Has anyone seen someone use a P.E. before Ph.D. after your name.

Iwannapass · Jun 15, 2024

Hello,

I’m curious as I will probably just do it anyways, but curious on the optics.

I have a BS and MS in Civil Engineering and a MBA. I currently hold my PE license actively working as an engineer in a managerial role. I’m about to complete a PhD. in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Management.

Would you have your credentials after your name as such: Name, P.E., Ph.D. instead of the traditional Name, Ph.D., P.E.

The reasoning is the value I feel on my PE versus the PhD, even though both were difficult to obtain.

Thanks!

RBHeadge PE · Jun 25, 2024

The listing of postnominals in the US isn't quite as rigid and enforced as it is in Commonwealth Nations, but there are still commonly accepted conventions by universities and the press. Usually only editors, diplomats, and a few lawyers are consciously aware of the conventions. But much like the rank order of adjectives, its something that most natives-speakers just do without realizing. Hence your note that it's usually Ph.D. P.E. and not the other way around.

In the US the order is:

Religious institutions

Theological degrees

Military decorations

Academic degrees

Honorary degrees, honors, decorations

Professional licenses, certifications and affiliations

Retired uniformed service.

There are even tiers within those ranks!

But, its just a convention. You could list it the other way if you want. Just don't be surprised when people raise their eyebrows in confusion when they see your business card.

Iwannapass · Jun 26, 2024

RBHeadge PE said:
The listing of postnominals in the US isn't quite as rigid and enforced as it is in Commonwealth Nations, but there are still commonly accepted conventions by universities and the press. Usually only editors, diplomats, and a few lawyers are consciously aware of the conventions. But much like the rank order of adjectives, its something that most natives-speakers just do without realizing. Hence your note that it's usually Ph.D. P.E. and not the other way around.

In the US the order is:

There are even tiers within those ranks!

But, its just a convention. You could list it the other way if you want. Just don't be surprised when people raise their eyebrows in confusion when they see your business card.

Thank you so much!

Tiger15 · Jun 27, 2024

RBHeadge PE said:
The listing of postnominals in the US isn't quite as rigid and enforced as it is in Commonwealth Nations, but there are still commonly accepted conventions by universities and the press. Usually only editors, diplomats, and a few lawyers are consciously aware of the conventions. But much like the rank order of adjectives, its something that most natives-speakers just do without realizing. Hence your note that it's usually Ph.D. P.E. and not the other way around.

In the US the order is:

There are even tiers within those ranks!

But, its just a convention. You could list it the other way if you want. Just don't be surprised when people raise their eyebrows in confusion when they see your business card.

How do you know everything???

DoctorWho-PE · Jun 28, 2024

Tiger15 said:
How do you know everything???

If you have to ask...

maguir2 · Jul 1, 2024

In my opinion, a Ph.D. has way more prestige than a certification such as PE. Maybe I'm biased, but I'm more proud of my Ph.D. than being a PE.

Manufacturingman · Jul 4, 2024

Most of my connections place the PhD prior to their P.E.

dougL · Nov 14, 2024

Search Linked-In for ‘PE, PhD’ under People and see all results, currently 192,000. Scroll through a sample listing of a few hundred. Mostly listed as ‘PhD, PE’