abd phd programs

10 Best All But Dissertation Completion Programs [2024 ABD Guide]

Students who completed their doctoral coursework and received doctoral candidacy but left the program before completing their dissertation may qualify for ABD completion programs.

All but dissertation programs provide doctoral students with the opportunity to finish what they’ve started.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Let’s take a look at how an accredited dissertation only PhD program may help you achieve your academic goals. You can also discover some of the current degree programs available for returning PhD students.

Universities Offering Online All But Dissertation Completion Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

1. Alverno College

Alverno College offers an ABD to help with the completion of EdD degrees. There is also a concentration in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education available. Most of the program is online with 2 weekend residencies in Milwaukee. The program requires approximately 6 semesters.

Alverno College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

2. American College of Education

An EdD in Leadership is available through the American College of Education. Those who are considered ABD may be able to follow a customized pathway to completion. The program is fully online, and there are no residency requirements. Courses are in an asynchronous learning format.

American College of Education is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

3. Baker College

Those with 32 credits toward a DBA may finish their degree through Baker College’s ABD completion program. The dissertation program requires an additional 28 credits and may be completed entirely online. On average, the program may be completed in 18 months.

Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

4. Bay Path University

Bay Path University offers an EdD in Educational Leadership. Those who have completed doctoral coursework may be eligible for the ABD program. All coursework is online with 1 weekend residency per year. The dissertation requires 21 credits. The school offers multiple concentrations including Higher Education Leadership and Transformative School Leadership.

Bay Path University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

5. Brenau University

Brenau University offers an online EdD in Education program that features an ABD path for those who have completed core courses. There are start dates each fall and spring, and the program follows a semester schedule. The program requires 2 weekend residencies over the course of the program.

Brenau University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

6. Centenary University

An EdD in Educational Leadership through Centenary University’s ABD program. The program requires 13 to 21 credits. Courses are online or in a blended format. A faculty advisor is available throughout the program. Courses follow a semester schedule.

Centenary University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

7. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Mercy University offers an EdD for ABD students. The program is in an accelerated format. All coursework is fully online with 1 weekend residency required. The required 27 credits can typically be completed in 18 months.

Gwynedd Mercy University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

8. Indiana Wesleyan University

Those classified as ABD can earn an EdD through Indiana Wesleyan University. The program is fully online, and there are no residency requirements. The program is taught through a Christian worldview. The program’s required 30 credits may be completed in as little as 20 months.

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

9. Manhattanville College

Manhattanville College offers an EdD in Educational Leadership for those who have completed all doctoral coursework except the dissertation. Courses may be completed online or on campus. Online programs start each spring. Courses are in an accelerated format. The program requires 30 additional credits for a total of 59 credits.

Manhattanville College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

10. Union Institute & University

A PhD can be earned through Union Institute & University’s ABD program. All coursework is online with 1 week of residency required at the start of each term. There are start dates are in January and July. The program requires 9 to 12 credits. On average, the program may be completed in 3.

Union Institute & University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Online ABD Completion Programs

If you’re interested in completing an all but dissertation (ABD) or dissertation only PhD program, there are a few steps involved.

The process is different for every school and dissertation completion pathway, but you’ll typically be asked to:

• Submit an application . You’ll be asked to share your educational history, including doctorate coursework completed. Each school will determine if and how they will offer transfer credits for the courses you’ve taken.
• Complete coursework . Some schools ask students to complete a few prerequisite courses, often regarding research, writing skills, or communications.
• Seek mentorship and resources . Many schools provide students with a staff mentor who can provide them with support and guidance during the dissertation process.
• Complete your dissertation . Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to complete your dissertation.

Generally speaking, you’re often asked to have a proposal for your dissertation at the time of admissions. So, you may want to be prepared to speak with the program and admissions staff about your upcoming dissertation during the application process.

Select jobs require candidates to have a doctoral degree, though many careers do not. At the same time, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that professionals who have a doctoral degree experience the lowest average levels of unemployment.

Due to many different circumstances, a surprising number of adult students do not complete their dissertation after finishing their doctoral coursework. As a result, they must often start over to earn their PhD—unless they choose an ABD completion pathway.

Why PhD Candidates Quit

Though you may feel alone on an incomplete educational path, there are many other students who find themselves on a dissertation completion pathway.

There are many reasons why a student may find themselves in ABD status, including:

• Finances and personal circumstances . Some students need to take a break in their studies due to practical situations. Whether due to the cost of tuition or the amount of time spent working toward a degree, life may interfere with your studies.
• Intimidation or fear . Dissertations often range from 30,000 to 60,000 words and beyond. Many individuals find researching, organizing, and drafting a document this size to be intimidating.
• Time management challenges . For some students, losing the structure of a school setting can mean losing sight of writing the final dissertation. Without a school and study schedule, they may fall behind in writing their dissertation.

Though a dissertation isn’t an easy challenge to take on, all but dissertation programs help students who are ready for the final step in their doctoral degree. ABD programs could provide resources, mentors, and guidance throughout the process, such as knowing how to decompose the PhD project into distinct dissertation chapters can help in the writing phase.

ABD PhD Completion Programs Admissions Requirements

Schools that offer all but dissertation programs will have their own guidelines and admissions requirements for students. So it’s beneficial to review the admissions process and application for each school carefully.

Some common requirements include:

• GRE or GMAT scores (only some schools require them)
• Complete undergraduate and graduate transcripts
• Doctoral work transcripts demonstrating completion of doctoral coursework
• Minimum GPA standing
• Academic writing samples

You may be asked to provide course descriptions or syllabus-level course details for some of your graduate and doctoral degree work. This will help each school determine which credits apply toward their doctoral completion program.

Unlike many educational opportunities, an ABD program often involves working with admissions and program counselors to determine your placement within their program.

PhD ABD Programs Accreditation

As you review various PhD ABD programs, it’s beneficial to check whether the programs that interest you most are accredited, just like checking online doctoral programs in education without dissertation .

Accreditation is offered to schools and programs that demonstrate a higher level of educational excellence. Organizations such as CHEA, or the Council for Higher Educational Accreditation , provide more information about the regional accreditation process.

There can be many benefits to selecting an accredited program. Many financial assistance opportunities, including federal student aid, are provided exclusively to those who attend accredited schools. Plus, required steps for employment in your field, such as licensing, certification, or membership in a professional organization may require accredited education.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

For many students, the first step toward receiving financial aid is completing the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid . Completing this application helps determine your eligibility for need-based federal assistance.

You can also research what scholarship or grant opportunities the school you will attend may offer. They might also offer financing or repayment opportunities. Other scholarship opportunities might come from your community, local businesses, large corporations, or private donors. There may be financial aid options specifically for those on a dissertation completion pathway.

Additionally, your employer may offer assistance for those who are returning to school. This could potentially include employer-sponsored scholarships, tuition reimbursement programs, or an educational allowance.

What Does ABD Mean?

All but dissertation (ABD) means that a student has completed every step in their doctoral degree program except the final dissertation. Typically, earning a doctoral degree includes 2 to 3 years of classwork followed by exams. After this, students propose, research, write, present, and defend their dissertation in front of a committee.

ABD status means you’ve done everything but the dissertation step. While there is no “ABD degree,” many schools offer all but dissertation (ABD) programs that help provide you with the structure, environment, resources, and timeframe to complete this important final step of earning a PhD.

How Long Are ABD Completion Programs Online?

All but dissertation completion programs online typically take 1 to 3 years to complete, depending on the university and your chosen specialty.

Some universities require students with ABD status to complete a few courses in order to remain eligible for their degree. These prerequisites often highlight helpful skills for dissertation writers, including research, writing, organization, and communication.

In many cases, students are asked to check in regularly with their mentors or advising staff to consider the scope of their projects and findings.

Is an ABD Completion Worth It?

Yes, an ABD completion is worth it for many students. While writing a dissertation can be seem intimidating and stressful, many doctoral candidates find that completing the process is rewarding and beneficial.

Not all careers require a PhD. But the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that professionals who have earned their doctoral degrees typically earn higher median salaries and experience lower incidences of unemployment.

While a dissertation only PhD program can’t guarantee your professional success, it can be helpful for those wishing to gain employment in the highest levels of their field.

Finishing Your Doctorate Degree Online

Plenty of doctoral candidates find themselves unable to complete their degree due to the final dissertation. Selecting a dissertation completion pathway can help students in this situation find the structure and guidance they need to finish this last step.

If you are ready to complete your doctorate or PhD degree, you may wish to consider all but dissertation programs to help you conquer this final challenge. Regardless of what caused the delay, you can still complete your terminal degree.

You can explore some of the accredited ABD programs offered online around the country to take this next step in your academic and professional journey.

Online ABD (All But Dissertation) Doctoral Degree Completion Program

Are you an experienced educator who is abd (all but dissertion) in an edd or phd program   in any academic discipline.

If so, you have the experience. You’ve completed the coursework in a doctoral program. But, you haven’t completed your dissertation. Now, you have a path to leave your ABD (All But Dissertation) status behind with Gwynedd Mercy University.

Our innovative Accelerated Executive Doctorate of Education degree completion program for ABDs offers qualified candidates with significant educational experience the opportunity to finish developing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to earn your EdD. The program is helmed by Raymond Bandlow, PhD, who received this prestigious award for innovation in higher education  from the American Association of University Administrators.

See Program Details

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Complete the form below and an admissions counselor will contact you to answer any questions and help as you assemble all the components of your admissions file.

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Program details.

Prepare for an advanced career in teaching at the college level, school administration, research, or policy analysis. Our Online Accelerated Doctorate Completion Program for ABDs will strengthen your skills in instruction and leadership in:

• U.S. and international schools
• School districts
• Colleges and universities
• Educational policy organizations
• Government and nonprofit organizations that support education

In 18 months, our rigorous course of studies will honor your previous experience with the global outlook, research skills, policy analysis capabilities, instructional expertise, and practical executive leadership abilities you need to lead and transform educational institutions to meet the needs of all learners. 

Continue developing your dissertation in one of four areas of interest:

• Leadership in PreK-12 Schools and School Districts (superintendent letter of eligibility courses may be included)
• Leadership in Higher Education
• Leadership in Special Education (special education supervisory certification courses may be included)
• Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

ABDs in Education may elect any of the above areas of interest. ABDs in any discipline other than education may apply for the Teaching and Learning in Higher Education program.

All of your coursework for the ABD degree completion program, except residencies, will take place online. Those in the degree completion program are only required to take one weekend residency at our Gwynedd Valley campus, just north of Philadelphia.

From the very beginning, you’ll be matched with a faculty advisor who will meet with you in regular dissertation advisement sessions. With GMercyU, there’s no reason to wait any longer — trade up from ABD to EdD and take your place among the next generation of education leaders.

What You Will Learn - Accelerated Executive Doctorate of Education ABD Completion Program

As a GMercyU ABD doctorate graduate, you will be able to:

• Provide leadership in teaching and learning at the K-12 and college levels
• Articulate an educational organization’s mission, goals, and guiding principles that distinguish the organization from others
• Understand the foundational base of organizational theory and demonstrate the ability to bridge theory and practice
• Given scenarios of conflict, choose ethical courses of action, consistent with Gospel values
• Synthesize and analyze data to reveal relations and causality and convert raw data into actionable information
• View problems and challenges through the lens of a scientist, seeking evidence-based conclusions
• Practice and model steward leadership in transforming organizations to better serve all constituents
• Demonstrate facility in the application of technology to solve problems, analyze and synthesize data, and manage information

Personal Support for ABD Students from Day One

GMercyU faculty members understand the challenges of ABD completion programs. That’s why they’ve helped us develop a program specifically for ABD students like you. Right away, you’ll join a small cohort of classmates and be matched with a faculty advisor. You’ll take supervised dissertation courses early in the program to keep your research and writing on track. Day in and day out, you’ll have the support you need to pursue research that improves education for students and the educators who serve them.

After graduation, you’ll join our extensive national and world-wide network of alumni. The colleagues, contacts, and friends you meet will inspire you.

Admission Requirements – Doctorate of Education Degree Completion Program for ABDs

To qualify for admission to our EdD in Education Degree Completion program, you must provide:

• Proof of A.B.D. or Advanced to Doctoral Candidacy or equivalent status from a regionally accredited institution
• A portfolio of coursework, scholarship, and career evidence for the Prior Learning Assessment
• Official graduate transcripts
• A Graduate Record Examination score of 155 or higher or a Miller Analogy Test score of 385 or higher (waived if you had a graduate GPA of 3.5 or greater)
• A resume showing professional experience and academic scholarship
• Three letters of reference from persons in leadership roles in your chosen area of concentration attesting that you have the ability to engage in studies at the doctoral level and to conduct research
• A personal interview with a member of the graduate faculty representing the applicant’s preferred area of concentration (in person or via electronic means, if the distance is a factor) 
• Evidence that you have received a minimum score of 550 (written), 213 (computer), or 79 (internet) on the TOEFL examination if English is not your first language.

Applicants who cannot meet one or more of the above requirements are encouraged to contact the Program Director for a review of qualifications. After enrollment, you will also need to obtain a Child Abuse Clearance, Criminal Background Check, and Federal Criminal History.

Learn more about GMercyU's online and accelerated   financial aid and tuition. 

You must complete at least 27 credit hours of coursework and practicum experience at Gwynedd Mercy University while completing your EdD with us. We will carry out a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) before your program begins and develop tailored coursework and practicum experiences that respect your previous experiences.

The credit value of your practicum may vary between 3-6 credits depending upon the breadth and depth of your prior learning. In all, your program will take no more than 18 months to complete.   Required courses for all ABD completion students include:

In addition, you must take three courses in your concentration area:

If you wish to become eligible for a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility, the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires 360 hours of district office practicum. You may also need to take the following prerequisites:

Doctorate in Education: Leadership in Special Education

If you wish to obtain Certification as a Supervisor of Special Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires 360 hours of central office practicum experience. Doctorate in Education: Leadership in Higher Education

Doctorate in Education: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

To review course descriptions, please refer to the  graduate catalog.

Meet the Faculty

Carol Etlen, PhD Associate Professor and Director, Masters in Educational Administration Program Read bio

Doctorate in Education

Lead in 21st century education.

Gwynedd Mercy University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Learn more about   GMercyU's accreditation . You can also   view our current accreditation status . 

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What does ABD Mean?

The term “ABD” stands for All But Dissertation. This means that you have finished everything in a PhD program except for the dissertation. Someone who is ABD has successfully completed all of the required classwork and any required comprehensive exams. The term itself has no academic standing but is used to tell others where you are in your program.

Having completed in the neighborhood of two years of classwork, it is nice to have something to acknowledge this accomplishment. Many use the term “ABD” to let others know their position in their doctoral journey.

However, this should not be a destination. ABD should just be a way to tell people where you are on your journey, similar to telling someone that you just passed the hardware store on your way home. Home is your destination, not the hardware store.

Can You Get a “PhD ABD Degree”?

The short answer is no, there is no such thing as a “PhD ABD degree.” Rather, the term “PhD ABD” is used to refer to a place in one’s journey towards getting a PhD.

Another term that has begun to be used to connote a similar message to “PhD ABD” is “PhDc” (also expressed as “PhD(c)” or “PhD-c”). This term has gained popularity recently but there is concern about its use. The APA has expressed concern that the general public may not know what the term means and believe that the holder has completed her/his PhD. Similarly, the term “ABD Degree” makes claim to a degree that was never completed.

When a similar question was asked online, one user commented, “A PhD that’s All But Dissertation is like an espresso that is All But Coffee. It’s hot water with a bit of sugar, thus defeating the entire purpose of the exercise.”

Neither PhD ABD nor PhDc represents the achievement of a degree, so the use of either in a formal setting, such as your CV or in correspondence, should probably be avoided. Avoid making claims like holding an ABD Degree.

However, a new type of degree has arisen lately for those who stop their studies having completed all but their dissertation. This gives people something to show for their time in the PhD program. Called names such as Certificate of Doctoral Completion, this is a way to allow students who leave a program to do so with a degree–albeit, one not nearly as esteemed as a PhD. This may serve the purpose as an ABD degree.

All But Dissertation: Why Do So Many PhD Candidates Quit?

Around 50% of those who start a PhD program do not finish . Many of those who do not finish get to the All But Dissertation stage before they leave their program. Why would someone leave a PhD program after such a big time and effort investment?

There are many reasons why people leave at the ABD level. Among the reasons are:

Lack of funds

Getting a PhD takes time and money. For many people the money (or access to loans) can run out. If that happens, there may be no other option but to leave.

External obligations

Life happens and situations change. Maybe you have had two kids during the process and they need your time and attention, perhaps your aging parents need your care, or maybe your Aunt Melville died and left you her $30 million estate. We cannot predict the future, and valid reasons may arise to leave a program.

Bad situations

There are many stories about abusive advisors/mentors in PhD programs. There is an uneven power distribution between committees and doctoral students. This can turn into a reason to not finish a degree.

Realization that they don’t want/need a PhD

One of the things that you learn in PhD classes is critical thinking and asking questions. What is not part of these programs is solving problems. You learn to answer questions and leave the application/problem solving to others.

Some people get to the ABD stage and determine that they are more suited to being advocates and solving problems than answering questions, giving them an incentive to go out and begin solving the problems that they see. The world needs both types of people.

All But Dissertation: How Not to Stay There

Many people get stuck at the ABD phase of the journey and do not finish their degree. Most of the time, this leaves them with nothing to show for the considerable amount of coursework they completed.

If you decide to leave a program at the ABD stage, having loans can make it seem worse.  Eight months after you stop attending school, student loan payments kick in. No one really enjoys making student loan payments, and they can seem even worse if you left a program without a degree.

Here is my advice for powering through the all but dissertation phase and earning your degree.

Know what’s coming

When you were taking classes, your program was laid out in front of you. You knew which courses to take when and what grades you needed. As you enter the dissertation phase things are not as straightforward. You should read everything that your school provides on the process and become familiar with any templates that are provided. A good template can signal to you what sections are needed in each chapter and save you time.

Also understand the review process for the work you submit and plan accordingly. If it takes two weeks for your committee to review your Prospectus , then work on finding more literature for your eventual Chapter 2. If your Proposal is being reviewed, start preparing your IRB submission. Be as efficient as possible.

Work every day

There is a book titled “Writing Your Dissertation in 15 Minutes a Day.” The idea is that you need to work on your dissertation consistently, everyday. I find that people who put time in on a regular basis, daily if possible, tend to move forward faster than those who put in a lot of time on an irregular basis. If you have large amounts of time between sessions, you have to spend time remembering where you were. Make writing your dissertation a habit and you will move beyond the ABD stage.

Ask for help

In our society, we’re often taught that asking for help is a sign of weakness. But if you want to complete your PhD program, you’d better let go of that belief and recognize that asking for help is both wise essential for your success.

If you are in a graduate program there are people out there who can help you if you ask. For example, librarians can help you find material and save you lots of time. If your writing needs help, most schools have Writing Centers and if that is not enough, a good academic editor can save you a lot of time and help you move forward.

You dissertation chair and committee are resources as well. Ask the members of the committee for guidance (read: What to Do if Your Advisor is Ignoring You ).

If you are looking for more hands-on help, a dissertation coach can help you towards the finish line.

Be good to yourself

Graduate school is not a sprint. It can be a long, grueling process so you need to take care of yourself along the way. You don’t want to reach the end and be so burned out that you aren’t able to use the degree you worked so hard for.

Self care is very important. Try to add simple things like taking a walk of talking to a friend to your routine. This can save your sanity and help you move forward. For more on this see my article on self care .

Realize your progress

It is easy to get lost in the vastness of writing a dissertation and not realize how much you have actually accomplished. Sometimes it is good to stop and look back at what you have accomplished. For example, you have finished all of your coursework and comprehensive exams. You have done a great deal. Now you get to concentrate on something that truly interests you.

Reward yourself for genuine progress. Rather than paying attention to how much time you spent writing, set mile markers such as writing 2,000 words, finishing a draft of your Chapter One, or addressing all of your committee’s comments.

All But Dissertation: Summary

You have the chance to be one of the 2 percent of the population with a doctoral degree. Take care of yourself on the journey, stay dedicated to the process and call on all available resources. You can do this!

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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Setting The Record Straight: ABD (All But Dissertation) Degree Status

Doctorate degrees are a lifetime achievement that few individuals pursue and complete. In fact, according to leading labor market analytics firm EMSI, only 3.6% of degrees completed in 2020 were doctoral degrees.

It’s not surprising that doctorates are completed by fewer individuals. Doctorate degrees are intensive, requiring the highest levels of scholarly research and writing. For many people, the dissertation is the most challenging part of getting a doctorate degree. That’s why “ABD,” or “all but dissertation,” has entered the mainstream terminology of doctorate degrees. However, the term leaves many confused if ABD is a type of degree or not. 

We’re here to help clarify what ABD means and how it relates to earning your doctorate degree.

Is ABD A Form Of A Doctorate Degree? 

No . High-quality doctorate programs require the completion of a dissertation to earn your doctoral degree (with the exception of professional and clinical doctorates in areas like law and nursing). ABD simply means you have completed all required doctorate coursework, but have not written and defended your dissertation.

While ABD brings you one step closer to completing your doctorate, achieving ABD status doesn't mean you can take your foot off the gas. ABD doesn’t hold academic weight and you can’t be called a doctor until you finish your dissertation. 

Unfortunately, many doctorate students stop at ABD. Let’s look at the reasons why.

Why So Many Doctorate Students Stop at ABD

There are a host of reasons doctoral students may dropout or take a break at the ABD stage of their doctorate program. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons students stop at ABD so you can navigate these pitfalls:

• Self doubt: Some students struggle with imposter syndrome and wonder if they’re really qualified to get their doctoral degree. Lack of confidence can leave students feeling unmotivated, causing them to put their degree on pause or dropout all together.
• Time Management: Once you get to the dissertation stage, you no longer have the structure of a typical course with weekly deadlines. Some students struggle with managing their time and fall behind. If procrastination gets the best of them, it may feel easier to quit than get back on track.
• Finances: Getting a doctorate degree is a significant financial investment. If students don’t properly budget, or face new financial challenges, they may pause their degree at ABD.
• Personal Circumstances: Whether students have family or professional changes, some situations that lead to ABD are unavoidable. If students need to take a break, they should put a plan in place for picking up where they eft off.
• Dissertation Intimidation: Starting a dissertation can feel like a stark departure from the familiarity of taking coursework. At this stage, students are put into the driver’s seat and are responsible for their own progression, which can feel daunting.
• Difficulty Writing: The dissertation is extremely research and writing intensive. Most dissertations are over 100 pages. If students struggle with focused and scholarly writing, it can be a detriment to finishing a doctoral degree.
• Lack of Support: Some students feel isolated when they move into the dissertation phase of their doctorate degree. If you don’t choose a program with support services or create a strong peer network, the solitary nature of a dissertation can deter students from finishing.

Earning a doctorate is challenging and rewarding, but do you know what to really expect? Download this free guide for tips and insights to help you prepare for success.

If you started but haven’t completed a doctoral program you aren’t alone. According to the Council of Graduate Schools, almost 50% of students who start a Ph.D. program don’t complete their degree. However, Ph.D. programs only represent one type of doctoral degree. Completion stats vary widely between universities and doctoral degree programs. The biggest difference in successful completion of a doctoral degree is often the university and program a student chooses. If you’re ABD, you need to find a student-centered program designed to meet the needs of ABD students.

Measuring Doctoral Student Success: Average Doctoral Program vs. Student-Centered Doctoral Programs at Franklin University

*Source: First Cohort Data January 2017-August 2021

Are you still feeling stuck at ABD? Let’s look at ways you can set yourself up to successfully complete your doctoral degree.

6 Tips to Complete Your Doctorate—from ABD to Dr.

No matter how long you've been ABD, you can regain your motivation and finish strong. Here are 6 tips that can help you graduate from your doctorate degree program:

• Get inspired early and start thinking about the topic of your dissertation at the beginning of your doctorate program. If you’re ABD, pick a topic you’re passionate about before restarting your doctorate.
• Create a plan that maps out steps and milestones to complete your dissertation in your desired timeframe. Being proactive and setting your own deadlines will help you stay on track.
• Get into a routine so that researching and writing your dissertation just feels like a normal part of your schedule. 
• Develop a support system —both at home and in your program. Your family and friends can help you stay motivated, while faculty advisors, committee members and peers can make writing your dissertation feel more manageable.
• Practice self care , because a dissertation isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Most students take anywhere from 1 to 2 years to complete the dissertation, but it can take longer based on the amount of time you commit.
• Find a student-centered universit y that offers dedicated support, including personal faculty advisors and a student support network, that make it easier to complete your doctorate.

Don’t Stop at ABD—Find The Right Program and Complete Your Doctorate Degree

Remember, ABD is not a recognized credential and there are ways to overcome the barriers that prevent many from finishing the work. A doctorate is the academic achievement of a lifetime and is attainable if you stay organized, motivated and dedicated. 

Choosing the right doctorate program is the first way to set yourself up for success. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or picking up where you left off, you need a doctorate designed for your unique needs.

Franklin University offers transfer-friendly online doctorate degrees that help working adults achieve their goals. From start to finish, you can complete your doctorate degree in as few as 3 years, including your dissertation. Franklin doctorate programs accept up to 24 hours of transfer credit, so if you have completed coursework, but not your dissertation, Franklin can help you get over the finish line.

Explore the doctoral programs offered at Franklin to see if there is a program that will help you take your career to the next level.

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Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership

Dissertation completion pathway.

*This program is taught online

If you’ve completed all but the dissertation ( “ ABD ” ) for your Doctorate in Educational Leadership , Manhattanville University can help you finish your degree . Our Dissertation Completion Pathway is an innovative degree pathway designed for advanced doctoral students in education leadership (or a related field) who were enrolled in a doctoral program at an accredited university and have completed coursework requirements , but have not completed the dissertation.   

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Designed with flexibility in mind, the Dissertation Completion Pathway can help you finish your doctorate in 2 to 4 years! 

The program is designed for students to complete in two years, but students can take up to four years to complete. Students who are not able to begin the program in July may work with the program coordinator to design an individualized pathway. An individualized pathway allows the student to begin coursework in August or January but does not provide the student with the cohort experience that is often an essential element of student success. Students are strongly encouraged to begin the program in July as part of a dissertation completion pathway cohort. 

• A customized and individualized course of study, with a focus on current problems of practice, the dissertation process, and research in educational leadership 
• Coaching toward the completion of a doctoral dissertation 
• Supportive, cohort-based model of teaching and learning 
• A flexible schedule and a career-friendly online class format  
• The ability to transfer up to 39 doctoral credits from an accredited program toward the 59-credit requirement. (Transfer eligibility determined by individual transcript review.) 
• An optimal two-year timeframe to complete the degree  

This pathway is a cohort-based, online program delivered in hybrid format: Students will receive a combination of synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning.  A new cohort is admitted each Spring to begin coursework in early July.  

• Most sessions will be once a week (Mondays) from 7:00 to 8:30 pm to accommodate different time zones
• Zoom (supplemented with TEAMS/ Blackboard Collaborate) is the platform that will be used for synchronous classes
• Students will need access to a computer that has a strong internet connection, and are advised to have a headset to reduce echo from speakers

The program is structured as follows: 

Year 1: Summer Term 1 Residency (July 8-10) EDAD 8300: Literature Review course (3 credits) * launches during residency, and extends through end of September, overlapping with fall course

Fall Term 2 EDAD 8183: Research Methods Refresher (3 credits)

Winter 2022 EDAD 8181: Coaching Completion (1-credit)

Summer Term 4 EDAD 8190: Dissertation Supervision

Fall 2022/Term 5 EDAD 8190: Dissertation Supervision

Winter EDAD 8181: APA 101 (1-credit) - optional

Spring Term 6 EDAD 8190: Dissertation Supervision and/or EDAD 8152: Finish Strong Writing Seminar (2 credits)

Final Defense

May Graduation

You must have advanced to candidacy or reached all-but-dissertation (ABD) status in order to be accepted into the Dissertation Completion Pathway. Exceptions may be made as determined by the Admissions Committee. 

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Graduate spring virtual open house 2024, hot topics in educational leadership: what's the research telling us supporting diversity in leadership, manhattanville doctoral program in-person info session at pnw boces.

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• All But Dissertation (EdD – ABD)

EDD EDD ALL BUT DISSERTATION

If you completed all the requirements for a doctoral program except your dissertation, the ABD track in Union Institute & University’s Ed.D. program may be for you! Union’s Ed.D. is designed for leaders within the Education field, offering majors in Educational Leadership (pre-K – 12), Higher Education, and Applied Nutrition & Health Education. If your doctoral coursework applies to one of these majors and you only have a dissertation to complete, our program was designed for you.

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FINISHING YOUR Ed.D.

A number of factors may have inhibited your program completion - quite apart from intellectual potential. There are only a few programs in the country designed to streamline the completion of the Ed.D. program for those who have made it to the dissertation stage.

Our 100% online Ed.D.-ABD program is designed to fit your lifestyle, no matter where you live and work. There are three terms per year - Spring (January), Summer (May), and Fall (August). A virtual residency is held at the start of each term.

• 12-24 credits to finish your doctorate
• January, May, & September start dates
• Complete your degree in as little as 12-16 months
• Online residency at the start of each term

The successful Ed.D.-ABD student will take two advanced courses in their area of concentration - the dissertation literature review and the dissertation proposal. Both are offered in sequential semesters after which students undertake the dissertation, thus enabling completion in as little as 12-16 months.

EDUCATION THAT FITS YOUR BUSY LIFE

Students on the Ed.D.- ABD track may take up to 24 credits, depending on previous coursework, present professional needs, and where they were in the dissertation process. 15 credits are devoted to developing a proposal, dissertation research, and dissertation writing. The remaining credits, if appropriate, will be courses in research methods, social justice in education, and/or current trends in professional practice. ABD students will apply to the Ed.D. major that most closely fits their previous coursework.

Educational Leadership (Pre K-12)

The goals and objectives of the Educational Leadership (Pre K-12) major are met through coursework that provides the knowledge base and professional skills needed for students to serve effectively in a wide range of educational settings. The major in Educational Leadership (Pre K-12) also places a primary emphasis on issues of ethics and social justice. Students who pursue a major in Educational Leadership (Pre K-12) complete a program of academic study and professional training that is strongly aligned with the National Standards for Advanced Programs in Educational Leadership. Learning goals and objectives for the major in Educational Leadership (Pre K-12) are designed to educate students who are able to serve as effective leaders within the social, organizational, and educational contexts of the present and foreseeable future.

The overarching goal of the Higher Education major is to enable students, through their advanced understanding of social, cultural, organizational, and ethical/justice issues, to guide the development of education in a complex, dynamic, and diverse society. An accepted set of curricular and program standards for a major in Higher Education is based upon higher education professional organizations and parallel doctoral programs in higher education. The learning goals and objectives of the major in Higher Education are met through academic residencies, coursework, and original dissertation research.

Proper nutrition is often viewed as the panacea for many of the ailments that prevent lifelong health. Education surrounding this topic is desperately needed in today’s society. The Applied Nutrition and Health Education major prepares graduates to provide education to individuals and communities through their advanced understanding of health as it relates to social, cultural, organizational, and ethical health behaviors. The major is designed for those who will assume positions of leadership as health education and evaluation specialists in various educational, governmental, and direct delivery settings. Graduates are poised to guide the development of health education in a complex, dynamic, and diverse society.

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Admission Requirements

Required for all Ed.D. program applicants:

• Online application (free to apply, GRE/GMAT scores not required).
• Personal statement/essay (two pages).
• Official transcripts (completion date for your master’s degree).
• One Letter of Recommendation (someone who can speak to your professional and academic work).

Ed.D. - ABD applicants must also submit:

• Formal course descriptions of all prior doctoral degree coursework, and any other graduate coursework related to the applicant’s proposed major.
• Statement from a prior doctoral university registrar or department noting the applicant has completed all requirements for the doctoral degree, except for the dissertation.
• If the applicant has a completed dissertation proposal, it should be included with the application. In addition, include documentation if the proposal was approved by the department and/or the IRB.

Admissions Review Process

Applications are reviewed by an Admissions Committee. The committee will review the transcripts and course descriptions in light of the proposed major, in addition to the dissertation proposal (if included in the application). The admission letter will stipulate which Union courses must be completed. Any courses beyond the required ones outlined in the letter will be determined in consultation between the student and the program (up to a max of 24 credits). The Ed.D. program Dean has the final approval of admissions and programs of study.

PROGRAM COMPLETION

Students admitted to the Ed.D. - ABD program will take up to 24 credits in the program. Ed.D. - ABD students will take 15 credits in the following courses: RSCH 786 Focused Research Design Project (3 cr), EDU 891 Literature Review (3 cr), RSCH 880 Dissertation Research (3 cr), and RSCH 902 (Dissertation) (6 cr). These four courses are taken in sequential terms, enabling completion within 1.5 years. An applicant with a completed, recent dissertation proposal that meets Union’s Ed.D. dissertation proposal standards may petition the Dean to waive the RSCH 786 requirement and begin with EDU 891. If prior coursework is deemed insufficient for the chosen major or dissertation project, additional courses may be required.

FINANCIAL AID

All resources available to students who begin the Ed.D. program at Union will be available to “ABD” students unless the length of enrollment at the university is a criterion for a particular scholarship.

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ABD (“All But Dissertation”)

The prospectus is 20 double-spaced pages (excluding bibliography) and explores four aspects of the PhD candidate’s dissertation topic: the intellectual relevance of the topic chosen, previous scholarship on the subject, the techniques and methods the dissertation will employ, and the primary and secondary sources that will be consulted. Within (at most) twelve months of successfully completing the oral qualifying exam, PhD candidates must submit their dissertation prospectus to their first and second readers for approval. First and second readers must be members of the Graduate School Faculty at Boston University. Once both readers have approved the prospectus, it must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies for final approval, along with the Dissertation Prospectus Approval Form , which will be submitted to the Graduate School upon approval by the DGS.

Dissertation

The dissertation is written under the supervision of the first and second readers who approved the prospectus. It is a work of original research on a topic approved by the dissertation advisor. The dissertation should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to assemble all the available historical material bearing on the subject, to analyze and evaluate the material critically, and to interpret the evidence with impartiality and insight. It should also display a creative use of sources, interpretive independence, and the clear presentation of complex arguments. The dissertation should form the basis for a scholarly monograph that will make a significant contribution to existing scholarship.

Dissertation Defense

Upon completion of the dissertation, candidates for the degree defend their dissertation before a faculty committee.

In consultation with the first reader, the student assembles the Dissertation Defense Committee, which consists of at least four faculty members. These scholars must be members of the Graduate School Faculty of Boston University, either by regular or special appointment, though exceptions can be made for members from outside BU. After all revisions have been made to the satisfaction of the first and second readers, the student may begin the process of scheduling the defense. The final version of the manuscript must be provided to all committee members at least four weeks before the defense.  The student should then email the Department Administrator, requesting a room for the exam, list the committee members (and their roles) and provide the signature page.

The exam usually lasts for at least one hour. In consultation with the Chair of the Dissertation Defense Committee, BU faculty and graduate students may attend the exam. However, only the defense committee members may participate. To open the proceedings, the student must make a 10-minute presentation summarizing the findings contained in the dissertation. In addition to the grades of Pass or Fail, the examiners may award a grade of “Pass with Distinction,” which will be recorded in the student’s departmental file. Upon successfully defending the dissertation, the student must provide the History department administrator with a copy of the dissertation abstract, including whatever corrections have been agreed upon at the time of the defense.

Applying for Graduation

Students must file an application to graduate with the Graduate School office ( check with this office for deadlines ). Note that an application is good only for the specified date; if a student must postpone a dissertation defense, a new application must be filed. Note also that a student must be registered for the semester in which they graduate and in the preceding one and that a student must be registered for any semester in which a degree requirement is completed (such as submission of the research paper or passing the language examination).

ABD Waiver Program

In 2010 the Graduate School began offering an assistantship service through the “All But Dissertation” (ABD) Waiver Program. This program offers numerous benefits for faculty and students, but most specifically, it encourages the use of extramural grants in support of students seeking their doctoral degrees. The Graduate School will process, monitor, and approve all students who qualify for ABD waivers.

Some of these benefits include

• Decreasing time-to-degree by offering a set period of five (5) semesters.
• Offering a tangible incentive for students to complete their courses and take their preliminary exam.
• Motivating students to successfully complete their final defense.
• Increasing the PhD graduation number per year with the goal to align WSU with the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Drive to 25.

Fill out an application [PDF] and upload the document in myWSU via Graduate Research Management (GRM). The application must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the first day of the semester you are requesting the ABD waiver (8/1 for Fall or 12/10 for Spring). To qualify for an ABD waiver, the student must:

• Be formally appointed to a graduate research assistantship appointment, enrolled in 10-18 credits, through the Graduate School.
• Complete all graded coursework on Program of Study
• Complete the preliminary exam and submit all related forms (ballots and ballot memo) to the Graduate School prior to the assistantship start date for the semester that the ABD waiver is requested.
• Be funded (≥.50 FTE) from competitive extramural grants via graduate research assistantship
• Effective Spring 2018, there are changes to the ABD waiver program for students on extensions for their time to degree. The goals of the ABD waiver program are to encourage the use of extramural funds to support students seeking doctoral degrees and to decrease time-to-degree. In order to ensure program effectiveness, a student on a second or third extension of time to degree is not eligible for an ABD waiver. The eligibility for an ABD waiver of students on a first extension will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

After students qualify, they will

• Be eligible to receive an ABD tuition waiver for up to five academic semesters.
• The PERMS should indicate the Preliminary Exam Completion Date as “Prelim Passed MM/DD/YYYY” in the waiver comments section.
• Waivers will be established at the same values as the current fiscal year Operating Fee Waiver and Non-Resident Waivers value if applicable.

Bay Path University

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Higher Education Leadership & Organizational Studies: 30-credit ABD Concentration, EdD

Educational leadership doctorate.

The EdD in Educational Leadership - Higher Education Leadership and Organizational Studies offers a 30-credit option, all-but-dissertation (ABD) for students who have completed all the requirements of a doctoral program in any field from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution except for the dissertation.

Degree requirements for the Higher Education Leadership & Organizational Studies: 30-credit ABD concentration are as follows:

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Marywood University Offers Accelerated Path to Doctoral Degree Completion

Those who have already invested time, money, and efforts into pursuing doctoral studies, but haven’t quite finished (also known as “All But Dissertation” or ABD), now have an accelerated path to degree completion at Marywood University, even if they did their coursework at another institution. Set to begin in the fall 2023 semester, the ABD degree completion program is currently accepting applicants.

Marywood University’s Ph.D. Program in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies offers those individuals in the ABD category the opportunity to finish their doctoral studies without retaking or repeating the courses already taken. The ABD pathway is specifically designed for professionals who are seeking to complete their doctoral studies and earn their Ph.D. without taking time off from their careers. The fully online program features 18 online credits; 9 credits of coursework and 9 online dissertation credits. 

“Regardless of when or where their doctoral coursework was initially taken, students can pursue the final step of the process at Marywood and earn their well-deserved doctoral degree from an accredited, reputable university,” said Alexander Dawoody, Ph.D., program director of Marywood’s doctoral program in strategic leadership and administrative studies. “In as little as two years of study in our program, they can add a Ph.D. degree to their list of professional accomplishments.”

For more information about Marywood University’s online doctoral program in strategic leadership and administrative studies, including the ABD completion program, visit the Ph.D. Program in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies or contact Marywood University Admissions by email at [email protected] or by phone at 570-348-6234.

Atty. Lori, a Marywood graduate, formerly served as Board Chair. She will begin her tenure as Marywood's 13th President on July 1, 2024.

During the celebration, Mrs. McDonough will receive the University’s Lead On Award, in recognition of her dedicated service as both a Certified Prevention Specialist and as a community volunteer leader.

Undergraduate students who earn a semester gpa of 3.50-4.00 on 12 or more graded credits merit this academic honor..

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Centenary University

• All But Dissertation

All but Dissertation

The ABD pathway component of the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program is designed for the student who may have completed his/her Doctoral or Educational Specialist coursework at another institution but was unable to enter the dissertation phase. There are many reasons why students remain at ABD status: including job changes, finances and particularly lack of institutional support. By transferring to the Centenary ABD Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership students have the option to complete their research and finalize their degree with an attenuated course load (usually 13-21 credits maximum, all individualized and delivered online/blended) and expert and caring guidance from the leadership faculty within the cohorts.

The ever-changing landscape of P-20 education is creating a demand for educational leaders with a wide breadth of experience and education. The ABD Pathway helps develop those leaders who may have been temporarily sidetracked, but are now ready to complete – sometimes in as little as one calendar year. Centenary University strives to develop leaders who will successfully guide educational institutions into an uncertain future. By understanding and appreciating the multiple constituencies and stakeholders that form communities, Centenary graduates will lead in a transformational style- not just to guide in a linear fashion, but to completely envelop the larger community into their mission. Mindful of the many resources under their care and direction, Centenary leaders will embrace challenges, build positive coalitions, craft and sustain positive change and create safe and stable environments for staffs, community, and public.

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ABD Company

What’s worse than getting a ph.d. in today’s job market not finishing one..

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When I first began my Ph.D., I kept hearing other graduate students bandy about the term “ABD,” but I had no idea what it meant. Arrested Botox Detonation? Anointed Between Demigods? I didn’t dare ask, because Rule No. 1 of Grad School Fight Club is that you never admit that you don’t know something in public. (“Oh, Phenomenology of Spirit ? I’ll have to re -read that this semester.”)

Eventually, I figured it out: ABD stands for “all but dissertation,” a description of a student who has finished coursework and passed comprehensive exams, but has yet to complete and defend the doctoral thesis. Today, the Ph.D. Completion Project estimates that the ten-year completion rate (that is, someone’s status a decade after they begin) is 55–64 percent in STEM , 56 percent in the social sciences, and 49 percent in the humanities. Not all Ph.D. dropouts advance to the dissertation stage before they leave—but since the project’s charts start leveling out around Year 8 (the dissertation begins in Year 3 or 4), it’s safe to assume a hell of a lot do.

Aside from the obvious professional consequences (it’s hard enough get a job with a doctorate!), there are also psychological ramifications to leaving grad school without finishing. Last month, Jill Yesko, an ABD in geography, took to Inside Higher Education with a wrenchingly honest look at how she and many of her fellow ABDs feel:

Only in the parallel universe of academia is it possible to log years of Herculean scholarship, write and defend a complex dissertation proposal, and – upon failing to complete one’s dissertation – come away with nothing to show but the humiliation of not being recognized by the academic industrial complex for one’s blood, sweat and uncompensated toil.

Many programs do disown their dropouts, refusing to write letters of recommendation and often cutting off all contact. But the anger, disappointment, and betrayal Yesko expresses here reveal far more about the lasting emotional damage that leaving graduate school can cause. It is, in fact, especially wrenching to students who never envisioned a life outside of academia (and, often having gone directly from college to graduate school, have never lived one). In recent years, many , many online resources have sprung up to offer academic cast-asides the support they otherwise lack.

Speaking of which: Reaction on IHE to Yesko’s piece—and her solution, to offer a new kind of degree between an M.A. and a doctorate—was a snide pile-on. “Can we make sure that the Certificate of Doctoral Completion also comes with a little plastic trophy and a large green ribbon signaling excellent participation?” sniped one commenter. Added another: “These degrees aren’t soccer trophies for young childrens [ sic ] whose spirit might get crushed. Terminal ABD has a meaning: Failure.” And you, dear reader, may also feel, right this second, as if those who leave Ph.D. programs simply couldn’t hack it.

Maybe they couldn’t. But that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Dissertations—some 250 pages of original research in the humanities, and topping 400 in the social sciences—are objectively, indisputably difficult. It sometimes takes years just to collect data or comb through the necessary archives, and then the damn thing must be written, often in total isolation. Dissertations are not impossible, but they are very hard, and most people in the world—including, perhaps, you, my friend—cannot complete one.

There are innumerable reasons for this, and I know them all, because when I quit academia , I started working for a company that “coaches” dissertators who are blocked, stalled, or simply in need of some practical guidance. Thus, I happen to have firsthand knowledge of the countless obstacles put in the way of ABDs—by outside forces, and by themselves—because it is my job to.

First, the outside hindrances: Some advisers are helpful and supportive. But many run the gamut between absentee, excoriating, and micromanagerial. There are the advisers who retire, leave, or even die. Then there’s the total lack of preparedness for such an extensive and rigorous project: A seminar paper is a 5K fun run; a dissertation is an ultramarathon . And in the social sciences and STEM fields, there are data sets or experiments that simply fall apart.

Then there are the inner hindrances, the ones that cause procrastination, and then shame, and then paralysis. Here’s my favorite: believing, erroneously, that one must read and master every single word of existing scholarship before even beginning to write. Here’s my least favorite (which happens to my clients all the time): refusing to turn in any chapter that isn’t perfect, and thus not turning in anything at all—which results in the adviser getting irate, which puts even more pressure on the student to be even more perfect, ad infinitum . This is how dissertations are stalled, often forever.

So what can be done to fix this? The Izzy Mandelbaums of academia may argue the system is fine the way it is : In a field that requires extended independent work to succeed, the trial by fire of the dissertation is an apt initiation. (“All aboard the pain train!”) But does it have to be this way? I see no reason why, for example, more dissertation advisers couldn’t be enthusiastic about seeing early drafts, to provide guidance and support. Some already do this (mine did), but far too many of my clients say their advisers won’t even look at anything that isn’t “polished.” Every adviser who says this is part of the problem.

Another step in the right direction would be not just to hold dissertation workshops, but also to make them mandatory. A lot of grad students are simply too paralyzed (or ashamed to admit they don’t know what they’re doing) to attend one of their own volition. A mandatory workshop frees them to get the help they need, without having to admit they need help.

And, most importantly, though I’m not sold on Yesko’s idea for an in-between degree, Ph.D. programs need to stop disowning the students who do not graduate. Whatever inconvenience a jilted adviser suffers from an ABD is nothing compared with the ABD’s fractured life and career. The least an adviser can do is write a letter. And, finally, along with the current drive to require programs to publicize their real (i.e., full-time) job placement rates , so should they be compelled to list attrition.

Finally, here’s what ABDs can do to help themselves. Dare to stop reading and start writing, and revel in an early draft that is an unabashed hot mess. Realize that the greatest misconception of dissertation writers is that the project must be perfect. In fact, for a career academic, the dissertation should actually be the worst thing you ever write.

Sure, the best way to avoid the psychic wounds of not completing the dissertation is to squeeze that bad boy out any way you can. But we must also remember that students leave Ph.D. programs for innumerable reasons, usually complex combinations of things in and out of their control. Terminal ABDs will work for much of their lives to overcome what is at best a sense of lingering incompleteness, and at worst lasting anguish and damage. But it is the academic establishment’s treatment of those who fail initiation—disowning, shame, refusal to reveal attrition—that is one of its dirtiest secrets. 

Victor Mukhin

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Title : Active carbons as nanoporous materials for solving of environmental problems

However, up to now, the main carriers of catalytic additives have been mineral sorbents: silica gels, alumogels. This is obviously due to the fact that they consist of pure homogeneous components SiO2 and Al2O3, respectively. It is generally known that impurities, especially the ash elements, are catalytic poisons that reduce the effectiveness of the catalyst. Therefore, carbon sorbents with 5-15% by weight of ash elements in their composition are not used in the above mentioned technologies. However, in such an important field as a gas-mask technique, carbon sorbents (active carbons) are carriers of catalytic additives, providing effective protection of a person against any types of potent poisonous substances (PPS). In ESPE “JSC "Neorganika" there has been developed the technology of unique ashless spherical carbon carrier-catalysts by the method of liquid forming of furfural copolymers with subsequent gas-vapor activation, brand PAC. Active carbons PAC have 100% qualitative characteristics of the three main properties of carbon sorbents: strength - 100%, the proportion of sorbing pores in the pore space – 100%, purity - 100% (ash content is close to zero). A particularly outstanding feature of active PAC carbons is their uniquely high mechanical compressive strength of 740 ± 40 MPa, which is 3-7 times larger than that of  such materials as granite, quartzite, electric coal, and is comparable to the value for cast iron - 400-1000 MPa. This allows the PAC to operate under severe conditions in moving and fluidized beds.  Obviously, it is time to actively develop catalysts based on PAC sorbents for oil refining, petrochemicals, gas processing and various technologies of organic synthesis.

Victor M. Mukhin was born in 1946 in the town of Orsk, Russia. In 1970 he graduated the Technological Institute in Leningrad. Victor M. Mukhin was directed to work to the scientific-industrial organization "Neorganika" (Elektrostal, Moscow region) where he is working during 47 years, at present as the head of the laboratory of carbon sorbents.     Victor M. Mukhin defended a Ph. D. thesis and a doctoral thesis at the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia (in 1979 and 1997 accordingly). Professor of Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia. Scientific interests: production, investigation and application of active carbons, technological and ecological carbon-adsorptive processes, environmental protection, production of ecologically clean food.   

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Broadway writer brings new comedy to PlayMakers

Fresh off the debut of her musical adaptation of “The Notebook,” Bekah Brunstetter ’04 will debut “The Game” in Chapel Hill.

When Bekah Brunstetter came home to Chapel Hill in late March, she made sure to visit all her old haunts. She chowed down a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit from Sunrise Kitchen, sipped coffee at Caffé Driade and, of course, attended rehearsals at PlayMakers Repertory Company.

The homecoming felt surreal – a genuine full-circle moment for the 2004 Carolina graduate.

The visit came on the heels of the longtime writer’s Broadway debut — a musical adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ “The Notebook” that she worked on for seven years with composer Ingrid Michaelson.

Seeing her work hit Broadway on March 14 felt like sending a child off to school for the first time. But Brunstetter didn’t have long to soak in the adulation. Within days, she boarded a plane toward North Carolina to put the finishing touches on her next production.

That play, called “The Game,” will make its world premiere at PlayMakers on April 13 and run through April 28, giving Chapel Hill audiences the chance to see a playwright and screenwriter at the top of her craft. Even more, the play has given the Los Angeles-based Brunstetter the opportunity to come home.

“The timing is just truly incredible,” she said. “I wrote my first play when I was 18 years old at UNC-Chapel Hill in the drama building. To go straight from my first Broadway show, after writing plays for 20-something years, to UNC where it all began is just really moving.”

Much like “The Notebook” creative process, crafting “The Game” has been a multi-year effort, dating back to the early days of the pandemic. It started with a call from PlayMakers producing artistic director Vivienne Benesch, who gauged Brunstetter’s interest in writing a modern adaptation of the first Greek comedy, “Lysistrata,” by Aristophanes.

“I love doing anything that brings me home,” Brunstetter said. “And I love an assignment.”

Originally performed in Ancient Greece in 411 B.C., the comedy centers on an Athenian woman named Lysistrata, who aims to end the Peloponnesian War by persuading women from warring territories to withhold sexual privileges from their soldier husbands.

Brunstetter brings the narrative into the 21st century by swapping the battlefield for video game controllers. In “The Game,” a group of women band together to pull their partners away from a highly addictive online game that is wreaking havoc on their relationships. The play focuses on the married couple Alyssa and Homer, played by actors Megan Ketch and Lucas Dixon, respectively.

Inspiration for the play wasn’t hard to find. Brunstetter’s husband is an avid gamer.

“Over time, I’ve had to really learn to drop my judgment of video games and understand in a deep way what they do for him,” Brunstetter said. “And I’ve had to understand the ways in which I rely on technology to survive and the ways in which technology gives me community.”

Though a comedy at heart, the play touches on universal themes like finding community, the importance of adult friendship and how empathy can help nurture romantic relationships. Brunstetter has proven adept at heartfelt storytelling throughout her career on stage and television, including multiple Emmy nominations for her work on the NBC show “This is Us.”

Now, fresh off her Broadway debut, Brunstetter will bring that storytelling home, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Getting a Broadway show on its feet is exciting, but it’s also stressful and overwhelming,” Brunstetter said. “Coming home to North Carolina and sitting with this new play, driving around campus and looking at the old PlayMakers theater where my first play was produced, gives me a little bit of time for reflection and a moment to really just be grateful.”

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100 Best universities for Mechanical Engineering in Russia

Updated: February 29, 2024

• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in Russia ranked based on their research performance in Mechanical Engineering. A graph of 714K citations received by 136K academic papers made by 158 universities in Russia was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Moscow State University

For Mechanical Engineering

2. Tomsk State University

3. St. Petersburg State University

4. Bauman Moscow State Technical University

5. Ufa State Aviation Technical University

6. Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University

7. Tomsk Polytechnic University

8. Ural Federal University

9. South Ural State University

10. National Research University Higher School of Economics

11. Moscow Aviation Institute

12. Novosibirsk State University

13. ITMO University

14. N.R.U. Moscow Power Engineering Institute

15. National Research Nuclear University MEPI

16. Kazan Federal University

17. National University of Science and Technology "MISIS"

18. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology

19. Samara National Research University

20. Moscow State Technological University "Stankin"

21. Novosibirsk State Technical University

22. RUDN University

23. Southern Federal University

24. Saratov State University

25. Ufa State Petroleum Technological University

26. Samara State Technical University

27. Siberian Federal University

28. Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev - KAI

29. Perm State Technical University

30. Omsk State Technical University

31. Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University

32. Moscow Polytech

33. Saint-Petersburg Mining University

34. Magnitogorsk State Technical University

35. Saratov State Technical University

36. Moscow State University of Railway Engineering

37. Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod

38. Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University

39. Tula State University

40. Belgorod State Technological University

41. Far Eastern Federal University

42. Novgorod State University

43. belgorod state university.

44. Finance Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation

45. Moscow Medical Academy

46. Kazan State Technological University

47. Russian State University of Oil and Gas

48. siberian state aerospace university.

49. Tambov State Technical University

50. Voronezh State University

51. Siberian State Industrial University

52. Saint Petersburg State Institute of Technology

53. Kalashnikov Izhevsk State Technical University

54. St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering

55. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia

56. Murmansk State Technical University

57. South-Western State University

58. Ogarev Mordovia State University

59. Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics

60. south-russian state university of economics and service.

61. Perm State University

62. Kuzbass State Technical University

63. Russian National Research Medical University

64. Plekhanov Russian University of Economics

65. Ulyanovsk State Technical University

66. Ulyanovsk State University

67. Penza State University

68. Kuban State University of Technology

69. Polzunov Altai State Technical University

70. Chelyabinsk State University

71. Yaroslavl State University

72. University of Tyumen

73. National Research University of Electronic Technology

74. Leningrad State University

75. Moscow State Pedagogical University

76. Udmurt State University

77. Irkutsk State University

78. North-Eastern Federal University

79. Bashkir State University

80. Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration

81. Kuban State University

82. Kuban State Agricultural University

83. St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation

84. Kemerovo State University

85. Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University

86. Orenburg State University

87. Baltic State Technical University "Voenmeh"

88. Tomsk State University of Architecture and Building

89. Chuvash State University

90. ivanovo state power university.

91. Irkutsk National Research Technical University

92. Orel State University

93. State University of Management

94. Tomsk State Pedagogical University

95. Volgograd State University

96. Petrozavodsk State University

97. Tver State University

98. Northern Arctic Federal University

99. Omsk State Transport University

100. Kaliningrad State Technical University

The best cities to study Mechanical Engineering in Russia based on the number of universities and their ranks are Moscow , Tomsk , Saint Petersburg , and Ufa .

Engineering subfields in Russia