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Post-nominal letters - what to do when you have a PhD?

K

hi everyone

I've been updating my CV. usually signs off as "Kronk. O'Dile, BA (Hons), MSc. I usually have that as a signature on emails and official letters.

But what happens when you get a PHD?
Do people just write 'Dr. Firstname Lastname'?

or 'Firstname Lastname, PhD' as people will assume that you've got other degrees anyway (I'm assuming you don't put "Dr. First Last, PhD as you "advertise" the doctorate twice)

or do you leave out the title and list all post nominal quals?
'Firstname, Lastname, BA(hons), MSc, PhD.

What's the "done thing" (if there is such a thing!)?

J

The Germans are the best; Professor Doctor Doctor Mrs Petersen, or something. They never drop a single title.

A

I think it's most common to either have

1) Dr Firstname Lastname

or

2) Firstname Lastname, PhD

I think listing everything looks a bit silly, as you say, people don't usually get doctorates without undergrad degrees so they are implied. Personally, I use the second option because I work in a medical field and option 2 gives people my title (i.e. Dr) but also tells them that I am not medically qualified.

Ultimately, it's up to the individual to decide what they prefer. You've earned all your qualifications and if you want to list them all, then you can!

R

Hi,

I agree with the above, once you have your PhD there is no real point in writing MSc.
If you have a title is an underlated field like an MBA obviously you can still use it.

I think in most medical publications you get something like: name, MD, PhD

S

I wouldn't use the MSc in everyday life, but I would use it on official documents. Lots of PhD students don't have an MSc and it is still an achievement

R

Dear Sixkitten,

did not think about that; obviously a fair point and agree that MSc is an achievement

Regards

V

Although Msc is an achievement, however, PhD is a higher level achievement that implies that you have the Msc level knowledge and skills, whether you did or didnt do Masters. Therefore it does not make sense to put both Msc and PhD. I would not use both. Unless your PhD and Msc are in different fiels.

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