The Mystery of the Three Degrees
January 30, 2012 1:12 PM Subscribe
If I have three similar masters degrees, how do I list them all? Clever or funny ideas appreciated.
This has been annoying me for about two years now.
For various reasons, I have ended up with three masters degrees (plus your standard bachelors degree). I want to be able to list them on e.g. a business card or email footer as is standard academic practice. It seems a bit 'AJ Rimmer, BSC, SSC' to me, but it's sometimes necessary, and I did work hard for those degrees.
The obvious problem is if I just list MSc, MSc, MSc, it looks like a typo. For a while I had two from different institutions: put the institution in brackets, I thought. MSc (Topx), MSc (MTD) - these are close approximations of the real abbreviations I was using.
But then I got a second msc from the same institution: another MSc (MTD), and hey presto, typo scenario again. MSc (Topx), MSc (MTD), MSc (MTD).
Stupid, isn't it? But I earned those degrees and I want to be able to list them like everyone else! So I'd welcome your thoughts, MeFites, even if those thoughts are 'Just list them three times, it seems clear enough to me.'
This has been annoying me for about two years now.
For various reasons, I have ended up with three masters degrees (plus your standard bachelors degree). I want to be able to list them on e.g. a business card or email footer as is standard academic practice. It seems a bit 'AJ Rimmer, BSC, SSC' to me, but it's sometimes necessary, and I did work hard for those degrees.
The obvious problem is if I just list MSc, MSc, MSc, it looks like a typo. For a while I had two from different institutions: put the institution in brackets, I thought. MSc (Topx), MSc (MTD) - these are close approximations of the real abbreviations I was using.
But then I got a second msc from the same institution: another MSc (MTD), and hey presto, typo scenario again. MSc (Topx), MSc (MTD), MSc (MTD).
Stupid, isn't it? But I earned those degrees and I want to be able to list them like everyone else! So I'd welcome your thoughts, MeFites, even if those thoughts are 'Just list them three times, it seems clear enough to me.'
Best answer: I hate to burst your bubble, but unless it's really, really important that you list different areas of specialty, this is a little pretentious. (I do work in academia.)
Typically, most faculty and staff members I see only list their highest degree, if anything. When we write news releases, we NEVER include people's degrees. Everyone in academia has two, three or more degrees. If you make a big deal about them, people will think you're trying too hard, and -- although i know you're trying to be funny -- I don't think that's the impression you want to make.
posted by Madamina at 1:18 PM on January 30, 2012 [13 favorites]
Typically, most faculty and staff members I see only list their highest degree, if anything. When we write news releases, we NEVER include people's degrees. Everyone in academia has two, three or more degrees. If you make a big deal about them, people will think you're trying too hard, and -- although i know you're trying to be funny -- I don't think that's the impression you want to make.
posted by Madamina at 1:18 PM on January 30, 2012 [13 favorites]
Agree with brainmouse. If you really wanted to you could put Msc (subject 1) Msc (subject 2) Msc (subject 3) or Msc (Subject 1, Subject 2, Subject3) but honestly this may hurt you more than it will help you....people will wonder all sorts of things if you have three similar Msc's....like do you know what you want? are you a permanent student who prefers academics to private sector work?
posted by saraindc at 1:18 PM on January 30, 2012
posted by saraindc at 1:18 PM on January 30, 2012
When reading a resume, I would find "MSc (Topx), MSc (MTD), MSc (MTD)" reasonable, and I would understand it.
(Given that the letter itself is carefully enough laid out and written to have me assume that MSc is listed twice on purpose, which I'm sure yours is!)
posted by krilli at 1:19 PM on January 30, 2012
(Given that the letter itself is carefully enough laid out and written to have me assume that MSc is listed twice on purpose, which I'm sure yours is!)
posted by krilli at 1:19 PM on January 30, 2012
Best answer: Robert Hickey has a few suggestions, and I'd be inclined to agree with him and the commenters upthread and list a grand total of one. His general rule: "The real gauge will be what is the typical use ... the practice of your colleagues and peers ... what's right to present your self as qualified to hold your position."
posted by holgate at 1:20 PM on January 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by holgate at 1:20 PM on January 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If they are the same type of degree, list only one. You might list multiple degrees if they are specialized but different (MD, MPH or MSW, MPH), and of course you list your degrees with details on your resume. But for an email or business card? List one.
(My general rule of thumb is if someone introduces themselves with non-topical information that they think makes them look good, they are insecure and pretentious.)
posted by OmieWise at 1:28 PM on January 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
(My general rule of thumb is if someone introduces themselves with non-topical information that they think makes them look good, they are insecure and pretentious.)
posted by OmieWise at 1:28 PM on January 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
I agree that if there's no specific reason to list them, just yourname, M.Sc. would be fine (if that's even necessary -- most people wouldn't list a master's degree after their name). If you have some professional reason for needing people to know, I would put the subject, rather than the institution, after the degree. yourname, M.Sc. (Nutrition), M.Sc. (Biology), or whatever.
posted by chickenmagazine at 1:49 PM on January 30, 2012
posted by chickenmagazine at 1:49 PM on January 30, 2012
DanteGideon, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Science, and Science!
posted by 256 at 1:49 PM on January 30, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by 256 at 1:49 PM on January 30, 2012 [5 favorites]
I am familiar with a physical plant manager in an academic environment who lists multiple post-nominal letters for various degrees, diplomas, and memberships, in in her e-mail signature. She looks pretentious and silly, and people regularly mock her (not just for this). Just stick to one, and put your other degrees on your resume and LinkedIn page.
posted by grouse at 1:59 PM on January 30, 2012
posted by grouse at 1:59 PM on January 30, 2012
Best answer: I walk through the hospital where my wife works and I see one surgeon who has almost every abbreviation listed out on his nameplate. Only one of those abbreviations makes him worthy to be in a surgical office, and it makes my eyes roll that he lists JD, MBA, etc etc.
I am not saying that is what you are doing, but I think it comes off better if only the applicable ones are listed for the situation. The rest belong on a resume in the education section.
posted by LeanGreen at 2:09 PM on January 30, 2012
I am not saying that is what you are doing, but I think it comes off better if only the applicable ones are listed for the situation. The rest belong on a resume in the education section.
posted by LeanGreen at 2:09 PM on January 30, 2012
Best answer: You might consider printing multiple batches of cards, one for each M.Sc. That way, you can give correct cards for discipline-appropriate scenarios without looking like you are trying to call attention to yourself. (In a situation where you really need to list them all (if, for example, you are explicitly instructed to do so), I'd put them under your name in chronological order (newest closest to your name)).
Alternatively, if you are going for pure comedic affect, don't just list the M.Sc.'s, list every credential you've ever gotten:
Oddman, PhD, MA, BA, AA, HS Diploma, National Hispanic Merit Scholar, National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist, Brain Bowl All-Star—12th Grade, Treasurer of FEA—9th Grade, Wilbur in "Ducktails and Bobby Socks"—6th Grade, perfect attendance 5th Grade, walking—8 months.
posted by oddman at 2:20 PM on January 30, 2012 [6 favorites]
Alternatively, if you are going for pure comedic affect, don't just list the M.Sc.'s, list every credential you've ever gotten:
Oddman, PhD, MA, BA, AA, HS Diploma, National Hispanic Merit Scholar, National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist, Brain Bowl All-Star—12th Grade, Treasurer of FEA—9th Grade, Wilbur in "Ducktails and Bobby Socks"—6th Grade, perfect attendance 5th Grade, walking—8 months.
posted by oddman at 2:20 PM on January 30, 2012 [6 favorites]
It's generally uncommon to put a M.S. after you're name on a business card. You do it for some degrees (like a JD, MD, MPH, or Ph.D.) because it serves to differentiate your professional duties in the workplace.
If it's necessary to list an M.S. on your business card, list one, because it serves the purpose of indicating, "I am an employee whose duties/identity are the sort that someone with an M.S. provides." Since it's more about indicating "the kind of employee you are," rather than "what degrees you have," then only one is required.
posted by deanc at 2:22 PM on January 30, 2012
If it's necessary to list an M.S. on your business card, list one, because it serves the purpose of indicating, "I am an employee whose duties/identity are the sort that someone with an M.S. provides." Since it's more about indicating "the kind of employee you are," rather than "what degrees you have," then only one is required.
posted by deanc at 2:22 PM on January 30, 2012
Generally speaking you list your highest and/or most relevant qualification.
At the most I would suggest MSc (Topx) and MSc (MTD).
posted by mleigh at 2:27 PM on January 30, 2012
At the most I would suggest MSc (Topx) and MSc (MTD).
posted by mleigh at 2:27 PM on January 30, 2012
Best answer: danteGideon Master of the Universities (Topx & MTD)
posted by Kerasia at 3:34 PM on January 30, 2012
posted by Kerasia at 3:34 PM on January 30, 2012
How about "Jack of All Trades, Master (MSc) of Three"?
Also: oddman, OMG, I too was Wilbur in a middle-school production of Ducktails & Bobby Socks.
posted by richyoung at 4:05 PM on January 30, 2012 [5 favorites]
Also: oddman, OMG, I too was Wilbur in a middle-school production of Ducktails & Bobby Socks.
posted by richyoung at 4:05 PM on January 30, 2012 [5 favorites]
No one can give you good advice on this without knowing more about your field, status and location. Proper use of titles and post-nominals is incredibly case-specific. What is mandatory in some places is incredibly tacky in others and effectively prohibited in others. What do you do and where do you do it?
posted by MattD at 7:25 PM on January 30, 2012
posted by MattD at 7:25 PM on January 30, 2012
danteGideon, Msc ³
posted by FirstMateKate at 8:25 PM on January 30, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by FirstMateKate at 8:25 PM on January 30, 2012 [3 favorites]
Is this really the norm where you are? I've never seen anyone do title-stacking in the UK, US, or Canada. Former university administrator.
If you are in one of the places where title-stacking is the norm (Germany, some countries in South America, etc.) it is generally not the norm to try to be funny or jokey about that.
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:12 PM on January 30, 2012
If you are in one of the places where title-stacking is the norm (Germany, some countries in South America, etc.) it is generally not the norm to try to be funny or jokey about that.
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:12 PM on January 30, 2012
Response by poster: Further information: I am a PhD student, in psychology, based in the UK. Before that I worked for ten years in IT at different universities, whilst getting my masters degrees which are in different areas. Each one a step closer to what I do now.
My gut has always been that 'title-stacking' is a bit much, but it has become pretty common, at least in the emails I've been getting. I tend to use my name, department, and institution and let people ask if they're interested, but I suppose it has been getting to me a bit. Thanks for your reassurances that it makes you look a bit insecure - I shall carry on as I was.
Re: the business card idea, I am trying to come up with something a bit funny and memorable, and people always comment on my number of degrees so I thought that might be one thing. Consensus seems to be that it will make me look a bit of a dick, so I guess that's out the window! I'll probably just keep it plain. I might have an Oddman-style one as well to give to people who list their bronze swimming certificate though.
posted by danteGideon at 1:47 AM on January 31, 2012
My gut has always been that 'title-stacking' is a bit much, but it has become pretty common, at least in the emails I've been getting. I tend to use my name, department, and institution and let people ask if they're interested, but I suppose it has been getting to me a bit. Thanks for your reassurances that it makes you look a bit insecure - I shall carry on as I was.
Re: the business card idea, I am trying to come up with something a bit funny and memorable, and people always comment on my number of degrees so I thought that might be one thing. Consensus seems to be that it will make me look a bit of a dick, so I guess that's out the window! I'll probably just keep it plain. I might have an Oddman-style one as well to give to people who list their bronze swimming certificate though.
posted by danteGideon at 1:47 AM on January 31, 2012
Response by poster: Although the Master of the Universities made me chuckle too! Thanks everyone.
posted by danteGideon at 1:48 AM on January 31, 2012
posted by danteGideon at 1:48 AM on January 31, 2012
Best answer: If you work in an academic environment, your CV can list your degrees individually. For general use, I would visit the reference desk of a University Library. There may be a term for Master of Sciences (which I think is an accurate description, and better than Masters of Science), and an appropriate Latin or English abbreviation.
For a comic approach? Sciences Mastered: Biology, Bio-Engineering, BioMetrics. Sciences Not Yet Mastered include: Biomathematics, Biophysics, Cell Biology, Ethology, Genetics, Human physiology (give me time)
I work at a University. People have earned those degrees, so I like seeing the diplomas on the wall. Me, I'm certified in MS-Paint, and proud to let everyone know it.
posted by theora55 at 8:57 AM on January 31, 2012
For a comic approach? Sciences Mastered: Biology, Bio-Engineering, BioMetrics. Sciences Not Yet Mastered include: Biomathematics, Biophysics, Cell Biology, Ethology, Genetics, Human physiology (give me time)
I work at a University. People have earned those degrees, so I like seeing the diplomas on the wall. Me, I'm certified in MS-Paint, and proud to let everyone know it.
posted by theora55 at 8:57 AM on January 31, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brainmouse at 1:15 PM on January 30, 2012 [8 favorites]