Like any professional field, the world of academics and higher education has its own language. I was not fully aware of this as I progressed through my studies. I admit, it has often been confusing figuring out the proper use of terms like “doctor” and “scholar” and “professor.” But I have slowly learned how to understand this language by working in a college.

This blog is an attempt to share some of those insights. But a caution, these are general guidelines, not universally accepted norms. Many of these conventions are specific to different institutions and professional fields. But I hope this overview from my experience in the theology and ministry field is helpful.

Doctorate Degrees

Every level of degree brings with it a new level of expertise. A bachelor’s degree gives students a broad understanding of a field, mixed in with general (liberal arts) education competencies. A master’s degree is specialized to build specific mastery of a discipline or field. For example, a person with a Masters in Theology is expected to know the major conversations and theologians within that discipline of study. A Masters of Divinity would be expected to be proficient in all the practices of ministry and the theologies of the church.

If one has mastered a field, they can move on to the “terminal degree” or the highest degree in that field. This is most often called the doctorate. Most colleges and universities require faculty to have terminal degrees/doctorate degrees to teach.

But there are different kinds of doctorates that convey different kinds of expertise. Applied research degrees are doctorates where existing scholarly knowledge is applied to a professional context. For example. A Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) is an applied degree that demonstrates expertise in a particular practice or concept of ministry. A Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss) is a degree that demonstrates that one has expertise in Missions philosophy and practices. A Education Doctorate (Ed.D) is also an applied education degree that demonstrates expertise in educational theory, etc. But these degrees are usually not focused on pioneering new research.

A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) is a research degree that demonstrates that one has pioneered new research in a field or discipline. For example, one can earn a Ph.D. in Theology, Biblical Studies, or Biochemistry. These degrees are earned by publishing new insights, knowledge or theories that are unique to the field of study. This is why virtually every discipline has PhD degrees (science, arts, theology, communication, ect.).

Those who earn a doctorate degree (either research or applied) earn the right to the title “Dr.” But remember, the applied degrees and research degrees are designed for two different kinds of expertise: knowledge-based vs. professional-based. Or put it more simply: One is about knowledge, the other is about practice.

An important note: Honorary Doctorates are not earned; therefore, they should not be used as titles. They are given by institutions to honor individuals, but they are not degrees. If you didn’t earn the doctorate by passing a dissertation defense, you do not get to use the title.

Professor

Colleges and Universities offer degrees that are taught by experts in their field. If you teach these classes, you are usually hold the position of “professor.” There are different levels of professor (called rank). Most professors at universities in the U.S. are addressed by degree, but not usually by the title professor. It’s more common to say “Dr. Smith” rather than “Professor Smith.” (In the UK, it’s the opposite.)

However, professor is really a position. You can be a Dr. and not be a professor. Many pastors and educators and business people have doctorates, but don’t teach in universities. Add to that, in some disciplines where a Master’s level is the “terminal degree,” you can be a professor and not be a Doctor.

This is where it gets confusing. In some institutions, when someone doesn’t have a doctorate, they might use the term “professor” in addressing them because they don’t have a doctorate. Yet, according to the faculty organizational bylaws, they would need a Dr. to be at the rank of “professor.” So these terms are used more as a practical way to give teachers a title, than precisely reflecting their title.

So I like to think of it this way: I have a doctorate, but I am a professor. One is my degree, the other is my position.

Scholar

Another term that can be confusing is scholar. Does having a doctorate make you a scholar? Does publishing a book make you scholar? Not necessarily.

The designation of “scholar” usually refers to someone with a terminal degree (doctorate) that has published original research in a field. The goal of a PhD is to pioneer new research in a field that proves you are a scholar. Your dissertation must be defended and peer reviewed to earn the degree. So the goal of a PhD is to start a career as a scholar. But other kinds of doctorates can certainly publish research as well. You don’t have to have a PhD to be a scholar.

That said, just having a PhD doesn’t necessarily make you a scholar (although your dissertation should in most cases). One becomes a scholar when they are recognized by other scholars for their contributions (usually more than one publication) in a field. When you become known for your contributions to that field, people think of you as a scholar.

Of course, some people earn a PhD and go straight into teaching and never publish new academic research. Their passion is teaching, not research. Which is fine. They are still considered an expert in their topic area, but may not be recognized as a scholar.

So think of it this way. A scholar is usually a reputation-based distinction that comes from both qualification (degree) and peer-recognized publication (knowledge contribution). This means that one can be a doctor and a professor, but not be a scholar.

Professional Titles

Another layer to the use of titles comes when people are serving in the professional world instead of the academic world. There are people with titles like “Pastor” or “Reverend” who also have doctorates. Some love to stack titles, to show all their accomplishments. But here is a few suggestions for using degrees in the professional world.

Your degree is not your position. So if you are a pastor and you have a doctorate, you can use both, but in different ways. The title of your position is usually first, and the degree is usually at the end. For example “Pastor Daniel Isgrigg, PhD” or “Pastor Amonda Matthewman-Isgrigg, Ed.D.” Or you can reverse that “Dr. Amonda Matthewman-Isgrigg, Pastor” as a signature line.

Some who don’t hold a position, but hold credentials, may want to use reverend in signatures, etc. Ex. “Rev. Daniel Isgrigg, PhD.” But remember that ministry credentials are usually only specific validation in the particular circle you are in. So, in that case, one title may hold more weight than others. It’s best to use the appropriate titles in appropriate contexts.

Final Thoughts

Titles are important. They should be recognized and used by others. Earning a doctorate is a big deal. And people should use that title when referring to those with a doctorate, especially when appealing to their expertise. It is particularly important to use titles when referring to women with degrees. I have been in too many settings where men with titles are recognized using that title but women were marginalized by using first names. Always show proper respect to all when titles or degrees should be properly recognized.

I hope this helps give a bit better understanding of titles and degrees. Again, these are not hard and fast rules. Hopefully, it will help provide a bit more clarity to titles and terms used in this world of higher education.