What Is All But Dissertation (ABD) Status?

Like other terminal degrees, a doctorate represents the pinnacle of academic achievement in any field. Professionals who decide to earn a doctorate often do so because they intend to pursue career advancement.

It takes a lot of time, hard work and resources to complete the degree. Unlike a bachelor’s degree, a doctoral degree requires both coursework and the completion of a dissertation. During this process, a doctoral learner may find themselves with an ABD status.

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.”

Is There an ABD Degree?

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:

1. Complete the required doctoral coursework.
2. Pass the qualifying exams, if applicable.
3. Propose, research and write your dissertation.
4. Defend your dissertation before the dissertation committee.
5. 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.

Is There an All But Dissertation Completion Program?

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.

Not all doctoral learners complete their degree. Some will complete the coursework, achieve ABD status and then remain in perpetual ABD status. This is unfortunate, and there are many possible reasons for it, including the following:

• Lack of structure: Some doctoral students may do well with the coursework, but struggle with the lack of structure associated with writing your dissertation. As a doctoral candidate, you typically do not receive class assignments any longer. Instead, you’ll give yourself assignments and hold yourself accountable to self-imposed deadlines.
• Time management: Upon first achieving ABD status, it might seem like there’s suddenly plenty of time to research and write your dissertation. Yet, it’s all too easy to fall into poor time management habits. The lack of structure can exacerbate poor time management.
• Difficulty writing: Doctoral learners, despite being accomplished in their professional lives, may struggle with the scholarly writing required for a dissertation. It can be difficult to communicate one’s ideas clearly and concisely yet also use an academic writing style.
• Inadequate communication: Some doctoral learners might struggle with completing a dissertation because they need more support from their advisors. Advisors are a dependable resource for learners, but only if the learner communicates their needs effectively. It is always a good idea for doctoral candidates to maintain clear communication with their advisors so that they can receive any extra support they may need.
• Personal circumstances: An endless list of personal circumstances could interfere with a doctoral candidate’s degree completion and changes in circumstances may prompt a doctoral learner to place their dissertation on the back burner.
• Imposter syndrome: Imposter syndrome is the feeling that one isn’t qualified or capable of doing a particular job (e.g. writing a dissertation). These types of feelings can discourage doctoral candidates from starting or completing their dissertation, particularly if they worry that their writing isn’t up to par or that their research topic won’t be seen as worthwhile by anyone but themselves. Many times, these feelings are unfounded – a candidate’s unique contributions are what make any doctoral program compelling and collaborative. If you find yourself in this situation, remember all the work you have done and that you’ve earned your right to be here.

This list of challenges isn’t meant to discourage you. If you know the potential pitfalls of ABD status in advance, you may be better positioned to handle them and successfully complete your dissertation.

A great way to stay on track with your dissertation is to choose one of GCU’s doctoral programs that integrate elements of the dissertation process directly into the coursework. Parts of your dissertation journey are woven into your studies from the start, allowing you to gradually build your research and writing skills throughout the program. This approach can help ensure a seamless transition from coursework to dissertation work, making the process feel more cohesive and less overwhelming as you progress toward completion.

Many people start and stop their doctoral programs, but make sure to check for any time limits tied to program completion. Bear in mind that some people who never finish their dissertation also intended on returning at a later time. It can be more difficult to return to finish a dissertation after taking a break than to stick with it and see it through.

Before you decide to put your work on hold, you may find the following steps helpful:

• Write a list: Create a list of all the reasons why you’re thinking about taking a break. Then, write down some counterarguments to each of those reasons. Can you brainstorm solutions to each challenge you’re experiencing?
• Talk to your advisor: Schedule a meeting with your advisor and explain that you’re considering putting your dissertation on hold. Be prepared to discuss the reasons why. Your advisor may offer some guidance that can help you stick with it.
• Talk to your loved ones: Chances are, your loved ones have been supporting you and cheering you on throughout your doctoral journey. Talk to them about your struggles and see what they think about taking a break from your dissertation.

All but dissertation status doesn’t have to be intimidating. The best way to avoid getting into a quagmire is to begin writing a rough draft right away, even if you aren’t fully certain of your topic.

Many doctoral candidates do excessive research before narrowing down their focus and beginning their own original research. They might not write a word of their dissertation until their research is complete. This seems like a rational, linear way to approach the project, but it can also lead to writer’s block when you finally sit down to write.

Instead, set aside 20 minutes each day to write. It’s possible that you won’t use any of your initial writing for the final draft of your dissertation, and this is perfectly fine. The important thing is to start writing as soon as possible in order to generate some cognitive momentum.

If you’re still having trouble getting started writing, you might find it helpful to eschew scholarly language — at least at first. That is, don’t worry about writing your dissertation in a formal, academically acceptable style. Initially, you can use informal language to lay a foundation for your thoughts and research findings, as long as you rewrite it later.

Moving Toward Doctoral Candidacy

Moving toward doctoral candidacy is a significant milestone in a doctoral program. Once you’ve completed all required coursework and exams, you enter the ABD stage, where the focus shifts entirely to your dissertation research. Achieving doctoral candidacy typically requires successfully developing and defending your dissertation proposal, marking the transition from coursework to full-time research. This step typically signifies that you are on track to complete your doctoral degree and begin the final phase of your academic journey.

Consider the following tips as you adjust to life as an ABD doctoral candidate: 

• Create a dissertation map that includes every major step you need to complete your work.
• Pair your dissertation map with a monthly schedule of milestones you need to reach. Then, break those milestones down into weekly goals.
• Develop a daily routine for task completion and stick with it. Hold yourself accountable to your schedule and deadlines.
• Have a designated place to work, ideally somewhere without visual or auditory distractions. (If you lack a quiet place to work, position yourself to face the wall and use noise-canceling headphones.)
• Make use of your school’s doctoral resources and support system.
• Try the Pomodoro® Technique to improve your time management habits and support better focus.

The College of Doctoral Studies at GCU provides extensive, structured support to doctoral learners as you complete your studies and your dissertation. Our dissertation process is integrated directly into the curriculum, which means you will begin working on your research project before completing your classes. This provides a greater degree of support for our students, who can also benefit from our scholarly network, faculty support and on-campus residency opportunities.

GCU offers a wide range of doctoral degree programs to professionals who are interested in achieving the highest academic accomplishment. Choose from degrees in fields such as business and management, education and more. Fill out the form on this page to speak to a university counselor.