GRADUATE SCHOOL TERMINOLOGY AND ACRONYMS
DEGREES
DDS: Doctor of Dental Surgery. A dentist who has graduated from an accredited dental school.
DO: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. A licensed doctor who attended and graduated from a U.S. osteopathic medical school.
DMA: Doctor of Musical Arts. Combines advanced studies in music history, theory and education.
EdD: Doctor of Education. Professional doctorate designed for practitioners pursuing educational leadership roles.
JD: Juris Doctor; A degree conferred by a law school usually after three years of full-time study.
Masters: A degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after one or two years of additional study following a bachelor’s degree.
Learn more about master’s degrees.
MD: “Medicinae Doctor”, Doctor of Medicine. The most common degree earned by doctors who practice medicine.
Learn the different types of medical degrees.
PhD: Doctor of Philosophy. The most common degree at the highest academic level awarded.
TESTS
Common Admission Test (CAT): A computer-based test for admission in a graduate management program.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): A series of standardized tests designed to evaluate qualification for admission to graduate education programs.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT): Students applying to business schools take this standardized exam.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT): A standardized test for future law students to assess reading comprehension along with logical and verbal reasoning proficiency.
Learn about and take the test.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): An English language examination which is often taken by foreign students who want to study at universities in English-speaking Countries.
TERMS
Assistantship: A graduate assistantship helps pay for graduate school through tuition wavers and cash compensation, or stipend, through employment. Teaching assistant (TA), research assistant (RA), and graduate assistant (GA).
More about assistantships here.
Dissertation: A paper or project containing a thesis one completed using original research on a given topic. Dissertations are normally for Ph.D.’s.
Find tips and tools to writing your dissertation here.
Fellowship: Provides financial support to graduate students to pursue graduate studies without associated teaching or research responsibilities.
Learn more about graduate fellowships here.
Thesis: A paper or project containing a thesis one completed using original research on a given topic. Thesis papers are normally completed for master’s degrees.
COMMON ACRONYMS
Accelerated Master’s Platform (AMP): Allows students who are in their junior year to apply to the graduate program, and to be enrolled immediately after graduation.
Check out the 15 best AMP’s of 2021.
Curriculum Vitae (CV): Presents a full history of one’s academic credentials. A comprehensive statement emphasizing professional qualifications and education.
Learn more about resumes and CVs here.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): The official form to apply for federal financial aid to pay for college.
Statement of Academic Purpose (SOAP): A piece of the graduate school application that tells the committee who you are, your academic and personal interests, and how you will add to the graduate program you are applying to.