Can someone with an MBS call themself an MS?

[Peach Newport]

As someone who did a masters of biomedical sciences program, I'm wondering if I can use the MS title.

The degree was technically an "MBS," however, I am in the NYC area where "MBS" means "Master of Business Science" to many people who have told me not to use the MBS title (as they consider it misrepresenting my credentials). So can I just say "MS, Biomedical Sciences," or is that misrepresenting my credentials as a research degree?

I didn't know where else to post this, but given how many of you guys have MBS degrees I figured here was as good as anywhere.

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[eteshoe]

IMO the only masters degrees that one should include in their title is a MBA or MPH. Even though I have a MSc in Biochemistry I still don't use it as a part of the title. Remember this isn't a professional degree.

 

[Zywie]

MS, Biomedical Science implies you completed a masters thesis, MBS implies that you took 30 credits of graduate course work. They're two different degrees but I don't think they mean much in the long run. I have my MS in biomedical science as well but i don't use MS title for anything as eteshoe alluded to, they are not professional degrees

 

[skeletor06]

In the case of Biomedical Sciences, I would agree with @LouSkuntzMD that MS, Biomedical Sciences is implying a completed thesis. However, MS just means Master of Science, which usually (although not in all cases) requires completion of a thesis. For sake of completeness there are also MA programs, which also may or may not require a thesis (although this is less commonly a requirement than for MS).

As an example, my grad program in Youth Development had both thesis and non-thesis options, with MS and MA awarded respectively. I'm sure there are some programs that award an MS regardless of whether you did a thesis. The people that did non-thesis used their degree as "professional"-track degrees, so I'm sure they used the post-nominals to get a job.

In general, post-nominals are used only if circumstances warrant, and should be used as conferred by the university. I'd think you're safe if you're:

a) working in the specific field and you want to highlight your advanced education to other field members, etc.
b) if the degree is required for professional licensure (Licensed Master of Social Work is a terminal degree with a healthcare license, MD/DO is a professional medical degree, etc.).

tl;dr: if you must use it, use the wording as stated in the degree conferred by your diploma.