Since 1983 the IAAD mediates possibilities to earn a doctorate within Germany and abroad to employed persons that would like to receive a Ph.D. externally. The titles and degrees obtained upon termination of the doctoral program may certainly be used in public with or without approval by the ministry of education. Titles and degrees can only be obtained via the IAAD, if the Ph.D. candidate meets his/her participation obligations, i.e. the purchase of titles is excluded.

The IAAD maintains contacts to German university professors that are willing to accept external candidates. These doctorates, however, place particular requirements for the entrance conditions: graduation with honours, an empirical doctoral thesis subject as a general rule, participation in doctoral seminars. Furthermore, it is not sufficient if a habilitated person pronounces the candidate a Ph.D. student. Instead a decision by a faculty or doctoral committee is required that admits the candidate as a doctoral student. Ultimately, we would like to point out that it takes relatively much time and efforts to obtain such a doctorate.

Since 1989 the IAAD increasingly offers doctorates in MIDDLE/EAST EUROPE (MEE). Titles and degrees may also only be obtained on the basis of personal performances there and may be used in public. The universities with which the IAAD cooperates only admit candidates that have completed their university studies. There are no restrictions with regard to the grades obtained. In addition, graduates from universities of applied sciences can also receive a Ph.D., if they pass an entrance examination.

The IAAD only mediates Ph.D. programs that are conducted either in the German or English language. This applies to scientific papers (doctoral thesis) and the oral examination (rigorosum). The IAAD establishes the contact to universities and Ph.D. supervisors. Efforts are made at all times to accommodate the doctoral applicant's interests to the extent that he/she can work on a topic of his/her own choice. Also in respect of MEE countries, every candidate must prepare a doctoral thesis which will only be admitted for the rigorosum, if it has been favourably assessed by two habilitated persons.

As a general rule, MEE doctorates are completed within two to three semesters without requiring a high level of attendance.

Hence, on one hand, the IAAD provides the opportunity to earn a doctorate with a freely chosen topic. On the other hand, the candidate gets the most out of his/her time. The scope of services includes legal aid during the doctoral program, recognition proceedings in the Federal Republic of Germany, publication of the doctoral thesis. Support by the IAAD is naturally ensured in MEE countries.