Why aren't Spock, Data, LaForge, Dax, etc PhDs?

[Tim Thomason]

In the US, also, all (credible) lawyers are doctors (JD, Juris Doctor), but by convention, are not referred to as such. Perhaps, Starfleet Academy generally awards the equivalent of Ph.D.'s to all its graduates, but they generally don't utilize it by a similar convention. Given some of Wesley's activities in TNG, it certainly seems that the Academy is rigorous enough in its education.

 

[NCC-73515]

It's odd that PhD physicist Lt. Carol Marcus (Kelvin timeline) wasn't called by her rank, but her degree.
It made sense in the prime timeline cause she wasn't in Starfleet. Maybe people switch their preference after they get a high enough rank? XD

 

[fireproof78]

She just states her preference and Kirk and Spock are willing to honor it. If Kirk wanted to be a stickler then he could have addressed by rank, regardless of degree. Kind of like Picard and "Counselor Troi" rather than by Trois' rank.

 

[Swedish Borg]

It's a really well known thing in Germany:

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....

That's funny.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I have a doctorate.

I instruct my lessors at work not to address me at all, nor make eye contact with me.

They are also to hug the walls when I'm walking down the hallway.

Dr. Ron Decline?

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[F. King Daniel]

She just states her preference and Kirk and Spock are willing to honor it. If Kirk wanted to be a stickler then he could have addressed by rank, regardless of degree. Kind of like Picard and "Counselor Troi" rather than by Trois' rank.

They went with "Doctor" cos without sleeves, nobody knew her rank

 

[Ghel]

I never really thought about this but I could imagine in a world where Wesley Crusher has to know a crazy amount of information, can turn the tractor beam into a repulser beam (something nobody else on board can apparently do) and *still* fails the Academy entrance exams on his first try, anyone graduating Starfleet Academy would have more then the equivalent of a modern PhD.
Getting a PhD and title of Doctor in the world of Star Trek would presumably take even longer and be more grueling than modern standards. With longer lifespans and super-advanced learning techniques, perhaps a "new" Phd requires decades of study and specialization far beyond what we would see today. Even your "basic" Medical Doctor in Star Trek can no longer just understand human biology, but must understand the biology of countless Federation races.
This would allow characters like Spock and Geordie to be super good at what they do, but still not qualify for the title of doctor in the Trek universe. It would also explain why everyone treats the guest doctors with such deference.

 

[Eremurus]

I never really thought about this but I could imagine in a world where Wesley Crusher has to know a crazy amount of information, can turn the tractor beam into a repulser beam (something nobody else on board can apparently do) and *still* fails the Academy entrance exams on his first try, anyone graduating Starfleet Academy would have more then the equivalent of a modern PhD.

Well, in Wesley's defense, it was because he helped Mordock during the last segment of the exams. If he hadn't; he would have finished first, and this would have ultimately helped his overall score- and thus he probably would have succeeded.

 

[dupersuper]

Well, in Wesley's defense, it was because he helped Mordock during the last segment of the exams. If he hadn't; he would have finished first, and this would have ultimately helped his overall score- and thus he probably would have succeeded.

The officer administrating the test said that wasn't the only reason.