Hi Dave --

Interesting question! I have an MA in science journalism, and while I always list it on my site, I never thought to list it on my business card. And only one client has ever listed it as part of my bio/credits on the product. That said, however, I do think it's a significant plus on my resume, and does help to get me work.

Cathy Dold

I am not a big person for putting academic credentials behind your name unless you are a either a "doctor" - Ph.D, MD, Ed.D, etc or you have a certain type of certification that is relevant to your job function.

For example, I have an MS degree along with an FMP (Facility Management Professional). I only attach the FMP to my name on my email signature and not the MS degree. The FMP is relevant to my profession - it shows that I have achieved a relevant level of knowledge in the area. The MS degree is added and can be explained in further conversation if needed.

Good post. I am a CCIM, which is a commercial real estate designation. So, in the CRE world, I put it after my name in emails and business cards. I do this mostly because I want to meet other CCIMs. In other circles, however, people have no clue what that means, so I usually don't mention it.

Dave:

I think the comments are valid, as are your points. Many people responded to my LinkedIn question, and I am blogging about the results at my website - www.StartupStoryRadio.com.

Cheers,

Rob

i think your credentials are part of your name, part of your identity and leaving it off is like leaving off part of your name

the other day i was checking into buying a house and the guy due to my youthful appearance asked if i had school loan payments. i said yes but forgot i looked young so he assumed undergrad. well this doens't help my credibility in looking at houses and i was told to look at townhomes. this guy had no idea that i graduated from HS nearly 20yrs ago. So, if i had put my master's degree on my info sheet, maybe i would have gotten more respect. i guess it depends. sometimes i use it when someone talks down to me at work because they are used to talking to people in my group like that, especially if the person is correcting me when i have evidence i wasn't wrong. l-o-v-e that 1-2 punch. what can they say. you can soften the blow by saying, hope i can help or at your service or something like that.

"It depends" is the copout, correct answer. If the alphabet soup of initials behinds a person's name comes off as pretentious, then it is. If it informs or is part of an industry's nomenclature and lets the audience know you are a person of gravitas, go for it.

(FORTUNE Magazine) – Dear Annie: What is the protocol for listing one's credentials on e-mail signatures, business cards, etc.? I have an MBA and am a CPA, yet today my boss sniped at me in a meeting for listing these things on my e-mail signoff and business card. He has a Ph.D., and he asked me, "Oh, now I'm going to start putting that on my card?" I was nonplussed, since many other people here use the same professional designations without this kind of ridicule. What is going on? --Puzzled

Dear Puzzled: Hmm. Your boss is exceedingly modest. Most Ph.D.s not only note the designation on their cards but also like to be addressed as "Doctor," which seems fair enough after all those years of study. "It is customary to list one's credentials on one's card and e-mail signoff, although MBAs do it somewhat less than CPAs do," says Jacqueline Whitmore, founder and director of an executive-etiquette training firm called the Protocol School of Palm Beach (www.etiquetteexpert.com). "Your boss really should include his Ph.D. on his card and e-mail signoff as well. For him to make fun of you for this--well, there must be something else going on." Indeed. I hate to break this to you, but it seems pretty clear that your boss dislikes you for some reason that has nothing to do with this at all. And since he is the CEO, you might be wise to figure out what it is about you that bugs him--or else start job hunting.

Hi Dave: In my opinion,I think you should place your credentials behind your name on a business card because it is an accomplishment of hard work and it also tells the receiving party they are dealing with someone that has expertise and knowledge in a certain area of interest. I have a BS in CJ (Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice), MBA in Management and a MS in Psychology. By revealing this information, it starts a networking process that can put you in contact with others with similiar backgrounds and can be good for business as well.

I get to see a lot of business cards and I've always found it to be pretentious to list MBA behind your name. My colleagues feel the same. Would you list a BA? (obviously one respondent thinks its okay- but its not!)
An MBA is not a professional degree, it has no place on a business card. However, I agree it does belong on a resume' because you are listing your level of formal education. (and, as one response suggests, its not part of your name, for heaven's sake!)

Michael on June 22, that makes no sense to me.

You worked hard for your degree(s) they are part of your experience and your identity. List them, what people label pretentious is just their own jealousy.

Kevin......you miss the point, an MBA is just a degree, and not even a highly specialzed one at that. If we all started listing our degrees after our names that would look silly (Joe Schmoe, BA). On business cards and business email signatures, ONLY professional designations should be listed as THAT is what implies a level of accomplishment.

And every degree you get you work hard for, BA, BS, Master's.....but they only belong on a resume (unless you're at the Ph.D. level) since they DO NOT equate to a level of expertise in any area as a designation like CPA, CMA or CFM does.

I find people might like to stroke their own eqo by listing their education level after their name, but I usually look down at themn for that exact reason...I have met a LOT of idiots with MBA's, so there really isnt much to brag about there. By putting it out there, youre probably going to get more negative response than positive.....I would even circular file resumes with a degree listed after someone's name just for that reason.

Let you skill do the talking and your resume explain your background/education.....

A MBA is a professional degree and a global respected accomplishment. Although there are higher educational attainment(DBA or PH.D) The MBA is usually look upon as a terminal degree. The same as JD or LLM. The MBA usually expresses you have a level of business skills within the major areas of business operations. It can be useful in any industy. Those who earned one, would agree. I use mine everytime I get a chance. email signuture, business cards, check book with confidence their be no bonus checks.

An MBA is no harder (and in some cases easier) to obtain then rigorous undergraduate degrees in computer science, engineering, or similar. Personally, I never had an opinion on those that included the MBA but I've had co-workers point it out on some people's email signatures and had unfavorable comments. I see less people include it than have it so in general it seems most MBAs are modest while others like to point it out every chance they get.

Since these comments are far and few between I almost passed on giving input, but there is relevance to keeping this topic active. Sounds like those currently employed need not list credentials on cards, because they hang prominently on the wall of their office/cube. On the other hand it sounds like a lot of land mines for those seeking an appropriate first impression. If you have earned an advanced degree be it AS, AB, MBA or certification such as PMP, CPA, etc., you can list it on your business card and be proud of your accomplishments. Since many of us have various resume that target different audiences our business cards also should be specific therefore, it requires judgment on our part. Since 85% of adult Americans have a HS diploma and 25% earn an advanced degree (bachelor) I would say that both the AS and BA are still advance education, but just taking courses is post-secondary (without degree). Like I have said, it is best to know if your industry has some credentials quirk and avoid the minefield.

I find that it's not at all pretentious to place the MBA designation behind one's name. Maybe it's because I'm just accustomed to seeing credentials listed after every professor's name, usually the PhD designation. I have seen cases where professors only include the PhD designation even when s/he has earned the MBA. In those cases, those professors have earned a PhD degree in a business concentration, such as accounting or marketing. I can see why the MBA would be left out in that case.

Some healthcare professionals (MD, RN, PharmD, DDS, DDM, etc.) have earned the MBA to gain business administration skills in order to more effectively manage or work in different business settings. These professionals have terminal degrees that are not in business and so attaching the MBA designation behind the healthcare professional degree (ie. Your Name, MD, MBA) would let others know that the person has had business administration/management training/skills and is qualified for management related job functions outside of the customary healthcare functions.

I wanted to thank everyone for keeping this topic current. I have a question for Dave Taylor.

Do you still see the MBA loosing strength?

I'm in IT and currently I have a ASA and I'm working on my BIS. I plan on doing a MBA. Like the previous poster mentioned, people in the medical field put MBA after their names to denote they have business knowledge outside their field, that is the same type of presence I would like to portray, IT with a business degree background.

Does anyone have a recommendation outside the MBA?

When you put initials behind your name without having a PhD your screaming for attention and it comes across as what it is. If you're that intelligent, get the PhD, if not then stop it; your not just making enemies your destroying your reputation. I have a masters degree but never but initials behind my name, I snicker at make jokes about those on the job who do as they come of as a wanna-be and a snob that has little experience and a lot of initials that nobody cares about. Let your actions do the talking, not some MSOW nonsense behind your name. That's so idiotic, it's good for a joke and nothing more.

I have to disagree that listing degrees is pretentious and unnecessary. I work in nonprofit social services where it's common to list MSW, MA, M.Ed. I don't see why others get so offended by that.

In our fast-paced world, people do not want to spend the time to get to know you because they likely have more important things to do. Adding your degrees and professional designations after your name greatly helps tell other people what you are knowledgeable in, along with facilitating discussion and networking.

If you are a professional, adding accomplished suffixes shows people you are dedicated and competent in your chosen profession.

Those claiming degrees and professional designations are worthless probably just do not know how to leverage their accomplishments. Or, they are already old and have accepted that they will no longer be able to rise in the ranks. Thus, they are trying to superficially boast and brag that they did not have to put those suffixes in order to get where they are, to fool themselves and help make themselves feel better about their current lives.

So I googled if I should add my MBA after my name on my business card and it appears just as many say no as say yes. I'm not sure if I'd say it was hard work earning it but it was 2 years of my life beyond the BS. I have my own business, importing and the MBA is in International Trade...seems relevant enough but I certainly don't want to come across as snooty. I certainly think those on this post that are down right bitter about listing a designation like MBA are missing something in their own life. In business an MBA is a terminal degree...there is no point in getting a PhD if you are staying in business (you are then over qualified or hiding in school). I will give others a clue to adding designations after you name: if you constantly have to explain what SQR, JSD, PPSA after your name means- you are probably one of those people trying to hard. If however you are a lawyer and you list ESQ for passing the bar or MD for your million years of education (I'm thinking I'm answering my own question) there's nothing wrong with putting your best foot forward on a business card or email if you are trying to convey to your audience you are a professional committed to taking the industry seriously.

I think the answer to whether to put the MBA in or not really does depend on the person and the situation. Within your organization or field you should follow the norm. If no one else is doing it, you shouldn't either. If it adds value and provides good information then it is probably okay. Whether it is pretentious or not depends more on how you carry yourself. For instance, as a field engineer, when I finish my MBA in December I think it would be silly to put it on a card for customers. But, for networking and career changing I think it may be okay on a personal card.

As for whether the MBA is relevant, I will say absolutely. Despite being close to finishing my MBA, I was probably the biggest MBA skeptic until a couple semesters ago (long story why I even started it). With the world changing so fast with globalization I think it has been an invaluable experience. I've learned a lot and use it a lot. The training teaches you how to think. I will say the school really matters. There are MBA factories (even amongst reputable schools) and there are good programs. State schools and AACSB accreditation are a good starting point for deciding. A global focus is also important.

I have found that MBA's are currently a popular scape goat. I see a lot of people blaming MBA's but, through the power of Linkedin, I see very few leaders I know have MBA's. Graduation statistics nationwide back that up (only 25% with bachelors so how many can have an MBA?). I don't think there is a problem with MBA's as much as a problem with non-MBA's reading a book or two and thinking they are MBA's.