Doctor of Philosophy
Highest academic credential
Doctor of Philosophy is an advanced academic degree, typically the highest awarded in a field of study.
Despite the name, it applies to disciplines far beyond philosophy—from physics to literature to economics.
The degree signifies original research contributing new knowledge, usually demonstrated through a dissertation.
Commonly abbreviated PhD or Ph.D.: She earned her PhD in molecular biology.
Recipients may use "Dr." as a title, though conventions vary by country and context.
- Ph.D.Highest university degree
- graduate schoolInstitution awarding advanced degrees
- dissertation committeePanel supervising doctoral research
- methodologyFormal procedural framework
- viva voceSpoken academic examination
professorship · academic career · faculty · ivory tower · thesis defense · oral examination · academic publications · publish or perish · academic disciplines · ABD · academic gowns · degree ceremonies · ethics · epistemology · graduation · ontology · logic · commencement address
- DoctoratesPhD, dissertation, PhD holder, dissertation committee, DBA
Doctor of Philosophyhigh school dropout
One who quit secondary education
high school diploma · GED · illiterate · uneducated · unschooled
Doctor of Philosophyuneducated
Lacking formal instruction
illiterate · autodidact · self-taught · unschooled · untrained
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