Fact Check: Did the University of Delaware ask Jill Biden to stop using 'Dr'?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral social media post claims that the University of Delaware confirmed Jill Biden never completed her doctoral studies and asked her to stop using the title “Dr. Biden.” The claim has gained traction online as debates over political figures’ backgrounds and credentials continue to spread. Let's fact-check the claim.

Claim: University of Delaware asked Jill Biden to stop using 'Dr'

A viral claim circulating on social media alleges that the University of Delaware confirmed Jill Biden never completed her doctoral studies and repeatedly asked her to stop using the title “Dr. Biden.” 

The post claimed, “The University of Delaware has officially confirmed that Jill Biden never completed her doctoral studies. They’ve repeatedly asked her to stop referring to herself as ‘Dr. Biden’ because she never finished the work.”

The claim has gained attention because it questions Jill Biden’s academic credentials and her use of the title “Dr”. 

The post further alleged, “For decades she’s tried to make this fake Ph.D. stick. The fact is, she never completed her thesis. Without that, she’s just another teacher with a Master’s degree pretending to have a doctorate."

The post also reported, “She built her entire public persona around being “Dr. Jill Biden,” using the title to add fake credibility while her husband was in office. Now the university that supposedly awarded it has confirmed she never earned it.”

Fact Check: University of Delaware still recognizes Jill Biden’s doctoral degree

The claim is false. The University of Delaware did not ask Jill Biden to stop using the title “Dr.” The university has recognized her Doctor of Education degree, which she earned from its College of Education and Human Development in 2007.

The controversy over her title resurfaced from a December 2020 Wall Street Journal op-ed by Joseph Epstein, who argued that she should not use “Dr.” because she is not a medical doctor. The piece drew widespread criticism for dismissing academic doctorates and was described by critics as sexist and demeaning.

Jill Biden completed the required coursework and dissertation for her Ed.D. on community college student retention. The University of Delaware has continued to recognize her as a doctoral alumna, and no evidence shows that it has questioned her degree or asked her to stop using the title.

The viral claim revives earlier criticism from 2020 but provides no recent statement, record, or evidence from the university to support the allegation.