OK, i was just wondering -- what is the name for those words after someone's name? For example, let's say the person's name is John Doe. But when you see thier name they have an A.A., B.S., M.D., PhD., D.C. , B.A., DIP., L.M.T. , or whatever they're skilled in. So when you see the name it looks like:
John Doe, B.S., M.D., L.M.T.
What do those stand for and what do you call them collectively?
2007-04-01 11:52:15 · 16 answers · asked by Angels Breath 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Dear Angels,
Those initials after someone's name are their credentials. For example, I write RN, MSN, ANP-c after my "official" signature. They mean that I am a registered nurse, have a Masters degree in Nursing Science and am an Advanced Nurse Practitioner who is certified...that is, I have passed my national boards for the practice of advanced nursing allowing me to make medical diagnoses and write prescriptions. When I finish my doctorate in nursing I will be permitted to write PhD after my name...that means "Doctor of Philosophy", a title given to people who have earned doctorates - the highest degree in any given subject. There are many kinds of degrees and many doctoral degrees, too. The most commonly understood is the MD, meaning Medical Doctorate. BS is Bachelor of Science, BA is Bachelor of Arts, MA is Master of Arts. DC is Doctor of Chiropractic, LLD is a law doctorate.... The list goes on and on. It is only appropriate to use credentials in official correspondence or on a business card. If you don't know what the credentials mean you should always ask. To those of us who have the credentials but don't usually use them, they are known as "Alphabet soup"! Don't be impressed by all the letters after someone's name. Idiots can and do collect "alphabet soup". Earning the degree - even a doctorate - is the easy part. It's what you actually DO with it to make the world a better place that really counts!
2007-04-01 12:15:07 · answer #1 · answered by nytngale11 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Degrees or Doctorates // Associate of Arts // Bachelor of Sciences // Medical Doctor // etc //
Peace.......
Note the importance of Degrees or Doctorates varies from culture to culture // // The Germans tend to simplify matters refering to just about anyone with a Degree or Doctorate as either Herr Doctor or Herr Professor // England and America tend to just say Dr and rarely Professor and naturally Americans coined the monickers Doc and Prof ...
But the proper word for all those letters is Degress or Doctorates those Credentials is equally acceptable...
2007-04-01 11:58:24 · answer #2 · answered by JVHawai'i 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John Doe has a Bachelor's Degree in Science, is a Medical Doctor, and is a licensed massage therapist. I would call that person Dr. Doe or just John, depending upon how I knew him and which service he was providing. If it was the massage therapy, John, otherwise Dr. Doe.
2007-04-01 11:55:37 · answer #3 · answered by JanksGirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
John Doe has a bachelor of science degree and passed the AMA licensing board test to be a licensed doctor and is a licensed medical technician. Contrary to popular opinion, doctors, like lawyers, don't have to attend school to practice. They only have to pass the licensing authority's test.
2007-04-01 12:02:34 · answer #4 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
M.D. - Medical Doctor
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated Ph.D. for the Latin Philosophiæ Doctor
B.S.- Bachelor of Science
And stuff like that.... look up the rest on wikipedia
2007-04-01 11:58:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are accredidation symbols, used for professionals in a given field. M.D. is medical doctor, A.A. is for associates degree ans B.S. is Bachelors Degree.
2007-04-01 11:57:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
doctor John Doe
2007-04-01 11:54:53 · answer #7 · answered by Minuet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SLang, it is called "alphabet" after their name. It is actually their credentials and it represents the college degree, professional license or title they hold.
2007-04-01 11:55:43 · answer #8 · answered by Kerry 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You just call them "Mr." or "Dr." and if you do not know what their qualifications are listed after their name, do not be afraid to ask.
2007-04-01 11:58:04 · answer #9 · answered by Tinribs 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's their level of education.
2007-04-01 11:54:51 · answer #10 · answered by Joe T 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋