Utmost degree (3)

I think it could be either:

Which length description are you looking for?:

nth

(Other definitions for phd that I've seen before include "In brief, top university qualification" , "Letters denoting holder of university doctorate" , "Highest university degree" , "Initially a top university degree" .)

I've seen this clue in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the LA Times and the Newsday.

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