If you’re wondering about all but dissertation (ABD) status, you’re likely already a doctoral student or you’re considering returning to school to earn your terminal degree. All but dissertation is a status often claimed by doctoral learners after completing all required coursework and passing the qualifying exams. It means that all the learner has left to complete is the dissertation, hence, “all but dissertation.”
Many people confuse ABD status with an ABD degree. There is no ABD degree — it’s not a specific course of study. ABD is simply a way to refer to where a particular learner is on their doctoral journey.
There is another way to indicate a learner’s dissertation progress. When a doctoral learner is working through the coursework, they are referred to as a “doctoral student.” Once that person achieves ABD status, they are considered a “doctoral candidate” or a “PhD candidate.”
However, there is no ABD degree. ABD can refer to a doctoral learner in any doctoral program in any field. It can refer to a person who is just beginning the dissertation topic selection process, as well as to someone who is about to step in front of the dissertation committee to defend their dissertation — one of the final steps in the process of earning a doctoral degree.
Here’s a quick look at the typical doctoral degree process:
- Complete the required doctoral coursework.
- Pass the qualifying exams, if applicable.
- Propose, research and write your dissertation.
- Defend your dissertation before the dissertation committee.
- Receive your doctoral degree and celebrate!
Grand Canyon University’s College of Doctoral Studies supports visionaries as you help transform communities. GCU offers a collaborative Virtual Doctoral Community Network, in-person residencies, an early-integrated dissertation process, flexible transfer policies and step-by-step guidance from knowledgeable faculty.
In academia, the word “program” typically refers to a “degree program.” Although you won’t find an all but dissertation degree program, you likely will find transfer or completion options for doctoral students. However, like GCU, some schools may not refer to that as an official program.
At GCU, doctoral learners have access to a variety of support and resources tailored to help them complete their degree. GCU offers a flexible blend of online coursework and on-campus residencies providing opportunities to connect with faculty, advisors and peers in person.
While attending an on-campus residency may not be mandatory for every program, it can be an invaluable experience. During these residencies, you can collaborate directly with your advisor, dissertation committee, faculty and fellow doctoral learners. These in-person interactions can help refine your dissertation ideas, broaden your perspectives and explore new angles on your research.
On-campus residencies can provide opportunities to refine your ideas, gather some new perspectives and explore areas of your dissertation topic that you might not have thought of by yourself. You may also attend seminars and workshops, and you may have the opportunity to present your preliminary dissertation research and ideas. These presentations can provide practice for defending your dissertation later.
