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[uatraveler]

Hi, Everyone.

I hold a master's degree in Professional Writing, and a bachelor's degree in Communications. Some of my colleagues list all their degrees in their signature line. Is this appropriate to do? Does listing your credentials come off as bragging? 

I'm an English instructor working for a U.S. university overseas, and I'm relatively new to teaching college, so any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Bryan

[categorical]

I'm not a fan of the practice.  I can't see doing it with an MA or a BA, unless you're in Austria, where they go overboard with titles.

[mended_drum]

I agree with categorical.  The assumption (in the U.S.) is that most college professors hold doctorates.  As a result, no one lists them.

[oldfullprof]

Right, the inverse rule applies.  The more stuff you have on your signature line, the more pathetic you look.  It's similar to the "don't put your degree up unless you want to look pathetic" rule.

[larryc]

Some of my colleagues list all their degrees in their signature line . . . . I'm an English instructor working for a U.S. university overseas . . .

Listing your degrees in your email signature is extremely uncommon in the U.S. and makes you look like a tool. I wonder though if it is not more common at institutions such as yours, where American degrees and doctorates are perhaps less common? In any case, go with the local culture.

[sprocket]

Some of my colleagues list all their degrees in their signature line . . . . I'm an English instructor working for a U.S. university overseas . . .

Listing your degrees in your email signature is extremely uncommon in the U.S. and makes you look like a tool. I wonder though if it is not more common at institutions such as yours, where American degrees and doctorates are perhaps less common? In any case, go with the local culture.

Interesting...this is different in my discipline, where I don't think I've seen an e-mail signature file that doesn't list degrees and relevant professional certifications.  Of course, that could just mean that everyone in my discipline is a tool.

[voxprincipalis]

Some of my colleagues list all their degrees in their signature line . . . . I'm an English instructor working for a U.S. university overseas . . .

Listing your degrees in your email signature is extremely uncommon in the U.S. and makes you look like a tool. I wonder though if it is not more common at institutions such as yours, where American degrees and doctorates are perhaps less common? In any case, go with the local culture.

Where does "Eagle Scout" go?

VP

[inthelab]

Some of my colleagues list all their degrees in their signature line . . . . I'm an English instructor working for a U.S. university overseas . . .

Listing your degrees in your email signature is extremely uncommon in the U.S. and makes you look like a tool. I wonder though if it is not more common at institutions such as yours, where American degrees and doctorates are perhaps less common? In any case, go with the local culture.

Interesting...this is different in my discipline, where I don't think I've seen an e-mail signature file that doesn't list degrees and relevant professional certifications.  Of course, that could just mean that everyone in my discipline is a tool.

In my field (biomedical research), degrees are listed.  Not certificates though, maybe because few have them (AFAIK, could be wrong).

[ahsonek]

For the work email, degrees and certifications listed.  For the personal email - nothing..... Must be a discipline thing.........

[untenured]

Just to be clear, are we talking about this:

John Q. Public
Assistant Professor
Kissyface College
MFA, Happyfun University
Ph.D, University of the Blue Crickets

or this?

John Q. Public, MFA, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Kissyface College

The latter appears less invasive than the former.

Certifications seem less bothersome because it is not implicit from many positions that certifications have been earned.  So while a neurosurgeon need not place "M.D., Frilly University Med School" a financial planner might.

[sprocket]

Where does "Eagle Scout" go?

VP

Ooh...interthreaduality...

[polly_mer]

Some of my colleagues list all their degrees in their signature line . . . . I'm an English instructor working for a U.S. university overseas . . .

Listing your degrees in your email signature is extremely uncommon in the U.S. and makes you look like a tool. I wonder though if it is not more common at institutions such as yours, where American degrees and doctorates are perhaps less common? In any case, go with the local culture.

From what I've seen, some local cultures list things like merely being a college student because it's a big deal.  So, yes, go with local culture.

[totoro]

I always assume that if a book author is styled "John Smith, PhD" then either their degree is crap or the book is, or more likely both. I haven't seen anyone include degrees in an e-mail signature in any natural or social science fields related to my work. Of course, it is acceptable to sign off as "Dr John Smith" though it looks a bit pompous.

[oldfullprof]

I plan to use my PhD title when I get back into Who's Who, and when I start a rival College Professor Adjunct Certification organization.   I always use it with physicians (not joking now.)  And when I'm in Germany.  Yes, "Herr Professor Doktor," you Leberknoedels.

[tee_bee]

If you have an Ed.D., then, by all means, list it in your sig line. That way we know you're not in on the joke that is the Ed.D. degree.