I’ve always preferred the title Professor.  It is the most descriptive term for
what I am and do.

        It is more than an ego issue, however.   Schools are very concerned about their
rankings these days.  High rankings mean better students, more $$, etc.  One
ranking criteria often used is “%of faculty with doctorates”.  If JDs don’t
count then the school is hurt by having JDs on its full time faculty.  The AACSB
recognizes  “appropriate professional degrees” and has become more flexible on
this issue over time.

        It may also make a difference in salaries if a school follows a formula where
they recognize a doctoral degree as more valuable than a JD.  The supply of
doctoral degrees is more scarce than JDs.


Thomas W. Dunfee
The Wharton School
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104
phone 215-898-7691
fax 2150573-2006