phd or ph.d. on business card

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.

You may also like: DSc Degree vs. PhD Degree – What’s the Difference? 9 Correct Ways to Write PhD Title on a Business Card

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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How to use the PhD title and all the little doctorate “rules”… use ph.d etc the correct way.

There are many conventions in the academic world that can make it difficult to navigate the philosophiae doctor 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.

It’s best to use PhD not Ph.D in most cases!

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 for a PhD graduate.

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

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

It can be confusing to know exactly how to write PhD after your name as a person with a doctoral degree. Which bits are capitalised for a person with a doctoral degree? 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 both the title of doctor 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 with a doctorate degree?

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 type of doctoral degree 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? As a PhD student? After your phd thesis?

When you have earned your PhD, you, as a person with a doctoral degree, 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 for the advanced degree? 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. I 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.

Frequently Asked Questions about using PhD or Ph.d

1. what does phd stand for.

A PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy , which is a doctoral degree that represents the highest level of academic achievement in a specific field of study.

2. Is Ph.d the same as PhD?

Yes, Ph.d is the abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy , and both terms are used interchangeably to refer to the same academic degree .

3. Can I use the title ‘Doctor’ with a PhD?

Individuals who hold a PhD have the right to use the title “Doctor” in front of their name as they are a person with a doctoral degree .

4. What is the correct way to write PhD?

The correct way to write PhD is with no spaces and with both letters capitalized, following the standard abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy .

5. How do I abbreviate Doctor of Philosophy?

You can abbreviate Doctor of Philosophy as PhD , which is the most commonly used abbreviation for this type of doctoral degree .

6. Can I use both the title ‘Dr.’ and ‘PhD’ together?

Yes, you can use both the title ‘Dr.’ and ‘PhD’ together to denote your academic achievement as a holder of a doctorate degree .

7. What is a dissertation in relation to a PhD?

A dissertation is a scholarly document that Ph.D candidates are required to submit as part of their research degree in a specific field.

8. Who is considered a PhD candidate?

A PhD candidate is a student enrolled in a PhD program working towards the completion of their doctoral studies.

9. Is a PhD also referred to as a Doctorate?

Yes, a PhD is also commonly referred to as a Doctorate , signifying the attainment of the highest

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.

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PhD Candidate Business Cards: Making a Lasting Impression in the Academic World

Are you a PhD candidate looking to make a lasting impression in the academic world? Look no further than business cards. Business cards may seem like a relic from the past in today’s digital age, but they still hold a certain charm and effectiveness when it comes to networking and professional interactions. In this article, we will explore why PhD candidate business cards are important, what information they should contain, and tips for designing impressive business cards that leave a lasting impression on colleagues and potential employers.

Why Are PhD Candidate Business Cards Important?

As a PhD candidate, business cards can serve as a valuable tool in your professional arsenal. They allow you to easily exchange contact information with fellow researchers, professors, and potential collaborators at academic conferences, workshops, and other networking events. While you may already have an online presence and a professional email signature, business cards offer a tangible and personal touch that can make you more memorable in the minds of others.

Building Your Personal Brand

Your business card is a tangible representation of your personal brand as a PhD candidate. By designing a unique and visually appealing card, you can showcase your professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail. This is especially important when you’re competing in a crowded academic environment.

Facilitating Networking Opportunities

Attending conferences and other academic events provides an opportunity to meet and connect with influential individuals in your field. By having your business card readily available, you can easily share your contact information, ensuring that others can reach out to you later for collaboration, research opportunities, or job prospects. It’s all about making those valuable connections that can shape your future career.

Leaving a Lasting Impression

In the fast-paced world of academia, it’s easy to forget someone’s name or research interests amidst a sea of faces and conversations. A well-designed business card with concise information can help others remember you long after the event has ended. Additionally, the act of exchanging a physical business card shows a level of professionalism and sincerity, leaving a positive impression on your recipients.

What Information Should Your PhD Candidate Business Card Contain?

While the design of your business card should be visually appealing and reflective of your personal brand, it’s crucial to include relevant and concise information to make it functional. Here are some essential elements to consider:

1. Your Name and Degree

Make sure your full name is prominently displayed on the card. As a PhD candidate, it’s also important to indicate your degree in progress. You can include “PhD Candidate” or “Doctoral Candidate” below your name. This helps establish your credibility and expertise, allowing others to recognize your academic standing right away.

2. Contact Information

Include your professional email address and phone number on the card. Ensure that the email address you provide is associated with your academic institution or a reputable platform like Gmail. Avoid using personal email addresses or unprofessional handles, as they can create a negative impression. Including your LinkedIn profile link can also be beneficial if you maintain an active profile.

3. Research Focus or Field of Study

Including a brief summary of your research focus or field of study can help others quickly understand your academic interests and expertise. Keep this section concise and to the point, emphasizing keywords and phrases that capture the essence of your work.

4. Personal Website or Portfolio (Optional)

If you have a personal website or an online portfolio showcasing your research, publications, and projects, consider including the URL on your business card. This allows interested individuals to delve deeper into your work and provides an additional avenue for making connections.

Designing Impressive PhD Candidate Business Cards

Now that you understand the importance of PhD candidate business cards and what information to include, let’s explore some tips for designing impressive cards that make a lasting impression:

1. Keep it Simple and Professional

Avoid cluttering your business card with excessive design elements or overwhelming information. Stick to a clean and professional design that reflects your academic field.

2. Choose a Legible Font

Ensure that the font you choose is easily legible. A combination of a sans-serif font for your name and a serif font for other text can create a pleasing contrast. Experiment with font sizes to make important information stand out without overwhelming the card.

3. Use High-Quality Printing and Materials

Invest in high-quality printing and materials to ensure your cards look and feel professional. Matte or glossy finishes, thick paper stock, and rounded corners can add a touch of sophistication to your business cards.

4. Incorporate Branding Elements

Consider incorporating elements from your academic institution, such as its logo or color scheme, to tie your business card to your current academic affiliations. This can help establish credibility and recognition within your field.

5. Double-Check for Accuracy

Before printing a large batch of business cards, meticulously proofread and double-check all the information. A typo or incorrect contact information can be embarrassing and undermine your professionalism.

6. Get Feedback

Show your design to trusted colleagues or mentors and ask for their feedback. Their insights can help you refine your design and ensure it makes the desired impact.

In Conclusion

As a PhD candidate, business cards are a valuable tool to establish your personal brand, facilitate networking opportunities, and leave a lasting impression on others. By including essential information and designing your cards with professionalism and creativity, you can elevate your presence in the academic world. So, don’t underestimate the power of a well-designed business card; it might just open doors to exciting research collaborations, job opportunities, and lifelong connections in your field as a PhD candidate.

Ava Taylor’s passion for branding and marketing shines through in her dynamic writing. She brings a unique perspective with her background in event planning, infusing creativity into her content. When she’s not writing, Ava enjoys organizing community events and gatherings.

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Is it Necessary to Have Business Cards for PhD Students?

In the world of academia, networking and professionalism are the pillars upon which promising careers are built. For PhD students, this holds particularly true as they navigate the intricate paths of research, mentorship, and collaboration. Yet, in an increasingly digital age, where virtual connections abound, the timeless charm and efficacy of a small piece of paper often go overlooked—the business card. In this digital era, is there still a place for business cards in the academic landscape? We believe the answer is a resounding yes.

A business card for PhD students is a small, professionally designed card that contains essential contact information, academic titles, and optional elements such as research interests, and serves as a tangible representation of a PhD student’s professional identity. It is a tool used to facilitate networking, establish credibility, and make a lasting impression in academic and professional settings.

In the following article, we will delve into the significance of business cards for PhD students. We will explore how these modest, pocket-sized pieces of professionalism can leave an indelible mark on your academic journey. From crafting the perfect design to understanding what crucial details should grace your card, we’ll provide comprehensive guidance for every aspiring scholar. Moreover, we will discuss when and how to distribute these cards for maximum impact. After all, networking isn’t merely about exchanging contact information; it’s about building meaningful connections that can propel your academic career to new heights.

Join us as we unravel the art and science of business cards for PhD students. Discover how these small, tangible tokens can help you make a professional impression and open doors to academic opportunities you never thought possible. Whether you’re a doctoral candidate just embarking on this scholarly adventure or a seasoned researcher looking to enhance your professional image, this article will equip you with the knowledge you need to stand out in the academic world.

So, grab your notepad, or perhaps, your digital device, and let’s embark on this exploration of the timeless tool that can elevate your academic journey—your very own business card.

Introduction

The value of business cards for phd students, essential information in phd business card, optional elements in phd business card, professional design for phd business card, colour and branding for phd business card, etiquette and follow-up.

Networking and professionalism are the cornerstones of success for PhD students in today’s academic and professional landscape.

Imagine you’re at a prestigious academic conference, surrounded by brilliant minds in your field, and you strike up a conversation with a renowned professor. The discussion is insightful, and you’re on the brink of a meaningful connection that could potentially shape your academic journey. However, when the time comes to exchange contact information, all you have is a hurriedly scribbled email address on a napkin. In this fast-paced world, a simple piece of paper could be the difference between a fleeting conversation and a lasting connection. This is where the humble business card steps in.

Pursuing a PhD is a demanding endeavour, often involving years of dedicated research, academic discussions, and the quest for knowledge. In this journey, networking and professionalism are paramount. Building relationships with mentors, peers, and experts in your field can open doors to opportunities, collaborations, and future career prospects. Yet, the question remains: Why do business cards still matter in an age dominated by digital communication and social media connections?

This article aims to shed light on the enduring relevance of business cards for PhD students. We’ll explore how these tangible tokens of professionalism hold the power to make a lasting impression in the academic world.

By the end of this read, you’ll understand not only the value of a well-crafted business card but also how to create one that reflects your academic journey and aspirations. Get ready to unravel the secrets of making a memorable mark as a PhD student by mastering the art of business card exchange. Whether you’re at a conference, seminar, or casual meet-and-greet, we’ll guide you on why, what, and how to use these tiny tools effectively.

Business cards play a pivotal role in establishing a professional identity for PhD students. When you exchange a well-designed and thoughtfully crafted business card, you’re not just passing along contact information; you’re making a statement about your professionalism, expertise, and commitment to your field.

Consider this scenario: You meet a potential collaborator or a future employer at an academic event. Instead of fumbling through your pockets or digging for a scrap of paper to write your email address, you confidently present a professionally designed business card. The simple act of handing over this card communicates that you are serious about your work, you pay attention to detail, and you value the connection you’re about to make. It tells the other person that you are invested in your academic journey and eager to engage in professional relationships.

Moreover, a well-designed business card acts as a tangible extension of your academic persona. It reflects your dedication to your field of study, and it becomes an integral part of your personal brand as a PhD student.

• According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, 72% of people judge a person’s professional capabilities based on the quality and design of their business cards. This highlights the significance of making a strong first impression through a well-designed card.
• Anecdotal evidence also demonstrates the value of business cards in professional settings. For instance, Dr. Jane Smith, a renowned professor in the field of neuroscience, recalls how she received a business card from a PhD student at a conference. The card’s design was impressive, and Dr. Smith was so intrigued that she later contacted the student to discuss a potential research collaboration. This illustrates how a business card can lead to meaningful connections and opportunities.

By presenting yourself professionally through a business card, you not only enhance your credibility but also increase the likelihood of future collaborations and academic success.

What to Include on Your PhD Business Card?

A PhD student’s business card should include essential information that allows for easy and effective contact. These core elements typically encompass your name, contact details, and academic title.

Name: Your full name should take centre stage on the card, displayed prominently and legibly. If you have any academic titles (e.g., “Ph.D.” or “Doctor of Philosophy”), these should appear alongside your name to convey your scholarly standing.

Contact Details: Include your professional contact information. This should comprise a professional email address, a phone number where you can be reached, and the physical address of your institution or department. It’s crucial that these details are accurate and up to date.

Academic Title: As a PhD student, your academic title, such as “Ph.D. Candidate” or “Doctoral Researcher,” serves to underscore your academic standing. This title can instil confidence in your peers and potential collaborators and signal that you are actively engaged in advanced studies.

Academic and institutional branding guidelines are paramount in maintaining consistency across all university-related materials. For example, if your institution has specific guidelines for font style, logo usage, or colour schemes, adhere to them when designing your business card. This ensures that your card aligns with your university’s branding and reinforces your affiliation.

While essential information establishes your academic identity, optional elements can add depth and richness to your business card, providing insights into your academic interests and digital presence.

Research Interests: Including a brief list of your research interests or academic specializations can be a valuable addition. This provides recipients with a quick glimpse into your areas of expertise. For instance, a card for a psychology student might list “Cognitive Psychology” and “Neuroscience” as research interests.

QR Code: In today’s digital age, incorporating a QR code on your business card can be a smart move. This QR code can link to your personal website, academic profile, or LinkedIn page, enabling easy access to more detailed information about your academic journey, publications, and projects.

Optional elements can enhance your card’s effectiveness by facilitating more in-depth connections. For instance, a QR code can direct colleagues or potential collaborators to your online presence, where they can access your research papers, conference presentations, and contact details conveniently. This level of accessibility can strengthen your network and foster future collaborations.

Including both essential and optional elements on your business card helps strike a balance between professional identity and the ability to convey your academic interests and accomplishments effectively.

Design and Formatting Tips for PhD Business Card

Designing your business card with professionalism in mind is essential. A clean and professional design ensures that your card conveys the right impression to those who receive it. Here are some tips for creating a business card with a professional design:

• Keep it Simple: A clutter-free design is key. Avoid overcrowding the card with too much information or complex graphics. Simplicity often equals sophistication.
• Legibility is Crucial: Use clear, easy-to-read fonts. The font size should be large enough to ensure that your name and other details can be read without difficulty.
• Visual Appeal: While simplicity is crucial, that doesn’t mean your card has to be dull. You can add a touch of visual appeal through tasteful graphics, such as your university’s logo or an academic-themed image related to your field of study.
• Consistency: Ensure that your business card design aligns with your personal or institutional branding, maintaining a cohesive look with your other academic materials.

According to a study published in the Journal of Business Research, a well-designed business card is more likely to leave a positive impression on recipients. The study revealed that 90% of people believe that a visually appealing business card indicates a high-quality service or product.

Colours and branding are critical aspects of your business card’s design. They play a significant role in shaping your card’s visual identity and impact.

• Use of Colors: While you can certainly add colour to your card, it’s important to use a professional and consistent colour scheme. Overly vibrant or clashing colours may detract from the professionalism of your card. Stick to classic and subdued colour choices.
• Institutional Branding: If you are affiliated with a university or institution, incorporate their branding elements such as the official logo, colours, or fonts. This aligns your card with the institution’s image and can enhance its credibility.

Branding guidelines exist for a reason. They help maintain a unified visual identity for organizations and institutions. When your business card complies with these guidelines, it can subliminally convey trust and credibility. For example, if you’re a PhD student at “X University,” using the university’s official colours and logo can immediately link you to the institution’s reputation and history.

Incorporating these design and branding elements into your business card helps ensure that it not only looks professional but also aligns with your academic and institutional identity, reinforcing your credibility in the eyes of those who receive your card.

When and How to Distribute PhD Business Cards

Timing and context are crucial when distributing your business cards as a PhD student. Identify specific situations and events where it’s appropriate and beneficial to hand out your business cards. Here are some examples of academic and professional gatherings where you can distribute your cards:

• Academic Conferences: One of the most obvious settings is an academic conference. These events gather scholars, researchers, and professionals from your field in one place, providing an excellent opportunity to network and exchange business cards.
• Seminars and Workshops: Attendees at specialized seminars and workshops often share similar interests, making it an ideal setting for networking and card exchange.
• University Events: University-hosted lectures, colloquiums, and social gatherings can also be fruitful for networking among faculty and fellow students.
• Career Fairs: If you’re exploring career options beyond academia, career fairs can be a prime opportunity to connect with potential employers or organizations.

Studies in the field of networking and career development have consistently shown that in-person events like conferences and professional gatherings significantly contribute to building valuable connections. For example, a survey by Networking Now revealed that 85% of professionals believed in-person meetings are essential for building and maintaining business relationships.

I have written several articles related to Research conferences . Please visit to learn more about how to identify predatory and good conferences, how to dress for the conference and how to make research presentations at research conferences and many more.

Distributing your business card is just the first step; proper etiquette and follow-up are equally crucial. Here’s advice on how to exchange business cards professionally and how to maintain connections:

• Exchange Cards Thoughtfully: When exchanging business cards, do so at an appropriate moment in the conversation. Take the time to engage in a meaningful discussion before offering your card. When you receive someone else’s card, take a moment to read it and acknowledge the information.
• Follow Up Promptly: After the event, follow up with the individuals you’ve connected with. Send a personalized email expressing your appreciation for the conversation and expressing your interest in further collaboration or communication.
• Maintain Regular Contact: Building professional relationships requires ongoing effort. Stay in touch with your network by sending occasional updates on your academic progress or by engaging in discussions related to your field of study.

A study published in the Harvard Business Review found that following up after networking events significantly increases the likelihood of turning initial connections into lasting professional relationships. For example, a well-crafted follow-up email can lead to collaborations, mentorships, or job opportunities.

By distributing your business cards in appropriate settings, observing proper etiquette, and diligently following up with your contacts, you maximize the potential of your network and pave the way for meaningful collaborations and career advancement as a PhD student.

The article emphasizes that business cards remain a valuable tool for PhD students, allowing them to make a professional impression, build meaningful connections, and enhance their academic and professional journeys. By understanding the value, design, and effective use of business cards, PhD students can take full advantage of the networking opportunities available to them.

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Professional designations and degrees on business cards and e-mail signatures [duplicate]

I'm going to be creating some simple business cards for myself going forward, and would like some advice on the addition of my degrees and professional designations to the card.

So far, the planned text, aside of the graphics, phone numbers, e-mail address, etc, would look like (using made-up names):

The P.Eng. designation is critical, as it means I am a "true" engineer, have the requisite supervised experience, no criminal record, have completed the law and ethics training, and so forth. In Canada, one is not allowed to have the word "engineer" in one's job title or on his/her business cards without earning the P.Eng. designation. It would be like calling one's self a "medical doctor" without the right credentials, and you can be fined heavily for it.

At least one academic degree should be listed, but I opted to list both my PhD and Masters in Engineering, as in my neck of the woods (North America), at least in the tech sector, there is a common trend where people will do just a Bachelors and a PhD, or sometimes just a PhD, usually from a degree mill. The common sentiment is that people who have taken this route are "professional students" with no relevant job skills, or the degree is meaningless if it smells like a degree mill; while one with the Bachelors, Masters, and PhD plus at least so many years of experience can actually be hired for real work. I've even known several individuals who don't even include their PhD on CVs/resumes for this reason.

I opted to leave out the Bachelors of Engineering since I feel it would be overkill. Finally, I feel the FIEEE designation shows a lot of committment to my field, and opted to include it.

So, my question is as follows: Does this seem to be overkill or snooty in professional or academic circles in North America? My main concern is listing two degrees, and using the format described above has already gotten me some vicious comments on e-mail threads for being "elitist", though the individuals who made those comments tend to exhibit anti-academic sentiments anyways, so I'm probably just (unintentionally) rubbing salt in a wound or hitting a nerve.

Also, if anyone could weight in on whether this is acceptable in Western Europe (I sometimes work with Field Application Engineers in France, UK, and Italy), it would be very helpful.

My plan is to use this advice to create multiple sets of business cards and/or e-mail signatures if there is enough variance in cultural attitudes to justify it. Thank you!

• professionalism
• business-cards
• 2 The answers here are likely to be very opinion based, especially when "snooty" is one of your options. I would think that P.Eng and Ph.D would be sufficient. The Ph.D either includes, or supersedes the Masters degree, and nobody would doubt your commitment to your profession unless you demonstrate your lack of commitment, so the FIEEE is not really necessary. IMO. (Southwestern USA, fwiw) –  Kent A. Commented Aug 9, 2015 at 17:06
• 3 Your business card is not your CV. If you feel like the only way you can be taken seriously is to beat people over the head with your qualifications, you're doing it wrong. –  Eric Commented Aug 9, 2015 at 19:00
• @Eric A business cad doesnt need to impress people but rather should be a small piece of paper which yields all information about a person. And if this guy is good at doing a specific or multiple thing (s) that it would be nice if other people would be able to see it because it adds value to the person and thus to the ability to connect to other people –  BlueWizard Commented Aug 9, 2015 at 22:42
• 1 @JonasDralle Again, your business card is not your CV. It's a way for people to remember you after meeting you and contact you. If you couldn't make your qualifications known and yourself memorable when handing out the card, you're doing it wrong. –  Eric Commented Aug 10, 2015 at 3:28
• The commentary about needing to have a Masters in addition to the PhD to be taken seriously sounds very odd. –  Chan-Ho Suh Commented Aug 10, 2015 at 5:41

3 Answers 3

It seems your question can be answered with the old cliche "You can't make everyone happy".

That's something that's very important to consider with personal branding. Are some people going to think you're an academic intellectual elitist with your large degree listings? Sure maybe...

But at the same time aren't a lot of people going to find your degree set as something that designates you as a great contractor to give their engineering department (or whatever they need consulting on) the boost forward it really needs? Probably. I think you have two pretty good options here...

You could experiment and collect metrics from your personal brand with different levels of degree suffixes, and see which one gains you the most customers and engagements with as much control of other variables as possible.

(What I would do) Is you can kind of apply the "have your cake and eat it too" principle by drawing minimum attention to the degree principle, which seems to (in my opinion) say "Hey I got all these awesome degrees but I'm totally not snooty about it". That best way to do that is to either put a more subtle color contrast on the suffix and/or make them smaller.

For example:

Hopefully that helped and to harp on that main point, you really can't please everyone, just make sure you're pleasing the most amount of people possible.

• You're very welcome –  salad_bar_breath Commented Aug 9, 2015 at 19:35
• Smaller - good Idea. That small - no. I think you worked hard for those titles and you have every right to show it to the world. This title is now legally part of your name and no one can blame you for using it like it. –  BlueWizard Commented Aug 9, 2015 at 22:40
• I threw that together in Paint.Net in less than sixty seconds, cut me some slack @JonasDralle lol. I agree it definitely shouldn't be that small but I was just trying to show the concept for content that you want to draw less attention to. I personally totally agree with you and I'm all about parading academic accomplishments (as you can see by my Dean's List awards flaunting on my LinkedIn). However, the intellectual elitist label is an existent one in our society, and I want to help him sell to as many clients as possible, including the ones tossing that label around... –  salad_bar_breath Commented Aug 9, 2015 at 22:52
• 1 Ah ok. I think it could look pretty good when it's the same font size but has a dark gray as color (not black) with small line thickness. This would look modern and decent without disturbing the eye thru diffrent font sizes. But thats just an Idea –  BlueWizard Commented Aug 9, 2015 at 22:56
• That would be pretty cool, I think it could work with the same or almost the same font size but I still think it would look good super-scripted. I put the colors on there more to demonstrate contrast, because I have no clue what color theme he was planning to stick on his business cards. Maybe you should start something up in Graphic Design Stack Exchange on how to throw together some sick designs on name/suffix combinations. Send me the link when you do I want to see that. –  salad_bar_breath Commented Aug 9, 2015 at 23:28

Unfortunately this depends a bit on context, culture and the recipient. For a while I had actually two set of business cards, one with the PhD and one with PhD off. PhD is useful in Europe and when interacting with the press and public communication. PhD in day to day business in the US feels pretentious so it's better to leave it off.

Business cards are cheap, so there is no problem in carrying two sets.

I would leave the Master's off. The PhD already implies that you have a master (and a bachelor, and a high school degree etc.), so unless it's in a different field or major, it doesn't add any information.

I'm assuming you are approaching this problem as an independent contractor trying to sell your services directly to potential customers.

You are not selling your credentials. You are selling services or solutions. If your competition with fewer credentials is offering better and cheaper solutions to your potential customers, you have a problem that your credentials alone will not solve. Your crendentials may make you a more trustworthy supplier to new customers, but after the first job, trustworthiness will be defined purely on how well you have already delivered. If you get word-of-mouth recommendations from customers, you can be assured it is not because you have 4 acronyms after your name but rather because you provided a great solution or service.

If you approach it from this angle, you will see that emphasizing your credentials is important, but it should not be the central focus of your message. You should mention your credentials clearly on your website in a section about your background. You should also place enough emphasis on your background and experience to be taken seriously in initial conversations. Your credentials are a small part of this. The main focus of your website and initial conversations, though, should be about how you will meet the potential customer's needs. You should focus on how great your solutions are, how you have provided similar solutions to other customers before, etc.

Once you have a great initial conversation and a great website to entice potential customers, then you should find that your e-mail signature and your business cards become more of a reminder to people of who you are and how to contact you rather than a sales vehicle in their own right. In this context, it should not be necessary to include your credentials everywhere.

If you simply can't resist putting credentials in your signature and on your business cards, try to limit yourself to one that best conveys how having that credential will ensure your solutions are top notch.

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For graduate students, attending conferences and building connections with others in their field is a key component of professional development. Having a business card on hand can be an important way to share information.

Students enrolled in degree programs at the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences can order business cards online in blocks of 250, 500, or 1,000. Cards will be available for pick up at the reception desk at the Harvard Griffin GSAS administrative offices on the third floor of the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, and you will be contacted when they are ready. You may also select to have your cards delivered to you directly for an additional fee. Production time is 7–14 business days from approval. 

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Can PhD be written as PH.D in a name card? [duplicate]

I came across a name card from an academic staff, with title after the name written as PH.D

Is this proper?

• abbreviations

• Ideally, it should be "Ph. D."... so I would say both your versions are technically wrong. –  keshlam Commented Jun 29, 2015 at 4:17
• 1 @keshlam Ideally to whom? –  Catija Commented Jun 29, 2015 at 4:18
• If a name card is the same as a business card, it may have been a purely stylistic choice. –  VampDuc Commented Jun 29, 2015 at 16:30

According to Wikipedia, there are many ways to abbreviate it:

Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as PhD, Ph.D., D.Phil., or DPhil in English-speaking countries and originally as Dr.Philos. or Dr.Phil. (for the Latin philosophiae doctor or doctor philosophiae), is in many countries a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities.

It doesn't seem that your exact example is listed here, as it's missing the second period and the "h" is capitalized but if all the text on the card is in uppercase, that could explain the capitalized "h".

As for me, the Ph.D. option makes sense. Seeing as it is two separate words that have been turned into a single abbreviation.

• 2 Incidentally, I wouldn't recommend using "Dr. Phil." in America, because. . . en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_McGraw –  Brian Hitchcock Commented Jun 29, 2015 at 5:07
• D.Phil in England is specifically a doctorate from the University of Oxford. The difference is important in a few academic contexts, though allowances are made for Americans and other barbarian scholars. –  Tim Lymington Commented Jul 31, 2015 at 14:07

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged abbreviations or ask your own question .

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mentioning credentials (MS, MBA, PMP) in your business card

• Thread starter nixss7
• Start date Nov 5, 2010

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Wise, aged ars veteran.

• Nov 5, 2010
• Add bookmark

This is a simple question, but after days of reviewing online, I am not sure about this. Is it okay to mention your degrees and certifications after your name in business cards. Some say that it depends on the audience. Some suggested to have 2 cards. One formal card (where you work) where you do not mention the credentials and one personal card which mentions all your credentials. But if you were to have one card, would you have the degrees and certifications mentioned in your business card? Please advise. Thanks.  

Ars Scholae Palatinae

Tacky.  

ChloroFiend

Ars praefectus.

In my field (IT/INFOSEC), it's pretty commonplace and accepted to add those in. I personally wouldn't display more than 2 or 3 designations, as after that point it strikes me as an exercise in e-peen measuring. For instance, I could technically list out "ChloroFiend, MS, CISSP, MCSE:Security, CCSE, Sec+" and a few others I've likely forgotten. Instead, I only use "ChloroFiend, CISSP" as its pretty much the capstone credential in my field. I'll add on the CISM as well too when I earn that designation but don't anticipate tacking anything else on. I terms of academic degrees, I do hold an MS but don't list that anywhere. I wouldn't do that with an MBA either. PhD only if its specifically relevant to the position.  

Ars Legatus Legionis

if the qualification isn't intrinsic to your job (md, dds, etc), don't put it on.  

Bright Wire

Either use the capstone of your profession or leave it off completely. Nothing is more ridiculous than watching folks put expected credentials on cards and in email signatures like Joe Black, Computer Support Tech: A+, Network+, MCP. Watching Project Managers put down MBA and PMP is always laughable. It tells me nothing more about your ability to do the job than adding on "Can pee standing up" in my experience. Bonus points for reordering your creds to the following: Nixss PiMP mmMBAp w/ MS  

Thanks for the great advice. I did think it was kinda tacky as well.  

English_C6H^

I went back and forth on this for a long time before I figured out a simple test. Here's my test: Would you be held to a higher legal standard for having those letters behind your name? If you're not sure, think about this: If you worked free-lance, would you need malpractice or "errors and omissions" insurance? If you do, congratulations, you're held to a higher legal standard. With great power comes great responsibility (and the opportunity to put letters after your name on a little piece of a dead tree). e.g. - MD - Yes DDS/DMD - Yes CPR - No CPA - Yes CFP - No, AFAIK (Cert. Financial Planner) PE - Yes (Professional Engineer) CIH/DABT - Yes (Certified Industrial Hygienist, Diplomat of American Board of Toxicology) CSP - Probably not (Certified Safety Professional)  

But if you were to have one card, would you have the degrees and certifications mentioned in your business card? Click to expand...

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius

I have no degree, and no certifications. And yet, I put HMFIC after my name on business cards.  

English_C6H^":484gh1r2 said: I went back and forth on this for a long time before I figured out a simple test. Here's my test: Would you be held to a higher legal standard for having those letters behind your name? If you're not sure, think about this: If you worked free-lance, would you need malpractice or "errors and omissions" insurance? If you do, congratulations, you're held to a higher legal standard. With great power comes great responsibility (and the opportunity to put letters after your name on a little piece of a dead tree). e.g. - MD - Yes DDS/DMD - Yes CPR - No CPA - Yes CFP - No, AFAIK (Cert. Financial Planner) PE - Yes (Professional Engineer) CIH/DABT - Yes (Certified Industrial Hygienist, Diplomat of American Board of Toxicology) CSP - Probably not (Certified Safety Professional) Click to expand...

Danger Mouse

• Nov 6, 2010

Heresiarch":3oa87sk9 said: My rule of thumb (when evaluating email sigs and business cards) is simple: "the more credentials they feel the need to include, the more likely it is they're a complete cock". I may unfairly a few exclude people who are simply proud of what they've achieved, but meh Click to expand...

NervousEnergy

• Nov 8, 2010

Would you be held to a higher legal standard for having those letters behind your name Click to expand...

• Nov 10, 2010

brainchasm":2jq6gzhk said: I have no degree, and no certifications. And yet, I put HMFIC after my name on business cards. Click to expand...

LordFrith":3guoauzc said: Heck, I find it tacky when people add "PhD" after their names on business cards, and that's significantly more work than any cert. Click to expand...

death_to_novell

"Heck, I find it tacky when people add "PhD" after their names on business cards, and that's significantly more work than any cert." I don't think I've ever seen that. I do occasionally see Dr. when interacting with people in industry. It's kind of good because it tells me the person I'm talking too might not be a clueless moron who can't help with my questions.  

As a Senior Network Engineer, I was keen on putting my CCIE number on my cards and email signature. Now that I am in a management role, I leave that off. I also don't put my M.S. on there either. I guess I just let my work do the talking. I keep all my certs active and list the relevant ones on my resume, but I don't just vomit all of them on to the paper.  

M. Jones":119a2lnh said: brainchasm":119a2lnh said: I have no degree, and no certifications. And yet, I put HMFIC after my name on business cards. Click to expand...

JasonF":2596tv5a said: I do occasionally see Dr. when interacting with people in industry. It's kind of good because it tells me the person I'm talking too might not be a clueless moron who can't help with my questions. Click to expand...

The Mighty Zoltan

• Nov 15, 2010

English_C6H^":1lbx43qt said: JasonF":1lbx43qt said: I do occasionally see Dr. when interacting with people in industry. It's kind of good because it tells me the person I'm talking too might not be a clueless moron who can't help with my questions. Click to expand...

• Nov 16, 2010

I used to do desktop support at a small firm that was all MD, MBA, PhDs. Yes, everyone had all of those degrees. Great people, they couldn't tie their own shoes, but great people. Click to expand...

• Nov 17, 2010

JasonF":1t504q46 said: I don't think I've ever seen that. I do occasionally see Dr. when interacting with people in industry. It's kind of good because it tells me the person I'm talking too might not be a clueless moron who can't help with my questions. Click to expand...

Ars Tribunus Militum

I guess I'm tacky, because I have PhD on my card. In an academic/research setting it does make a difference in how you get perceived. If I were out in industry, I wouldn't, but here at a gov't research institute I do. I don't go around shouting that I have the degree, but occasionally it's nice not to be thought of as some IT flunky, computer guy. I'm so low-key about it, that one of the secretaries said to me recently that she just found out I was a "doctor". We've been working in the same group for 8 or 9 years.  

Heresiarch":3km6pjhr said: My rule of thumb (when evaluating email sigs and business cards) is simple: "the more credentials they feel the need to include, the more likely it is they're a complete cock" Click to expand...

I met a guy once who listed his A+ certification on his business card. No joke.  

I think I have my name followed by CCNP and CCSP because those are the two highest and most recognized certs that I have. When I finish my CCIE, damn right I will be putting my CCIE # on my cards. I see nothing wrong with PMP or some other high level or capstone cert. As for degrees, I only think academic degrees are appropriate when they are graduate degrees. So you would not put Joe Schmo, B.S. but Joe Schmoe, P.H.D. or M.D. or J.D. is appropriate. Master's degrees are a bit iffy, especially an MBA.  

pauli":2fzgd50n said: if the qualification isn't intrinsic to your job (md, dds, etc), don't put it on. Click to expand...

FWIW I work with a number of PhDs in a commercial setting, and I think they've earned it. However I won't (seriously) call you Doctor unless you're an MD. Beyond the terminal PhD level degrees, in an appropriate professional setting I think I like the "legal standard" one is pretty good. EDIT: Agreed on the JD thing. It's reasonable to put on a business card, and you did complete post-graduate level course work. However you aren't a Doctor. JSD, sure, ok.  

clm100":o13fmhxp said: FWIW I work with a number of PhDs in a commercial setting, and I think they've earned it. However I won't (seriously) call you Doctor unless you're an MD. Beyond the terminal PhD level degrees, in an appropriate professional setting I think I like the "legal standard" one is pretty good. Click to expand...

EDIT: Agreed on the JD thing. It's reasonable to put on a business card, and you did complete post-graduate level course work. However you aren't a Doctor. JSD, sure, ok. Click to expand...

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Ph.D. or PhD on business card

• Thread starter oscarthewild
• Start date Feb 5, 2007
• Tags business business card business cards ph.d. phd
• Culture and Lifestyle

oscarthewild

Distinguished member.

• Feb 5, 2007

Hello, I have seen examples of each Ph.D. http://radio.weblogs.com/0110772/BusinessCardEng.jpg http://www.psych.ufl.edu/~white/kdw_..._card_2005.gif and also examples of PhD http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/audio...rd-Herring.gif http://research.microsoft.com/~awils...20card%202.jpg Any comments which is correct or more correct? Thanks -  

Stylish Dinosaur

Ph.D. according to Chicago Manual of Style.  

Thank you  

Opposite Santa

They are all fine. However, imhe, no academic puts "Ph.D" on their card. It's assumed that you have one, especially if "Professor" is anywhere on the card. A Ph.D. is sort of like having a ticket for the show. No one pins it to their chest. Same goes for research labs like JPL, NASA/Ames, etc... The only reason that you would put Ph.D. is if you work in the bureaucracy or in the corporate world, where not everyone has a Ph.D. The only letters I generally see on academic and researchers cards are things like fellowships in the Academy of Sciences or a similar honor.  

Senior Member

I dunno, I have to disagree with that. I've been in academia (psych) for the better part of my life and whose with doc degrees have Psy.D. or Ph.D. on their card. It is assumed that if one is called a "psychologist" then they have a doctorate as MS level practitioners default to "therapist". Perhaps this is different in other fields such as research as the above poster mentioned IMHO if you get through a doctoral program you deserve to put it on there MrR  

Originally Posted by MrRogers Click to expand...

Originally Posted by drizzt3117 Click to expand...

Originally Posted by imageWIS Click to expand...

What do the German academics put on their cards?  

Ph.D. looks better, IMO.  

matadorpoeta

not all professors have a ph.d. it is a common complaint at many colleges that undergrad classes, especially lower division ones, are being taught by professors with only a master's degree.  

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta Click to expand...

I can't wait to put Ph.D. all over everything I own. All of my shirts will be monogrammed at the cuff with PHD.  

Originally Posted by LabelKing Click to expand...

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Students in our PhD programs are encouraged from day one to think of this experience as their first job in business academia—a training ground for a challenging and rewarding career generating rigorous, relevant research that influences practice.

Our doctoral students work with faculty and access resources throughout HBS and Harvard University. The PhD program curriculum requires coursework at HBS and other Harvard discipline departments, and with HBS and Harvard faculty on advisory committees. Faculty throughout Harvard guide the programs through their participation on advisory committees.

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There are many paths, but we are one HBS. Our PhD students draw on diverse personal and professional backgrounds to pursue an ever-expanding range of research topics. Explore more here about each program’s requirements & curriculum, read student profiles for each discipline as well as student research , and placement information.

The PhD in Business Administration grounds students in the disciplinary theories and research methods that form the foundation of an academic career. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program has four areas of study: Accounting and Management , Marketing , Strategy , and Technology and Operations Management . All areas of study involve roughly two years of coursework culminating in a field exam. The remaining years of the program are spent conducting independent research, working on co-authored publications, and writing the dissertation. Students join these programs from a wide range of backgrounds, from consulting to engineering. Many applicants possess liberal arts degrees, as there is not a requirement to possess a business degree before joining the program

The PhD in Business Economics provides students the opportunity to study in both Harvard’s world-class Economics Department and Harvard Business School. Throughout the program, coursework includes exploration of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, probability and statistics, and econometrics. While some students join the Business Economics program directly from undergraduate or masters programs, others have worked in economic consulting firms or as research assistants at universities or intergovernmental organizations.

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The PhD program in Organizational Behavior offers two tracks: either a micro or macro approach. In the micro track, students focus on the study of interpersonal relationships within organizations and the effects that groups have on individuals. Students in the macro track use sociological methods to examine organizations, groups, and markets as a whole, including topics such as the influence of individuals on organizational change, or the relationship between social missions and financial objectives. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program includes core disciplinary training in sociology or psychology, as well as additional coursework in organizational behavior.

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PhD on business cards

• Thread starter Agiii
• Start date Sep 6, 2015

Senior Member

• Sep 6, 2015

I've got a PhD in a non-medical field of study. I'm currently designing my business cards and asking myself whether it's normal to put my PhD on them and if yes, in what form. Mary Smith PhD Mary Smith, PhD Mary Smith Ph.D. Mary Smith, Ph.D. ? Or how should I do it? I got my PhD in continental Europe and the original title is "Dr. (Mary Smith)", I'm not sure if that's used in the US/ UK/ Australia, etc.  

Hi, I have seen this: Mary Smith, PhD  

You're likely to "see" just about anything in such style issues. The style used by American newspapers (when they follow the stylebook) is Mary Smith, Ph.D. (No. 4 above) Likewise, American newspapers do not use the honorary title "Dr." for non-medical degrees and might not use it at all when not relevant. Sen. Rand Paul, for example, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, is an ophthalmologist, but since that's irrelevant to his political aspirations, news stories generally do not use the medical honorific.  

Song Sprite

Ok, thank you so much!  

• Sep 18, 2015

Sorry, I have to start the subject again. I see "Dr John Smith" a lot on linkedin and I'm asking myself whether this version is not preferred to "John Smith, Ph.D.".  

Moderato con anima (English Only)

The British style is not to use the full stops: Mary Smith, PhD - and if you include PhD , Dr is surely redundant. Dr Mary Smith suggests that you are a medical person, I think; or at best it is ambiguous.  

• Sep 22, 2015

natkretep said: The British style is not to use the full stops: Mary Smith, PhD - and if you include PhD , Dr is surely redundant. Dr Mary Smith suggests that you are a medical person, I think; or at best it is ambiguous. Click to expand...

Those aren't business cards. That page is put together by someone else who chooses to use a title with the names.  

But does it mean I should use "Dr" (or Dr.) on linkedin and on my website? I supposed there's no difference between business cards and those other situations where you present yourself.  

natkretep said: and if you include PhD , Dr is surely redundant. Click to expand...

I'm thinking of non-medical settings and representations by self, rather than representations by others. I can't comment about medical settings. In academic settings, to include both the title and the degree in self-representations smacks of someone 'trying too hard' and not being subtle about it. It's a little like how when you introduce yourself, you don't include your title; you wait for others to accord you that honour, as it were.  

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DBA vs. PhD in Business: Navigating the Path to Leadership Excellence

• August 19, 2024

Table of Contents

A DBA and a PhD in Business cater to different professional goals and academic interests. Both degrees support aspirations for leadership roles and are increasingly important in achieving them. But which one should you go for? Let’s examine their essential characteristics and guide you in determining the best path for your career.

This article was reviewed by Dr. Aamar Moorjani, PhD.

Why Are Advanced Degrees like a DBA and a PhD in Business Great for Leadership Roles?

Advanced degrees like PhDs and DBAs are crucial for pursuing top leadership roles. They provide specialized knowledge and skills for making informed decisions and solving complex problems. These degrees also reflect a deep commitment to the field, showcasing the ability to conduct rigorous research and think critically.

Networking is another significant benefit. Advanced degrees connect professionals with a network of peers, mentors, and industry leaders. This network facilitates collaboration, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, enhancing leaders’ ability to innovate and adapt in a dynamic industry.

Finally, the credibility and respect of advanced degrees open doors to leadership opportunities. Employers and stakeholders view PhD and DBA holders as experts with authority. This perception, combined with the demonstrated discipline and dedication, makes these degrees powerful tools for achieving advanced leadership positions.

DBA in Business: Hands-On Research

DBAs focus on practical application – they’re about solving real-world business problems with hands-on research.

In a Doctorate of Business Administration program, you’ll find yourself among seasoned professionals— CEOs, entrepreneurs, and senior managers . Learning from real-world experiences, you’ll dive into strategic management, leadership, and innovation with professors who blend academic knowledge and industry insights.

Your research isn’t just academic; it’s more of a hands-on learning experience on real problems faced by real businesses. You’ll tackle real business issues, providing solutions that can directly impact your career or organization. This original research sharpens your critical thinking and analytical skills, preparing you to lead and influence at the highest levels.

Finally, DBAs are more flexible and economical . CIU’s online programs allow working professionals to earn an advanced degree without juggling their personal and professional responsibilities.

PhD in Business: Theory and Continous Research

Meanwhile, a PhD in Business takes a different research approach, much more focused on academia and theory . Its main aim is to add to the body of preexisting knowledge.

Where a DBA is practical, a PhD is theoretical . It delves deep into the theories of commerce and management to draw fresh insights and innovative ideas into the business world. Research is less about solving a specific problem promptly and more about expanding knowledge.

PhD students often stay in academia for the long run. They continue doing research professionally and have teaching positions at universities.

And where a DBA is flexible, a PhD may demand higher commitment . A PhD typically requires you to make it your number one priority, taking the place of your job. 

Choosing the Right Path for You

Choosing between a DBA and a PhD in Business depends on your career goals and research interests. A DBA is the right choice if you aim to solve real-world business problems, lead organizations, or work as a consultant . It focuses on practical, applied research and is designed for working professionals, often offering flexible, part-time schedules. Designed to be completed in 2.5 years, a DBA from CIU integrates coursework with research, allowing you to apply what you learn directly to your career.

On the other hand, if your passion lies in academia, teaching, or conducting theoretical research , a PhD is the way to go. This path is more intensive and requires a full-time commitment, usually taking 4-6 years. PhD programs emphasize deep theoretical research and significant coursework in the initial years, followed by extensive dissertation writing.

Ultimately, the DBA equips you to become a scholar-practitioner, driving innovation in the business world. At the same time, the PhD prepares you to be an academic expert, contributing to scholarly research and educating future business leaders. By considering your career objectives, research interests, and time commitment, you can make the right choice for your future.

Success Story: Michael Owens

Dr. Michael Owens exemplifies the transformative impact of a DBA in Business. After graduating from California Intercontinental University in 2011 with a Doctorate in Business Administration, Michael has had a distinguished career spanning over 25 years across startup, corporate, government, and military organizations.

As a cybersecurity executive , Michael has been at the forefront of addressing complex issues such as breach mitigation, threat intelligence sharing, and promoting diversity within the tech industry. He is the president and CEO of the U.S. Global Center of Cyber Policy, where he provides expert analysis on cybersecurity trends and policies to various levels of government.

Michael’s career includes leading roles at EY, where he directed the Global Cybersecurity, Cybercrime, and Critical Infrastructure Program, and at Cisco Systems, where he managed IT strategy engagements for government agencies. His extensive international experience spans projects in over 100 countries, and he has pioneered practices in SMB MSP and fractional CIO/CISO services.

An eight-year United States Marine Corps veteran, Michael is also involved with the US Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary and various prestigious organizations. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, a doctorate from California Intercontinental University, and advanced certificates from the U.S. Army War College and Harvard University. He lives in Mableton, Georgia, and is a dedicated father of two.

Conclusion: DBA vs PhD in Business

DBA and PhD programs offer unique advantages for those aspiring to leadership roles in business. Your career aspirations should guide your choice—whether in industry or academia . Advanced degrees enhance your expertise and position you as a credible and capable leader in your field. For working professionals, flexible online DBA programs, such as those at CIU, provide an excellent opportunity to achieve your leadership goals without sacrificing your current career.

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PhD degree requirements

The PhD in Business Administration program with a specialization in finance consists of a minimum of 72 semester hours of graduate-level course work beyond the bachelor’s degree and 12 semester hours of dissertation credit, for a total of 84 semester hours. Approved master’s degree-level coursework up to 30 hours beyond deficiency and prerequisite courses may potentially be included. A minimum of 42 hours of doctoral coursework and 12 hours of dissertation and/or research are required to be taken at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus.

The department offers a number of courses for doctoral students. View the complete list of courses offered by the Department of Finance.

The core — basic program

The courses in the basic program are intended to provide the foundation for advanced study in the finance concentration and supporting coursework. The W. P. Carey School of Business requires a minimum of 21 semester hours of credit in the Basic Program, distributed as follows.

• A minimum of 9 semester hours of economics (i.e., ECN 712, Microeconomic Analysis I; ECN 714 Microeconomic Analysis II; ECN 716, Advanced Economic Theory I)
• A minimum of 9 semester hours of quantitative methods (i.e., ECN 725, Econometrics I; ECN 726, Econometrics II, and ECN 770, Mathematics for Economists)

In addition to the requirements of the W. P. Carey School, the Department of Finance requires all entering students to take 3 semester hours of credit in FIN 700, Research Methods, and also ECN 594, Conference and Workshop, in the second summer session (starting in July) prior to the student’s first fall semester in the program.

Advanced program

The advanced program consists of at least 63 semester hours, 15 of which must be from the Department of Finance. [Research (FIN 792) or Readings & Conference (FIN 790) may NOT be used to fulfill this 15-hour requirement.] The W. P. Carey School requires a distribution of semester hours in the advanced program as follows.

• A minimum of 15 semester hours of finance doctoral courses (e.g., FIN 781, FIN 791, FIN 793)
• A minimum of 6 semester hours of coursework in “other courses” (e.g., ACC 791, MGT 791)
• A minimum of 36 semester hours of research and dissertation
• 6 semester hours from either “other courses” or additional research

Additional courses to fulfill PhD requirements

The W. P. Carey School of Business requires a minimum of 27 semester hours of additional graduate course credit. These remaining requirements can be met by taking elective courses. Students with previous related graduate coursework from approved master’s degree programs can potentially transfer up to 30 semester hours of credit to satisfy this requirement, as determined by the PhD coordinator for the plan of study.

Dissertation

The W. P. Carey School requires a minimum of 12 semester hours of dissertation credit (FIN 799) in which students work with a personally selected faculty committee to complete a major research-based dissertation of an original and creative nature.

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Is it correct for a PhD holder to sign as "Dr. J. Doe, PhD"?

I have seen some of the PhD holders sign as "Dr. [First Name] [Surname], PhD".

Is it academically correct to write "Dr. Frank Amoani Arthur, PhD"?

• 28 Are you in Germany? If not you can do whatever you want. –  Cape Code Commented Oct 8, 2016 at 5:42
• 3 In addition, "Dr. X Y, PhD" would be correct if the person actually holds two different doctoral degrees: a Dr. and a PhD. –  lighthouse keeper Commented Oct 8, 2016 at 6:51
• 4 I would like to add that in some fields and (sub)cultures, adding the ", PhD" bit after your name may seem unnecessarily pretentious. –  Gimelist Commented Oct 8, 2016 at 8:01
• 1 It certainly depends on the usage context. In a job talk title slide, naming the degree seems justified, while in a conference talk or in a twitter profile, it would look pretentious. –  lighthouse keeper Commented Oct 8, 2016 at 8:09
• 1 @CapeCode Not just Germany. In The Netherlands it is a criminal offense to write your name like this. The law explicitly provides that you have to choose between either writing "dr." or writing "PhD". –  Tom van der Zanden Commented Jun 22, 2021 at 7:54

7 Answers 7

There are two important points to note about name markers that refer to academic titles:

• You can have more than one of these markers in your name: Kay Doe, PhD, MD indicates a person who is both a doctor of philosophy and a doctor of medicine.
• The marker Dr. can very often be used as a variant of the post-positioned markers. If both of them are equivalent markers in your country, you can choose either marker to refer to your academic title.

These two observations make the suggested name form Dr. Kay Doe, PhD rather ambiguous.

Does it refer to a person with two doctor titles because there are two markers? Or do both markers refer to just one doctor title? But if so, why is that doctor referred to twice in one name? This may even lead to suspicion: Does the name bearer use two markers which refer to the same title with the intention to sound more impressive than their academic distinction actually warrants?

This ambiguity is avoided if you use only one title marker per title.

• 1 +1 for not asserting that something is "correct" or "incorrect" and instead focusing on what is the most effective for communication. –  Thomas Commented Jun 21, 2021 at 22:43
• In Germany, we tend to list multiple doctor titles in front of the name, e.g. Dr. phil. D. med. Dr. h.c. Max Mustermann would declare a doctor of philosophy, a medical doctor and an honorary doctor all at once. But notably, these titles must match the precise expression of a title that has been awarded. So Dr. phil. X cannot be used instead of X, PhD , except if the awarding university explicitly declared it that way. Here you can find a list of examples (need to scroll down to a table). –  xamid Commented Mar 27, 2023 at 5:59

In the US, at least the title doctor doesn't imply a medical doctor, though it includes that. My students would usually refer to me as Dr. Buffy. Someone not knowing that I hold a doctorate might call me Mr. Buffy, but Dr. Buffy is more specific.

If I wish to list my degrees after my name they aren't being used a title like Dr. or Ms.

So, being pedantic: Dr. Buffy, BA, MA, PhD. is just fine. In Germany, and places with a related academic culture, degrees are used more as titles so it is a bit different: Herr Doctor Professor Buffy.

Medical doctors (again in the US) insist on being called Doctor and have no difficulty with Dr. Foobar, MD. It would be extremely uncommon for them to be listed any other way.

• 5 "Herr Professor Doctor", actually. –  Oleg Lobachev Commented Aug 1, 2018 at 15:07
• 1 Yes, Herr Student @OlegLobachev. Kidding of course. Thanks. In the US we would garble it, of course. As I did. I listed them in the order I did because of the order I earned them. I was Doktor before I was professor. –  Buffy Commented Aug 1, 2018 at 15:12
• 2 There is a story of a quite famous mathematician (a professor) who was living with one of his students in a "romantic" relationship. He once is said to have informed her that she didn't need to refer to him with all of his titles as long as they were in private. Apocryphal? You judge. –  Buffy Commented Aug 1, 2018 at 15:15
• 1 There's a reason why physicians are Dr. Foo, M.D. The Dr. part is for public appearances, so patients perceive that they're authoritative. The M.D. part is required by regulation in some places like hospitals and medical schools, as to disambiguate Ph.D., D.O., D.D.S./D.M.D., O.D., D.V.M. etc. which all have different rights/requirements when interacting with patients. My major US institution sticks both (Dr. Foo Bar, PhD) on everybody's e-mails and ID cards and computer accounts, even for non-medical people. –  user71659 Commented Aug 2, 2018 at 7:02

I'm sure this must have been dealt with in previous questions, but the short answer is:

This is correct if you are both a medical doctor and an academic doctor. But just being an academic allows you to write Dr. (name) XOR (name) PhD.

• 12 This is not universally true. –  Cape Code Commented Oct 8, 2016 at 7:23

If you have Dr. NAME only it might cause some confusion. I was once caught in a situation where I was asked to be on standby for assistance during a medical emergency because my boarding pass identified me as Dr. MYNAME. I had to explain that the Dr was for a PhD and not for medical practises. In my opinion the academic the title should be Dr. LASTNAME or Dr. LASTNAME M.D. for a medical practitioner Dr, LASTNAME PhD for an academic qualification Dr. LASTNAME HC for an honorary doctorate ( honororium causa )

As you can see from some of the answers here, there is substantial variation in use of academic titles and suffixes for degrees. It is certainly okay to use the suffix PhD if you have a PhD, and it would be hard to mount an argument that it is "incorrect" to use a suffix for a degree you actually have. There is wide variation in what is common practice in academia, but what is most important is to consider the following practical issues:

IMPORTANT --- avoid confusion with medical doctors: In most places, in an academic context the title "Dr" is fine for someone with a PhD (though in some countries they are distinct). However, in contexts outside academia it can cause confusion. In particular, for a person with a PhD who is not a medical doctor, it is often desirable to avoid using the title "Dr" in contexts where it might cause people to think that you are the appropriate contact person in a medical emergency ---e.g., " Dr O'Neill, this man is having a heart attack - do something! " So, for example, when I am checking into a plane, or in similar circumstances, I try to ensure that I am booked in as "Mr" not "Dr", notwithstanding that the latter title would apply in an academic context.

Academics rarely use the degree suffix: Because the PhD is so common among academics, we would rarely use this suffix outside of a CV. It is common for academics to use titles (e.g., Dr, Assoc Prof, Prof, etc.) in descriptions such as a signature block, staff page, etc. It is uncommon (but not incorrect) to additionally add the suffix "PhD". The main reason most academics leave this part off is because the degree is common among academics.

Dual use might clarify or it might confuse, depending on who is reading it: If you use both a title and a suffix for the same degree, that can potentially help to understand the source of the title, or it can look awkward or cause confusion. This really depends on the audience. In most cases, if you use the title "Dr" and the suffix "PhD" then people will assume that the title comes from the degree specified in the suffix, which is accurate here. It is perhaps a bit unusual to use both, but it is not unheard of.

I think in the US anyway, you can sign your name however you wish. In my case, I am a DVM and I have a Masters degree. I want my business cards to say Dr. MYNAME, DVM, MS. I have seen multiple DVMs that write their name the same way. I think it's good to know what kind of Dr. I am, and this helps others to know it also. Even if I didn't have the Masters degree, I would likely still want my business card to say Dr. MYNAME, DVM.

• 1 What is a DVM ? –  astronat supports the strike Commented Jun 21, 2021 at 14:10
• 2 @astronat Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. –  Bryan Krause ♦ Commented Jun 21, 2021 at 14:13

Dr Jones if he has a medical degree. Mark Jones, Ph.D. or Dr. Jones, if he has a Ph.D. Never Dr. Jones, Ph. D.

• 4 What if a PhD who is also a medical doctor? I think "Never" is too strong a word. –  Nobody Commented Aug 1, 2018 at 6:34
• 5 @scaaahu Mark Jones, MD, PhD. –  Nicole Hamilton Commented Aug 1, 2018 at 9:38
• 1 @NicoleHamilton That's a good one. –  Nobody Commented Aug 1, 2018 at 9:45
• My major US university puts "Dr. Jones PhD" on everybody's ID cards, e-mails, computer accounts, directory, etc. It's because the medical school and hospital have all kinds of "Dr." running around and they need to make it easy to identify what responsibilities you have. –  user71659 Commented Aug 2, 2018 at 7:07

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business card of PhD students

Hello everyone!

I am going to participate in a conference and I think I will need my business card to share my contacts.

Printing it is not an option. I am thinking to create one by generating QR code with my email signature.

Could you suggest your favourite (FREE) QR code generator?

How do you share your contacts in conferences? Do you receive a paper business card of your university?

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I'm a Yale graduate but can't afford to live on my own, so I share an apartment with my mom. I have no plans to move out.

• After graduating college, I couldn't find a full-time job, so I moved into my mother's apartment.
• Multigenerational living is heavily stigmatized in American culture but valued in my family.
• My mother's support has allowed me to thrive, and our relationship has never been stronger.

In May 2021, I prepared to graduate from Yale University with a degree in molecular biology. Instead of pride in my accomplishment or excitement to finally enter adulthood, I was filled with dread.

I had applied to over 60 job openings throughout my senior year but could not secure a full-time position in any field — let alone the highly specialized field for which I'd been trained. I had no job or plan, so two days after my graduation ceremony, I moved into my mother's rent-stabilized two-bedroom apartment in Queens.

For the first summer I lived in New York, I worked odd jobs like babysitting, teaching short-term writing workshops, and editing high schoolers' college essays. I revised my résumé and sent out a job application every day. I've always been passionate about writing, so I expanded my range to include literary and publishing jobs. No bites.

The salary ranges for every entry-level position I applied for were well below what I would need to live in New York City without my parents' help. Even with a full-time job, I wouldn't be able to afford to move out. But I ended up right where I needed to be.

My mom welcomed me back home after graduation

My mother immigrated to the US from Ecuador when she was 8 years old, and my father from Mexico when he was 9. The three of us are incredibly close. I was raised in Rhinebeck, a small town in the Hudson Valley, which is predominantly white.

Our family's cultural values constantly clashed with those of my peers' families, especially regarding multigenerational living. My friends' parents constantly emphasized to them that "the minute you turn 18, you're out."

Those families seem to represent the norm around the US. In 2022, the Pew Research Center found that  only 13%  of non-Hispanic white Americans live in multigenerational households, compared to 26% of Hispanic and Black Americans.

In contrast, throughout my life, my parents made it clear that if I ever needed to live with them again after college , no matter the reason, they would welcome me with open arms. My father has always said, "We're not just a family. We're a team. Whatever you want to do, we will support you in any way we can."

My family's culture normalizes multigenerational living , so I felt comfortable moving in with my mother.

I love living with my mother and have no plans to leave

Six months after graduating, I finally got a 15-hour-a-week position as a marketing assistant at a literary nonprofit. My mother was thrilled I had found a job I was passionate about and over the moon that I would have to keep living with her.

Related stories

Overall, it's been better than I could've imagined. We eat dinner together most weeknights and then watch an episode or two of whatever TV show we're binging together. On weekends, we go to the beach or concerts in the East Village. We even went to Queens Pride together for the first time.

This time together has only brought us closer together, and our relationship has never been stronger than it is now. I am grateful for this time we have together.

I still work for the same nonprofit. Though my hours and pay rate have increased, I am still not full-time, but I'm fine with that. I love the work I do and the people I do it with. That means I will be living with my mother for the foreseeable future, and I am OK with that. Not having to worry about making New York City rent allows me to save most of my income.

I use the extra hours in my day to write. It's paid off: My first book will come out next February, and I couldn't have done any of it without my mother's support.

Watch: Why one mother fled Texas to keep her child safe

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