Re: Titles

["John M. Clement" <clement@HAL-PC.ORG>]

According to the dictionary the PhD is a research degree, but the MD and JD are professional degrees.  All three are still called "doctorates".  American usage is sloppy, variable, and in some cases highly discriminatory.  I have experienced and know of cases where the title Dr was used only for administrators, especially male administrators, and was not used for the staff, especially the female staff.  On the other hand some national labs go by an egalitarian first name basis only.

In Europe an MD is properly called physician, and a PhD Dr.  In addition in Germany the wife of a Phd is Frau Doctor ..., meaning the Drs wife.  But if they are a paradox, she could be Dr. Frau Dr ...

In the USA, the rules seem to be what you are willing to ask for.

John M. Clement, PhD

> Where is it written what the written form of one's title should be?
>
> Is it correct to use the "Dr." _and_ the "PhD"  ie Dr Fulano de Tal, Ph.D.
>
> Or Dr Fulano de Tal, O.D. or M.D. for medical types
>
> How much work is involved in getting a "M.D., Ph.D." did these guys do
> several years of grad school and research and a dissertation before or
> after med school or is this like a J. D. for lawyer types?
>
> Jim Green
> mailto:JMGreen@sisna.com
> http://users.sisna.com/jmgreen