PHD Candidate vs. Student: What's the Difference?

Planning to enroll in a PhD program? You've probably heard about both doctoral students and doctoral candidates. What are the differences between the two? Are the terms interchangeable?

PhD students differ from PhD candidates in a few ways. Those in doctoral programs are referred to as students while they work through required coursework and complete their qualifying exams. They are referred to as candidates once they have completed all coursework and begin preparing their dissertation.

Read on to learn more.

What Is a Doctoral Degree?

A doctorate degree is sometimes called a terminal degree, meaning it is the highest level of education you can receive in any field of study. There are different types of doctorate degrees, but for the purpose of this article, we'll focus on the Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD degree.

These programs usually take anywhere from four to seven years to complete. The first year or two are spent taking various required courses either online, on campus, or in a hybrid format. Once all coursework is completed, students must take and pass various comprehensive exams known as qualifying exams.

After completing coursework and passing exams, students achieve candidacy by attaining 'all but dissertation' (ABD) status. This means that all they have left on their doctoral journey is to complete the dissertation.

At this point, students spend the next several years conducting their own research under the guidance of a dissertation committee. Upon completing their book-length dissertation based on this research, they are officially awarded their PhD degree.

What Is a PhD Student?

A PhD student is any student working through the coursework and exam portions of their doctoral studies. During this time, they may begin thinking about their dissertation topic and preparing their research proposal.

PhD students typically attend classes full-time and spend a lot of time preparing for tests, which typically include both written exams and at least one oral exam.

To become a PhD student, you are typically required to have both a bachelor's and master's degree and good grades from your time as a graduate student.

What Is a PhD Candidate?

A PhD student achieves candidacy status once they have completed their coursework and passed the required examinations. By this time, they have chosen their research topic and are ready to begin performing dissertation research.

PhD candidates work closely with their academic advisor and other faculty members as they conduct original research on a unique topic of their choosing. The advisors provide feedback on the dissertation as the candidate writes it. The PhD candidate's experience is largely a self-guided process, as there are no more classes to attend or tests to pass.

What Are the Major Differences Between a PhD Student and a PhD Candidate?

Let's take a closer look at a few of the key differences between PhD students and candidates.

1. Type of Learning

PhD students spend time completing courses and candidacy exams, learning from the pool of knowledge that already exists. They have completed graduate school courses and are now taking classes at the highest level possible.

PhD students do not complete classes or exams. Instead, they learn by conducting their own research, drawing conclusions from this research, and determining how it can be applied to various problems and issues.

2. Educational Structure

PhD students typically have a very structured learning environment. They complete classes, often in physical classrooms and at set time periods. They commonly attend classes full-time and receive guidance from professors and advisors.

PhD candidates have a much less structured environment. They are responsible for setting their own schedule and may conduct research in a wide variety of locations. Though they receive some guidance from academic advisors, they are largely on their own when it comes to completing their research and dissertation.

3. Time Spent

PhD students usually spend a couple of years in the classroom. Part-time students may take longer, but the majority of PhD students study full-time. PhD candidates may be able to finish their research and dissertation within two years, but it may take up to five years or even longer depending on the nature of the research and whether they work part-time or full-time.

Next Steps After Becoming a PhD Candidate

Once you become a PhD candidate, your dissertation proposal will be assessed by your doctoral committee and a review board. If it is approved, you will begin conducting research and writing your dissertation.

Once the dissertation is complete, you will need to defend it before your committee and the dean of the school. This will involve answering questions relative to the dissertation and your research process.

Depending on your field of study, you may also need to pass additional professional exams or obtain specific certifications. Once your dissertation has been approved and you have received the necessary qualifications, you will publish your dissertation and be awarded your PhD degree.