Dear Sandra and Vocalisters:
ABD is the acronym used by search committees in educational
institutions to indicate that the candidate has completed all course
work for the Ph. D. but has not completed his/her dissertation for
that degree. The dissertation portion of the Ph. D. degree reflects
the original research required of the degree candidate. A graduate
committee of faculty members is assigned to each candidate to
supervise his/her research. This committee has authority over the
research topic, nature of research and method of carrying out the
research project. A candidate must meet the individual requirements
of the members of "his" committee.
Technically the Ph. D. degree is a research degree. Its original
intent was to train the candidate in proper research methods and
systems of conveying the results of the research to the academic
community. A holder of a completed Ph. D. degree is an expert in
research and, also, an expert in that very small portion of his field
which relates to his dissertation topic. After completing his degree
he is expected to continue doing research which adds to his and the
world's knowledge. In academic circles, an individual with a Ph. D.
is expected and required to do research to continue up the ladder of
promotions and, in some cases, to even maintain his/her present
position.
Because of the rather narrow research emphasis of the Ph. D. degree
it does not always meet the needs of many fields in acadame and the
professional world such as arts and medicine. These areas have
developed their own forms of the 'doctors" degree.
A Ph. D. in music is usually reserved for research areas such as
music history, theory, etc but not for music performance. A DMA
(Doctor of Musical Arts) or DM (Doctor of Music) degree was developed
to bring the performing musician to the academic level that is
equivalent to the Ph. D. in the research area.
Each of these degrees is considered as a terminal degree. There are
no requirements from academic institutions for the individual to go
beyond this "doctoral" level. In some areas, such as theatre, a
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is considered as a terminal degree for
teachers of acting and directing. But the Ph. D. is expected for
those who teach theatre history, thoery, etc.
It is my understanding that the special terminal degrees such as
DMA's, DM's and MFA's do not exist in most European countries. The
system of providing a college or university setting to obtain the
necessary skills for music or stage performance appears to be
primarily a feature of arts education in the United States.
The title "Doctor" is not often used when a person is named or listed
in academic publications. The proper title is the degree name after
the persons proper name. ABD is seldom considered necessary nor
desirable after an uncompleted degree in such a listing. Thus Ph. D
ABD, or variations of this, is seldom seen and usually not considered
appropriate. It is better for the individual to list his/her last
completed degree and, if appropriate, indicate in a bio that advanced
graduate work is in progress. A candidate who has not complete a
thesis in the required period (usually 7 years) can petition his
institution or committee for an extension. Extensions are difficult
to obtain but not impossible.
It is proper for students to use the title "Dr." when addressing any
faculty with a completed Doctors degree. Colleagues will usually do
the same in the presence of students. Colleagues seldom will use the
title in private conversations.
More than you wanted to know, I am afraid.
Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA
Professor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy, Emeritus
Director of Opera-Theatre, 1987-1997
School of Performing Arts
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
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