Are we scholars?

[LincolnMan]

I've been introduced by others many times as a "Lincoln scholar"- to which I have always replied that I am not. Like the members of this great Forum- I consider myself a "student" of Lincoln. Still, I ask the question: Are we indeed scholars in some sense? We certainly know more about Lincoln than the average person. We also have been studying him a long time. Academically, my degrees are in Psychology-not history. But does one need a degree in the subject at hand to be considered a scholar? Does one need a degree at all? Alright my fellow "scholars"- your thoughts please!