Question about degree abbreviations

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Garp, Jul 16, 2022.

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  1. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Seeing Michael's post on Epithetology caused me to think about degree abbreviations. Is it considered kosher to abbreviate degrees the way you prefer or should/must you stick to the school's abbreviation. For instance, Oxford Graduate School (now Omega Graduate School) used to offer the Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in keeping with their homage to Oxford. I believe now as Omega it is a PhD. Would it be appropriate for an Oxford Grad School alumnus to abbreviate their degree as PhD (normative for the US)?
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    The abbreviation isn't on the diploma, which is the actual documentation of the award.

    We also see degree abbreviations "translated" from one language or culture to another. The "doctorado" becomes the PhD, for example.

    Personally, I do not like abbreviating Doctor of Social Science as DSocSci. I would prefer DSSci. But this is non-standard, so I don't do it.

    As long as you don't change the meaning of the award (like calling an EdD a PhD), I don't see the harm. I don't have two PhDs; I have a PhD and a DSocSci.

    So, to answer your last question, IMO, yes.
     
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  3. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    DSS or SSD would seem an appropriate abbreviation. Sometimes the Germans, UK and SA, come up with the most cumbersome abbreviations.
     
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  4. cacoleman1983

    cacoleman1983 Well-Known Member

    I think about this also with the MS vs. the MSc. I see Wordquant University using the MSc abbreviation despite being located here the US which uses MS for the Master of Science degree.
     
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  5. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    ...Nah, I don't think so. Got one of those in my laptop. See it in ads daily, too. (Solid State Drive.)
    And yes - UK, Germany and South Africa sometimes have cumbersome abbreviations - but they have some really great schools!
     
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  6. MichaelGates

    MichaelGates Active Member

    Epithetology by Curtis Bartholomew lists both M.S. and M.Sc. for Master of Science as both being established in the U.S. in 1858.
     
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  7. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    I don't think there's any rule regarding this. M.S. or M.Sc. doesn't make a difference. What would be an issue is someone with a master of science in business management (M.S.) using MBA.
     
  8. Asymptote

    Asymptote Active Member

    S.T.D. vs. S.Th.D.

    When I see the latter I wonder if the degree holder is embarrassed by what S.T.D. could mean in secular contexts, or if there is a tradition for alumni of specific canonical faculties to call their degree by that designation.
     
  9. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    And as for DSS - that's usually Department of Social Services. Isn't that ... like, the Welfare Office? :eek:
    Not making fun of Rich's well-earned degree here. Not at all. Just the attempts at US-style abbreviation. Maybe that's why Brits prefer their own.
     
  10. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    I think some took to using DST (Doctor of Sacred Theology).
     
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  11. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Here is one. Dr. Stefanie Knauss earned a Doctor of Theology from the University of Graz (Austria). It is abbreviated as Dr. Theol. in some places (presumably Austrian/German). Here at Villanova, it is abbreviated as ThD (normative in the US) where she is:
    "Associate Professor, Systemic/Constructive Theology, Theories & Methods of Culture
    Co-Director, Ph.D. Program - Programming & Advising"
    https://www1.villanova.edu/university/liberal-arts-sciences/programs/global/gender-womens-studies/faculty/[email protected]&xsl=bio_long
     
  12. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    You are not.

    I would prefer the abbreviation "DSSc" because it complements the Doctor of Science (DSc).
     

    Attached Files:

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  13. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Looks good - makes a lot of sense.
     
  14. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    My wife calls it my “Doh see so see.”
     
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  15. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    What about BEng (hon) degree from UK.
    Is it BS degree in Engineering in the US or BSc.?

    And some degree in US such as Bachelors of Technology
    (Engineering), or Bachelors in Psychology such as Regents Univ.
     
  16. Asymptote

    Asymptote Active Member

    In the US there is a difference between Engineering and Engineering Technology, which can come in to play for certain hiring criteria. I believe ABET may provide the most authoritative guidance in determine this distinction?

    https://www.abet.org/accreditation/what-is-accreditation/what-programs-does-abet-accredit/
     
  17. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    We have B. Tech in a number of disciplines here in Ontario, Canada. Usually, they're an extension of a diploma program. People graduate from a Technologist's program at Community College. (Technologist -3 year Diploma course, Technician - 2 year Diploma course.) The engineering programs are protected titles - they grant membership into OACETT - here: https://www.oacett.org/Membership/Join/Educated-in-Canada#Minimum Certification Requirements

    An Engineering Technologist program (3 year diploma), followed by 10 prescribed University courses (equivalent to one year full time) will earn a person a B. Tech (Engineering) degree. Other 3 -year Technologist diplomas, followed by a similar University program earn B. Tech in other fields. 4 years of study = 2 qualifications -a Registered Technologist Diploma and a degree - B. Tech. I believe the Uni component is usually done p/t by distance.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2022
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  18. Dustin

    Dustin Well-Known Member

    A 3-year Computer Engineering Technologist diploma was actually the first one I had enrolled in out of high school. The program wasn't right for me, nor was the school. At the time I blamed personal factors, until I returned to that school years later to do a presentation and found it just as dreary and depressing and isolating as it had been when I was 18. It wasn't me, it was them!
     
  19. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Been there -- had that feeling. Right -it was them. And look how far you've gotten without 'em! :)
     
  20. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    "J.D." vs. LL.B.?:rolleyes:
     

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