Reply to Calling a Ph.D "Doctor"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]There is a whole lot of disrespect for a PhD degree on this thread, though I think much of it comes from ignorance...In my (math/stats related) field, a PhD typically takes 6 years, in my husband's 6, followed by several years of postdocs. Competition to get accepted into the top programs is fierce, and nowadays, many, if not most, students complete MS degrees and/or take research jobs prior to applying to the PhD program to look more competitive. My mother, uncle, aunt and grandfather are all medical doctors who, thankfully, admire what we do; and at least my mother, who observed what we had to go through to get our degrees, thought it was much more challenging intellectually than her education. [b]Why are MDs (who get that title after 4 years of medical school, without much independent thought required) deserving of so much more respect?[/b] I don't mind being called by my first name (though students from abroad will typically use Prof or Dr) - except when I receive a letter from an MD, calling me Ms. X, signed Dr. Y (when their records ask for my profession, and they are well aware of what I do). Of course I realize they have other issues to worry about when fulfilling these administrative tasks, so it is likely (hopefully) not an intentional slight.[/quote]

Did you seriously just put down an MD? An MD isn't just 4 years of med school. [/quote]

They're different, despite requiring 2-3 years of coursework depending on the degree.

North American PhD's require original research and coursework. Professional doctorates, like MDs and JDs don't in the united states.  In fact outside North America, medical and legal professionals typically hold bachelors in their disciplines, but may be addressed by their degree. Likewise, under some systems in Europe, PhDs don't require coursework, only original research.  Its my understanding that European MD degrees require research, while the a Bachelor of Surgery required to practice does not.

Thats not to say that MDs and JDs can't write papers or perform original research, its just not a requirement for graduation under the US system.

I'm not going to say which is better.[/quote]

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