How address the holder of a Doctorate (original) (raw)


How to Address a Person with a PhDHow to Address a Person holding a Doctorate 1) Holders of doctorates who work in academia or research institutions use "Dr. (Name)" professionally and socially. Thus a PhD in biology doing research at the local university or lab probably uses "Dr." and everybody thinks it's right. Protestant clergy with doctorates typically use "Dr. (Name)" too. 2) Holders of doctorates who work outside academia or research typically don't insist on "Dr." Neither PhD in finance at a Bank & Trust Co. nor a PhD in American history working for for Xerox is likely to insist on being addressed as "Dr." 3) In health care environments there is often a practice no one except the MDs (or vets, dentists, osteopaths, podiatrist... ) are addressed as "Dr." out of consideration for the patients who actually do want to know which are the doctors. That makes for some unhappy PhD's in hospital administration, nursing, pharmacology, etc. who would like to be addressed as "Dr. (name)" at the hospital. But for the patients, the pratice makes sense. 4) All that said, ultimately what each of is called is up to us and everyone usually goes along. If I meet a woman who identifies herself as Monsignor Alice I think ... it is unlikely she's a Roman Catholic Monsignor ... and it's unusual that she had only one name, like Cher or Madonna ... but I just say " Monsignor Alice, it's nice to meet you." Then, when she's out of range, we can talk about her. -- Robert Hickey How to address a doctor? See also ... How to address a dentist How address a medical doctor How to address a veterinarian How to address doctor holding an academic doctorate How to address an osteopath FYI, here is what's come in to the Blog that relates to this office/rank. For recent questions sent in, check out Robert Hickey's Blog. For specific offices/ranks, check out Robert Hickey's On-Line Guide. Can I Call Myself a "Dr." with my PhD? I hold a DMA, Doctorate in Music from a Boston university, and am a Church Music Director. Please could you advise me as to whether it is acceptable for the church where I work to list me in the service bulletins as: Dr. (first name) + (last name) ? -- CJ a Music Director at Church Dear CJ: Academic doctorates are frequently used professionally: Faculty members with a PhD are usually "Dr. (name)" at the university or when speaking in the context of their degree. Scientists with a PhD are typically "Dr. (name)" at the research lab and at professional conferences. Socially? Usually academics and researchers use "Dr." socially. But ultimately whether a particular PhD holder is "Dr." socially ... especially outside of academia or research ... is at the preference of the bearer. List yourself in the bulletin using the professional form ... which is " (First name) + (Last name) , DMA" It specifically acknowledges your academic credential in your professional domain. It however doesn't specify if you prefer to be addressed orally as "Dr. (name)" or "Ms. (name)." In my book (page 160) I show that outside academia or research in oral address "Ms. (name)" would be the default, but advises one check preference of the person you are addressing. -- Robert HickeyHow Do I Know if a PhD Should Be Addressed as "Dr."? May I ask question regarding those with PhDs? Would you please clarify for me - if a person holds a PhD - should Doctor be used in front of his name? I apologize if these questions are answered in your book! I'll try to get it. -- Mac Bozman, Council BluffsDear Mr. Bozman: This 'doctor' question comes up often. Holders of medical doctorates (medical, osteopaths, dentists, podiatrist, vets...) use Dr. (Name) professionally and socially. Holders of academic doctorates in academia and research usually do too. Holders of academic doctorates outside of academia and research ... in corporate and business ... usually don't. E.g., every lawyer now-a-days is a JD ... doctor of jurisprudence, but none use Dr. ... and a holder of a doctorate in finance at a bank probably doesn't either. So the good news is that if it's a doctor and if he works at a college or in scientific research ... you can address him as Dr. (Name) safely. And the bad news is with PhD's outside those arenas ... you will need to call to see what his or her preference is. The key is "the preference of the bearer" .... it's not up to me or you to decide when or if someone with a PhD is addressed as Dr. If that's what he or she want's I will go along with it. A person's name belongs to them. -- Robert HickeyWho Uses "Dr." In a Health Care Setting? We have been having great debate about the use honorifics and credentials in our health care setting. The current practice is to only use honorifics and credentials when referring to physicians. Therefore, announcements and communications (internal and external) read Dr. William Smith and Julie Brown. In some instances, Julie Brown may have a doctorate, such as a PhD, DPT, PharmD. Physicians get an honorific but no one else get's an honorific (Dr., Mr., Mrs., and/or Ms.). The same is true if you use MD at the end of the name -- physicians get post nominals ... others don't. Shouldn't all the degrees be acknowledged in the same fashion? Do you have any guidance? -- Cody Burnett, Holland MichiganDear Mr. Burnett: A couple of issues here: RE: Who Gets Their Post Nominals? Official correspondence often includes post-nominal for a degree that is a requirement for the position. So regarding your the hospital's newsletter, It seems reasonable that post nominals would be included when pertinent. E.g., in a story about a pharmacist and his professional activities -- it would seem reasonable to include post nominals: David Smith, PharmD. RE: Who Get's to Be Addressed as "Dr."? At universities and research facilities holders of non-medical doctorates use Dr. as an honorific all the time. But there, there are no patients needing quite the same level of clarity as to who is and who is not a physician / doctor. I'd say your rule that Dr. is only used for physicians is a benefit to customers/clients/patients. It's functionally informative that while waiting to see the doctor -- physicians are the only ones around the hospital getting the honorific .... and being referred to asdoctor. -- Robert HickeyMay I Use Dr. if my PhD is Not in the Field In Which I Am Offering Professional Service? Please help me. I have a PhD. I have also a license in counseling. Recently I sent out an announcement for a yoga class I will be teaching. The state of Colorado says I should not be using my name -- Dr. Kevin Schoffner. They cannot see that someone does more then one thing. I have worked in clinical behavioral counseling/integrative health counseling. I've worked at a hospital have many articles and PR on my work and it would be hard to change the fact that people call me Dr. Kevin though I am not presenting myself as a clinical psychologist. When I have looked up the legality of this they say that any advanced degree can say PhD. I need to address this situation immediately. I greatly appreciate your help. -- Kevin Schoffner, PhD, LPC, CMT, IKYTA Counseling, Yoga Therapy, Integrative Health & Healing Dear Dr. Schoffner, Interesting question! You mention a lot of things in your note, but let's focus on the yoga class for the moment. So you have a PhD, but it's not in something related to yoga? A couple of typical practices I observe in the USA come to mind: 1) An academic on a scholarly paper might list every degree and certification ... e.g., .... (Full Name), PhD, MBA, RN, BFA, Professional Certifications & Memberships, etc. 2) Outside academia professionals use just the degrees pertinent to their professional practice ... to let the public evaluate their credentials to practice. I doubt a pastor would use The Reverend if he or she were teaching a course in income tax preparation (unless the class was just for pastors -- in which case it just might be pertinent.). That he or she is a pastor might be mentioned in a complete biography ... but probably not as a part of his or her name in the course description. So, I can see if you are using Dr. when offering a class in yoga, and your doctorate is not directly to the service you are offering, say a doctorate physical therapy or kinesthetics ... it would be confusing to me ... and the state official must think it is misleading to the public. -- Robert Hickey How to Use “Dr.” or "PhD" on an Invitation? Would you please clarify for me, if a person holds a PhD, should his or her name be Doctor (name) a wedding invitation? Or (Name), PhD ? Is this true for the father of the bride? The groom? Is the rule for names on wedding invitations and wedding envelopes different that the guidelines for social correspondence? -- Beverly Russell, Winchester, VirginiaDear Ms. Russell: Wedding invitations and their envelopes are social correspondence, and follow the standard rules for social correspondence. One rule is ... post-nominals aren't used on social correspondence. Holders of academic doctorates working in academia and research usually prefer to be addressed as Dr. (name) socially. Holders of academic doctorates working outside of academia and research ... in corporate and business ... usually don't. E.g., holder of a doctorate in finance who works at a bank probably doesn't request to be addressed Dr. (name). An attorney with a doctor in jurisprudence won’t insist on being addressed as Dr. (name). But guessing won’t get you the right answer. The key for PhD’s is to find the the preference of the bearer. It's not up to either of us to decide if someone with a PhD is or is not addressed as Dr. (name). If that's what he or she prefers I will go along with it. A person's name belongs to them. -- Robert Hickey All information on www.formsofaddress.info is copyright © 2010 by Robert Hickey.The Protocol School of Washington® is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.Honor & Respect is dedicated to Dorothea Johnson, Founder of The Protocol School of Washington®

How to Address a Person with a PhDHow to Address a Person holding a Doctorate 1) Holders of doctorates who work in academia or research institutions use "Dr. (Name)" professionally and socially. Thus a PhD in biology doing research at the local university or lab probably uses "Dr." and everybody thinks it's right. Protestant clergy with doctorates typically use "Dr. (Name)" too. 2) Holders of doctorates who work outside academia or research typically don't insist on "Dr." Neither PhD in finance at a Bank & Trust Co. nor a PhD in American history working for for Xerox is likely to insist on being addressed as "Dr." 3) In health care environments there is often a practice no one except the MDs (or vets, dentists, osteopaths, podiatrist... ) are addressed as "Dr." out of consideration for the patients who actually do want to know which are the doctors. That makes for some unhappy PhD's in hospital administration, nursing, pharmacology, etc. who would like to be addressed as "Dr. (name)" at the hospital. But for the patients, the pratice makes sense. 4) All that said, ultimately what each of is called is up to us and everyone usually goes along. If I meet a woman who identifies herself as Monsignor Alice I think ... it is unlikely she's a Roman Catholic Monsignor ... and it's unusual that she had only one name, like Cher or Madonna ... but I just say " Monsignor Alice, it's nice to meet you." Then, when she's out of range, we can talk about her. -- Robert Hickey How to address a doctor? See also ... How to address a dentist How address a medical doctor How to address a veterinarian How to address doctor holding an academic doctorate How to address an osteopath FYI, here is what's come in to the Blog that relates to this office/rank. For recent questions sent in, check out Robert Hickey's Blog. For specific offices/ranks, check out Robert Hickey's On-Line Guide. Can I Call Myself a "Dr." with my PhD? I hold a DMA, Doctorate in Music from a Boston university, and am a Church Music Director. Please could you advise me as to whether it is acceptable for the church where I work to list me in the service bulletins as: Dr. (first name) + (last name) ? -- CJ a Music Director at Church Dear CJ: Academic doctorates are frequently used professionally: Faculty members with a PhD are usually "Dr. (name)" at the university or when speaking in the context of their degree. Scientists with a PhD are typically "Dr. (name)" at the research lab and at professional conferences. Socially? Usually academics and researchers use "Dr." socially. But ultimately whether a particular PhD holder is "Dr." socially ... especially outside of academia or research ... is at the preference of the bearer. List yourself in the bulletin using the professional form ... which is " (First name) + (Last name) , DMA" It specifically acknowledges your academic credential in your professional domain. It however doesn't specify if you prefer to be addressed orally as "Dr. (name)" or "Ms. (name)." In my book (page 160) I show that outside academia or research in oral address "Ms. (name)" would be the default, but advises one check preference of the person you are addressing. -- Robert HickeyHow Do I Know if a PhD Should Be Addressed as "Dr."? May I ask question regarding those with PhDs? Would you please clarify for me - if a person holds a PhD - should Doctor be used in front of his name? I apologize if these questions are answered in your book! I'll try to get it. -- Mac Bozman, Council BluffsDear Mr. Bozman: This 'doctor' question comes up often. Holders of medical doctorates (medical, osteopaths, dentists, podiatrist, vets...) use Dr. (Name) professionally and socially. Holders of academic doctorates in academia and research usually do too. Holders of academic doctorates outside of academia and research ... in corporate and business ... usually don't. E.g., every lawyer now-a-days is a JD ... doctor of jurisprudence, but none use Dr. ... and a holder of a doctorate in finance at a bank probably doesn't either. So the good news is that if it's a doctor and if he works at a college or in scientific research ... you can address him as Dr. (Name) safely. And the bad news is with PhD's outside those arenas ... you will need to call to see what his or her preference is. The key is "the preference of the bearer" .... it's not up to me or you to decide when or if someone with a PhD is addressed as Dr. If that's what he or she want's I will go along with it. A person's name belongs to them. -- Robert HickeyWho Uses "Dr." In a Health Care Setting? We have been having great debate about the use honorifics and credentials in our health care setting. The current practice is to only use honorifics and credentials when referring to physicians. Therefore, announcements and communications (internal and external) read Dr. William Smith and Julie Brown. In some instances, Julie Brown may have a doctorate, such as a PhD, DPT, PharmD. Physicians get an honorific but no one else get's an honorific (Dr., Mr., Mrs., and/or Ms.). The same is true if you use MD at the end of the name -- physicians get post nominals ... others don't. Shouldn't all the degrees be acknowledged in the same fashion? Do you have any guidance? -- Cody Burnett, Holland MichiganDear Mr. Burnett: A couple of issues here: RE: Who Gets Their Post Nominals? Official correspondence often includes post-nominal for a degree that is a requirement for the position. So regarding your the hospital's newsletter, It seems reasonable that post nominals would be included when pertinent. E.g., in a story about a pharmacist and his professional activities -- it would seem reasonable to include post nominals: David Smith, PharmD. RE: Who Get's to Be Addressed as "Dr."? At universities and research facilities holders of non-medical doctorates use Dr. as an honorific all the time. But there, there are no patients needing quite the same level of clarity as to who is and who is not a physician / doctor. I'd say your rule that Dr. is only used for physicians is a benefit to customers/clients/patients. It's functionally informative that while waiting to see the doctor -- physicians are the only ones around the hospital getting the honorific .... and being referred to asdoctor. -- Robert HickeyMay I Use Dr. if my PhD is Not in the Field In Which I Am Offering Professional Service? Please help me. I have a PhD. I have also a license in counseling. Recently I sent out an announcement for a yoga class I will be teaching. The state of Colorado says I should not be using my name -- Dr. Kevin Schoffner. They cannot see that someone does more then one thing. I have worked in clinical behavioral counseling/integrative health counseling. I've worked at a hospital have many articles and PR on my work and it would be hard to change the fact that people call me Dr. Kevin though I am not presenting myself as a clinical psychologist. When I have looked up the legality of this they say that any advanced degree can say PhD. I need to address this situation immediately. I greatly appreciate your help. -- Kevin Schoffner, PhD, LPC, CMT, IKYTA Counseling, Yoga Therapy, Integrative Health & Healing Dear Dr. Schoffner, Interesting question! You mention a lot of things in your note, but let's focus on the yoga class for the moment. So you have a PhD, but it's not in something related to yoga? A couple of typical practices I observe in the USA come to mind: 1) An academic on a scholarly paper might list every degree and certification ... e.g., .... (Full Name), PhD, MBA, RN, BFA, Professional Certifications & Memberships, etc. 2) Outside academia professionals use just the degrees pertinent to their professional practice ... to let the public evaluate their credentials to practice. I doubt a pastor would use The Reverend if he or she were teaching a course in income tax preparation (unless the class was just for pastors -- in which case it just might be pertinent.). That he or she is a pastor might be mentioned in a complete biography ... but probably not as a part of his or her name in the course description. So, I can see if you are using Dr. when offering a class in yoga, and your doctorate is not directly to the service you are offering, say a doctorate physical therapy or kinesthetics ... it would be confusing to me ... and the state official must think it is misleading to the public. -- Robert Hickey How to Use “Dr.” or "PhD" on an Invitation? Would you please clarify for me, if a person holds a PhD, should his or her name be Doctor (name) a wedding invitation? Or (Name), PhD ? Is this true for the father of the bride? The groom? Is the rule for names on wedding invitations and wedding envelopes different that the guidelines for social correspondence? -- Beverly Russell, Winchester, VirginiaDear Ms. Russell: Wedding invitations and their envelopes are social correspondence, and follow the standard rules for social correspondence. One rule is ... post-nominals aren't used on social correspondence. Holders of academic doctorates working in academia and research usually prefer to be addressed as Dr. (name) socially. Holders of academic doctorates working outside of academia and research ... in corporate and business ... usually don't. E.g., holder of a doctorate in finance who works at a bank probably doesn't request to be addressed Dr. (name). An attorney with a doctor in jurisprudence won’t insist on being addressed as Dr. (name). But guessing won’t get you the right answer. The key for PhD’s is to find the the preference of the bearer. It's not up to either of us to decide if someone with a PhD is or is not addressed as Dr. (name). If that's what he or she prefers I will go along with it. A person's name belongs to them. -- Robert Hickey All information on www.formsofaddress.info is copyright © 2010 by Robert Hickey.The Protocol School of Washington® is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.Honor & Respect is dedicated to Dorothea Johnson, Founder of The Protocol School of Washington®