ABDs

ABDs, or All But Dissertation, is a status used in doctoral education, especially in the United States, to describe PhD students who have completed the program's required coursework and examinations but have not yet defended or submitted their dissertation. ABD status indicates near completion and ongoing research toward the doctoral thesis, but does not confer a degree by itself.

Typical requirements to become ABD include passing a candidacy or comprehensive exam, forming a dissertation committee, and completing any required coursework beyond the qualifying exams. Some programs require the student to have a dissertation proposal approved and to have submitted some chapters, while others mark ABD once coursework and exams are completed.

Usage: ABD is commonly listed on CVs and funding applications as progress toward the PhD; however, a student who is ABD has not earned the PhD and may not be recognized as having a degree. Some institutions impose time limits on how long a student can retain ABD status; extensions may require evidence of continued progress and supervisory approval.

Implications: ABD status can help when applying for postdoctoral fellowships, teaching positions, or research roles, but it can also create ambiguity for employers or non-academic institutions. In some fields, the duration of ABD status is long and attrition rates are high.

Limitations: ABD is not a degree; it may vary by institution in how it is treated in official records or on resumes.

Regional note: The term is most common in the United States; other countries may use different terms for candidacy status.