Proper way to address professor or professional person in class or in public?? Mr., MS, DR, Professor?
Some people automatically put- "doctor" in front of the name. Is that proper regardless of degree? Some professors have a masters degree, some have two. Some have a PhD, some a PsyD, others an MD, or ThD, or Dmin.
I always thought that there were only 2 degrees that entitled the recipient the prefix Dr in front of their name -Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Theology (THD). All others would be addressed as Mr/Ms Jones or Mr/Ms Jones PhD, with the title as a suffix.
What is the proper way?
Update:Edit: I realize that most all people address someone with a PhD as "doctor". My question- is this proper, or just excepted/expected over-politeness.
More Questions From This User See All
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
The PhD is a doctor as well. Certain post-graduate degrees are called doctorates--MD, DO, PhD, DDS, DVM--and you would correctly call them "doctor," but academic titles and ranks, such as professors, associate professors, etc., do not necessarily mean they are doctors. More so just teachers or research scientists. I work with surgeons who also hold academic rank, but we also have an MA who is an assistant professor, but not a doctor. You would address her as Mrs./Miss/Ms.
I'm sure I cleared up absolutely nothing. :) (And it's a little bit different in the UK.)
I believe that generally a person is entitled to be called by the highest title/qualification he has.
In most of the English speaking world we address anyone with a PhD as doctor, and there is no special title for a person with a masters, or multiple masters degrees.
It is correct to address anyone with a doctoral degree in any field of study as 'Doctor.'
Who is properly entitled 'Professor' varies, but in the U.S. and in several other countries, it is a "legal title conferred by a university denoting the highest academic rank." (These teachers already have doctorates in their fields of study, and they also usually do research.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor
When I attended the University of Arizona, those instructors not so entitled would correct anyone who addressed them as 'Professor,' saying that they had not yet attained that rank. All non-professors were addressed as Doctor (if they held doctorates) or by their choice of Mr., Ms., Mrs., Miss.
When in doubt, ask.
It would depend on the persons title or how they would prefer to be addressed.
Anyone with a PhD has earned the title of Dr.
even if someone doesn't have a medical degree, i would still refer to them as doctor if they have any PhD, unless they tell me otherwise. some people get really offended if you don't call them 'doctor' when they have a doctorate of anything. they think 'i didn't go to post-grad school for 4+ years for someone to call me Mr/Mrs!'
If the person is a professor (as in academically) I believe 'professor' (followed by the last name) would be acceptable. Since the key is courtesy, it would be best to ask each person how they would prefer to be addressed. (and take notes, if your memory is as bad as mine)
If I was unsure of their correct title (most will introduce themselves at the beginning of the course so you would know how to address them) then I would just stick with "Professor ______________".
DOCTOR! Trust me, if you call them Ms. or Mr. they will correct you real quick!
A professor is called professor
A PhD is called doctor
A surgeon is called Mr.
Professor would be my choice.