My take on this will probably cheese a few people off...

Not herpetology, but a field I have been involved in on a professional level since 1986...(Same concept however, concerning degrees)

Prospective employers like degrees when looking to hire a newb, however I have seen first hand the following scenario.

applicant #1. is 23 years old and has just earned his degree in computer technology. Got great grades, highly recommended by staff at college, etc...

applicant #2 is 35 years old, self taught and has nothing more than a high school diploma but got lucky enough to have had a previous job in the same field, be it through a friend or relative, whatever... NO degree but a decade of hands on experience.

I and most other prospective employers would chose applicant number 2 over applicant number one. #2. has a better grasp on the "big picture" than number 1. and is more likely to to lack the arrogance many young people posess upon graduation.

The applicant with the degree has knowledge, but lacks "real life" experience.

The point is, a degree is an accomplishment, but in reality nothing more than a very expensive sheet of paper that proves nothing more than good retention of what has been read from textbooks and recited by a teacher.

"book smarts" and intelligence are similar, but not quite the same.

I'm not saying in any way that I would want a "self taught" doctor to perform any surgeries on me, however there are documented cases of discoveries made by people who never set foot on a college campus curing disease and changing the world.....

If herpetology is your passion, pursue it, stack up those degrees, go for a doctorate, it will be your best chance at recognition for your work.

However, don't belittle those who lack that fancy document framed on the wall...

After re-reading Steven's post for the third time, I do stand corrected on one issue, the title must be earned and not self appointed. "ologist" and "enthusiast" are two distinctly different things.