Using the title "doctor" can lead to arrest in Florida

OK, well that's a sorta apples and oranges thing, right? Bachelors degree, Doctoral degree.

When I was a kid we joked a bit about the fact that our town had an ordinance against spitting on the sidewalk. This law was, in fact, really on the books. No one ever got arrested or fined or even cautioned. The law means very little if it never gets enforced. It might be one of those "just in case" laws. If someone sues somebody (malpractice, etc.) and it happens they have an unaccredited doctoral degree then you can at least get them arrested under this statutue. But probably no one is actually on the alert for fake PhDs.

 

That would have been funny, for a very short while anyway, unless he was in on it, then it could have been very funny for a long while.

 

Every state restricts the use of certain professional titles, like "attorney at law", or "certified public accountant" or "professional engineer". But -- as you suggested for doctoral degrees -- nobody is on the lookout for abuses. Enforcement only becomes an issue if someone files a complaint.

And in practice, such complaints rarely lead to court. If a licensing board reviews a complaint and determines that action is warranted, they will typically start by sending a sternly-worded letter. The issue is usually resolved out of court, and often involves payment of a fine.

This system works pretty well for professional licenses, but it is probably much less effective for degrees. If you have a concern about a bogus professional title, it's easy enough to find the appropriate professional board, it's usually easy to file a complaint (the boards typically provide online forms for this purpose), and the boards understand that they have an enforcement role. So for licensed titles, there is a functioning system in place.

But in practice, I doubt whether there is really a similar system for degree titles in most states. It's not clear who you would contact in Florida regarding (for example) a suspect Doctorate in Business Administration, and it's not clear that they would really know what to do about it. The State of Oregon has an Office of Degree Authorization that might be prepared to take action, but I don't think most other states have any equivalent agency.

 

Can you provide more information or provide a link?
I'm waiting for a DETC school to offer a D.Sc.
Thanks.

 

www.detc.org

 

Thanks Cal - I think you said it better than me.

 

There are 9 Washington Troopers who could be facing charges for fraud. It will be interesting to see if someone actually has the will to prosecute.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/35836084.html?video=YHI&t=a

I don't think anyone would actually bother to bring charges unless you used the degree to commit fraud for a job, raise, or some professional competency. If you just want to call yourself doctor with a fake sheepskin on the wall, that is your own delusional business.

 

Which begs the question: Is a "religious degree" a "fake sheepskin?"

 

I would have to say, if it is not accredited by an agency recognized by CHEA then it would indeed be a fake sheepskin. There are professional accreditations like ABHE just for that purpose.

 

I thought there was a "religious exemption" clause (or something) that didn't mandate CHEA USDoEd recognition?

 

ssteachn, the video of the Washington troopers presents the exact same context that I've seen here in Florida. Officers are usually given the opportunity to simply pay back the money -- and then criminal charges aren't sought.

Kizmet, I realize that this scenario only deals with Bachelors degrees and not with doctoral degrees but, nonetheless, it uses the exact same statute -- and someone was asking if anyone has ever seen prosecutions using this particular statute.

 

Then why would ABHE bother to accredit religious graduate degrees and why would CHEA bother to give them their approval?

 

OK. I get it.

 

I guess to become accredited, however.......I thought there was a "religious exemption" clause (or something) that didn't mandate CHEA USDoEd recognition?

 

I think that entirely depends on the school that issues the degree. Is a D.Min. from Andover-Newton Theological School a fake degree?

Is a Ph.D. from a religious school which exists solely on the Internet or in a Mailboxes Etc. a fake degree?

 

Is a PhD from The College of Metaphysical Studies a fake? I have been to the church and taken a class. They are real and tough but not accreditied...but a bit hoaky for some.

 

These discussions used to come up pretty frequently. I thought I remember something about a religious exemption as well. From what I remember, this exemption just meant that the religious degree was legal to use. However, "exemption" was not synonmous with "recognition", or "accreditation" if you will. The question you ask, whether "A religious degree is merely a fake sheepskin" is a rather complex one. We used to have a member here who was very successful with a BS from a small bible college. When asked for proof a his degree, he merely gave his employers a copy of the degree along with transcripts. So without going in circles, I ultimately am not sure how to answer your question. Sorry.

Abner

 

I think your recall speaks to the "Me Again's" original posting and follow-ups that are Florida specific. If wonder if this exemption applies in all 50-States?

 

As far as I remember yes, but I could be wrong.

Abner

 

This looks like the loophole for religious degrees
e) A religious seminary, institute, college, or university which offers only educational programs that prepare students for a religious vocation, career, occupation, profession, or lifework, and the nomenclature of whose certificates, diplomas, or degrees clearly identifies the religious character of the educational program.