PhD -- do you use the title Dr?

[BuckeyeBama]

I believe that we should respect the wishes of the person having earned the degree, and the title that comes along with that achievement.

 

[Pooh2]

My daughter has a doctorate in physical therapy.
I've never heard her or her colleagues address each other of themselves as "Dr".

 

[Disneylover99]

Another uncle was an attorney with a juris doctorate degree. He told his kids they could address him as "Dr. Cook" but another attorney (also a relative) said the title was inappropriate.

They couldn’t call him dad?

 

[aggiedog]

I'm an MD and am totally fine with PhD's using the title Dr. I have several in my circle of friends and acquaintances.

 

[jdb in AZ]

They couldn’t call him dad?

Yes. He only wanted them to use the title "dr" when he'd had a bad day and his ego needed stroking.

 

[1GoldenSun]

I just finished my PhD this past summer. I think it's fine for people with a PhD to refer to themselves as Doctor if they want to, but in my field it was stressed that this is typically done only in academic environments. If I'm presenting at a conference, I'm introduced as Dr. 1GoldenSun. When I'm teaching, my students address me likewise. But in my day-to-day life I don't use it. My kids' friends either call me by my first name or Mrs. 1GoldenSun and I don't correct them.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My daughter in law has her Ph.D. and uses the term Dr. (deservedly so). My son is an attorney and only jokingly says he's a doctor too, but of course never uses the term Dr.

 

[jo-jo]

My DH has a PhD in chemistry. About the only time he was called DR was at a work conference. Our bills in the mail are addressed to MR. But mostly he is called grandpa. ❤

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

My daughter has her PharmD (Doctorate in Pharmacy) but she rarely uses the title Dr. but she certainly could. She worked very hard to get this degree. Funny thing is that alot of medical doctors don't recognize her as being a Dr. She couldn't tell you if you fractured your bone but she could kill you if she gave you the wrong medicine. She finds that alot of medical doctors do appreciate when she points out that a particular med isn't advisable for their patients. She had 6 years of studying drugs and their interactions not anatomy.

 

[soccerdad72]

I work in academics (in administration, not student-facing), so I work with a number of PhDs and generally speaking, in a professional setting, I will always refer to them as Dr. In most casual situations, though, they just go by their first names.

There's arrogance in all areas of life, unfortunately, so there's always some people who are over the top about demanding people refer to them with a certain title. The worst I've dealt with in recent years was a guy who referred to himself as 'Director Smith' - which was just the title his job had. There's hundreds of 'directors' in our college, yet this was the only one who expected people to refer to him that way.

 

[igrsod]

Words change meaning over time. I believe the majority of people think of medical doctor first when someone is introduced as doctor despite the initial meaning of the word.

I think there will come a time where non medical doctors will get a new title and Dr will be reserved for medical doctors.

I actually don't. All of my professors were referred to as Dr. I didn't confuse them with medical doctors. The MD is what distinguishes that.

 

[Micca]

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

You know the more I think of it - if there was ever a time not to use moniker, now would be that time. The nurses and doctors that I work with have contributed so much right now that I’d be a no for 2020 at least.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

One of the previous pastors at my church used the title "Doctor" even though his doctorate was honorary. I'm not a fan of that. But actual Doctors should be called doctors in a professional setting. This includes pastors.

 

[tazdev3225]

My brother has a PhD in Nuclear Biophysics or something like that. I am the non scientist in my family. One brother has a Masters in Chemistry and the other is a retired Colonel with a Masters in some science. Dinners are like the Big Bang Theory at my house on the holidays.

My brother the PhD said that he doesn't really care if he is called Dr. except in the work field. He worked extremely hard to get that title. I think it is an individual decision but it is not an honor it is something earned.

That being said I knew a woman from my church who had her doctorate in nursing. She insisted we must always address her as DR.!!!! She went so far as to insist on a Dr.'s parking space at the hospital she worked at. She threatened a lawsuit when the HR team said that the spaces were reserved for MEDICAL Dr.'s. She was a piece of work that I refused to call Dr. just because I knew it annoyed her. Yes petty but she did something to my parents and then my granddaughter. I told her that I would address her as doctor when pigs fly. She wasn't amused. I didn't care.

 

[VandVsmama]

Somebody with a PhD absolutely can be called Dr. so-and-so.

For a JD (law) degree? No.

 

[tzolkin]

I work in academics (in administration, not student-facing), so I work with a number of PhDs and generally speaking, in a professional setting, I will always refer to them as Dr. In most casual situations, though, they just go by their first names.

This has been my experience as well. Most I know in academia will be introduced as "Doctor" if they're giving a talk or if it's a formal meeting, but otherwise do not generally use the term.

I do know a few professors who explicitly request their students and others call them Dr. __, but typically most use either "Professor ___" or just their first name.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Do you think the title doctor should be reserved for the medical profession?

No, IMO anyone who holds a doctorate degree has earned the right to use the title as they see fit. Though in my experience, most only do so in a professional context. DS is currently a PhD student in a STEM field, and I fully respect the hard work and dedication one must achieve to get that degree.

Incidentally, many teachers and other educators such as administrators have a Doctor of Education (EdD), rather than a PhD, which is what Jill Biden has. When I was in HS, we had a few teachers and principals who were called Dr. Lastname, that I suspect were EdDs. However, in college, where the majority of faculty had PhDs, most were addressed by students as Professor Lastname.

Lawyers who have a JD should not be addressed as Doctor as that is not their terminal degree.

It’s not? I know several lawyers who would disagree. While technically there are research-based law degrees that are “higher”, for all intents and purposes, a JD is considered a terminal degree for those practicing law. I agree that they typically don’t use the title of Doctor.

 

[DLgal]

I think most titles should be reserved for professional environments. I think it's weird to call people by their titles outside of a professional situation. Like, my husband is a Lieutenant Colonel in the military. He ONLY uses that title at work. No one outside of the military ever refers to him as "Colonel." He is Mr. T.

Similarly, I feel like PhDs should go by Mr or Mrs or Ms rather than "Doctor" in general interactions. They can be referred to as Doctor in academic or professional situations.

Now, medical doctors are a little different, IMO. Since they are basically always "on duty" in terms of their ability to be helpful in a medical emergency situation, I feel like calling them "Doctor" outside of work is useful and conveys their status as a potential helper.

I know this post is in response to "Dr. Jill." My opinion on this one is that if she is speaking with authority on the subject where she holds her degree, absolutely refer to her as Doctor. Otherwise, probably not necessary. Although, as First Lady (elect), she does have a bit more riding on people knowing her qualifications, especially if she plans to use her position to push an educational initiative as her pet project.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

You know the more I think of it - if there was ever a time not to use moniker, now would be that time. The nurses and doctors that I work with have contributed so much right now that I’d be a no for 2020 at least.

What about any of the scientists who might have their PhD who created a vaccine for us?