PhD
Education & Academia abbreviation · Degree
| Stands for | Doctor of Philosophy |
|---|---|
| Categories | Education & Academia |
PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy, a degree abbreviation.
Highest earned research degree in most academic fields, awarded for an original dissertation that makes a significant contribution to knowledge. US programs usually take five to seven years and combine coursework, qualifying or comprehensive exams, advancement to candidacy and a dissertation defense before a faculty committee.
Example: She defended her PhD dissertation on coral reef genetics last spring and starts a postdoc in August.
Usage notes
From Latin Philosophiae Doctor; "philosophy" here means advanced learning in any field, not the subject. Yale awarded the first American PhD in 1861, following the German research-university model. AP style writes Ph.D. and Chicago PhD. Use either "Dr. Jane Smith" or "Jane Smith, PhD", never both. Oxford and Sussex call the same degree the DPhil.
Related abbreviations
More degree abbreviations
- OD – Doctor of Optometry
- OTD – Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- PGCE – Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- PGCert – Postgraduate Certificate
- PGDip – Postgraduate Diploma
- PharmD – Doctor of Pharmacy
- PsyD – Doctor of Psychology
- SB – Scientiae Baccalaureus (Bachelor of Science)
- ScD – Doctor of Science
- SJD – Doctor of Juridical Science
- SM – Scientiae Magister (Master of Science)
- STB – Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus (Bachelor of Sacred Theology)