Doktor and Professor in the German speaking world 19:41 Sep 29, 2010
Dr. - earned doctorate (Dr.med. / Dr.phil. / Dr.-Ing. etc.) with a thesis (Dissertation) and an examination.
Professor title confered to the holder of a tenure track position (lifelong employment) and in the German speaking countries with another thesis (higher requirements than doctoral dissertation) called Habilitation. When he/she have got the qualification, they are entitled to write Dr.habil. - they can teach, but haven't got the title of a Professor so far, this applies only when (in Germany) one of the 17 Ministries for Science and Higher Education confer the title. Then they are both, ususally Prof.Dr. Adam Smith etc.
It is true, that most of the professors are doctors, but outstanding managers or engineers can be Professor without the earned doctorate. An experienced captain of big vessels can become Prof. Kapitän .... An outstanding artist could become Professor (John Lennon or Yehudi Menuhin would not need an earned doctorate).
There are more exceptions, but this is the framework. |