An honorary doctorate is considered to be one of the highest forms of degree awarded by universities to an individual in accordance with how much they have impacted society. In a society where individuals are always providing better facilities and environments for humans, animals, or non-living beings, an award is provided to them as a form of respect.
Unlike a traditional doctorate which requires an individual to have years of academic excellence and research work, an honorary doctorate comes as a form of respect and a mark of acknowledgement for exceptional achievements and their impact on humanity. With an influential figure, whether it be a scientist, actor, social reformer, or visionary, they help in inspiring and influencing the students and the public itself.
It help individuals to gain a doctoral title with the help of their lifelong dedication and service to the particular field, instead of pursuing coursework and a dissertation. In this blog, we will explore in detail the main components of an honorary doctorate including its meaning, nomination process, benefits, and tips for building your profile. Stay tuned until the end!
Table Of Content
🔷 What is an Honorary Doctorate?
🔷 Types of Honorary Doctorate Degrees
🔷 Difference Between Honorary Doctorate and Earned Doctorate
🔷 How to Get Nominated for an Honorary Doctorate?
🔷 Benefits of an Honorary Doctorate
🔷 Conclusion
🔷 Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Honorary Doctorate?
An honorary doctorate is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in a particular field or for society at large by the universities. One of the most contrasting things about an honorary doctorate is that one doesn’t require completing their academics and research work to receive a degree. Instead, it works on an individual’s achievements, leadership, innovation, and philanthropy. Thereby implying that there is no eligibility for this award.
The honorary doctorate degree is awarded to the individuals at the convocation ceremonies who have demonstrated excellence and influenced society in any way. With the convocation ceremony, an individual also receives the doctoral title (Dr.) which can be used before their name. There is no age requirement to receive the award, only a will to change society.
Types of Honorary Doctorate Degrees
An honorary doctorate is further branched into different types for individuals to recognize excellence in their field of study. Each type defines society, its values, and the unique contribution to society for a change. Mentioned below are types doctorate that an individual can look for, based on different disciplines.
1. Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.): Doctor of Letters is a prestigious and higher doctoral degree that is usually awarded to individuals who belong to the field of humanities. It is awarded when there has been a high level of contribution in literature, history, philosophy, or cultural studies. Some of the major scholars with a D.Litt. degree include Rabindranath Tagore, R.K. Narayan, Thomas Hardy, and Matthew Arnold.
2. Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL): Doctor of Humane Letters is awarded for contributions in various fields including human welfare, social justice, and cultural advancements. It helps in recognizing individuals based on their activism, philanthropy, or cultural contributions. Some of the major scholars with a DHL degree include Oprah Winfrey and Malala Yousafzai.
3. Doctor of Science (D.Sc.): Doctor of Science is another honorary degree that is received by an individual for innovations and scientific discoveries that are related to the field of science. The recipients usually consist of researchers, inventors, or science communicators. Some of the major scholars with a D.Sc. include Neil deGrasse Tyson and Jane Goodall.
4. Doctor of Music (D.Mus.): Doctor of Music is awarded to the individuals for their contributions to music with the help of composition, performance, and education. Most of the recipients usually consist of musicians and composers. Some of the major scholars in D.Mus. field include Aretha Franklin and Taylor Swift.
Difference Between Honorary Doctorate and Earned Doctorate
An honorary doctorate and an earned doctorate, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), are different in their own ways. Even though both provide an individual with a “Doctor” title, they are different in their own purpose, process, and academic value. Mentioned below in a tabular form is the differentiation for the same.
| Aspect | Honorary Doctorate | Doctor of Philosophy |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | An Honorary doctorate is a representation and an achievement for the contributions and impact an individual has made for society. | Doctor of Philosophy (or PhD) is an earned degree that an individual receives with advanced coursework and extensive research work. |
| Academic Qualification | No coursework or research work is required by an individual. | Requires an individual to perform years of coursework, research, and thesis writing. |
| Purpose | The purpose of doctorate is to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of an individual. | The purpose of PhD is to certify the academic expertise and the new contributions that an individual has endeavored in the field. |
| ‘Doctoral’ Title | The recipients can use the doctoral title ceremonially, not academically or professionally. | The recipients can use the doctoral title academically and professionally. |
| Awarded By | It is granted by the university at the convocation. | It is awarded for the completion of the structured academic program. |
How to Get Nominated for an Honorary Doctorate?
The nomination process for receiving an honorary doctorate is an important step as it helps the committee member in choosing the deserving individual. It is a lesser-known fact that one cannot nominate themselves for an honorary doctorate, but usually the university’s authority or other educational institutes nominate an individual.
Step 1: Identify the Institutions and Look for Rules: The first step to get nominated is to search for the target universities that are holding a convocation for doctorate individuals. An individual is required to fill in the forms and file formats. It is also important to note if the nominations are held on an annual or rolling basis.
Step 2: Preparing the Required Documents: Prepare the most common documents that are required by the Honorary Degree Committee. An individual must submit them along with the nomination proposal. These include:
1. Nomination letter
2. Nominee CV
3. One-page executive summary
4. 3–6 endorsement letters
5. Supporting evidence
6. Conflict disclosures
Step 3: Honorary Degree Committee Review: With the submission of all the documents of the honorary degree, they are reviewed by the community. The authentication of the documents is done to fit in if the documents pass within the guidelines.
Step 4: Approval by University Bodies and Chancellor: When the nomination is passed by the committee with an agreement, it reaches the approval for the university’s bodies for governance approval. once it is approved, it, then, reaches the chancellor, i.e., President of India for Central Universities and Governor of the State for State Universities.
Step 5: Interview of the Nominee: With the completion of all the steps and successful approval, the nominee is finally interviewed, which usually lasts for 1 – 1.5 hours.
Step 6: Convocation as the Award Ceremony: Official Convocation is held for the selected nominee along with the other nominee who might receive the award for a different field of contribution.
Benefits of an Honorary Doctorate
Receiving an honorary doctorate is one of the highest forms of achievement that an individual can receive. An honorary doctorate in India is not an academic recognition but it offers immense symbolic, social, and professional value. Mentioned below are the benefits of the same.
1. Recognition of Lifetime Achievement: An honorary doctorate provides an individual with a lifelong achievement, innovation, or service in the field such as science, arts, education, and much more.
2. Global Prestige and Influence: Achieving a doctorate puts an individual in a reputed group of circles where individuals are achievers from various fields of study. It helps the individual gain visibility and respect across academic, corporate, and cultural communities.
3. Platform for Advocacy and Social Impact: With the recognition of an individual with a doctorate, one can amplify their voices, thereby helping them in advocating reforms, causes, and innovations that they believe in.
4. Enhanced Professional Reputation: Being awarded an honorary doctorate adds to an individual’s credibility and influence at both national and international levels. An individual gets the chance to announce their improvised plan at an international level.
Conclusion
An honorary doctorate provides an individual with recognition of celebrating achievements and contributions that have been made to society. It helps in bridging the gap between academic excellence and a real-world impact, appreciating individuals who embody knowledge, leadership, and service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time duration that is taken for the completion of an Honorary Doctorate?
The time duration for the completion of doctorate is 6 months, but it usually depends on the university.
Is an honorary doctorate the same as a PhD?
No, an honorary doctorate is not similar to a PhD. A PhD is earned with the help of rigorous coursework and advanced research work, whereas an honorary doctorate is awarded to individuals for their contributions and impact on society.
Is an honorary doctorate recognized?
Yes, doctorate is a recognized honor which is awarded by the universities in accordance with the outstanding contributions by an individual in any field or within society.
How do I address someone with an honorary doctorate?
One can use the doctorate title, i.e., “Dr.,” to address someone with an honorary doctorate award.
Who has 32 honorary degrees?
David Attenborough has received his 32nd honorary degree for his major contributions to broadcasting, natural history, conservation, and education.
