Legal Literacy - In the era of social media, academic titles often become symbols of prestige. However, when a title is used without a valid diploma, the issue is no longer merely ethical, but can touch the realm of law. Listing a title after a name is often considered a symbol of prestige and intellectual competence. Titles such as S.H., S.E., S.Pd, and even Dr. often give the impression that someone has the capacity in a particular scientific or academic field. However, problems arise when the title is used by someone who has not actually obtained or has never obtained a valid diploma.

This phenomenon is often seen on social media, business cards, and professional profiles. The use of titles is not only done by those who have never attended college, but also by students who have not actually graduated. Some students write titles such as S.H., S.E., or S.Pd., and so on, even though they are not administratively entitled to do so. In fact, some invite their parents to symbolic graduations by buying robes and writing titles on sashes, without entering the official room, just so that their families see as if they have graduated, even though the university has not officially recorded their graduation.

The question then becomes important, is writing a title without a diploma just a style of writing a name, or can it be categorized as a violation of the law? In the higher education system in Indonesia, academic titles are not just social attributes. The use of academic titles in the higher education system in Indonesia cannot be done arbitrarily. An academic title is a form of official recognition given by a university to someone who has completed the education process in accordance with applicable regulations. This is affirmed in Law Number 12 of 2012 concerning Higher Education, Article 26 which states:paragraph (1) Academic titles are awarded by Higher Education Institutions that organize academic education. paragraph (2) Academic titles consist of: a. bachelor; b. master; and c. doctor. This provision shows that the awarding of academic titles is the authority of higher education institutions that officially organize academic education.

In addition, the regulation regarding the use of titles is also emphasized in Article 28 paragraph (6) Individuals, organizations, or organizers of Higher Education who are not entitled are prohibited from granting academic degrees, vocational degrees, or professional degrees. paragraph (7) Individuals who are not entitled are prohibited from using academic degrees, vocational degrees, and/or professional degrees. Thus, a person only has the right to use an academic degree after being declared graduated and obtaining a diploma from a legitimate university.. This provision affirms that the use of titles should not be done carelessly, because titles have academic legitimacy as well as legal legitimacy.