Question about using the title Doctor

TO: GSU Tiger

From: Southern Jaguar

What ever journey you take, be conscious of ego.

 

Belt and Suspenders

The worst instances I've seen of this type of behavior are with people (or through media attribution), either medical doctors or PhD holders who go by:

Dr. John Doe, MD

or

Dr. John Doe, PhD

Isn't this redundant? I suppose if you had a MD and PhD you could technically get away with it but it seems silly.

There's a client of mine who goes by "Dr. Bob", and everyone calls him that, not just Bob, or Dr Smith. I don't know if he insisted on it, but it's just something that people call him and actually suits him perfectly.

Otherwise, the only time I see people come out of the woodwork with their doctorates are with senior executive customer meetings where their powerpoint title slide will mention the doctorate (or say Dr Jones). But then again, I'm not in academia.

 

I heard it best explained in this thread. "Miss Manner's Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior says that having a non medical doctorate is like hving lace underwear (for women, anyway). YOU know you have it but it's really inappropriate to mention it to anyone else."

 

Wow Randell, just how many degrees are you going to end up with?

Seriously, though, I've heard a lot of positive support regarding the rigor at NCU, particularly in the Biz school. Certainly the last mentor I had there was very thorough. I think I probably got the bad luck of the draw with a couple of others, though (as can happen anywhere!!), as I rarely heard from them, and they gave very little feedback on my papers.

Absolutely, some people do much better with the one-on-one format, and I thought I'd be able to. Turns out that despite my sometimes griping about how much peer interaction is required at Capella, I've learned that that's the delivery model that works best for me.

Sorry, OP, for sorta hijacking this thread! As to your original question, I'd mostly go with answer "c" in the U.S. . . . but here in the UAE, I'd probably introduce myself as "Dr. Adrienne". It's all a title + first name thing over here, and the Dr. moniker opens a lot of doors here. So, I guess at the end of the day it's just situational.

Cheers,
Adrienne

 

I think this is a fairly common occurrence, I spoke with one of my professors at a Walden residency and she indicated that when she signs her name its Jane Doe, PHD. However she is often addressed by her first name.
For me I have never been hung up on titles, even as a former military officer outside of the military environment. When someone addresses me as Mister, I often have them to call me by my first name. Whenever I complete my doctorate I will only use the title when publishing articles, or within a hospital setting and possibly on my signature block on my email. Currently, I do list my MPA and PMP on my email signature but not on any of my business cards.

 

Don't know / can't say. I figure there is a lot to learn out there and I never want to stop. After I have all I need for my professional world, I will work on the fun stuff. Some may be just a class here and there and others may be a degree. To be honest, when I started on my degree path a few years ago I created a resume with my education as I could see it in the future and it listed a masters degree. This was before I had any degree. I still add to the list and currently have 16 items listed:
Certificates - 3 listed, 2 completed
Associated Degree - 1 listed, 1 completed
Bachelors Degree- 2 listed, 2 completed
Masters Degree - 7 listed, 2 completed and working on 2 at the time
EdS - 1 listed, 0 completed
PhD - 1 listed, 0 completed but working on it
EdD - 1 listed, 0 completed


This is a fluid list and I add and subtract from it all the time. You've got to have a plan

 

You can't beat NCU here with the rest.

I have to second Randell, that NCU you are on your own, and me personally that is how I like it. This format works best for me.

I respect this, and this will be in the eye of the beholder.

I guess we share this same scenario where I started with NCU 2003 to Argosy and switch back to NCU and hoping to finish by 2010, assuming if there is a economic structure still standing in America.

 

I teach computer information systems and business courses with a doctorate. I use my title in emails and syllabus but in practice almost nobody calls me Dr, most students call me professor, instructor, Mr. or by my first name. I don't think people are used to call computer teachers Drs the same way the call their dentists or MDs.

I think that academic titles make only sense for academic conferences or academic settings but in the real world very few think calling their teachers Drs.

 

I think this is where I saw someone signing after her name PhD, when I was doing some research about their programs. I guess the Duke of Deep Fries can do the same after the signature.

 

To my Southern Jaguar, Thank you for timely comments, to summarize many of the excellent comments that I have read thus far, I would concur with your assessment that it really is about individual egos and to some degree their insecurities. As a doctoral student I often observe how other’s whom have obtained their PHD’s conduct themselves when in the company of others. How comfortable they are, and how comfortable they make others feel around them. That is one of the reasons I enjoy the residencies. I can say that all of the professors that I have encountered openly indicated that you address them by their first name.
However, whenever I have needed a signature they have always placed the PHD behind their last name.

 

Ditto. But I have been known to add "Ph.D." to my signature when signing recommendation letters.

 

Wow, that is really a cool idea, Randell. That could be applied to so many things . . . write it out as you wish to see it in the future . . . what a great motivator! I'm going to try this myself.

Good luck with completing your list! We'll all be rooting for you as we follow your progress!!

Cheers,
Adrienne

 

When the wonderful Canadian humor writer Stephen Leacock earned his Ph.D. in mathematics, he celebrated by taking a Great Lakes cruise. There was a very attractive young lady on board. As Leacock described it, the announcement went out that the young lady had fainted, and any doctors on board should go to the captain's cabin. Leacock rushed over there . . . but was preceded by two Doctors of Divinity and a Doctor of Sacred Theology.

 

I, too, have been addressed as Dr. by students and others, like proctors, who I think are erring on the side of formality. I answer to Professor or FirstName and occasionally Ms. But I hate being addressed as "Mrs." and yesterday "Mr."

I had an instructor in Grad School who insisted (in the syllabus) that we call her "Dr. SoandSo." I thought she was insecure but I complied. Or that the degree was very new and the novelty hadn't worn off yet.

If/when I get my doctorate, I think the title will come in handy when getting restaurant reservations.

 

Exactly my response as well.

 

So what's the point?

Yes, indeed this is redundant, and leads me to question the ego strength of the person doing it.

However, I am puzzled by those who (will) have earned a doctorate who say the title "doesn't matter". Doesn't such a cavalier attitude about a significant achievement belittle the accomplishment as much as someone who hasn't earned the title but lets people incorrectly address him/her with it? Or people who haven't earned the degree who dismissively declare that one who has earned the title is overwhelmed by inappropriate egotism to ask that the accomplishment be recognized. There is a reason it is called earning the degree.

[Please do not pile on the 'you earn your respect' platitudes. Of course this is true, but earning a degree should be a part of the foundation for that respect. I don't hear people saying they wouldn't call a physician "doctor" or a minister "reverend". They earned a title and rightfully are entitled to use it. And "Miss Manners" can go untwist her lace panties and come out from behind her self-granted title!]

Of course, there is a time and place factor involved. But I don't think a person who has earned a doctorate should dismiss their own accomplishment.
The whole issue can rise to a comedic level, however.
I am reminded of the "Maestro" character on Seinfeld.

Perhaps I come at this from a bit of a different perspective as a psychologist -- both a clinician and an academic. During my internship, we were warned long, loud, and often to not allow people to address us as "doctor." So it was a rite of passage, after graduating, to finally hear the title.

That said, I do not insist my auto mechanic address me as "doctor."
(Though it was interesting when I saw a medical specialist who holds both an MD and a PhD and seemed to go out of his way to address me as "Mister"!)

Steve

PS - I also permit my student to address me as they wish, within the bounds of politeness.

 

Steve,

I am happy that you were able to get your psychologist licensure after all you've been through with the APA and with the State. Kudoes!

I find it sad that those at your internship were insisting that you don't let folks call you doctor after the fact that you had on your transcript a Ph.D. designation. In my world I see that as idiotic, showing insecurity from superiors, and denying the fact that you are a doctor. It shows how the system still stinks in some corners of licensure processing and how big some egos are. Childish.

I am a business and I want to provide well for my family. In light of that, I must promote myself and brand myself. I try to differentiate myself from the hundreds of clinicians out there, some of which are dying of hunger (metaphorically). Hence I present myself often to the public and students as "Dr. Sam." It has nothing to do with the jollies of ego but everything with packaging a product that hopefully people need. So far it has proved quite effective.

 

Fyi

Just and FYI, Argosy University is a candidate for ACBSP, let's hope they pass the process.

 

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I encounter the situation all the time. When people are introduced to me and I know that I will likely be interacting with them again, is usually goes something like this:

"Hello Dr. Piña"
"Pleased to meet you, I'm Tony"

Enough people call me "Dr.", so I do not feel the need to push it when someone does not.