Ph.D.

[Nefertiti]

1. She is working on her Ph.D..

2. She is working on her Ph.D. degree.

3. She is pursuing her Ph.D..

4. She is pursuing her Ph.D. degree.

5. She is working on her doctor degree.

6. She is pursuing her doctor degree.

7. Any better suggestions?

Please pick all possible answers.

Thanks

[Anglika]

1. She is working on her Ph.D..

2. She is working on her Ph.D. degree.Technically it is not a degree.

3. She is pursuing her Ph.D..

4. She is pursuing her Ph.D. degree

5. She is working on her doctor degree.doctorate

6. She is pursuing her doctor degree.doctorate

7. Any better suggestions?

Please pick all possible answers.

Thanks

None is quite right.

She is working for her PhD.
She is working on her PhD thesis

doctor degree" (which is not good usage) would be understood as a medical degree. A PhD is a doctorate.

[banderas]

Hi, Anglika,
She is working on her Ph.D. degree.Technically it is not a degree, you said.
Why did you say it is not a degree?

[Anglika]

It is one of those nice academic distinctions.

Although it is an advanced academic degree, what one studies for is a doctorate, not a degree. [certainly that is the case in Oxford and Cambridge]. The achievement is based on research which is presented through a thesis, which may have to be defended in front of a panel, rather than by sitting an examination.

[banderas]

It is one of those nice academic distinctions.

Although it is an advanced academic degree, what one studies for is a doctorate, not a degree. [certainly that is the case in Oxford and Cambridge]. Good to know. I am only familiar with Germany and Poland. In those countries, Ph.D (and doctorate too) is a (highest) degree from a university.

n

[Anglika]

It is here too, but it is not generally referred to as a degree. That is why I said it is a nice distinction [nice = fine or subtle: a nice distinction]

[Nefertiti]

Hi Ang,

You wrote:
2. She is working on her Ph.D. degree.Technically it is not a degree.


I think Ph.D. is a degree. See the following:

PhD - doctor of philosophy: the highest college or university degree, or someone who has this (Cambridge)

PhD BrE, Ph.D. AmE - Doctor of Philosophy a university degree of a very high level, which involves doing advanced research (Longman)


Both dictionaries say it's a degree.

I think the native English speakers don't like to say 'PhD degree'. The reasons may be answered in the previous discussions or may be not.

But the proper usage is clear. She has/holds a PhD in Computer Science, she finished her PhD, she's a PhD...etc.

None needs a 'degree' following the term PhD.

No doubt, 'bachelor degree' or 'master degree' is often used.


Thanks for the usage tip.