Ministerial decree (M.D.) 270/2004 (art. 13, paragraph 7) establishes the academic titles that can be awarded to university graduates in Italy.
The title Dottore (Dott.) is awarded to graduates of a 3-year bachelor programme (laurea triennale) or a university diploma course of the same length (law 240/2010, art. 17, paragraph 2, Minister Gelmini’s reform).
The title Dottore Magistrale (Dott. Mag.) is awarded to graduates of a 2-year master programme (laurea specialistica/magistrale), of a one-cycle master programme (laurea magistrale a ciclo unico) and of the former Italian university system (laurea di vecchio ordinamento). Use of the title Dottore Magistrale is still uncommon practice.
The title Dottore di ricerca (Dott. Ric. or Ph.D.) (law 240/2010, art. 19, paragraph 1) is awarded to Ph.D. graduates after completing studies with a length of at least three years.
The final diploma issued in Italy must indicate the academic programme completed, but not the title awarded.
For bachelor and master programmes activated according to former M.D. 509/99 and M.D. 270/2004, the degree class and the activation decree are added so that these titles can be distinguished from those of the old system.
Italian graduates can use – in Italy and abroad – the academic title awarded in Italy. Only after official title recognition in a foreign country, it is allowed to use in that country, instead of the Italian academic title, the corresponding foreign academic title.
Please note that the academic title “Dottore” (Dott.) cannot be translated with the German “Doktor” (Dr.). The title “Doktor” is awarded to Ph.D. graduates only.