Timperi did in fact hold a Ph.D., Drinan pointed out, though it was not from a recognized, accredited university.

Timperi said yesterday that his reasons for obtaining the degree were not disingenuous.

“I never viewed this degree as something that would provide me any special personal stature since it was not an earned degree; but I thought it was meant to be a simple indication of a long career with significant accomplishments,” he said.

Drinan and others suggested that while Timperi’s is an extreme case, it speaks to broader trends throughout higher education.

“Definitely universities are paying a lot of attention to academic credentials,” Drinan said. “The pressure to get a terminal degree in hand is overwhelming.”

Timperi’s brief teaching career at SPH has been noteworthy, according to Herman, who said he teaches “a popular course and he has gotten the highest evaluations from students.”

The School of Public Health’s course evaluation page reports that 100 percent of respondents in Timperi’s “Epidemiologic Analysis of Outbreaks and Infectious Disease” last year said that they were pleased with their decision to have taken the course.

Timperi, too, said he has “thoroughly enjoyed” his time at Harvard, working alongside faculty and students he described as “knowledgeable, studious, intellectually challenging and supportive.”

He said though that, if asked, he would resign from both the Harvard and Department of Health positions.