How To Address An Envelope To A PhD - Synonym

Maybe your like

How to Address an Envelope to a PhD

CHANTÉ GRIFFIN

25 JUN 2018

CLASS

Although you probably conduct most of your written communication via email, you may encounter a scenario where you need to send a letter or a card to a Ph.D. holder; knowing how to properly address the envelope is critical.

Scenario 1: You meet a man with a Ph.D. at a social engagement, and you want to send him a letter requesting mentorship.

Scenario 2: You conduct an informational interview with a married woman who holds a Ph.D. in a field you want to explore, and you want to send her a thank you card.

Scenario 3: You want to invite a couple (each person holds a Ph.D.) to a formal event.

What is the correct way to address the envelope? Is it similar to how you’d address a medical doctor or a dentist? If you’re friends with the person, should you even include a title?

Explore this article

What Is a Ph.D.?
Getting the Title Right
What If the Ph.D. Is Married?
Addressing a Couple With Two Ph.D.s
One More Tip

1 What Is a Ph.D.?

A Ph.D. is a “doctor of philosophy” degree, referred to as “PhD” and “Ph.D.”

It is the highest degree that a university or college awards. Colleges and universities confer Ph.D.s in numerous fields such as computer science, psychology and communication. Ph.D. holders often teach at the university level because they're experts in their respective fields.

2 Getting the Title Right

When addressing an envelope to a Ph.D. holder, be sure to include the title, even if the person is a friend. The only exception would be if the person has asked for the title to be excluded.

On the envelope, write the person’s name, a comma and “Ph.D.” For example, if you wanted to send a card to Chanell Johnson, you’d write:

"Chanell Johnson, Ph.D."

You would not need to indicate her marital status on the envelope.

3 What If the Ph.D. Is Married?

If Chanell were married, and you wanted to send an invitation to her and her partner (who share the same last name), you would use “Dr.” in front of her name. Her partner’s name would follow.

"Dr. Chanell and Mr. Stephen Johnson" or "Dr. Chanell and Mrs. Stephanie Johnson"

If Chanell were married, and she and her partner had different last names, you'd use a similar format.

"Dr. Chanell Johnson and Mr. Stephen Smith" or "Dr. Chanell Johnson and Mrs. Stephanie Smith"

4 Addressing a Couple With Two Ph.D.s

If Chanell and her partner shared the same last name and held Ph.D.s, you’d acknowledge both degrees by using the plural of Doctor and omitting their first names.

"The Doctors Johnson"

If they did not share the same last name, you'd write:

"Dr. Chanell Johnson and Dr. Stephanie Smith" or "Dr. Chanell Johnson and Dr. Stephen Smith"

5 One More Tip

While communication etiquette is less formal today than fifty years ago, it’s still better to err on the side of formality when addressing doctors. Why risk offending someone when you could applaud her accomplishments instead?

The card or letter inside the envelope would simply say, “Dear Dr. Johnson."

references

1 The Emily Post Institute: Guide to Addressing Correspondence
2 The Knot: Q&A: Invitations: Addressing One to a Professor?
3 The Emily Post Institute: Professional Titles
4 Boston.com: “Dr. and Mr.” or “Mr. and Dr.”? Which is correct?
5 Dictionary.com: Ph.D. Definition
6 Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary: PhD Definition

About the Author

Chanté Griffin is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers education, race, and arts/entertainment.

How to Address an Envelope for Doctor & Wife

How to Address a Married Female Doctor

How to Address a College Graduation Announcement Envelope

How to Properly Address a Letter to Two Men

How to Address an Envelope for a Wedding Card

How to Address a Letter to Two Doctors

Miss Manners' Etiquette for Addressing Envelopes

Proper Way to Address Graduation Invitations

How to Address a Woman If You Don't Know If She Is...

The Proper Way to Address a Minister With a Doctorate...

How to Address a Letter to a Doctor

Widow Etiquette: Mrs. or Ms.?

How to Address a Reverend & Wife on a Mailing Envelope

How to Address Graduation Announcements

How to Address a Female Ambassador

What Is the Difference Between a PhD & a ScD?

How to Address an Email to Someone You Don't Know

Graduation Announcement Etiquette

Wedding Invitation Etiquette for Presiding Minister...

How to Address a Sympathy Card to a Widow

Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers.

Classroom
About
Contact

Legal
Accessibility
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Copyright Policy
Edit Cookie Consent

Tag » How To Address Phd In Email