how do you write phd after name

How to use the PhD title and all the little doctorate “rules”

There are many conventions in the academic world that can make it difficult to navigate the PhD title. The PhD title is awarded to those who have completed a doctoral degree but, not many people know how to use it once they have it.

This article will go through everything you need to know about using the PhD title and when you can start using it.

The “rules” are relatively simple and can be broken as they are not officially set in stone – other than when you can officially call yourself a doctor.

There is no one correct answer but it may be misleading if you use the PhD title incorrectly. Here are the recommendations for effective communication.

It very much depends on the setting. Here are some examples of how I would use my PhD titles awarded to me after my PhD degree.

How do you Write PhD correctly after a name? Is it ph d or phd?

It can be confusing to know exactly how to write PhD after your name. Which bits are capitalised? Is there a ‘.’ In the middle?

When writing a name with a PhD after it, the correct way to do so is to use “PhD” or “Ph.D. or Ph.D”

Depending on the preference of the individual, either form can be used.

However, if the individual has a business card that states their degree in full, then the more formal “Doctor of Philosophy” should be used.

It is important to note that using “PhD” without any periods is incorrect; this abbreviation should only be used in informal contexts such as emails or text messages. I tend to use PhD in my YouTube videos and some people have pointed out that this is incorrect…

Following the individual’s preferred format will ensure that their name and credentials are properly represented.

Should you use Dr as well as PhD?

Some people like to use Dr and PhD in their official titles. There are a couple of important points that you need to know about markers and academic titles.

• A person can have more than one marker in their name. For example my full title is Dr Andrew Stapleton, PhD, MChem.
• The doctor title at the front can be used as a variant to the PhD at the end.

It can be a little bit ambiguous if I was to use Dr Andrew Stapleton, PhD as there are two markers. This could mean that I have two PhD’s, it could mean that I have a PhD and a medical doctorate, or it could just be that I want to use both the doctor and the PhD tags for the one degree.

However, in my experience, I still like to use the doctor title at the front and the PhD tag at the end of my name for official purposes.

Academics would rarely use the PhD suffix in everyday communication. They would much rather just use the doctor title.

What is the proper title for a PhD?

The proper title for a PhD is Doctor of Philosophy. However, some teachers and professors like to be referred to without their official title.

If you are not sure about how your professor, lecturer, or friend with a PhD wishes to be officially addressed you can ask them.

Most of the time, I like to refer to my colleagues with their doctor title for official purposes, but I do not include the PhD at the end of their name. That is much better suited to a business card.

Your lecture may wish to be referred to as:

• Dr [last name]
• Dr [first name]

Asking them in the early stages of your relationship is the best way to work out which one they prefer.

If in doubt, always go for the more formal name and nomenclature.

When can you start to use your PhD title after your doctorate?

When you have earned your PhD, you can start using your title immediately. Although, it can be a little bit confusing as to when you have actually passed your PhD. Is it when you have submitted your dissertation? Is it when you have received the comments back?

The University of Adelaide says that you can use it from your conferral date:

Students can be conferred on one of five dates during the year and for PhD students the conferral date will be the first available following the completion of all the academic requirements of your degree, including final thesis lodgement and the disbursement of any outstanding financial obligations to the University.

I started using my PhD title as soon as my confirmation letter arrived at my house. It was the first letter from the University that referred to me as Dr Stapleton. It was incredibly excited.

Generally, it is acceptable to use the title “Dr.” both professionally and socially but socially, people very rarely use it – at least in Australia. But you should never use it if you are a PhD student, PhD candidate or enrolled in a PhD program without a previous PhD qualification. 

I do use it in professional settings but it always makes me feel a little bit awkward.

However, there may be some restrictions for certain settings. For example, if have a research degree resulting in a doctor title and you are working in a medical setting – some institutions do not like you to use Dr as it can confuse patients into thinking that you have a medical degree. 

Instead, they ask that you use the PhD tag at the end of your name rather than the doctoral title for official and professional communications.

What is the correct way to write PhD?

When writing about someone’s PhD, the correct way is to write the term in full and capitalize each letter.

This should be done for all academic degrees, not just PhDs.

For example, it would be “Doctor of Philosophy” or “PhD” instead of “Ph.D.”, “Dr.”, or “DPhil”.

Additionally, it is common to mention the field of study in which the degree was earned if known, such as “Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics”. It is also good practice to include the institution that granted the degree if it is a recognized one.

When writing about someone’s PhD, use proper capitalization and include relevant information like field of study and institution if known to ensure accuracy.

How do you put a PhD in a title?

Putting a PhD in a title is not as complicated as it may sound.

Generally speaking, the proper way to list a PhD in an academic or professional setting is by writing “Dr.” before the name, followed by the person’s full name and the appropriate abbreviations for their degree.

For example, if John Smith has earned a doctorate in psychology, his credentials would be listed as “Dr. John Smith, Ph.D.”

In some cases, such as when addressing someone formally in speech or on a business card, it may also be acceptable to list their credentials as “John Smith, Ph.D.”

Depending on context and personal preference, some people may also choose to list their higher degrees after their names by writing out the entire degree instead of just its abbreviation.

For example, John Smith could choose to write his full title as “John Smith, Doctor of Psychology”

However, I have not seen this in real academic life.

Should the font size of Ph.D. be the same as someone’s name?

The question of whether the font size of a Ph.D. should be the same as someone’s name is an interesting one.

On one hand, it could be argued that the Ph.D. deserves to be highlighted and therefore should be given a larger font size than someone’s name to denote its importance.

On the other, it could be argued that this would not be necessary or appropriate, and that treating everyone equally regardless of their title or degree is more important.

It depends on context and usage – if both names appear in the same document then they should likely have the same font size; however, if one appears in a formal setting such as a diploma or certificate, then it may make sense to give it a larger font size than someone’s name to emphasize its importance and significance.

Ph.Ds (or PhDs) are an important academic achievement and should be respected accordingly but without going overboard by giving them overly large fonts sizes which can take away from rather than add to their importance.

Wrapping up – doctoral title rules

this article has been over everything you need to know that using the PhD title properly and effectively.

The doctor title can be used in place of the PhD and for incredibly formal communications, such as a business email or card, you can use both.

However, sometimes using both can cause confusion as to whether or not there is a reason first using both the doctor and PhD tags. Nonetheless, many people still use both.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

Thank you for visiting Academia Insider.

We are here to help you navigate Academia as painlessly as possible. We are supported by our readers and by visiting you are helping us earn a small amount through ads and affiliate revenue - Thank you!

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How to Use Dr and PhD with a Name

In English, as in many other languages, professional titles have abbreviations. These are for writing convenience but people will sometimes annunciate them while speaking. Two of these, Dr and PhD, are very common references when talking about the specific name of a doctor.

Therefore, it means you’re referring to people and in this case, it’s a college-trained and licensed individual who practices things like medicine, psychology, science, mathematics or some other field of study. But, like with most other things in English grammar, there is a particular use of Dr and PhD.

To use “Dr” to indicate a doctor, most particularly in the fields of medicine and science, you will put it before a person’s name. You can indicate first and last name. But, if you want to be casual or informal, you can use Dr before only mentioning a first name.

Use only a last name after the “Dr to be formal or informal depending on the circumstances. This will often accompany a period (.) after the abbreviation of Dr.

Dr. Michael Yeadon

Dr. Sherri Tenpenny

Dr. Carrie is my physician.

Dr. Maloney has been a scientist for 35 years.

There are some people who receive doctorate degrees, the highest education one can receive in any given subject. While they are doctors, they aren’t medical, scientific or psychological doctors. For instance, they could have a doctorate in things like politics, journalism, economics or some other such thing.

Therefore, you say or write their name and follow it with PhD. to indicate Doctor of Philosophy. But, you can also use it to be superbly formal with a medical or scientific doctor. This means you can use both Dr and PhD in the same line. But, here, you will add a comma (,) after the last name.

Sarah Kimmons PhD

Dr. Shane Ammora, PhD

Mnemonic Device

To remember where to use Dr versus PhD, is that Dr will always come before a name and PhD will appear after. However, both can appear around the same name. Therefore, the following example is a visual for those who memorize best that way:

Dr. DOCTOR, PhD

Whenever you want to write or mention the name of someone who’s a doctor, you’ll either use Dr or PhD to indicate their title. But, Dr comes before and PhD will be after.

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From admission to dissertation. Tips on making the PhD journey happy, productive and successful

How To Write PhD? Is it ph d or phd

How do you write phd correctly after a name is it ph d or phd, here are the steps to write phd correctly:.

• Firstly, “P” must be in a capital case.
• Secondly, “h” is in small case with no space after “P”
• Thirdly, use period/full-stop after “h”
• Fourthly, Write “D” in capital case.
• Fifthly, keep Period after “D”
• Finally, the correct way to write is Ph.D .
• Or, It can be also written as PhD in a sentence.
• As per APA style, write Ph. D
• As per Chicago style, write PhD
• As per MLA style, write it as Ph. D.

For example this is how to write PhD title after your name: Dr.John Mathew, Ph.D. You can write PhD after name on your business cards, resumes, CV’s or identity cards or on nameplates etc. Some have confusion with the use of comma and full stops while writing PhD title after name. Here is my indepth review how to write out properly PhD.

Writing a PhD title after name

Use capital “p” and “d” in the word ph.d..

You must write ‘P’ as capital and ‘D’ as capital letters. Though there is no strict rule on how to use capital and small letters, many of them do this way. Both letters which I have just mentioned must be written in Capital because those letters are the heart of the abbreviationPh.D. There is no other way of writing. Even if you search the whole world and ask many people and read many books, this is how PhD title is written.  Sometimes there are possibilities that both letters are written in small letters by mistake. You need to correct instantly if such is the case. Otherwise, it looks awkward when someone looks at it or reads it.  Usually, mistaken words are clearly observed than that of rightly written ones.

Use small letter ‘h’ in the word Ph.D.

The letter ‘h’ is what written small letter in this 3 letter word is.  We write it in a small letter after name because this letter ‘h’ is in the middle of the word Ph.D.  Here also don’t write mistake by using capital letters. This is the reason why many people write a PhD title after the name wrongly. They are confused about where to use capital letters and were not to use small letters. I suggest you practice all the letters in one or other way.

Why do we write a PhD title after the name?

We write a PhD title after the name to know that one has completed his doctoral studies and it is a sign of knowledge and status.  We write a Ph.D. even for other purposes. For example, if someone is working in a university, it is mandatory that his qualification must be known to all the students and as well as the staff. This is why we write the Ph.D. title after the name. Not only in the university but also to the competent authorities who come for an inspection to the university must know the status of the faculty profiles.  So the title Ph.D. is written after every faculty name as a title.

Should we use bold letters

I say a big no. You cannot write bold and fashioned way while writing PhD title after your name. As you write you must make it look similar along with the name without any difference. There is no way that you must write the Ph.D. title in bold fonts. This way, it looks very odd for those who look. Instead of reading your name, they will read Ph.D. firstly. So there is a chance of not remembering your name. So never use bold fonts while writing PhD title after your name.

Should we use Italic Letters

Again it is a big no. Do be too creative while writing a Ph.D. after your name. The use of italics is a big mistake. Do not use such writing in italics. Every time you use italic, again it looks very different from the original name adjacent to it.

Is Ph.D. a title after your name?

Do you think it is a PhD title or just a status?  It is both status and title.  Though in my personal opinion it is not a title, many call it as a title. But if you ask me I would tell it is a status word that is symbolically represented a matter of qualification. This is only my personal opinion about the title of Ph.D. So if at all you have some doubts about how this title arose as a part of history, you must read a vast number of history books about the Ph.D. title. It all requires for you to understand that a Ph.D. is not a title finally and just a resemblance of qualification.

Is it good to put PhD after title in your identity cards?

No, you must not use the title Ph.D. after your name in any type of identity card. These cards are existing irrespective of your qualification. This is meant to identify you as you are. There is no necessity what you have achieved. There is no need for knowing your qualifications. So in any type of identity card which is issued by the government like passport and voter card etc, you cannot use such title after your name. But there is one exception that the identity card at university or college or at job area must be given with Ph.D. title. If you ever need expert help with writing your Doctoral level papers, go to WriteMyPaperHub and send your request to  write my PhD thesis for me .

Should we use the subject name when using a Ph.D. with the name?

This thought is quite awkward. But I must still mention this. There are some who use the subject name after the Ph.D. title along with the name. Like for example Dr. Luke, Ph.D. in Linguistics. Using this way is quite reasonable if there are some important debates or international meetups. Otherwise, I don’t suggest such type of writing after your name.

What happens if you don’t use a Ph.D. after your name?

If you do not use the Ph.D. title after your name, people around you won’t know that you are a doctoral research fellow. So it is very important to let them know it. You can only use this if at all there are some students around you or any known people. If there are unknown people around you, then there is no way that it is mandatory to use a Ph.D. after your name. Anyhow, I say that there is no danger of not using Ph.D. after your name.

Should comma be addded before or after PhD

Yes, a comma is a mandatory thing to be added after Ph.D. This is a rule. Otherwise, it is mixed combined with your original name. It will become part of your name. So comma is good after your name. I have already given the example above on how to put a comma after your name. But let me give here one more example as a matter of understanding.  Dr.Mohima, Ph.D. If you see the name, for example, there is a comma used after the name to separate Ph.D. from it. So try to put a comma. But never use another punctuation mark as such full stop or colon after your name. I have seen people using other punctuation marks like semicolon after name and then they write the title Ph.D. Some don’t use at all. All such things are mistakes. Use the only comma after your name always.

Can we write Dr instead of Ph.D. after the name?

Writing a doctor instead of a Ph.D. means a different thing. So you cannot use such way. As this is not the right format. ‘Dr’ is used at the beginning of the name as another title. But after the name, it must be a Ph.D. and not ‘Dr’

Should we write a Ph.D. at all after one’s name that is too long?

Sometimes it so happens that your name is too long to write Ph.D. after it. During this trouble, you must cut out some part of the name and type PhD as a title after your name. There is no other way to do it.  Usually, longs name are common in some countries like Germany and India. But in the USA we have shorter names. Whatever may be the length, you must try to use the most used name and eliminate the rest of the name. This way you can use the title Ph.D. comfortable after your name. Always try to use the same name. Don’t change the name or cut your name in different ways on different days. These will again a problem to your recognition.

Should we write phd or ph d on business card, welcome banners during functions?

On welcome banners and business cards, it is very important to mention the title Ph.D. This will be more serious if you do not use the Ph.D. title after the name. There are many people watching that public banner. If you do not write the title after the name, you are disrespecting the guest totally. So be aware of using the title ofPh.D. whenever you have public functions or welcome banners or during some important meetings.  This is a sign that others should treat the guest better than the other out there.

Should the font size of Ph.D. be the same as someone’s name?

The name and the title Ph.D. must be in the same size. There must not be unusual differences. Font sizes matter a lot. Don’t use wrong font size or awkward fonts while using your title Ph.D. after your name. The best font could be like Ariel, Lato, Times New Roman, etc. These fonts will look better as a Ph.D. title after your name. Initially, there is some confusion about using the right font. But once you learn the size usage, you are comfortable using them rightly. Even when you write manually, you can easily write with similar size throughout. This requires a good amount of practice to write the Ph.D. title after your name with good font limitations.

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Hello, My name is Syam, Asst. Professor of English and Mentor for Ph.D. students worldwide. I have worked years to give you these amazing tips to complete your Ph.D. successfully. Having put a lot of efforts means to make your Ph.D. journey easier. Thank you for visiting my Ph.D. blog.

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Should I Write Ph.D. or PhD? (Complete Guide)

As some of you are probably aware, the kind of English used on my side of the pond (England) is sometimes a bit different to the English used in the land of burgers and Trump.

Some words are spelt differently. But others just have a few bits of grammar difference.

Today, I want to look at the difference between Ph.D. and PhD. We’ll look at which one is correct, what it stands for, and why it’s a bit odd that it stands for that.

Should I Write Ph.D. Or PhD?

It is correct to write both Ph.D. and PhD. Which one is best to use depends on where you are in the world. In Great Britain, they tend to use Ph.D. In the United States of America, they prefer to use Ph.D.

What Does Ph.D. Or PhD Stand For?

Let’s try to understand what Ph.D. stands for.

It stands for two things. And it doesn’t stand for one or the other, it stands for both of them at the same time.

The first thing is “Doctor of Philosophy” and the second is “Philosophiae Doctor”. As the eagle-eyed among you may have noticed, “Philosophiae” is not English. It’s in Latin.

This goes back to the days when the only people who needed university were high thinkers and philosophers.

Why Americans And Brits Disagree On Ph.D. Or PhD

This could help us to understand why Brits prefer PhD but Americans prefer Ph.D.

Perhaps, according to the Brits, it stands for “Philosophiae Doctor”. But, according to the Americans, it stands for “Doctor or Philosophy”.

After all, the Brits do have a habit of trying to sound smarter. But, whichever one you use, people on both sides should know what you’re saying.

Why Ph.D. Or PhD Is A Bit Strange

Now, I want you all to understand how strange it is to call anyone with a PhD a “doctor of Philosophy”.

Let’s say someone gets a Ph.D. in history.

Well, first of all, is she really a doctor? If you break your leg, she’s not the first person you’ll go to for help.

But not only that, she studied history, not philosophy. So, she’s called a doctor of philosophy despite not being a doctor and not having studied history.

Yet, for some reason, we still call her a “Doctor of philosophy”.

Where Does The Word “Doctor” Come From?

When most of us hear the word “Doctor”, we think of someone who makes us better when we’re sick. And there may be a few of you who think of a skinny man who travels through time in a Police Box.

But originally, “Doctor” was Latin for teacher. Through time, you were able to get a “PhD” in more things than just philosophy.

And, if you wanted to become what we think of as a “Doctor”, you would need to have a “doctorate” in medicine.

Technically, “Doctor” would be the wrong word . But it’s become so common, it’s managed to “common” itself enough to become the right word.

How To Get A Ph.D. Or PhD

Now I’m afraid you can’t just walk into a university and walk out with a PhD. There are steps you need to take before you get there.

First of all, you will need to do a Bachelor’s degree. This is the degree you do when you first enter university. There are some jobs where a bachelors is enough.

Let’s be honest here, most of the time you spend doing a bachelor is just having fun.

If you want to, you can then progress onto doing a master’s degree. This is a bit more high level, and you tend to need to work for it.

Once you have your bachelors you may decide to go on to get a PhD. If you go for this, you will be officially able to call yourself an intellectual.

What Kind Of Word Is Ph.D. Or PhD?

There are three ideas for what kind of word Ph.D. is. I’ll tell you all of them and let you make up your own mind.

A PhD is something you have. You work towards it, and once you’ve handed in all of your papers, you get a PhD.

A PhD is also something you are. If you have a PhD, you might say “I’m a PhD.”

It can also be a title, similar to “Sir” or “OBE”.

If your name is James Smith, and you are PhD, your name and title could be, Mr James Smith PhD.

How To Address Someone With A Ph.D. Or PhD

Talking of this man called James Smith, there are several ways to address and introduce him.

• If you have a Ph.D., you are allowed to call yourself “Doctor” even if you don’t have a PhD in medicine. Therefore, if he wants, James could be called Dr Smith.
• Maybe he doesn’t want to be confused for a medical doctor but still wants to show off his Ph.D. In that case, we can call him James Smith PhD.
• But, like many with a Ph.D., he may not want to mention it unless it’s important. If he’s one of these people, we should just call him Mr Smith.

Ph.D. Or PhD Vs Doctorate

Asking “What’s the difference between a PhD and a doctorate?” is a bit like asking what the difference is between an apple and a fruit.

Just like an apple is a kind of fruit, a PhD is a kind of doctorate. However, it’s not the only doctorate there is.

Here are some forms of doctorate you may want to know.

Doctor of philosophy. But now also means Doctor of something there isn’t a doctorate for.

Doctorate in business.

Doctorate in engineering.

Doctorate in education

Doctor of medicine.

If you were wondering whether you should write “PhD” or “Ph.D.”, you can write either, both are grammatically correct, and both are very common terms that mean the same thing.

The only slight difference is that “PhD” is more common in England and “Ph.D.” is more common in America. This is perhaps because the British believe it stands for “philosophiae doctor” but Americans see it as “Doctor of Philosophy”.

But, no matter whether you use “PhD” or “Ph.D.”, to have one, you neither need to be a doctor nor study philosophy. All you need to do is stay in university for long enough to be able to get yourself a PhD. Then, you can become a PhD, and your title will be PhD.

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Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

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Professional Title Etiquette: When to Use Your Dr. Title

Socially as well as professionally, medical doctors, dentists, and other professionals are addressed by, and introduced with, their titles. People who have earned a Ph.D. or any other academic, nonmedical doctoral degree have the choice of whether to use "Dr." both professionally and socially.  If, when meeting people with doctorates, you're unsure how to address them, "Dr." is always correct.  If they'd rather the title be dropped, they will let you know.

It's more common for women to use the title "Doctor" socially as well as professionally than in the past. When a married woman uses the title "Dr." (either medical or academic) socially, addressing social correspondence to the couple is a little trickier. If her husband is not a doctor, address letters to Dr. Sonia and Mr. Robert Harris. Her name comes first because her professional title "outranks" his social title. If her husband is also a doctor, the address is either The Drs. (Doctors) Harris or Drs. Sonia and Robert Harris (the order of the names doesn't matter).

The Reverend

In introductions and correspondence, many Protestant clergy are referred to as "The Reverend." While business correspondence is addressed to The Reverend James Norris, (D.D., if held), social correspondence is slightly different: The Reverend (Mr./Dr.) and Mrs. James Norris. In conversation, a clergyman or clergywoman is addressed as Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms./Pastor/Rector/Reverend Norris.

Addressing a husband or wife who are both "Reverends" follows the same format as a husband and wife who are both doctors: The Reverends Norris or The Reverend Mrs./Ms. Patricia Norris and the Reverend Mr. James Norris. If either of the couple also has a doctorate degree, that person's name would go first: The Reverend Dr. James Norris and The Reverend Mrs./Ms. Patricia Norris.

Today "Esquire" is largely confined to business correspondence between attorneys and justices of the peace. An alternative is to write:

Mr. David Bowman

Attorney at Law

using two lines, no indent, and including the titles Mr. or Ms.

When "Esq." or "Esquire" is used, the name is never preceded by Mr., Ms., Mrs., or other titles such as Dr., and is written David Bowman, Esq. "Esquire" isn't used in introductions: "I'd like to introduce attorney David Bowman/Mr. David Bowman/David Bowman." It also isn't used for social correspondence, as when writing to a lawyer and his or her spouse or addressing a social invitation. Mr. and Mrs. David Bowman is the correct form.

Professional Designations

Professional designations such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CLU (Certified Life Underwriter) are only used on business cards or business correspondence. They follow a person's name, and Mr. or Ms. isn't used: Martha Dawes, CPA; Phillip Olner, CLU. If a person has more than one designation, they're listed in the order received: Phillip Olner, CLU, CFP. Socially, use Mr., Ms., or Mrs. without the professional designation: Ms. Martha Dawes.

Other Titles

Every day we run into people who have an official title. The police officer at the desk is Sergeant Flynn; the head of the fire department is Chief Elmore; the club chef is Chef Rossi; the pilot on your plane is Captain Howe; and so forth. When on the job, such people are always addressed by their titles, just as they are when the matter at hand is related to their work. Socially, many don't use their titles, though they may. Sometimes a title sticks: A local judge, for example, who's been called by his title for a number of years, is usually addressed as "Judge" even after his retirement.

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Emily Post's Etiquette, 19th Edition

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How To Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations

Topics on this Page:   How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations —– When Can I Start Using My Degree? —– Use of Senior, Jr., II, III, IV. —– Use of Junior, II, and III. —– Punctuation of Post Nominals?

—- Academic Post Nominals —– —– What is the Right Order? —– —– Which of My Post Nominals Should I Use? —— —- What is the Correct Post Nominal for my Degree? —– —– Is There a Comprehensive List of all Post Nominals?

When Can I Start Using My Degree with My Name?

Once your degree is noted on your transcript you officially have the degree. That happens sometime after the faculty decides you have it and the graduation ceremony. You won’t know exactly when.  Best policy is to wait to include your degree’s post-nominal abbreviations as part of your name until the ceremony and you have the diploma in hand.  Until then you are a candidate for the degree.

— Robert Hickey How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

How to Punctuate Post Nominals

In American English, abbreviations get a periods: Mr., Dr., Ave., St., etc.    U.S. style books suggest periods in post-nominal abbreviations: Ph.D., M.D., M.S.W., or M.B.A.

In British English, abbreviations do not get periods: Mr, Dr, Ave, St, etc.   British style books suggest post-nominals abbreviations without periods: PhD, MD, MSW, MBA.

So how do you write abbreviations: with periods or without periods?  The quick answer is to match the style of punctuation you already follow.

If you want more comprehensive information on abbreviations with names, refer to one of the established manuals of style.  I have a chapter on abbreviations and post nominals in names in my book, but manuals such as The Chicago Manual of Style covers the topic in a much broader way.

What is the Right Order?

What is the order of professional post-nominals.

I am doing a presentation on what the many post nominals in the medical and nursing fields are and what they stand for. There are many and for our nursing convention I am conducting a focus session on the correct order to present post nominals. —— Would you happen to have that information? —- —- —- – Monica, RN, BSN

Dear Monica, There is a standard sequence for all types of post nominals (academic degrees, decorations, honorary degrees, professional associations & affiliations, religious orders, theological degrees, etc., etc., etc.) . In your case here’s the pertinent sequence that I often see with nurses:

——– Academic Degrees —- —- Professional Licenses – R.N. is a professional license. —- —- Professional Certifications —- —- Professional Associations & Affiliations

If you have more than one in a category, place them: —- #1) high to low How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations —- #2) if they are of equal precedence –in alphabetical – order within the category

And finally, I like ‘the rule’ not to include more than three post nominals after your name. More than that? Delineate them in your biography/CV/Resume. We love our honors, degrees, and memberships, but others don’t care so much. Focus on what is directly pertinent to others to support the service you are offering & those that are widely recognized. —— —— – Robert Hickey How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations

postnominals

What is the Order of Different Types of Post-Nominals?

I have recently earned my Doctorate in Divinity. I already have a PhD, a MS in engineering, and an engineering registration (license)  PE. What is the correct order?  What circumstances do I use them? ———— – Kevin, PE, PhD, DD, MS

Dear Kevin:

The standard order for post-nominals is: —- —- #1) Religious orders —- —- #2) Theological degrees —- —- #3) Academic degrees, arts before professions —- —- #4) Honorary degrees, honors, decorations —- —- #5) Professional licenses —- —- #6) Professional certifications —- —- #7) Professional associations & affiliations

So for you that would be: DD, PhD, MS, PE

If you have multiple post-nominals in one category, list most important/highest first and then in descending precedence order. If you think two are equal, put them in alphabetical order.

Some guidelines on use of post-nominals are: —- —- A) Post nominals are only used with a full name —- —- B) Use just the post nominals pertinent to the situation. Religious where relevant, engineering where relevant —- —- C) Post-nominals are not used socially

– Robert Hickey   How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations

Which Should I Use?

Which to use, which of my post nominals should i use.

I have a Doctor of Medicine degree, Master of Science in Technical Management, Master of Science in Chemistry, and B.S. in Biochemistry. I have only ever used MY NAME, M.D. . I see other physicians using THEIR NAME, M.D., M.S. to include the fact that they have other degrees. What is correct? ———— – KTW

I am a holistic health practitioner (H.H.P.), certified aromatherapist (cert aroma), registered aromatherapist (R.A.), master herbalist (M.H.), licensed massage therapist (L.M.T.) and esthetician (L.E.).    Should my name be ——- (Full Name), H.H.P., cert aroma, M.H., L.M.T., L.E., R.A. ———— – HHP

Dear KTW & HHP: Two issues here:

#1) What is pertinent to your clients / the public? Use the highest and most pertinent post nominals when presenting your name to clients, peers, licensing agencies, etc. Make only those which support the services you offer –  to be part of the name .

E.g., Physicians include M.D./D.O./etc. and the post nominals for their professional affiliations – to define their type of schooling and specialty. They might include another less-directly related degree/certification such as a MS – Masters in Science in Chemistry – if they choose. But a Masters in Art History might not be a useful qualification to those looking for a physician. All the degrees/certifications earned would appear on their CV/resume.

#2) Which post nominals will the public recognize? When they are your post nominals you are proud of each one. But a business card or Email signature is not your CV/resume/bio.

When deciding which post nominals to include, ask yourself: is what the post nominal stands for common knowledge? It doesn’t have to be instantly recognizable to everyone on the planet. But it should be common knowledge to the people who see this version of your name.

If they are not well-known abbreviations, it may be better just to list the services you offer. Include ‘Holistic Health Practitioner’ ‘Certified HVAC Repair Specialist’ or ‘Licensed Massage Therapist’ with your name. The details can be on your CV/resume/bio.

– Robert Hickey

What is the Correct Post-Nominal?

What is the correct post-nominal for my degree.

I have searched without success as to how to abbreviate: Doctorate in Education Administration which I have just recently completed. ———— – JEB, Kensington, Maryland

I completed an Executive M.B.A. in Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing.  Should it be abbreviated as E.M.B.A. or just M.B.A. ? —- —- —- – Tim M.

Dear Jeb and Tim: —— Academic post nominals vary with the name of the degree and tradition of the granting institution. For example, if certain institution offers both M.B.A. and Executive M.B.A. they might make the distinction between the degrees by using M.B.A. and E.M.B.A. But another institution might have a different naming pattern. —— Call the Dean’s office and ask. Someone there will know what most graduates use. Ultimately your fellow grads will be the ones most critical of what you use. —— —— – Robert Hickey

How to Use Esquire or Esq.?

For detailed information, see the post:  Esquire. ——  – Robert Hickey

List of All Post-Nominals

Is there a comprehensive list of post-nominals.

Where can I find a comprehensive list of all official post-nominal letters for the U.S.? —– I am working on behalf of data governance of an amusement park and want to make sure we present a comprehensive and accurate list for our guests making reservations online.  This would include anything anyone puts behind their name. —————- – William Maryse

Dear Mr. Maryse:

It is impossible to develop such a list and keep it current.

—- #1) I started such a list for my book. I found universities, societies, and certifying organizations vary on the post-nominals they use for (what looked like to me to be identical…) degrees, honors, and certificates. There is no recognizing agency to decide who can invent a new post-nominal and who gets to use it.

—- #2) You say this is for guests making on-line reservations to an amusement park? I think you should consider limiting it only to Jr., Sr. and   III.   All the other post-nominals (academic, honors, licenses, affiliations) are used only in official situations. Getting tickets to your venue sounds particularly social to me.

How to Use My Post-Nominal?

How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations

I Have Two Degrees With The Same Post-Nominal. Can I Use Both?

I will have two master’s degrees, both MS. When I create a business card, do I just write MS once after my name? Do I indicate both? —- —- —- – Dan

I have two Bachelor of Arts Degrees. What post-nominals would be appropriate on her card? Would you use simply a B.A. once, or would you use B.A., B.A.? —- —- —- – Justin

Dear Dan & Justin,

SHOULD I INCLUDE TWO POST-NOMINALS?

—- #1) In academia and research …. list every degree and honor you have earned. All your degrees are pertinent to the academic environment.

—- #2) Outside academia include only degrees directly pertinent to the service you offer / job you hold.

MS, MS would not be wrong – and you might get some questions. If they ask it’s an opportunity to tell them about your education. Regarding B.A., B.A.: In an academic journal it would be pertinent. Outside of academia It is rare to see B.A. included with a person’s name at all.

ACADEMIC POST-NOMINALS ON A BUSINESS CARD?

Whether you include academic post-nominals on your business card depends on several things.

—- #1) A business card is not a resume/CV. A card is to facilitate keeping in contact with another person. What’s important are addresses and numbers.

—- #2) Always include your job title. It defines your role, functions and services.

—- #3) Include pertinent post-nominals [degrees, licenses, certifications] for the professional service you are rendering. This type of post-nominal is included to establish the professional certifications required to provide the service. E.g., a CPA might list only ‘CPA’ after his name since it’s pertinent to his/her professional practice … even though he/she might have a B.A. and a M.A. as well. A business consultant with an M.B.A. might only list his M.B.A. … not less pertinent or lower degrees.

– Robert Hickey How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations

Can I Use My Post-Nominals on E-Mail Address Block?

Is it considered correct to use one´s post nominals in one’s e-mail address block? ———— – L-M-N-V

Dear L-M-N-V:

Post-nominals are used in official situations … especially in academia …. on business correspondence. They are not used on social correspondence.

A signature block is an official presentation of your name, so you can include them with some caveats:

—- #1) Include only post-nominals pertinent to the interaction.

—- #2) In academia, more post nominals are included. Outside academia & research B.A. and MA are not included unless they are directly pertinent to the job is one is performing. A therapist/counselor would include a masters in counseling after their name… a business consultant would include M.B.A. Whereas a person with an M.F.A. working in administration at city hall would not include their masters. Even doctorates are omitted if not related to the professional service being rendered: A person with an Ph.D. in a European history should not present him or herself as a ‘Dr. (Name)’ when teaching yoga.

How Many Post Nominals To Use on My E-mail Signature?

I currently have two certifications I include on my e-mail signature block. I will be adding a number of additional certifications over the coming months, and eventually a Masters Degree in Homeland Security as well. Do I use them all in professional email? —- —- —- – Justin Dwight, CHLS, PCP

Dear Mr. Dwight:

A signature block is not your resume where you can list everything.  I like the ‘rule’ not to include more than three post nominals after your name. If you have more than that, delineate them in your biography/CV/Resume.  We love our honors, degrees, and memberships, but others don’t care so much. Focus on what is pertinent to others to support professional the service you are offering.

And finally, your peers are the ones who will have an opinion on whether you have too much alphabet soup after your name – or if you are appropriate.

May I Use a Post-Nominal with My Name If the Degree is from a Free & On-Line School?

A couple of years ago I completed a course in lateral thinking. I found it very thought provoking and useful. Recently that site has advertised a Masters and a Doctorate in Lateral Thinking. It’s an on-line free training. It’s a lot of work, probably similar to the amount required in a university-level Masters. They state that graduates would be able to use the post nominals MLT or DLT, for Master of Lateral Thinking and Doctor of Lateral Thinking .

Bear in mind that this is not an accredited college or a university. I realize that there is no post-nominal police hunting people down, but what is the accepted practice for Masters and Doctorates ? Does an organization like that have the ‘right’ to offer such post nominals, given they are usually bestowed upon graduates of universities?

—- —- —- – Ross Robinson

Dear Mr. Robinson:

—- #1) Can you use it? People can present their name as they wish to present their name. So, yes, you could use MLT or DLT.

—- #2) When can you use it? Degrees are credentials pertinent to providing a service. Post nominals are included in the official/professional form of your name – not the social form. If you are including them on your resume the question is: For what job or service are these degrees pertinent? What field recognizes these degrees to be of value?

—- #3) Where can you use it? Degrees have the most value in the domain in which they are issued – places which recognize the certification. E.g., medical degrees granted by a foreign school of medicine are not automatically recognized in the USA. Some are. Some aren’t. Accredited institutions of higher learning pretty much accept one another’s credits, but for anyone who has tried to have credits transferred knows it is not automatic.

So, an on-line, free degree may be valuable for personal growth and of the most pertinence in cyberspace. Its post nominal might not find itself as part of your name all the time.

When to Use a Bachelors or Associates Degree?

I will be receiving my Associates Degree in Applied Science and intend to receive a bachelors degree in the same field. I am unsure if I can use A.A.S. in a professional context. I realize an associate’s degree is thought to be a minor accomplishment by some, but I have worked hard for it and I would like to incorporate it into my name. ———— – M.H.

In academia, a bachelors or associates degree might be part of the officials form of one’s name.

In business/corporate it’s exceeding rare to see it as part of a name. I am hedging on ‘never’ but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it where it seemed appropriate.

Absolutely include your degrees on your resume … but don’t include the post-nominals for bachelors and associates degrees on a business card or e-mail signature block. Masters and doctorates with their professional focus are what you see.

How to Use Sequence Post-Nominals How to Use Sr., Jr., II, III,  etc.

Sequence How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations

Do You Use Jr., II, III, etc. Forever?

My son is Walter C. Wentz IV. His father and grandfather are deceased. What is the proper designation for him now? What is the proper sequence post-nominal designation for the son he is expecting next month? ——————– –- Audrey Parker How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations

Dear Ms. Parker:

Continued use of sequence post nominals is a matter of clarity.

First it is useful to define two types of names:

—- A) Your legal name – which is what on your birth certificate and likely your most important legal documents. Your legal names doesn’t change unless you have it legally changed.

—- B) Your ‘Go-by Name’ – which is what you use in less formal circumstances. This would be what your known by most people.

Here are some situations which arise:

—- #1) Some keep the sequence post-nominals in the ‘Go-By Names’ if their father was well-known … or if they work together … they socialize in the same circles …. or they think the friends/clients/customers will find the post nominals useful.

—- #2) Some never include their sequence post nominals in their ‘Go-by name’. They use a nick name or a simplified version nearly everywhere.

—- #3) Some drop the sequence post-nominals from their ‘Go-by name’ … Jr., II, or III … when their father dies.

—- #4) One might keep the sequence post-nominals because it matters within the family. E.g., his mother is Mrs. Walter C. Wentz III and his wife is Mrs. Walter C. Wentz IV.

An example is Microsoft’s Bill Gates, who is really William H. Gates, Jr., but never used the ‘Jr. ‘   His father, born William H. Gates uses William H. Gates, Sr.  He added the Sr. to his ‘Go-by Name’ to clarify that he is not his much more famous son. He probably did not change his legal name in court. The change is informal and unofficial.

So, if your son names his son Walter C. Wentz V, he’s clearly interested in tradition. He will probably keep using Walter C. Wentz IV as his ‘go-by name’.

If he gives his son a different name …. E.g., Zachery … there is no need for the sequence post nominals.

– Robert Hickey —- How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations

Is a Second Son Named After a ‘Senior’ – the ‘III’?

I have a son named him after his Dad. The Dad already has an older son and he named ‘Jr.’. So, we named my son ‘lll’ and Dad now uses ‘Sr.’ Did we do this right? —————— – RR

The key thing is to give each son a unique legal name.  You gave your son a unique name and that’s a good thing!

I understand that heavy-weight boxing champion George Foreman named five his sons: ——– George Foreman, Jr. ——– George Foreman III ——– George Foreman IV ——– George Foreman V ——– George Foreman VI

Typically, III, IV, V, etc./ are used in subsequent generations, but the way you did makes sense to me.  Some might say that II is better, but I see a conflict with Junior.  Note that with “Jr.”there is a comma after the name.  Style books suggest that with II, III, IV  …. no comma after the name.

– Robert Hickey   sequence

When the Husband is a Jr., II, III, IV or V – How Do You Address His Wife?

If the husband is Mr. William Terry, Jr. when does the Junior go with a wife’s name? ————- – Donna Terry

Dear Ms. Terry:

—- A wife using Mrs. and his full name would use his sequence post nominal: —- —- Mrs. (Husband’s Full Name) ——- —- Mrs. William Terry, Jr.

—- A wife who uses does not use his full name does not use his sequence post nominal: —- — – Mrs. (Woman’s Name) ——– —- Mrs. Donna Terry

—- — – Mrs. (Surname only) —- ——– Mrs. Terry

—- Never use: —- —- Mrs. Donna Terry, Jr. —- —- Mrs. Terry, Jr.

postnominal

When He’s a Jr. II, III, etc. How to Write a Couple’s Name?

What is the proper way our name when he is a ‘II’? We are Wesley P. Ames II and Patricia D. Ames

How do I write their names? – — Wesley P. II and Patricia D. Ames – — Wesley P. and Patricia D. Ames II – — Wesley P. Ames II and Patricia D. Ames – — – — – — – — – — – PDA.

He’s the only one who is a ‘II’ … so the ‘II’ only appears when his name is written alone as a unit.

When the names are formally presented …. He’s first. It’s called the ‘Mr. & Mrs. Order’. – — – — (His Name) and (Her Name) – — – — – — Wesley P. Ames II and Patricia D. Ames – — – — – — Mr. and Mrs. (His Full Name) – — – — – — Mr. and Mrs. Wesley P. Ames II

These formulas work all the time … for couples who are and who are not juniors, II, III etc.

– — Never use: – — – — Patricia D. and Wesley P. Ames II

– — Because she is not: – — – — Patricia D. Ames II

When names are combined: – — #1) His given and family name are last and are kept as a unit. – — #2) Since it’s not his full name all by itself, the Jr., II, III etc. is left off. – — – — (Her Given Name) and (His Given and Family Name) – — – — Patricia and Wesley Ames

But one more thing about writing names – especially if you are including names in a program on in a donor list: When I look at donor/contributor lists, in programs or carved on founder’s walls in museums — 90% are: Patricia and Wesley Ames. The other 10% are Wesley and Patricia Ames. I recommend the 90% option.

The final determination is — to write their name the way the persons submits their name to be presented. In the end, savvy organizations present names the way the listed person says they want their name presented. It matters less that the editor doesn’t like the style …. It matters more if the contributor likes the style. It’s their name and it’s their money!

______ How to Use Junior, II, III, IV etc.

How to Use Junior II III IV

Does a Junior or II Have to be a Direct Descent?

Does a numeric post nominal need to be direct descent, as it would with Junior? — – – Adrienne in Hawaii     How to Use Junior II III IV

Dear Adrienne: How to Use Junior II III IV Here’s how these post nominals typically work:

—- #1) Your legal name (what’s on your birth certificate) does not change unless you go to court and have a judge change it. People change their ‘Go-By Name’ names … and as long as you pay your bills no one really cares.

—- #2) A son who is given the same name as his father is (Full Name), Jr.  ‘Jr.’ implies that the person he is a ‘junior’ of – was his father.

—- #3) A boy who is given the same name as a relative (in memory of or to honor that relative, say, an uncle, grandfather, etc. ) is named at birth (Full Name), II. ‘II’ implies that the person he was named for was not his father.

—- #4) Any boy named after a ‘Jr.’ or a ‘II’ is a ‘III’. Any boy named after a ‘III’ is a ‘IV’. etc.

—- #5) If the person you were named for dies … e.g., if you are born a ‘III’. and your father who was a ‘Jr.’ dies … you legally keep being the name you were given at birth. Many men stop using the Jr. as part of their ‘Go-By Name’ when their father dies. My brother did that  But if a father was famous … a son may keep using Jr. for clarity: Frank Sinatra, Jr.; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Al Gore, Jr.

E.g., if you work in the same business as your father and everyone knew him, it may be useful to keep using the ‘Jr.’ with your name so people who knew your dad – will be clear who you are. While some Juniors  use the ‘Jr.’ as part of their ‘Go-By Name’ all the time – many don’t.

– Robert Hickey    How postnominals 

How to Use Junior II III IV How to Use Post-Nominal Abbreviations

How are Sr., Jr., I, II, & III Assigned If the Name Changes Just a Tiny Bit?

My husband’s father’s name is William O’Shea Baxter .

My husband’s name William O’Shea Baxter , Jr.

Our son is William O’Shea Baxter  3rd . He had a son he named him William Shea Baxter , leaving off the ‘O’. Is this child the 4th?

—- —- —- – MAB

When name changes, the starting point of sequence post nominals starts again.

When the legal name passes down exactly, adding the sequence post nominals … Jr., 2nd, 3rd, … makes clear who is who – to banks, government tax collectors, recorders of deeds, borrowers & debtors.

If the legal name changes from father to son in any way … there’s no need to use the sequence post nominals. Each has a unique name.

Of course, there is no Naming Police out there to enforce tradition or review the logic of the way anyone names their children!

postnominals 

Is a Second Son Named After a Father – the ‘III’?

I have a son named him after his Dad.  The Dad already has an older son and he named ‘Jr.’.  So, we named my son ‘lll’ and Dad now uses ‘Sr.’  Did we do this right? —- —- —- —- – RR How to Use Junior II III IV

I understand that heavy-weight boxing champion George Foreman named five his sons: —- —- George Foreman, Jr. —- —- George Foreman III —- —- George Foreman IV —- —- George Foreman V —- —- George Foreman VI

Typically, III, IV, V, etc.  are used in subsequent generations, but the way you did makes sense to me. Style books show ‘Jr.” gets a comma after the name before the “Jr.” ––  II, III, IV don’t the comma.

– Robert Hickey   How to Use Junior II III IV

Related Posts: — — — Author’s Name on a Book — — — Name Badge or Tag — — — Writing the Names of Deceased Persons — — — Names on an Award, Certificate, Diploma or Plaque — — — Naming a Road, Gallery or Building — — — Names on Place Cards — — — Use of Post-nominal Abbreviations — — — Use of Sr., Jr., II, III, IV, etc. Sequence Post-Nominals — — — Name on a Tombstone or Grave marker — — — Use of ‘The Late” with Names — — — Your Signature

When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?

You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.)  The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them. ___ What I don’t cover on this site are  many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions , etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.

Not Finding Your Answer?

—- #1)    At right  on desktops , at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones , is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.

—- #2)   If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail . I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so  (unless I am traveling.)   Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.

—- #3)   If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question  – but always change all the specifics.

— Robert Hickey 

Recommended Resources:    The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW)  and  Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA)     For more information see the Protocol Resources page.

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