Doctor of Philosophy, All But Dissertation
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The term all but dissertation (ABD) is an unofficial term identifying a stage in the process of obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree or equivalent research doctorate (Ed.D., EngD, D.Sc., etc) in the United States and in Canada. At this stage the student has not earned the Ph.D., but has completed the preparatory coursework, qualifying examinations, comprehensive examinations, and defended his or her dissertation proposal. To complete the degree, the student must carry out the proposed research which must be original research and write the dissertation that defines a Ph.D. or equivalent research doctorate.
This stage in the completion of the Ph.D. degree is sometimes referred to on curricula vitae as Ph.D.(ABD). This usage can be misleading or confusing to non-academics as it may seem that the student has earned a doctorate. Indeed, in most scholarly fields, the dissertation is the most important part of the doctoral degree, because successful completion and defense demonstrates that the candidate has expertise, discipline, and originality to advance the field of inquiry.
This stage in the completion of the Ph.D. degree is more properly referred to on curricula vitae as simply A.B.D.
Some universities offered Candidate of Philosophy degrees as official designations of this status.
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