls it.

Exceptions I suppose in the area of D.Phil (just a different name for PhD) or if you went to Harvard Extension and got an ALM or ALB, I think it would be fine to call them an MLA or BLA, as it's just a different arrangement of the letters--who cares, it's the same degree.

But if DBAs get to call their degree a PhD, you might as well allow every doctorate to go by PhD, even my measly JD. I don't think it would be ethical.

 

Frankly, from my vantage point in higher ed, I do not see any reason why someone would opt to misrepresent the title of an earned doctorate. Several of my colleagues who teach in colleges of business earned DBAs, rather than PhDs. I have never herd of this being a problem for hiring, promotion or tenure (the same goes for EdDs and JDs).

Anthony Pina
Administrator, Northeastern Illinois University

Bachelor of Arts - AB or BA
Bachelor of Science - BS or BSc
Master of Arts - AM or MA
Master of Science - MS or MSc
Master of Education - EdM or MEd
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD or DPhil
Doctor of Education - EdD or DEd
Doctor of Theology - ThD or DTh

 

I would advise using it just as your school does. This issue has come up with our review for RA status at my school -- so-and-so faculty member lists a PhD from X university in y discipline, when in fact that university only grants EdDs in Y discipline, and so on.

In academia, it'll raise a lot of red flags.

 

I can agree totally that whatever degree you earned, you use that degree title.

By that I mean, if you earned a Doctor of Business Administration then you don't call it a Doctor of Philosophy.

Now, I don't know about the rest of y'all but my diplomas all have the name of the degree written out on them and not abbreviated. Some of my transcripts have abreviations on them, some don't.

In one case, in the records of a friend, the spelled out (latin) degree title on the diploma doesn't match the abbreviated degree on the transcript. An example of the AB/BA nomenclature mentioned above. He worries that using AB will be misinterpreted as Associate in Business. That'd be a huge mistake. He argues that it is best to not confuse people by using AB when BA is what they understand to be the correct abbreviatiion for Bachelor of Arts.

IMHO -- A PhD and a PhilD each represent a Doctor of Philosophy. An AB and a BA each represent a Bachelor of Arts. A BS and a ScB and a BSc each represent a Bachelor of Science.

My take is this, if I'm filling out a job application or writing my resume in Latin -- I use the latin abbreviation. When it's in English I use the American Standard abbreviations.

 

The Lutheran Church was in a lot better shape when seminary profs had to fill out job applications in Latin. Don't knock it till you've tried it.

And, yeah, AB versus BA is no big deal, but switching abbreviations entirely smacks of fraud, not to mention soulless conformity to the PhD nomenclature on the part of those with other doctorates.

And, yeah, what the hey, long live the Doctor of Arts! (Unrequited love speaks.)

 

All I have is an A.S. and I shall keep it that way. I don't believe it would look very good with S.A.

 

Don't misrepresent. Don't turn a DBA into a Ph.D. (or the other way around).

That said, I don't see a real difference between the Ph.D. and the DPhil, or a B.S. vs. a BSci. If you're following cultural or language conventions, I think it's fine. (For example, graduates of Mexican universities earning the "doctorado" might list their degrees as "Ph.D." when writing in English in the U.S.)

An M.A. in Business should not become an MBA.

 

No difference between an Ed.D and a Ph.D? Are you serious? Oh PUH-leeze! An Ed.D who calls himself a Ph.D is guilty of falisifying his academic credentials. Degrees MEAN THINGS and they are very specific. I would NEVER improvise a degree (e.g., state that an MS = M.Sc.). It's no different than changing your surname. For example, there is a HUGE difference between a BA in Art and a BFA in art. Likewise MA in art vs MFA. This is a major point of contention with me that has caused me major heartburn on the job. Even if it's true that a degree is roughly equivilent between two institutions, ethics demand that you go with the specific degree you hold.

 

abbriviation

My veiw is that it would be unwise to list a PhD when you have a DBA or or visa-versa, or any other misleading combination that might be seen by the public or an employer as lying about the credential awarded.
The best way to overcome this is to drop the doctoral letters behind your name and put Dr in front of your name followed by your other degrees i.e: Dr John Smith B.Ed.,M.A.,M.B A

Roy Maybery

 

I have a BFA in Art. Just curious as to the difference between that and a BA. I didn't even pay attention back in the distant reaches of time in my UG days as to the nomenclature of my degree, I just took the classes and after a certain number of years was awarded the degree. I've since been told by a B.A. in Art that my degree was more of a "professional" degree; she meant it as a compliment, but I've always taken professional to mean something vaguely derogatory with regard to university degrees.

What is the difference?

 

Generally, a BFA is much more demanding/prestigous than a BA in art. Unlike an MA in art, the MFA is the terminal degree in the arts (roughly = Ph.D -- but that doesn't mean a holder of the MFA can call himself a Ph.D!). This college is typical of those that offer both the BFA and BA. Note the distinction:

http://bulldog.unca.edu/art/programs.htm

 

Jugador,

It certainly is indisputable that differences exist between the BA and BFA and the MA and MFA. Clearly, someone who had earned an MA in art and claimed to possess an MFA would be guilty of falsification, since the MFA is the more substantial degree.

However, the difference between a Master of Science (M.S.) and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) is not as clear cut. Someone putting M.S. in place of M.Sc. (or vice versa) really is not engaging in falsification. Now if they claimed an MFA, in place of an M.Sc. 

Regarding the Ed.D. versus Ph.D., the “no difference” statement probably comes from me, since I have posted the most on this subject. Let me make this clear: When it comes to what is required for the degree, there really is no major difference between the Ph.D. in education and Ed.D. degrees. However, someone who had earned a doctor of education degree and who claimed to possess a doctor of philosophy degree would, in my opinion, be falsifying his degree (or at least its name). In this we agree. I will never put Anthony Piña, Ph.D. on my business cards or website, since the degree that I have earned is an Ed.D.

Tony

 

Etiquette books almost invariably say that it is "incorrect" to list both a title (before the name) and other designations (after the name). This applies not only to degrees, but to other designations as well -- memberships, "Esq.", etc.

I'd say that very few PhDs refer to themselves as "Doctor" or put "Dr." in front of their names, although many (most?) list the degree abbreviation afterward.

I am insecure enough (and secure enough in my insecurity) to admit that I got a PhD at least partly so that people would call me "Doctor." In my view, "Dr." should be used wherever "Mr." or "Ms." would otherwise be used. I therefore find it odd that people seem to either (a) call me "Dr." in situations where it is entirely inappropriate -- where no one else is called "Mr.", or (b) avoid calling me "Dr." in situations where it is entirely appropriate.

 

Won't you be my neighbor?

I want my doctorate just so people will stop laughing when I'm introduced as "Mister Rogers" and making remarks about my neighborhood! There so far are not too many well known children's show hosts by the name of Dr. Rogers.