"All but dissertation" (ABD) is a term identifying a stage in the process of obtaining a
research doctorate
A doctorate (from Latin ''docere'', "to teach"), doctor's degree (from Latin ''doctor'', "teacher"), or doctoral degree is an academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism '' l ...
, most commonly used in the United States.
In typical usage of the term, the ABD graduate student has completed the required preparatory coursework, passed the required
preliminary
Preliminary may refer to:
* Preliminary internships
* Preliminary English Test
* Preliminary finals
* Preliminary hearing
* Preliminary Notice
See also
* Preliminary examination (disambiguation)
{{disambig ...
,
comprehensive, and doctoral qualifying examinations (or PhD candidacy examination). After the graduate student has successfully passed this examination stage, they are referred to as a ''
PhD candidate
"All but dissertation" (ABD) is a term identifying a stage in the process of obtaining a research doctorate, most commonly used in the United States.
In typical usage of the term, the ABD graduate student has completed the required preparatory ...
.'' The informal ABD designation indicates that graduate student has met all program requirements except for writing of the
dissertation (or thesis) and the final defense at the end of a PhD program. Therefore, any formal usage of term “PhD ABD degree" is erroneous. Some universities, including
Columbia,
Yale
Yale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and among the most prestigious in the wor ...
, and
George Washington
George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of ...
, may award a formal
Master of Philosophy
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil; Latin ' or ') is a postgraduate degree. In the United States, an MPhil typically includes a taught portion and a significant research portion, during which a thesis project is conducted under supervision. An MPhil ...
(MPhil) degree for these achievements.
Criticism
The use of ''ABD'' or the similar ''PhD(c)'' for PhD candidate (also ''PhD-c'' or ''PhDc'') as a credential has been criticized as misleading as these terms are not widely understood outside of academia or outside of the US. The term ABD has no equivalent meaning in PhD programs outside of the US that don't require a formal candidacy examination (e.g., Australia and New Zealand). According to the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Higher Degree by Research Course Regulations, graduate students simply enrolled in a PhD program, are referred to as "PhD candidates" prior to completing any mandatory PhD coursework or examinations.
References
{{Reflist
Doctoral degrees