Teachers Lounge
Educators Share Their Views
Doctoral Degree vs Honorary Doctorate Degree
@donnayford
Mike Robinson, Ed.D.: Can and should people with honorary doctorate degrees add 'Dr.' in front of their name? And if so,is it fair to those that have done the academic work to earn a doctorate? (2) Should exceptions exist for those who have contributed mighty to society like Maya Angelou? (3) What are your thoughts on the comments below? In 2011, MIT chancellor Eric Grimson said. “Our students work really hard to earn their degrees. We’re not about to give one away.’’
Donna Y. Ford, Ph.D.: I do not believe that those with honorary degrees should call themselves Dr. A PhD, EdD, MD, and JD is earned. An honorary degree is definitely a tribute, but the title needs to be changed to reflect social contributions that are admirable. I don't know what that title should be but not Dr.
Donna Y. Ford, Ph.D.: I do not believe that those with honorary degrees should call themselves Dr. A PhD, EdD, MD, and JD is earned. An honorary degree is definitely a tribute, but the title needs to be changed to reflect social contributions that are admirable. I don't know what that title should be but not Dr.
@2Asquared
Mike Robinson, Ed.D.: Can and should people with honorary doctorate degrees add 'Dr.' in front of their name? And if so,is it fair to those that have done the academic work to earn a doctorate? (2) Should exceptions exist for those who have contributed mighty to society like Maya Angelou? (3) What are your thoughts on the comments below? In 2011, MIT chancellor Eric Grimson said. “Our students work really hard to earn their degrees. We’re not about to give one away.’’
Ariel Ash-Shakoor, Ph.D.: I’m not sure about people who earn an honorary doctorate degree because they have done work in other ways to earn the degree. I think most people with a Ph.D. don’t usually use Dr. in front of their name to avoid confusion with a medical doctor. I assume most people with honorary degrees also don’t put Ph.D. behind their name.
I haven’t seen people like Queen Latifah or Michelle Obama do this probably because they already have enough notoriety to not add it and understand that it’s honorary. This would be a good question for someone who has an honorary degree.
Ariel Ash-Shakoor, Ph.D.: I’m not sure about people who earn an honorary doctorate degree because they have done work in other ways to earn the degree. I think most people with a Ph.D. don’t usually use Dr. in front of their name to avoid confusion with a medical doctor. I assume most people with honorary degrees also don’t put Ph.D. behind their name.
I haven’t seen people like Queen Latifah or Michelle Obama do this probably because they already have enough notoriety to not add it and understand that it’s honorary. This would be a good question for someone who has an honorary degree.
Mike Robinson, Ed.D.: Can and should people with honorary doctorate degrees add 'Dr.' in front of their name? And if so,is it fair to those that have done the academic work to earn a doctorate? (2) Should exceptions exist for those who have contributed mighty to society like Maya Angelou? (3) What are your thoughts on the comments below? In 2011, MIT chancellor Eric Grimson said. “Our students work really hard to earn their degrees. We’re not about to give one away.’’
George Noble, Ph.D.: Some people like Dr. Vivian Thomas worked hard and developed a surgical technique for Blue Baby Syndrome. Circumstances in his life prevented him from getting a degree. I would say Dr. Vivian Thomas deserved his honorary degree. (Vivien Thomas https://g.co/kgs/xwdHWM)
Some people with doctorate degree may not have contributed as much as Vivien Thomas did I would like it if politics were removed from all degrees. And each person was evaluated on merits alone.
George Noble, Ph.D.: Some people like Dr. Vivian Thomas worked hard and developed a surgical technique for Blue Baby Syndrome. Circumstances in his life prevented him from getting a degree. I would say Dr. Vivian Thomas deserved his honorary degree. (Vivien Thomas https://g.co/kgs/xwdHWM)
Some people with doctorate degree may not have contributed as much as Vivien Thomas did I would like it if politics were removed from all degrees. And each person was evaluated on merits alone.
@JaniceWyattRoss
Mike Robinson, Ed.D.: Can and should people with honorary doctorate degrees add 'Dr.' in front of their name? And if so,is it fair to those that have done the academic work to earn a doctorate? (2) Should exceptions exist for those who have contributed mighty to society like Maya Angelou? (3) What are your thoughts on the comments below? In 2011, MIT chancellor Eric Grimson said. “Our students work really hard to earn their degrees. We’re not about to give one away.’’
Janice Wyatt-Ross, Ed.D.: I was actually thinking about this a few days ago. I would preserve honorary doctorate degrees for those who did not have the opportunity to attend college but have made significant contributions to society as a whole.
Janice Wyatt-Ross, Ed.D.: I was actually thinking about this a few days ago. I would preserve honorary doctorate degrees for those who did not have the opportunity to attend college but have made significant contributions to society as a whole.
@stephengpeters
Mike Robinson, Ed.D.: Can and should people with honorary doctorate degrees add 'Dr.' in front of their name? And if so,is it fair to those that have done the academic work to earn a doctorate? (2) Should exceptions exist for those who have contributed mighty to society like Maya Angelou? (3) What are your thoughts on the comments below? In 2011, MIT chancellor Eric Grimson said. “Our students work really hard to earn their degrees. We’re not about to give one away.’’
Stephen Peters, Ed.D.: I see no problem with honorary degrees being awarded (i.e. Maya Angelou), but don’t think Dr. should be used with name. There is a reason everyone doesn’t earn a doctorate. It’s grueling and earned.
Stephen Peters, Ed.D.: I see no problem with honorary degrees being awarded (i.e. Maya Angelou), but don’t think Dr. should be used with name. There is a reason everyone doesn’t earn a doctorate. It’s grueling and earned.
@DrShontaSmith
Mike Robinson, Ed.D.: Can and should people with honorary doctorate degrees add 'Dr.' in front of their name? And if so,is it fair to those that have done the academic work to earn a doctorate? (2) Should exceptions exist for those who have contributed mighty to society like Maya Angelou? (3) What are your thoughts on the comments below? In 2011, MIT chancellor Eric Grimson said. “Our students work really hard to earn their degrees. We’re not about to give one away.’’
Shonta Smith, Ed.D.: I concur with Chancellor Grimson. I do understand and support what institutions are doing by honoring someone with an honorary doctorate. From my stand point that is why it is called an honorary doctorate. However, when you are applying for a job it is null and void as it carries no weight in a professional setting, which adds to Chancellor Grimson's point of not giving one away. As to exceptions, there is really no exception unless we are going back in time when our ancestors were in bondage and could not get an education. It is not fair to those who have put in the work and experience. To acknowledge them for contributing to the field is one thing, but again it is not recognized in a professional setting therefore it carries no weight.
Shonta Smith, Ed.D.: I concur with Chancellor Grimson. I do understand and support what institutions are doing by honoring someone with an honorary doctorate. From my stand point that is why it is called an honorary doctorate. However, when you are applying for a job it is null and void as it carries no weight in a professional setting, which adds to Chancellor Grimson's point of not giving one away. As to exceptions, there is really no exception unless we are going back in time when our ancestors were in bondage and could not get an education. It is not fair to those who have put in the work and experience. To acknowledge them for contributing to the field is one thing, but again it is not recognized in a professional setting therefore it carries no weight.
Mike Robinson, Ed.D.: Can and should people with honorary doctorate degrees add 'Dr.' in front of their name? And if so,is it fair to those that have done the academic work to earn a doctorate? (2) Should exceptions exist for those who have contributed mighty to society like Maya Angelou? (3) What are your thoughts on the comments below? In 2011, MIT chancellor Eric Grimson said. “Our students work really hard to earn their degrees. We’re not about to give one away.’’
Ericka W. Ways, Ph.D.: My thoughts on whether honorary doctors should add the title "Dr." in front of their names. The doctoral degree and honorary doctoral degree are granted to individuals that have made some form of contribution to society at large. I do believe that people with honorary doctorate degrees deserve an appellation. They may be addressed as "Doctor." However, it should not be the title "Dr. " in front of their name. For example, Sean "Puffy Daddy" Combs name should read Sean Combs, HDR. The "HDR" would be the abbreviation of "Honorary Doctorate."
Ericka W. Ways, Ph.D.: My thoughts on whether honorary doctors should add the title "Dr." in front of their names. The doctoral degree and honorary doctoral degree are granted to individuals that have made some form of contribution to society at large. I do believe that people with honorary doctorate degrees deserve an appellation. They may be addressed as "Doctor." However, it should not be the title "Dr. " in front of their name. For example, Sean "Puffy Daddy" Combs name should read Sean Combs, HDR. The "HDR" would be the abbreviation of "Honorary Doctorate."
Mike Robinson, Ed.D.: Can and should people with honorary doctorate degrees add 'Dr.' in front of their name? And if so,is it fair to those that have done the academic work to earn a doctorate? (2) Should exceptions exist for those who have contributed mighty to society like Maya Angelou? (3) What are your thoughts on the comments below? In 2011, MIT chancellor Eric Grimson said. “Our students work really hard to earn their degrees. We’re not about to give one away.’’
Nneka Greene (Ph.D. student, Regent University):Depending on the requirements of the honorary degree, I don't really have a problem with it. Someone being called Dr. with an honorary degree does not negate the work I'm doing for mine. There are a lot of people with actual doctorates and their work wasn't as rigorous or they received it off privilege alone. As long as an honorary degree is not being used to prevent a person of color from progressing it's OK for me.
Nneka Greene (Ph.D. student, Regent University):Depending on the requirements of the honorary degree, I don't really have a problem with it. Someone being called Dr. with an honorary degree does not negate the work I'm doing for mine. There are a lot of people with actual doctorates and their work wasn't as rigorous or they received it off privilege alone. As long as an honorary degree is not being used to prevent a person of color from progressing it's OK for me.
Mike Robinson, Ed.D.: Can and should people with honorary doctorate degrees add 'Dr.' in front of their name? And if so,is it fair to those that have done the academic work to earn a doctorate? (2) Should exceptions exist for those who have contributed mighty to society like Maya Angelou? (3) What are your thoughts on the comments below? In 2011, MIT chancellor Eric Grimson said. “Our students work really hard to earn their degrees. We’re not about to give one away.’’
Lyn Walden, Ph.D.: I feel strongly about this. I worked hard and earned two doctoral degrees, a specialist degree, and two masters degrees. For anyone who has not at least earned a doctoral degree to lay claim to the title doctor, is wrong, in my humble opinion. These esteemed individuals can sign, Joe Public, Honorary Doctorate. I am even more bothered by and will call people out who sign their names with ABD or Ph.D. ca. Neither title exists. It is highly unethical to use ABD and just plain dumb to use the ca.
Lyn Walden, Ph.D.: I feel strongly about this. I worked hard and earned two doctoral degrees, a specialist degree, and two masters degrees. For anyone who has not at least earned a doctoral degree to lay claim to the title doctor, is wrong, in my humble opinion. These esteemed individuals can sign, Joe Public, Honorary Doctorate. I am even more bothered by and will call people out who sign their names with ABD or Ph.D. ca. Neither title exists. It is highly unethical to use ABD and just plain dumb to use the ca.
Mike Robinson, Ed.D.: Can and should people with honorary doctorate degrees add 'Dr.' in front of their name? And if so,is it fair to those that have done the academic work to earn a doctorate? (2) Should exceptions exist for those who have contributed mighty to society like Maya Angelou? (3) What are your thoughts on the comments below? In 2011, MIT chancellor Eric Grimson said. “Our students work really hard to earn their degrees. We’re not about to give one away.’’
Michelle Steven, Ed.D.: People who have been awarded an honorary doctorate should not use the title Dr. as their prefix. I don't even use it all the time and I've earned it! Nor should they try to parlay their award into a professor or lectureship (yes, I've heard some have tried). There should be no exceptions to those who have contributed a great literary work or something of the like but I agree that there can be some form of acknowledgement. I agree with the President of MIT (my cousin earned her PhD there), no giveaways!
Michelle Steven, Ed.D.: People who have been awarded an honorary doctorate should not use the title Dr. as their prefix. I don't even use it all the time and I've earned it! Nor should they try to parlay their award into a professor or lectureship (yes, I've heard some have tried). There should be no exceptions to those who have contributed a great literary work or something of the like but I agree that there can be some form of acknowledgement. I agree with the President of MIT (my cousin earned her PhD there), no giveaways!