All but dissertation

"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 coursework and passed the required preliminary, 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. 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.[1] Therefore, any formal usage of term “PhD ABD degree" is erroneous.[2] Some universities, including Columbia, Yale, and George Washington, may award a formal Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree for these achievements.[3][4][5]

  1. ^ Schuman, Rebecca (1 August 2014). "ABD Company". Slate. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  2. ^ Tippins, Steve (8 May 2019). "All But Dissertation (ABD): A Complete Guide". Beyond PhD Coaching. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Master of Philosophy". Columbia Business School. New York: Columbia University. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Doctor of Philosophy Program". Yale School of Architecture. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  5. ^ "PhD Requirements". Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Washington: George Washington University. Retrieved 26 August 2017.