phd can you call yourself doctor

Is a PhD a Doctor? [The full guide]

The term “Dr” is very prestigious and projects expertise and respect in those who use it. There is a long and complicated history with the doctor title and who should (and shouldn’t) use it. Medical doctors, lecturers, and other medical professionals use it, but where did it come from and is a PhD a doctor?

Yes, a person with a PhD is a Doctor and use the “Dr” title before their name. This is not to be confused with a medical doctor. There is a complex history with this term but is currently accepted for people who hold a PhD as well as a wide range of other professions.

I have a PhD in chemistry and I call myself Doctor Stapleton in professional settings and when I want to let certain entities know that I have been awarded a PhD. In my experience, other PhD holders mainly use their titles in a similar way.

This article will cover everything you need to know about the Dr title and who can and cannot use it.

There have been people who have argued that the term doctor should be reserved for people who have studied and are practising medicine so that there is little confusion about the people suitably qualified to make health care decisions for you.

However, as you will see through this article the doctor title has a very long history that has nothing to do with the medical field at all.

Where the term Doctor comes from

For those that love a little bit of word history:

The word doctor comes from the Latin verb ”docere” which means to teach or is used to refer to a scholar.

In history the doctor title was invented to signify that a person was an imminent scholar. The doctorates date as far back as the 1300s and those who were able to get the doctor title in front of their name were rewarded with a lot of respect and prestige.

These people were often the lecturers of their day and would therefore teach many students in their areas of expertise.

Therefore, I think it is reasonable to conclude that the original intended use of doctor was for academics and scholars.

As time went on, the doctor title was awarded to other professions that wanted to elicit the same level of respect and prestige.

Health professionals receive an undergraduate degree in medicine and can call themselves doctor. However, these are professional degrees (undergraduate qualifications) and not really considered doctorates in the true sense of the word – it is more of an honorary title.

I don’t think that anyone with a PhD really cares about who is using it and accept that the majority of the public think that anyone with a doctor title has a medical degree.

I know that I was very excited to receive my doctor title but the excitement soon wears off when you realise that it doesn’t really matter in everyday life – but it still makes you and your parents proud.

These days, the doctor title is used by a variety of non-academic professions and it can get a little bit confusing.

So let’s have a look at who can actually use the doctor title and where it came from.

Who can use “doctor”

Even though the original use of the doctor title was for imminent scholars, nowadays there are several different professional qualifications that can use the doctor title.

It’s no surprise that more professional qualifications want to use the doctor title as it indicates many years of study, status and makes parents very proud.

A 2016 peer-reviewed publication submitted to the Canadian Medical Association Journal asks who is entitled to the title of Doctor?

Exactly who can use this term is starting to get a little bit confusing for the public.

There are many honorific doctor titles, including those found in the table below.

The use of the doctor term for many healthcare-related qualifications can cause a fair bit of confusion about what qualification the person has achieved.

That is why the title of a person is only the second most important thing to look at.

If in doubt, have a look at the letters after their name to really understand what the doctor title is referring to.

There are some interesting deviations in the doctor title and interestingly, in the UK, surgeons do not refer to themselves as doctor but rather use the term Mr/Miss/Mrs/Ms etc. I had a family friend who was a brain surgeon who was a medical doctor and, after becoming a surgeon, changed back to Mr – a prestigious indicator in the medical field.

It’s strange to me how each field has its own customs to denote prestige.

There are arguments that in a professional and medical setting that the term doctor should be reserved for those who are medical doctors.

This can be difficult as many other healthcare professionals have also received doctorates in their specialisation and would want recognition for that effort and achievement.

In a 2011 article in the New York Times , physicians said that they were worried about losing control over the title of doctor because it could lead to a loss of control over the perception of the medical profession itself.

Anything that makes it more difficult for patients to make an informed decision about their healthcare could be very dangerous.

However, the fact that they are using this doctor title at all is a deviation from its original intention. Here is why the doctor title really is only meant for holders of a Doctor of Philosophy.

PhDs – the original doctors(?)

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy and, arguably, accounts for the only true use of the doctor title.

Being awarded a PhD means that you have completed postgraduate original and/or applied research that adds a significant contribution to the knowledge in a particular field.

It could be a PhD gained at a university or a professional doctorate but should signify that the owner of the title has completed the highest qualification obtainable in their field.

I talk about this in my short YouTube video:

You don’t necessarily have to use your doctor title after you have your PhD.

I know that there are many people who only use their Dr title in professional settings or as a way to stand out in other settings.

I only use my PhD title when I am in a setting where it is traditionally used. For example, I use my doctor title if I am giving a talk at a university or I am applying for funding within my field of expertise.

Some PhD holders find it a little bit awkward using their Dr title in everyday life whilst others use it on everything from rental applications to restaurant bookings.

How people use their Dr title once they have one is completely up to personal and individual choice. Initially, I was very excited to use my doctor title in as many situations as possible but quickly became wary of using it when it wasn’t required.

However, one of my guilty pleasures is seeing my doctor title on a plane ticket – I’m not quite sure why that is!

What you should call a PhD holder/your lecturers

One of the most common questions that I get asked when I am lecturing at a university is what students should call their lecturers.

Students can get confused with all of the formalities – especially if they have never been in a university before.

Professors, associate professors, doctors, lecturers, researchers – what does it all mean and how should you refer to academics?

Ultimately, it depends on the person.

Some PhD holders who lecture in a university want to be called by their official title and surname during every interaction.

Other lecturers and PhD holders are happy with students calling them by their first name. I certainly didn’t mind people calling me Andy during my workshops or lectures.

Also, some cultures are much more formal than others and wish to show respect by always using the official title of an academic.

Feel free to use whichever mode of interaction you wish – but, as a general rule, always err on the side of caution and use the more formal term for safety. Quite often, I have seen academics prompt students to use their first name as they also feel a little bit awkward being called their professional titles.

Doctor vs professor

When you graduate from a PhD you are entitled to call yourself by the doctor title.

All PhD holders are called Doctor in their professional setting. This can be on business cards, newsletters, websites, and other official documentation.

Universities in some countries also have a graduated career progression title system which denotes the expertise and seniority of the academic.

For example, in Australia the academic system is graduated like this:

• Senior lecturer
• Associate Professor

Therefore, in Australia it is not always appropriate to call someone in a university professor. Even if they are teaching your subject.

Professor is reserved for those who have achieved demonstrated expertise and outcomes in a variety of academic areas such as administration, teaching, research, and community outreach.

In other countries, however, you are automatically deemed a professor if you are teaching at a university. For example, in America your students will refer to you as a professor no matter your seniority in your university.

One of the first things you should do if you want to talk to your lecturer in a university setting is ask what their preference would be to be called.

Ask your lecturer about their preference

Whenever I gave a lecture, I would always start by saying that people can call me by my name (Andy), or they can choose to use Dr Stapleton if they feel that is more appropriate.

In my experience, most academics will not mind if you call them by their first name and, in countries like Australia, it seems to be the most common way for students to interact with their teachers.

It is not uncommon for the opposite to be true – and, like I have mentioned above, always start with the formal interactions. It is likely that you will be invited to call the PhD holder by their first name.

Outside of a formal setting most PhD holders really don’t mind how you talk to them.

The things a PhD student needs to do to become a doctor

The reason a PhD can call themselves doctor is because they have been awarded the highest qualification possible in their field.

A PhD requires you to perform research and produce a thesis or dissertation. The new information must contribute significantly to the field and report novel and new findings.

The PhD thesis is examined by other experts in the field (known as peers) and these other experts are responsible for telling the university whether or not you have satisfied the criteria to become a PhD.

There are other, more modern, ways of reporting your findings including peer-reviewed journals and professional doctoral reports.

Either way, admission to a PhD requires many years of hard work and dedication to answering a unique and unanswered question in your field.

I think that this satisfies the original use of the term doctor and is a great accomplishment for anyone.

It’s hard work but with the right guidance and dedication it is achievable by almost anyone.

Wrapping up

This article has covered everything you need to know about whether a PhD is a doctor.

The original term was introduced in the 1300s to denote an imminent scholar. This scholar would teach and pass on information to their students.

In modern times, the term doctor has been used as an honorary title for other professional careers in recognition of the hard work that they have put in to achieve their position.

However, there are fears that the doctor title is slowly becoming used for too many health professional areas leading to confusion around who is a medical doctor and who has other health-related qualifications such as dentistry, naturopathy, and others.

Nonetheless, people without an understanding of the convention can still get confused between medical doctors and holders of a higher degree PhD.

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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The Savvy Scientist

Experiences of a London PhD student and beyond

PhD FAQs – A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Doctoral Study

Tempted to do a PhD but have lots of questions? Hopefully this collection of popular PhD FAQs will help you to tick a few off the list!

Note – If you’re already sure that you want to do a PhD, and are looking for guidance on the applications process, check out my post on How to apply for a PhD which includes advice from successful PhD applicants. My post-PhD reflections on the things I regretted from my own PhD may be useful for you too, you can find that post here .

Let’s start with the absolute basics of PhDs!

What does PhD stand for?

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. Doctor of Philosophy ? No matter which subject area your PhD is in you’ll become a Doctor of Philosophy because philosophy derives from Greek to mean “Love of wisdom” which make a bit more sense.

What is a PhD?

A PhD is a type of research degree classified as a doctorate. You get a PhD by doing original research into a topic, typically for at least three years.

There are loads of other types of doctorate and a PhD is simply the most common. EngD is another which is relatively common for industry-funded engineering students here in the UK.

PhD & DPhil what’s the difference?

There is no real difference between a PhD and DPhil, they’re both Doctor of Philosophy qualifications. A small number of historic institutions in the UK such as Oxford and York offer DPhils but the degree itself is equivalent.

How common are PhDs amongst the population?

Approximately 1% of the working population (25-64 years old) have a PhD. This varies a lot by country:

Can you call yourself Doctor with a PhD?

Yes you can. Though to avoid confusion with medical doctors, rarely will PhD-holders use the “Dr” title outside of their workplace.

Sometimes PhD-holders will add the abbreviation PhD after their name if they want to make it clear they are a non-medical doctor, for example “Jeff Clark PhD”.

What have I done about my title since getting my PhD? Nothing so far!

Why do a PhD?

Unlike a lot of other degrees, most PhD students get paid to study . Read more in the finances section below.

There are lots of potential reasons to want to do a PhD. The PhD students from our monthly PhD Profiles series said the following:

Sara found research the most enjoyable part of her undergraduate degree and a PhD was a way to carry on with research.

Ornob wants to pursue a career in evolutionary biology so began with a PhD in the field.

Vivienne has aspirations to be a professor so a PhD is a job requirement to progress in academia.

Jeff (me!) had an interest in the field and enjoyed research. I wrote a whole post with a deep dive on why I decided to do a PhD here .

Floor had enjoyed research during her Masters and didn’t think that she wanted a career in industry, so decided to do a PhD.

It’s important to mention that you don’t need to have a desire to stay in academia to do a PhD. In fact, even if you do want to go into academia afterwards, it’s probably good to know early on just how competitive it can be. Many people sadly cannot make a career out of academia long term.

Enjoy the subject matter and want to spend a few years researching it? That is reason enough to do a PhD. I’ve also now written a whole post about the benefits of having a PhD .

Applying for a PhD

Do you need a masters degree to do a phd.

No you don’t necessarily need a Masters degree to do a PhD as long as you can demonstrate you’d be suitable for a PhD without it.

For a more in-depth answer see the separate post here :

Can You Get a PhD Without a Master’s?

If you don’t have a Masters, I’d recommend checking out Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) which offer combined Masters + PhD courses. We have discussed CDTs with a graduate in Floor’s post here .

What grades do you need to do a PhD?

Entry requirements for PhDs can vary. In regards to the UK system usually you’d generally be expected to have at least a 2:1 from your undergraduate degree, plus some research experience.

My experience : I (narrowly) got first class honours in my undergrad (MEng) which certainly does help. But if you can demonstrate aptitude in research you usually don’t need a 1:1. It would be expected for you to have done well in any research projects. If you can get your name on a publication then even better!

The easiest way to find out what is expected is to check the PhD advert for entry requirements. For details on applying for a PhD, including how to find PhD adverts, check out my guide here :

How to apply for a PhD

I work in industry, can I come back and do a PhD?

Absolutely! I worked for almost four years between finishing my first degree and starting my PhD.

A PhD is more similar to a job than any other point in your education, so if you’ve spent time in a structured role it can provide you with a good work ethic. If your time in industry adds relevant skills and experience to your application, even better!

I’ve met loads of people older than me who are pursuing PhDs. If it’s your dream, it’s never too late to start a PhD!

What is the social life of a PhD student like?

Let me get this out the way first: PhD students should be able to have a life outside of the lab! If a PhD student has no time away from research I would personally suggest that they were doing things wrong.

Even if you really enjoy your project, it is good for your mental health to have a social life!

No matter the size of your research group there are often departmental and university-wide events. Plus, besides everyone you may meet through your research and department, PhD students can still join societies and sports clubs through the students’ union. I spent one of my birthdays during my PhD on the beach in Morocco with the surf club, don’t let being a PhD student put your off getting involved!

Check out the full post I’ve written: Do PhD Students Have a Social Life? Sharing My Experiences Making Friends and Avoiding PhD Loneliness

If you do go on to do a PhD, make sure to make the most of all the opportunities ! Your time as a PhD student is fantastic for personal growth.

How much holiday do PhD students get?

Sadly unlike undergraduates, PhD students don’t follow fixed semesters. This means no more three month long summer holiday, sorry!

However most departments recommend PhD students take 7-8 weeks of holiday a year , which is more than practically any job outside of academia.

I kept track of all the time off I took during my PhD and you can find the details here , including a month by month breakdown:

Do PhD Students Get Holidays? Sharing How Much Annual Leave I Take

Getting a PhD

How much work is a phd.

For a month I tracked how many hours I was working and what I was working on, so you can see a breakdown of my calendar here . I found I was working for roughly 40 hours a week. Now that I’ve recently finished my PhD, I’d say that that amount of hours was pretty representative of the whole PhD.

How Much Work is a PhD?

I do of course know some people who worked much longer hours, but most PhD students were on a similar schedule to me. Working roughly 9-5 on weekdays. Treat it like a job and you’ll be fine. PhD students don’t need to be slaving away long hours.

I managed to be strict with my time, largely avoiding work late nights or going in at the weekends. One of the main perks of doing a PhD is that you have autonomy and can be flexible with when you work. As long as you get the work done, any reasonable supervisor won’t mind when you’re there.

Yes I’ve heard stories of PhD students having to clock in and out with an expectation that they spend a certain number of hours in the office. I personally think this is stupid and doesn’t build trust. Try to speak to current PhD students from the group when choosing a supervisor .

How is a PhD assessed?

What you submit at the end of your research varies between universities and countries. Sometimes it’s a thesis and other times it can be a bunch of published papers. In all situations you give some kind of presentation and answer questions about your work.

In the UK you usually submit a thesis in preparation for a viva voce . The viva is an oral exam where you discuss your research with several academics and at least one will be an expert in your field. My viva wasn’t as scary as I thought it might be, but nonetheless it was five hours ( FIVE HOURS! ) long. At the end of your viva you’ll get told the outcome of your PhD with any changes to be made to your thesis.

There is often no requirement , to publish your work in journals during a PhD in the UK but it does help.

In other countries you may have to publish a certain number to pass your PhD and effectively these can be submitted instead of the thesis. This approach makes much more sense to me.

How long does it take to get a PhD?

In the UK, typically between three and four years to complete your research and submit the thesis. It can then take a few months for the exam (viva voce) to take place and then for any corrections to the thesis to be made.

Nosey about my PhD? For me personally, I started the PhD on 1st October 2016, submitted my thesis on 17th February 2020, had the viva on 25th March, submitted my minor corrections on 30th March and had the email to say it was officiated on 1st April 2020. Yep, April Fool’s Day…

When you realise your degree certificate will forever say your PhD was awarded on April Fools Day! #academiclife @imperialcollege pic.twitter.com/hKsGFyuc0x — Jeff Clark (@savvy_scientist) April 14, 2020

We cover all the stages of a PhD here, including putting the length of a PhD in the perspective of a whole career:

How Long Does It Take To Get A PhD?

Are PhDs really difficult?

No, well not how you might think.

You don’t need to be a genius, but you do have to be smart with how you work. Here I go into how a PhD is pretty different to all the prior years spent in education:

How Hard is a PhD?

Check out my new post covering academic challenges and failures relating to my own PhD: Overcoming Academic Challenges and Failure During a PhD

Money-Related Questions

How much does a phd cost.

If you have funding, which is explained below, all your fees are paid for by the funding source. If you are looking to self-fund, then you’ll have to pay bench-fees/tuition fees, which are usually approximately £4,000 a year for home students in the UK.

Fees vary massively depending on both the country the PhD work takes place in and where you’re from. For example, I believe Australian universities charge around $100,000 in fees to overseas PhD students. Of course ideally you have funding which covers both this and pays a stipend!

Do PhD students pay taxes?

In the UK, PhD students do not pay income tax, national insurance, council tax and student loan repayments. This means that if you can secure funding, even though you may earn less than friends in typical jobs, you get to keep all your earnings!

Do PhD students get paid?

Most PhDs, at least in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) get a stipend: basically a tax-free salary.

How much do PhD students get paid?

At the time of writing, most PhD students in the UK get around £16,000 a year . Doesn’t sound like a lot, but:

• As mentioned above, you don’t pay income tax, national insurance, council tax or make any student loan repayments. My most popular post is this one , comparing the income of PhD students vs grad jobs and the difference really isn’t that big. Plus it’s only for 3 to 3.5 years!
• You’re getting paid to learn science, working on something you’re really interested in. It’s amazing.
• You have a lot more freedom than practically any “proper job”.
• You’re getting paid, to be a student…

PhD Salary UK: How Much Do PhD Students Get Paid?

In summary, PhD stipends are really not that different to grad starting salaries. Please don’t be put off from a PhD simply because for a few years you might be earning a bit less than if you were working in another job.

Depending on what you want to do with your career, having a CV may lead to higher salaries. What is 3 years of lower wages out of a 40+ year career? The answer: nothing!

Where do I find PhD funding?

Getting funding will likely be the biggest hurdle for you to secure a PhD. I have a post here detailing the different types of funding and how you can find a project with funding attached.

How to Find PhD Funding in the UK

Can you self-fund a PhD?

Yes you can self-fund a PhD, and some students are in a position to do so. Just be careful that you account for university fees and not just your living costs.

Are you allowed to have another job at the same time?

Most universities encourage you to get involved with work within your department as a graduate teaching assistant (GTA). Some countries even insist that you work a certain number of hours as part of a contract for your monthly stipend.

Working as a GTA you might be invigilating exams, helping in tutorials, marking coursework etc and at Imperial you usually earn around £15-£26 an hour.

If you’re looking to work a full time job in tandem with your PhD (and doing the PhD full time), it is best checking your university’s policy. Some may have regulations against you working over a certain number of hours which could impede you from concentrating on the PhD.

There are extra ways to make money on the side which I address here :

How to Earn Money Online for Students

Can you get a mortgage as a PhD student?

Since I did my PhD in London I didn’t even consider buying somewhere during my PhD. I’m not interested in being tied into a massive mortgage for 25 years to buy a shoebox!

If I’d accepted my PhD offer for a CDT at Leeds I certainly would have tried to buy somewhere with my partner. I found this page useful when doing research. Buying a property with a partner who has a normal job would definitely make the mortgage application a whole lot more successful.

Will a PhD help your career?

This depends on what you want to do with your career. Some example scenarios:

• Staying in academia – a PhD is usually required
• Certain technical jobs in industry – a PhD may be required or a big bonus
• Non-technical jobs – a bonus

I do not imagine any scenarios where having a PhD is worse than not having one. It is true though that for certain careers there may be other things you could do which would be a better use of your time, for example gaining more direct work experience.

If you want to do a PhD that shouldn’t stop you though, and considering the length of your career taking a few years out for a PhD is inconsequential.

Whichever career path you fancy taking, if you are at all interested in doing a PhD I think you should at least apply.

PhDs in London

Can someone afford to live in london as a phd student.

Yes! I lived in London for my PhD and actually was able to save money every single month while taking many holidays and not living in a tent.

I have a few posts sharing my experiences living in London which you may find useful:

For a month last year I tracked all my expenses to get an idea of my costs living in London as a student, you can find it here .

Sharing my monthly living expenses as a student in London: September 2019

Related to reducing costs, I learned to cycle in London and loved it. It saved me about £100 a month too!

Learning to cycle in London: my first 1000 miles

On top of that, for the whole of 2019 (third year PhD) I tracked my money, and the report is here :

My personal finances report for 2019

Where is good to live in London?

I’ve lived in three different houses during my PhD in London and have a pretty good idea now of good places to live in London. You can read this whole post talking about living in London as a student and the associated costs including a breakdown of rent :

London student accommodation: Breaking down the cost of living in London for students

Bonus: Read the journeys of PhD students

Before I started my PhD I had a ton of questions and nobody who I could ask about their experience. The reality is that many of these PhD FAQs have a variety of answers as everyone’s PhD story is different. Therefore if you’d like to hear first hand from people who are going through the journey check out my series of PhD profiles , with a new profile every month. You can also discover some of their top tips for applying!

If you’d like personalised help with your PhD application I am now starting to offer a small number of one-to-one sessions. Please contact me to find out more or click here to book a call.

Is there anything else you’d like to know to help with a potential PhD application? Let me know and I’ll write about it! You can subscribe to stay up to date here:

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Related Posts

PhD Salary UK: How Much Do PhD Students Get Paid Compared to Graduates?

5th February 2024 5th February 2024

The Benefits of Having a PhD

7th September 2022 30th January 2024

My top PhD regrets: 10 lessons learned by a PhD grad

21st April 2022 25th September 2023

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Who is entitled to the title of “doctor”?

Two letters, one period, so much fuss. Then again, this short combination of letters and punctuation is rather coveted. It projects expertise and draws respect. It indicates status, accomplishment, years of study. It earns patients’ trust. It makes parents proud. So perhaps it should be no surprise that more health care professionals want to see the honorific “Dr.” before their names.

But who should be allowed to call themselves a doctor? That remains a matter of debate, especially in health care. Some non-physicians say they have achieved doctoral-level degrees and deserve the title. Others wonder if this is merely careerism that will confuse, not help, patients in clinical settings.

“I’m very comfortable with doctors of audiology, doctors of nutrition, doctors of pharmacy. I often see someone say, ‘I’m Dr. so-and-so, and I’m a pharmacist.’ That’s not that unusual,” said Dr. Wanda Filer, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “The big issue is to make sure the patient knows who they are talking to.”

This issue recently resurfaced in Canada, after an Ontario audiologist named Brenda Berge launched a freedom of expression challenge before the Ontario Divisional Court for the right to be called a doctor. Though Ontario law allows various health care professionals without medical degrees to use the “Dr.” honorific — dentists, naturopaths and chiropractors among them — the privilege is not extended to audiologists.

Berge, who has a doctoral-level degree, had previously been using the title, until the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario found her guilty of misconduct. The college suspended Berge for three months. She also had to take a course in professional ethics and pay the college nearly $100 000 in costs.

According to Filer, however, bringing more expertise into patient care from other medical disciplines is a good thing. And if those experts have the credentials and want to call themselves doctors, so be it. As long as there is no intent to mislead patients, and all professionals are aware of their abilities and boundaries, why wouldn’t physicians respect the wishes of colleagues who want to be called doctors?

Would allowing more health care professionals, such as audiologists, to use the title “doctor” benefit patients or only careers?

“I think we need to avoid, as professionals, demeaning each other. We need to think collectively about what is best for patients,” said Filer. “Quite frankly, as I read about the case and the credentials of that audiologist, in my mind, she’s a doctor of audiology, flat out. From the training she has had, I’d be very happy to have her see my patients.”

One of Filers’ predecessors didn’t appear to hold the same opinion. In a 2011 article in the New York Times , Dr. Roland Goertz, who was then the board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians, said that physicians were worried about losing control over the title of “doctor” because it could lead to loss of control over the medical profession itself. “There is real concern that the use of ‘doctor’ will not be clear to patients,” he told the newspaper.

In 2009, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario provided input to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care about the use of the title “doctor.” One of the main concerns was that the lack of consistent requirements for professionals permitted to be called “doctor” would be confusing to the public. “Within a health care setting, the public typically associates the title ‘doctor’ with those who provide medical treatment and advice,” the letter states. “Identifying non-physician doctorates by the title ‘doctor’ may lead to misconceptions from the public that such individuals, when working in a health care setting, are able to offer medical treatment and advice.”

According to Kathryn Clarke, senior communications coordinator for the college, restricted titles are an essential public-protection component in regulating health professions. They help patients identify various health care professions, distinguish the qualified from the unqualified and differentiate practitioners who are regulated from those who aren’t.

“A significant factor to be considered before a health-care professional is permitted to use the designation doctor is, at minimum, consistent and rigorous educational, training and accreditation requirements to ensure consistency amongst health professionals permitted to use this restricted title while providing health care to patients,” Clarke said in an email. “In this way patients will know that the health care professional with whom they are dealing is regulated by a college, and is therefore duly qualified and subject to disciplinary processes for incompetent, impaired or unethical practice.”

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• What do 'LLB' and 'LLM' stand for?
• What is the difference between a core course and an elective?
• What does conferral mean, and what is the difference between conferral and completion? Updated
• What is the difference between a program, unit and course?
• If someone declines an offer to my first preference of exchange university, can I be kept on a waitlist to take their place?
• How do I book a project room in a student hub?
• What does CBL and SBL mean?
• What happens if my student visa is cancelled? Updated
• What's the difference between part-time and full-time study?
• What is a testamur? Updated
• What is the difference between a semester and a trimester?
• How do I enrol into my classes?
• How do I defer or take a leave of absence?
• What is the difference between an exchange program and a study abroad program?
• I am graduating from a double degree program. Will I receive two Australian Higher Education Graduation Statements (AHEGS)? Updated
• I have completed a PhD. When can I call myself Doctor? Updated
• What happens if I fail a course?
• What's my student email address?
• How many hours a week do I need to be at University?
• As an international student, what happens if I complete my degree earlier than expected? Updated
• What is a grade point average (GPA) and how is it calculated? Updated
• What is the census date?
• What is the difference between leave of absence and study leave for higher degree by research students? Updated
• As an international student, can my family work in Australia while I am studying? Updated
• How do I get in contact with my faculty?
• What are the different types of classes?
• Will the proctor have any form of access to my computer or my personal files? Updated
• Is Microsoft Office 365 available for students?
• How do I choose my electives?
• How do I withdraw or discontinue from my program?
• How do I use Course Planner?
• How can I resolve a timetable clash?
• What is direct billing? Updated
• How do I drop a course?
• Where can I find my study plan?
• I am a student in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics. How many courses do I need to do to complete my degree?
• How do I plan my timetable?
• I'm concerned the ProctorU software will mistake my nervous or thinking behaviours for cheating. Will I be accused of misconduct? Updated
• How do I connect to the University's wireless network?
• What is a CHESSN and where can I find mine?
• I use multiple monitors and an external keyboard with my laptop, can I use these during my online proctored exam? Updated
• Can I undertake a PhD or a Master by Research without having to pay tuition fees?
• What is a professional association?
• Can I get extensions on assignments (sick/medical/personal reasons etc)?
• HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, SA-HELP, OS-HELP... I need HELP!
• What's the difference between an official and unofficial academic transcript?
• I have lost my Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). What should I do? Updated
• When will I be at risk of my CoE being cancelled? Updated
• Can I get into a class that is already full?
• What is an embargo? Updated
• Can I use headphones or listen to music while doing the online proctored exam? Updated
• How do I submit a Turnitin assignment in MyUni (Canvas)?
• Can I transfer to another degree?
• What is Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)? Updated
• What is a replacement examination, assessment extension or additional assessment and how do I apply for one? Updated
• What is the difference between a double degree, a combined degree and a concurrent degree?
• Can a fail grade be removed from my academic transcript?
• Why does my grade show as Result Pending (RP)?
• What does it mean to receive my testamur in absentia? Updated
• Am I eligible for an additional assessment if I have failed the exam for the last subject of my program? Updated
• What is a vacation program?
• I have a medical condition/disability and need Alternative Exam Arrangements (AEA) to sit my exam. How do I organise this? Updated
• Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• How do I know what level a course is?
• What University software is available for download on my personal computer?
• What is the difference between an open, closed and broadening elective?
• How do I make an application for a retrospective Withdraw No Fail (WNF) due to special circumstances?
• What is the correct abbreviation of my award title to place after my name? Updated
• How many units does a subject have?
• How does ProctorU work? Updated
• What do I do if my exams clash? Updated
• What happens if I lose internet connection during my ProctorU exam? Updated
• Will I get charged if I drop my course after census date?
• How do I get a student ID card?
• What is covered by my OSHC policy from Medibank? Updated
• What is an Access Plan and how do I get one? Updated
• Who could I ask to be my referee on my job applications and resume?
• What happens if someone is caught cheating in an exam? Updated
• Where can I buy my textbooks?
• How do I change my name officially?
• As an international student, what happens if I will not complete my degree by the expected date? Updated
• Can I apply for a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to extend my stay in Australia? Updated
• Do I still need to submit a Return from Leave of Absence form if my candidature is about to lapse? Updated
• Where can I access past exam papers for study purposes? Updated
• Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
• How will I know if I am at risk of not making satisfactory academic progress?
• Can I study part-time?
• As an international student, do I need to enrol full-time every study period? Updated
• I've injured my arm/hand and am having difficulties with writing/typing. What should I do? Updated
• How many guests can I bring to my graduation ceremony? Updated
• Why are domestic and international student fees different?
• Can I still access my University email and Access Adelaide/MyAdelaide after finishing my studies?
• As an international student, can my children attend school while in Australia? Updated
• I will complete my program at the end of the year. Can I apply for a postgraduate program before I graduate?
• Do I need to pay for a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)? Updated
• When can I drop a course?
• How many courses can I enrol into?
• How much does it cost to graduate? Updated
• How do I top up my printing allowance?
• How will my change in residency affect my fees?
• If I've accepted my SATAC offer and enrolled but now want to defer, what should I do? Updated
• How do I pursue an assessment grievance or request a re-mark or review of a grade? Updated
• How do I get access to a particular building on campus?
• Am I eligible for the student visa application fee waiver from the Australian Government (Form 1545)? Updated
• What should I do after receiving a notice for overdue fees?
• What after-hours car parking is available on campus?
• How can I find a Justice of the Peace?
• How do I order a replacement ID card?
• If I am taking my final course in summer or winter school, can I still graduate in the next round of graduations? Updated
• What is a SELT?
• Can I take a toilet break during my online proctored exam? Updated
• What official documents will be available upon completing my program?
• When will I graduate? Updated
• What is a supplementary exam? Updated
• What does it mean to have a Negative Service Indicator on my account?
• What is a graduate program?
• How can I order an official letter from the University?
• Can someone else pick up my documents for me?
• Where can I go to get course advice if I'm thinking of changing my degree?
• How do I get in touch with my Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provider? Updated
• Can I apply for an extension to my fees?
• My student visa will expire soon, but I want to attend my graduation. What should I do? Updated
• What am I allowed and not allowed to do during my online proctored exam? Updated
• When and where do I collect my academic dress from? Updated
• How do I change or correct the details on my Overseas Student Health Cover? Updated
• How can I overload?
• Can I use my personal hotspot to take my online proctored exam? Updated
• When will I find out the outcome of my scholarship application?
• Do you need to make an appointment at the University Health Practice, or can you just walk in on the day?
• I am worried that my internet connection is not stable enough to sit the online proctored exam. Updated
• What are tutorial marks for?
• What happens to my Multi-factor authentication (MFA) if I change my phone or phone number?
• How do I hire a locker in Hub Central?
• How can I get extra help with my studies?
• What do I need to bring with me to an exam? Updated
• What is OS-HELP and how do I apply?
• How do I order an official academic transcript?
• How many summer or winter school courses can I enrol in?
• Can I make up my own double degree if the two programs I want to study are not offered as a set double degree?
• Under what circumstances can I apply for an Assessment Extension, Replacement Examination or Additional Assessment? Updated
• Where is the lost property? Updated
• What do I do if I'm no longer able to attend my exam? Updated
• Can I change my courses or class times?
• How can I change my contact details?
• What is a Dean's Certificate and how do I order one?
• What happens if I fail a course while I’m on an overseas exchange?
• What is the HECS-HELP discount?
• I'm travelling to Australia - what items am I prohibited from bringing into the country? Updated
• What happens if I originally elected to attend a graduation ceremony, but now can't attend? Updated
• How do I replace my testamur if it has been lost or damaged? Updated
• How can I pay my fees?
• How will exclusion from my program as a result of unsatisfactory academic progress affect me? Updated
• Can I track and receive certificates for courses and learning paths completed on LinkedIn Learning? Updated
• Are there showers on campus?
• How much are my course fees?
• Do I need to attend classes?
• How do I get access to digital qualification documents in My eQuals? Updated
• How do I renew my student ID card?
• I want to study on exchange at a university that is not in your partner list. How can I do this?
• Can I receive more than one scholarship at a time?
• How do I submit an assignment in MyUni (Canvas)?
• What is MyUni?
• What is the Religious Centre?
• What is Studiosity? Updated
• What is online exam supervision, proctoring or online invigilation? Updated
• Is it possible to use a preferred name at Uni?
• I'm unable to print.
• What textbooks will I need for my courses, and when should I purchase these?
• As an international student, can I stay in Australia for a holiday after I finish my program? Updated
• How many hours can I work if I am on a scholarship to undertake a research degree? Updated
• I am an international student arriving after Orientation; what do I do? Updated
• How quickly can I get my official academic transcript?
• What happens to my OSHC when I go home for the holidays or take a leave of absence? Updated
• What are some things that may affect my scholarship?
• How do I make an appointment to see a counsellor? Updated
• Am I eligible for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP?
• What should I wear to my graduation? Updated
• How can I ensure the correct name appears on my testamur if it is incorrect in Access Adelaide/MyAdelaide? Updated
• I don’t speak another language. Can I go on exchange?
• What if I cannot meet a milestone deadline for my thesis? Updated
• How can I contact Study Overseas?
• Where can I return my library books?
• Can I get extra help with my studies if I am failing my course?
• Is my scholarship income taxable?
• What type of information will be collected by ProctorU? Updated
• Can I apply for the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) with a degree from the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• I’ve accepted my offer, when can I enrol?
• When are course offerings and timetables released for next year?
• Who can I direct feedback to about LinkedIn Learning? Updated
• How do I enrol correctly to complete my degree during the time period specified in my Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)? Updated
• Does the University have Student Accident Insurance?
• When can I enrol in summer school?
• What happens if I become a permanent resident during my oral health, dentistry, or medicine degree?
• What type of feedback can I leave in the SELT survey?
• Can I enrol into a level II or III course when I still need to complete my level I?
• What name will be printed on my student ID card?
• What do I do if my password is not working?
• Can I use the toilet during an exam? Updated
• If I feel unwell during the exam, what should I do? Updated
• Where can I get my travel insurance policy number?
• I want to see the original exam paper that I sat for. How can I get access to this? Updated
• I can't find clear enough information about courses for my exchange. Should I contact the host university?
• If I study online, do I have to attend any face-to-face classes or exams?
• Are there enrolment information sessions I can attend?
• How do I notify the University of my change of citizenship or residency status?
• How do I find out when my exam is scheduled? Updated
• When and where will my teaching placements take place?
• How early do I need to decide on my major and minor?
• How can I keep getting my Centrelink payments while studying overseas?
• What bicycle facilities are available on campus? Updated
• Who do I contact if I have questions about my online program?
• Do domestic medicine students need to complete a rural placement?
• I'm affected by the Australian Government temporary travel restrictions. Can I still do the English Assist Program? Updated
• Where do I go for non-emergency medical help? Updated
• What accommodation options will I have on exchange, and how do I secure my accommodation?
• How do I find out which study period a course is available in?
• Should I follow the study plan from the year I started or the current year?
• How do I find the majors and minors that I can study in my degree in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• Where can I find the most recently released LinkedIn Learning courses? Updated
• What are the important dates?
• I am receiving an error when submitting a MyUni or Turnitin Assignment. What do I do?
• I have two passports. Which one should I travel on for my Study Overseas experience?
• How do I enrol in my exchange courses at my host university?
• What does "Welcome, No Access" in Access Adelaide mean?
• Is there a gym on campus?
• Where and when can I collect my guest tickets for my graduation ceremony? Updated
• Who are our alumni? Updated
• What documents can Ask Adelaide certify?
• What do I do if I missed my exam? Updated
• What is SWOT Week and when is it held? Updated
• Can I take a course from another university (cross-institutional study)?
• What is a graduate briefing, and when is it held? Updated
• What is EnrolMe?
• What is a University Medal? Updated
• What Scholarships are available for Study Overseas experiences?
• Why do I need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)? Updated
• Are my guests allowed to take photographs during the graduation ceremony? Updated
• How long is the graduation ceremony? Updated
• How long does a Study Overseas exchange application take to complete?
• What if I have a concern about the proctor during my exam? Updated
• Where can I live if I'm studying at the Roseworthy campus? Updated
• Can I use a tablet device to write answers on for handwritten responses or general working? Updated
• Can I hire or buy my Academic Dress from a supplier other than GFP? Updated
• How can I appeal my exclusion from my program due to unsatisfactory academic progress? Updated
• If I have 2 classes with compulsory attendance, can I attend one and not the other?
• Is there a way to keep access to electronic resources after I’ve finished studying?
• How will I receive information about my conferral and presentation event? Updated
• According to MyUni, I'm enrolled in an incorrect course, but when I go into Access Adelaide I have enrolled in the correct course.
• What is SMART?
• What is an Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)? Updated
• Where is Joint Store and how do I request items from there?
• What is a Degree Check?
• I’ve received a Risk 1 Notice. Where can I get some help?
• What happens if I miss my enrolment open time?
• Where is the Roseworthy Student Services Office?
• Am I eligible to apply for Honours in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• Who can access the MathTrackX bridging course?
• Can I park on campus? Updated
• Do I need to register with a National Board to study medicine, dentistry or oral health?
• How can I find out who my course coordinator is?
• What do I do if my program is not available through internal transfer? Updated
• Can I enrol into a level I, II and III course at the same time?
• If I have an OSHC policy, do I have to see a direct billing doctor? Updated
• Why does MyUni say a course is 'unavailable'?
• How much can I earn from part-time employment in addition to my research scholarship? Updated
• After accepting an offer to study oral health, dentistry, or medicine, what happens if I become a permanent resident?
• How do I get in contact with students who are studying overseas at the same time I am, or who have studied overseas before?
• Can I change my major or minor?
• How do I change some of the information I provided in my application to graduate? Updated
• Can I borrow iPads from the library?
• Can I choose to take my exam online or in-person? Updated
• Can I apply for a refund?
• Can I get extra help with my English language skills while studying at the University of Adelaide? Updated
• What if I don’t want to be immunised for my clinical placements?
• Can postgraduate research students use the Maths Learning Centre to help with statistical analysis? Updated
• What do I do if I need to change to part-time study but my scholarship requires a full-time enrolment?
• What can a Disability Advisor help me with? Updated
• How do I make an appointment to see a Disability Advisor? Updated
• Where can I get advice to help me plan the practical experience requirement under my Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)? Updated
• Where can I find library self-help guides and content?
• Why am I not receiving any emails from the University?
• Where can I find employment or volunteering opportunities whilst studying?
• Can the Maths Learning Centre help students beyond first-year level? Updated
• Who should I speak with in the University regarding my Show Cause notification for the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences?
• Can I request a particular school for my teaching placement?
• Where do I stay while completing the teaching placement in a country school?
• I need to submit my Show Cause but I don't have all my supporting documentation/evidence yet. What do I do? Updated
• What is the Student Services and Amenities Fee?
• How do I appeal an administrative decision of the University? Updated
• How will I know that I have been accepted into my exchange by my host university?
• Can I have food or water during my ProctorU exam? Updated
• Why are some of my results missing from my Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)? Updated
• How can I be competitive in my job applications if I don't have any work experience?
• Do I need to select a major or minor in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• Will my Grade Point Average (GPA) be shown on my Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)? Updated
• How do I contact a Chaplain?
• Can the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) be done as part of a double degree? Updated
• Do I need to include a cover letter with my job application?
• I have received an Academic Progress notification and have been asked to Show Cause. What should I do about my current enrolments and/or classes? Updated
• Can I use my dictionary or notes during the exam? Updated
• What is ADAPT?
• Where do I purchase a lab coat, hard toe boots, overalls and safety glasses? Updated
• How can I collect my official academic transcript?
• How do I report a safety issue or incident?
• Who do I contact if I have a technical issue with LinkedIn Learning? Updated
• What do I call my lecturer? Updated
• How can I change the order of names to appear on my testamur? Updated
• I am undertaking my studies from another country and don’t have a student ID card. What should I use? Updated
• What is the Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy and how could it affect me?
• How do I login to access library resources?
• Can Honours be deferred in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• I am an elite athlete. Am I eligible for the Elite Athlete Support scheme? Updated
• What funding can I receive towards a Study Overseas experience?
• Will the Writing Centre help me prepare for my IELTS? Updated
• Does the University provide travel insurance for my exchange or study tour?
• If I'm due to graduate from multiple programs, can I receive all of my testamurs at one ceremony? Updated
• Are there any restrictions regarding where I can go on a self-reporting program?
• How do I register as a teacher?
• How soon after receiving my results can I order an academic transcript?
• Where can I go on a Study Overseas exchange?
• What happens if I don't have a Tax File Number?
• Is there any way for me to get my archived emails back?
• If I sit a replacement exam will it show on my official academic transcript? Updated
• How do I enrol in Indonesian, Italian or Modern Greek courses?
• I'm unsure what I need to do for orientation....When is it? How do I find out what's on?
• What are my options to apply for a scholarship if I am experiencing financial hardship?
• Can I apply for credit from previous studies?
• There is an error on my Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS). What should I do? Updated
• How can I get help writing university reports and assignments? Updated
• What should I do if I am not eligible for conferral or if I miss the application deadline? Updated
• How long will it take for me to receive my OS-HELP payment?
• What printing, photocopying and scanning facilities are available in the library?
• How can I request that something be added or removed from my Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)? Updated
• How do I apply for an overseas exchange?
• What information do I need to provide to verify my identity during my exam? Updated
• What happens to the previous version of my digital academic transcript when I order a new digital transcript?
• When is the last date to enrol in courses?
• Do I need to apply to graduate? Updated
• Is there an after-hours security escort? Updated
• Does my overseas exchange count towards my University of Adelaide Grade Point Average (GPA)?
• I am a parent of a student who is thinking of, or already, studying overseas. Where can I get information?
• Do I have to have OSHC with the University’s preferred OSHC provider? Updated
• How do I know which classes to enrol into?
• How can I activate my LinkedIn Learning account? Updated
• What am I responsible for organising with an overseas study experience?
• What is the AIM Overseas program?
• Is it possible to have a sealed and stamped transcript sent directly to my employer/third party?
• What should I do during my Zoom session?
• What is Multi-Factor Authentication/okta?
• I'm a Bachelor of Finance and Banking student; which combination of first-year maths courses should I do?
• As a first year student, can I apply to study overseas?
• Can I enrol for the next semester if I have been excluded?
• I have been granted an Additional Assessment due to academic grounds. Is it compulsory to sit the additional assessment? Updated
• Can I start the Diploma in Languages in the second or third year of my degree?
• How do I resolve an enrolment error?
• Will ProctorU be used for all exams? Updated
• What do I need to prepare for teaching placements?
• How do I add a new degree?
• Can I borrow from other university libraries?
• I am dissatisfied with my exclusion from my program due to unsatisfactory academic progress - what can I do? Updated
• What is the difference between the Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) and an official academic transcript?
• What is ProctorU? Updated
• What benefits are there for alumni? Updated
• My bike has been stolen. What do I do? Updated
• How do I obtain a replacement transcript or ID card if it was destroyed in an Australian natural disaster (i.e. bushfires/flood)?
• What languages does the University of Adelaide offer?
• I'm getting a login error with the Echo360 app. What do I do?
• Can I take a leave of absence or break from Honours in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• Is a First Aid certificate required before undertaking a teaching placements?
• I think I may have been sexually harassed. Who can I turn to for help? Updated
• What should I expect when sitting an exam at the Goydor Pavilion venue? Updated
• Where can I get more information about a LinkedIn account? Updated
• What do I need to bring with me to the Writing Centre? Updated
• How can I find the course selection for my electives in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics?
• What are my login details?
• Who will determine if academic misconduct has occurred? Updated
• I have mobility difficulties and can’t manage stairs. Will I be able to access my lecture theatre/tutorial room? Updated
• I met the eligibility requirements for my first preference of exchange university. Why didn’t I get an offer there?
• Am I allowed to bring an Assistance Dog on campus with me? Updated
• I am a Category A student. Under what circumstances do I need to contact Disability Support? Updated
• When are Academic Progress Review Periods? Updated
• I have a condition/disability. Can I request an extension for an assignment? Updated
• What is Endnote?
• Will my fail/withdrawal results be displayed on my Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)? Updated
• Where do I fill out a HECS-HELP form for my program?
• How do I know if my exam is in-person or online proctored? Updated
• What are the main exam session times? Updated
• I have received an automatic application for conferral - how do I change this to have a different degree on my testamur? Updated
• Where is the Maths Learning Centre (MLC) and when is it open? Updated
• When can I enrol if I commence my program midyear?
• Are there any courses I can take online for free?
• Do I need to make appointments for the Writing Centre? Updated
• I am an international student and am bringing my family with me to Australia. What kind of support services are available? Updated
• Can I study a major in psychology as part of my Bachelor of Arts?
• Can I access an Aboriginal and/or Torres Straight Islander Counsellor? Updated
• Can I go onto campus to sit my online proctored exam? Updated
• When do I find out my exam results? Updated
• If I have an Access Plan which includes extensions, do I need to apply for an extension using the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment (MACA) Policy? Updated
• As a recent graduate, what careers services can I still access?
• How do I access my online proctored exam? Updated
• What scholarships are available at the University, and how can I apply?
• Who gets to see my Access Plan? Updated
• What can I expect from the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) as a mature age student? Updated
• I have been working in a school environment. Can I receive status toward my teaching placement?
• What are the Core Competency Courses?
• What do I do if I need to go to the hospital? Updated
• How can I listen to what's playing on the big screen on level 4 of Hub Central?
• Can I print without my student ID card?
• What is PASS? Updated
• Can I go on exchange in the Diploma in Languages or Arts?
• My online exam requires handwritten responses that must be scanned and uploaded. How do I do this? Updated
• How can I arrange temporary accommodation in Adelaide? Updated
• Should I link my account in My eQuals with a private email address?
• What volunteering opportunities are available for students? Updated
• How do I renew my OSHC cover before it expires? Updated
• What will it cost to go on a Study Overseas Experience?
• Why doesn’t my course appear in MyUni?
• Does the University provide a service to help me travel between campuses? Updated
• How can I keep myself safe on campus? Updated
• How do I borrow from the library?
• Why is my ID card not working?
• Can I obtain an Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) for an award I completed before 2011? Updated
• My testamur was damaged or destroyed by an Australian natural disaster (i.e. bushfires/flood). How do I obtain a replacement? Updated
• How are permitted resources for my exam checked by the proctor? Updated
• Why do I have to provide more than one preference in my Study Overseas exchange application?
• What is a Commonwealth supported place?
• What is the MicroMasters program in Big Data, and how does it fit into the Masters of Data Science? Updated
• Will I have enough time to get to my next class if they are back-to-back?
• Are there opportunities for replacement/additional assessment or deferred online proctored exams? Updated
• Is there mentoring available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students? Updated
• Where are PASS classes held? Updated
• What differences should I be aware of when considering a self-reporting program rather than an exchange or study tour?
• Is it a problem that I am studying two programs but only have enrolments against one of these?
• How can I verify my education details for a prospective employer?
• Can I enrol from overseas?
• I am having technical issues with Zoom - what should I do?
• Can I choose my nursing placement venue?
• Can I do a study tour before or after an overseas exchange?
• When will I receive my scholarship payments?
• How do I change my bank account details for scholarship payments?
• What is the difference between studying the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Science (Advanced)? Updated
• What is a Level III Finance course?
• How many level 1 courses do I need to enrol into for my program?
• Does the University have an international alumni? Updated
• How do I arrange my teaching placements?
• Where can I park on the day of the graduation ceremony? Updated
• I have received an Academic Progress notification and have been asked to complete a survey. What is the purpose of this? Updated
• How will I know if I can count an overseas study tour towards my degree?
• I haven't applied to graduate in MyAdelaide and no longer have access. How can I apply now?
• What happens if I don’t return an item by its due date?
• How can I access LinkedIn Learning outside the University of Adelaide network, on a home computer or mobile device? Updated
• How can Study Overseas support me in organising my self-reporting program?
• Why has my library item been recalled and the due date changed?
• I am a student in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics studying; how do I structure my major and minor?
• Why can't I see my class in my timetable?
• What time do I need to arrive for my graduation ceremony? Updated
• Do I need to be at my exam venue by a certain time? Updated
• Where will my exam be held? Updated
• I am a student in the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics. What is Honours?
• Are scholarships available for online study?
• What other communication support and resources are available to me, in addition to the English Assist Program? Updated
• What is a study tour and how do I apply?
• What courses are available in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)? Updated
• Can I join a sporting club?
• What Level III Economics courses can I study?
• I am an elite athlete and have commitments during the exam period. How can I make alternative arrangements to sit my exam? Updated
• Who can I speak to about where my studies can lead me?
• Do children need a ticket to attend my graduation ceremony? Updated
• When does my Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) cover start? Updated
• Do I need extras cover for OSHC? Updated
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I have completed a PhD. When can I call myself Doctor?

You can refer to yourself as Doctor upon conferral of your program.

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.  Further information about conferral, including dates, is available on the Graduations website .

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Who gets to be called ‘doctor’?

Go to med school, earn an m.d. and the “dr.” honorific gets tacked on to your last name. some women — and ph.d.s — say they get the courtesy title, and respect, less often..

We call physicians "doctor." Should we do the same for people with PhDs? (Credit: Bigstock)

This story is from The Pulse , a weekly health and science podcast.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.

Molecular biologist Adam Ruben has a Ph.D.

There was one time when he made a conscious choice to refer to himself as Dr. Ruben — when he emailed an airline to complain about a messed up flight.

“We had to spend a night in some city and I was trying to get a refund for our hotel bill, so I signed the email Dr. Ruben,” he said. “And I know that’s kind of an icky thing to do but I have heard that you get better service when you use the term doctor.”

It kind of worked: He got his refund — after three months.

“It’s not outright wrong and the world should forgive me,” he said.

Ruben has been thinking about the doctor honorific for a while. He polled his friends and acquaintances with Ph.D.s on Facebook and Twitter about whether or not they call themselves doctor.

Some said they’ve earned it. Others said it seems a little pretentious.

“A surprising number of people all had the same concern about using the term doctor: if they were going to be on an airplane when somebody needs a doctor,” Ruben said.

This sort of happened to Ruben several years ago, but when he was on the ground.

Besides being a biologist, he’s also a writer and comedian. He was at a Story Collider storytelling event, performing for an audience of mostly graduate students.

“And somebody actually had a medical emergency in the middle of the show. He fainted and needed an ambulance,” Ruben recalled.

As he described it at the time, someone asked if there was a doctor in the room and about 200 people with Ph.D.s kind of looked around at each other frantically.

Some EMTs helped the guy.   He was okay in the end and the show went on .

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After checking in on social media, Ruben wrote about his informal poll for the journal Science. He heard from female engineers with Ph.D.s who said they are under-represented in their field, and feel like they need to put doctor in front of their names to get the same respect that male engineers get.

Epidemiologist Beth Linas also earned a Ph.D., and she wants media outlets to refer to people with Ph.D.s as doctor, especially if we’re interviewing them about their area of expertise.

“Someone comes up [to me] on the street and says hello to me, they can address me as Beth, but if I’m being called upon for my background in infectious disease, epidemiology or digital health which is the other area that I study, I think I should be recognized as Dr. Beth Linas.”

Linas has been thinking about this issue and wrote a commentary about the congressional hearings with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and research psychologist Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were in high school.

“There was a lot of chatter online and on Twitter about how in written media, she wasn’t being addressed as Doctor Ford, I started noticing it in other publications and other outlets,” said Linas.

Some NPR listeners complained about the “insidious bias” of the radio network calling Kavanaugh “Judge Kavanaugh” but not calling Ford “Dr. Ford.”

The NPR ombudsman explained that like many media outlets, NPR follows the Associated Press stylebook, which says if someone practices medicine, NPR calls them doctor. If it’s someone with a Ph.D., it’s up to the individual media outlet.

On the radio, we don’t have a lot of time, and every word counts. Saying someone is a doctor or saying they have a Ph.D. can be a little vague. Ultimately that doesn’t give the listener much information. So for clear and efficient communication, our policy at “The Pulse” is to introduce someone as an epidemiologist, or pediatrician — being specific about a person’s expertise when we can.

Linas said her concern comes from an issue of representation.

“There are a lot of women, and particularly women of color that really struggle to make their way in science and stay in science, and we face a lot of obstacles, and I think it’s important for women also to be recognized.”

There’s a study that backs her up: researchers found that male doctors introduce their male colleagues as “Dr.” around 70 percent of the time, but introduce their female colleagues as doctor a little less than half the time.

Linas says if media outlets refer to people with Ph.D.s as doctor, especially when we’re interviewing them about their area of expertise, then it shouldn’t be that hard to tell who is the kind of doctor who can help you when someone needs an ambulance — and who’s best suited to give you statistics on the next flu outbreak.

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Professional Title Etiquette: When to Use Your Dr. Title

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

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

The Reverend

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

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

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

Mr. David Bowman

Attorney at Law

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

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

Professional Designations

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

Other Titles

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

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How to Correctly Use the Titles Dr. & PhD With a Name

How to Reference a Person With a PhD

When someone has earned a Doctor of Philosophy, or Ph.D., degree, that person is subsequently referred to as “doctor” in formal speech. The same is true of a person who is a medical doctor, psychologist, dentist or veterinarian. In formal speech, that person should be referred to as “doctor.” However, the rules are different in written form when addressing someone who is called “doctor” in formal speech. In written form, the titles “Dr.” and “Ph.D.” are not interchangeable.

Determine the Type of Doctor

First, you should identify what type of doctor you are addressing. Doctors of medicine and psychology, doctors of dentistry and doctors of veterinary medicine must be addressed differently in comparison to academic doctors who have earned a Doctor of Philosophy doctoral degree. Be advised that there are different types of doctoral degrees. A Doctor of Philosophy degree is just one kind of doctoral degree. There’s also, for example, a Doctor of Education doctoral degree and a Doctor of Psychology doctoral degree. The titles associated with the various doctoral degrees are not interchangeable. Only a person who has earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree should be addressed as Ph.D.

Addressing a Doctor in Writing

Place the title of “Dr.” before the name of a person who is a doctor of medicine or psychology, doctor of dentistry, or doctor of veterinary medicine. For example Dr. George Ross. Always write the word “doctor” in its abbreviated form when it goes before the person’s name. Never write, for example, Doctor George Ross. Do not combine the title of “Dr.” with any other title even if the person could appropriately be addressed by a different title. Never write, for example, “Dr. George Ross, Ph.D.,” even if the person is a medical doctor who has also earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Pick one title. Do not use the “Dr.” title when referring to someone who is solely an academic doctor.

Put a comma followed by the title “Ph.D.” after the name of a person who has earned a Doctor of Philosophy doctoral degree. For example Stacey Childs, Ph.D. Do not combine the title of “Ph.D.” with any other title even if the person could appropriately be addressed by a different title. For instance, even if the person being addressed is a doctor of medicine who has also earned a Ph.D., never write, for example, Dr. Stacey Childs, Ph.D. Pick one title. Do not use the “Ph.D.” title when referring to someone who not earned a Doctor of Philosophy doctoral degree.

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Maya Austen began freelance writing in 2009. She has written for many online publications on a wide variety of topics ranging from physical fitness to amateur astronomy. She's also an author and e-book publisher. Austen has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the New England Institute of Art and currently lives in Boston, Mass.