Am I a "Doctor" in Italy?

Question

While visiting Italy I have always heard people with a college degree referred to as "Dotore". I have a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. Would I be "Dotoratto" in Italy? And if so, in what? Sciensa Huministica?

Thank you for the information. Meaning of course in the non-medical use of the term. Is this title added as a suffix to one's name on a business/calling card? Like B.S., M.S. or Ph.D., is used here in the U.S.? (Example: Pedro Smith, Ph.D, or Dr. Pedro Smith, Ph.D?). Is ther an appropriate format for adding this title, if done at all?

Answer 1

Today* yes, "Dottore" is a person who has got a graduate (new Laurea) or a Bachelor’s Degree (Laurea specialistica or old Laurea).

But "Dottorato" = Ph.D.

* A legislative reform introduced a 2-stage University course some years ago; before that, you had only one course for Bachelor’s Degree (5years usually) after HighSchool


PS: if you have a Bachelor’s Degree (laurea), you can use "dott." before name:
eg. dott. Mario Rossi
Today "dr." is used also: dr. Mario Rossi.

But it is better to use Mario Rossi and then the degree (full) name in business cards, if
- you have a foreign degree (may be your degree is not valid under Italian law)=>use your English business cards
- you have a "dottorato"(=Ph.D.)=> eg "Mario Rossi, dottore di ricerca in (particular field)"

Answer 2

Hi, I live in Italy. If you have a college/university degree you are called a "dottore" but this does not mean you are considered to be a medical doctor. It's just the title they give to recognize that you are a college graduate. A medical doctor is called "dottore" or better yet "medico".