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The primary reason is that it’s simply not customary. That’s it. It’s no deeper than that. But JD programs also differ significantly from academically oriented

The primary reason is that it’s simply not customary. That’s it. It’s no deeper than that. But JD programs also differ significantly from academically oriented PhD programs in that the overwhelming majority of them focus on generalized practical knowledge and skills alone. Most don’t even properly prepare graduates for local licensure exams, forcing them to do yet another prep course (or at least intense self-study) prior to practicing their trade. In this regard, it’s a degree that’s more similar to an MBA than it is a PhD, and while it shares traits with MD programs, MD programs have a much deeper emphasis on theory, and a much deeper emphasis on practice and ethics than you’ll see in any JD program. That’s not to say that there aren’t folks that do a JD but proceed along an “academic” track intended to focus on original research and prepare for legal scholarship. These people exist, but they are a tiny minority among JD candidates.

ghaff 6y ago
It's all about custom at the end of the day. Using Dr. for PhD/ScD (and other research doctorates) is a bit of a funny case in the US because depending on the context using it might seem the most natural thing in the world or it can seem out of place to some. But, for that matter, maybe you think it makes sense to put PE and whatever certs you have after your name in professional emails. But it will seem odd to some and certainly would seem out of place in a personal email.
- rootusrootus 6y ago
  > maybe you think it makes sense to put PE and whatever certs you have after your name in professional emails I've always thought that to be a bit weird. The only time it makes sense to me is in official communication where you are specifically asserting your expertise. My manager has MBA after his name in all the emails he sends. IMO that comes off as really pretentious. But maybe this should be true of most titles. Should a medical doctor point out their title at all times, even when they're not representing themselves as anything other than average citizen?
  - ghaff 6y ago
    Licensure, like PE, CPA, CFA, MD, DO, etc. is definitely relevant in a lot of context, so I'd actually expect it to be listed on a website in a lot of cases and probably part an email sig. Doctor for medically-oriented professional degrees is somewhat orthogonal but it is customary. PhDs is more questionable outside of academia (where people deeply care about this sort of thing). But MBA? Outside of an alumni context I'm not sure I have ever seen someone do that. (This isn't a particular poke at MBAs. I'd feel the same way about an M.Eng.)
- valarauko 6y ago
  I have a research PhD & work at a medical college in the US. While on official correspondence they note my title as Dr., it's not customary for anybody, PhD or MD, to use Dr. otherwise. The names on office doors are just "Jane Doe, MD", etc.

ghaff 6y ago

It's all about custom at the end of the day. Using Dr. for PhD/ScD (and other research doctorates) is a bit of a funny case in the US because depending on the context using it might seem the most natural thing in the world or it can seem out of place to some. But, for that matter, maybe you think it makes sense to put PE and whatever certs you have after your name in professional emails. But it will seem odd to some and certainly would seem out of place in a personal email.

rootusrootus 6y ago
> maybe you think it makes sense to put PE and whatever certs you have after your name in professional emails I've always thought that to be a bit weird. The only time it makes sense to me is in official communication where you are specifically asserting your expertise. My manager has MBA after his name in all the emails he sends. IMO that comes off as really pretentious. But maybe this should be true of most titles. Should a medical doctor point out their title at all times, even when they're not representing themselves as anything other than average citizen?
- ghaff 6y ago
  Licensure, like PE, CPA, CFA, MD, DO, etc. is definitely relevant in a lot of context, so I'd actually expect it to be listed on a website in a lot of cases and probably part an email sig. Doctor for medically-oriented professional degrees is somewhat orthogonal but it is customary. PhDs is more questionable outside of academia (where people deeply care about this sort of thing). But MBA? Outside of an alumni context I'm not sure I have ever seen someone do that. (This isn't a particular poke at MBAs. I'd feel the same way about an M.Eng.)
valarauko 6y ago
I have a research PhD & work at a medical college in the US. While on official correspondence they note my title as Dr., it's not customary for anybody, PhD or MD, to use Dr. otherwise. The names on office doors are just "Jane Doe, MD", etc.