What is an Honorary Doctorate Degree? A Complete Guide

When discussing the world of academics, the term "doctoral" often takes into account the years of research, educational hardness and dissertation. However, there is another form of doctoral degrees that carries significant reputation and respect without the need of a traditional educational passage: Honorary Doctorate Degree. But what exactly is an honorary doctoral degree? Who receives it, and why does it matter?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the full details of what an honorary doctorate entails. From its historical roots to modern-day significance, this blog will answer all your questions and more.

What is an Honorary Doctorate Degree?

Honorary doctoral degrees are symbolic degrees awarded to people who have distinguished themselves in a particular area or society as a whole by a university or other educational institution. Honorary degrees are not generally associated with the holding of any course, or required examination or a dissertation. Rather, they act as a sign of gratitude to the work, impact and contribution of the person.

In brief, when you are wondering what an honorary doctorate means, it is an academic award to acknowledge and honour the impact of a person outside an academic procedure.

Why Do Universities Award Honorary Doctorate Degree?

There are numerous organised and significant reasons why educational institutions give out honorary doctorate degrees:

• Rewarding Success: Honorary doctorates commemorate outstanding achievements within fields of science, literature, politics, art and human endeavour.

• Inspiring Students: Honorary degree candidates are usually featured speakers at commencement ceremonies and tend to pass on powerful messages to the graduates or arouse inspiration in them.
  

• Promoting institutional reputation: Developing a specific profile with powerful personalities increases the exposure and image of the university.
  

• Building Relationships: Awarding of these degrees would aid in building a long-term relationship with the major data that could support the establishment in other terms.

Who is Eligible for an Honorary Doctorate Degree?

An honorary doctorate degree is awarded based on outstanding achievements and contribution, and not scholarly merit. In contrast to regular doctorates, which are obtained after completing difficult coursework and research, honorary doctorates are awarded to deserving personalities who have excelled, innovated and shown commitment in their fields of interest. The eligibility criteria include:

• Outstanding Public Service: Persons who have made significant contributions towards the well-being of society, empowerment of the disadvantaged groups or played exemplary civic roles.
  
• Contributions to Arts, Science, or Humanities: Writers, scientists, researchers, artists to have contributed to the field of learning, or are an inspiration to society because of the creative works produced.
• Leadership in Business or Innovation: Leaders, business people, or those who are innovators in technology, and their work has made a change to the industry or perhaps a community.
  
• Humanitarian Efforts: Internationally renowned and locally involved Activists, Social workers and philanthropists who have spent their entire careers on humanitarian activities.
  
• Educational Leadership and Reform: Individuals who have been able to establish a major reform, change or contribution to an education unit and system.
  
• Cultural or Spiritual Impact: Those who have maintained the cultural heritage, brought peace, or made spiritual lifts or moral values.

There is no application for honorary degrees. Rather, worthy individuals are nominated, usually by university faculties, alumni, governing bodies, or honorary committees and their contributions are then evaluated on merit, ethical values, and influence on the general population. The selection is done thoroughly, and in most cases various levels of evaluation are done, followed by the final selection by the senate or the academic council at the university.

Key Differences Between Honorary and Academic Doctorates

While both honorary and academic doctorates carry the prestigious title of "Doctor", they are fundamentally different in purpose, process, and recognition. An honorary doctorate is awarded to individuals for their exceptional contributions to society, without requiring formal academic work. On the other hand, an academic doctorate is earned through years of rigorous study, research, and scholarly achievement.

The table below clearly mentions the key differences between the two:

Academic doctorates, such as a Ph.D. or DBA (Doctorate in Business Administration), are earned through years of study, research, and a structured academic process.
If you’d like to explore what a DBA degree involves, read our detailed guide on the Doctorate in Business Administration.

Can You Use the Title "Dr." After Receiving an Honorary Doctorate?

Although the recipients of honorary degrees are sometimes referred to as Doctor at the ceremonial event, the title Dr. is not generally supported by tradition in the professional or academic context. Most universities indicate that the honorary doctorate is an honour and not to be mistaken with an academic degree.

However, most of the recipients apply the doctor title, ahead of Dr., in other informal contexts, such as in promotional speeches or public speaking. Its proper use varies considerably depending upon context and the rules of the institution granting the award.

Benefits of Receiving an Honorary Doctorate Degree

The considerable benefits of receiving an honorary doctorate are as follows:

• It is a prestigious recognition that honours your achievements, contributions, and impact on society.
  
• Strengthens your public image and credibility in your field or industry.
  
• Allows you to use the honorary title “Doctor”,  adding value to your professional identity.
  
• Often brings media attention and public acknowledgement, expanding your influence.
  
• Strengthens your connection with a reputed university or academic institution.
  
• Can open new doors for networking, speaking engagements, and leadership opportunities.
  
• Encourages and inspires others in your field to aim for excellence and social contribution.
  
• May lead to invitations to conferences, award shows, or honorary panels.
  
• Serves as a lifetime achievement recognition for your hard work, dedication, and success.

Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Learning Saint 

Learning Saint, affiliated with Hawkins University, is renowned for offering honorary doctorate degrees to exceptional individuals who have created meaningful change in society. Their selection process emphasises merit, leadership, and social impact over influence or popularity.

Recipients of honorary degrees from Hawkins University come from various fields, including:

• Entrepreneurship and Business
  
• Education and Academic Research
  
• Philanthropy and Social Welfare
  
• Performing Arts and Media
  
• Innovation and Technology
  
• and many more

Hawkins University had a grand convocation in June 2025 in which both Ph.D. scholars and honorary doctorate were felicitated. It was all about the celebration of human accomplishment and people whose contributions have made a difference in lives around the world.

Hawkins University involves transparency in the selection process because its selection is based on nominations and assessment of the academic committee and follows its values of excellence, service, and ethics

How to Get Honorary Doctorate Degree?

The process behind getting an individual to receive an honorary doctorate is considered a structured approach and a show of integrity on the part of the awarding institution. Although every university can follow the internal procedures, the general process usually involves the following steps:

1. Nomination Submission: It is a normal practice that nomination is initiated by an individual of the university community, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, or any recognized partner, by a special nomination form issued by the university.

2. Supporting Documentation: The nominator should be able to submit substantial documentation to support their nomination, which is usually comprised of:

• A detailed biography or curriculum vitae (CV) of the nominee.
• A paragraph on what the nominee has done and what makes them worthy of the honorary doctorate.
• Letters of reference or recommendation by respected officials or institutions.
• Documentation of any contributions made by the nominee, e.g., in the media, accomplished, published or received; testimonials.
  

3. Initial Screening: The nominations are then screened by a specific honorary degree committee or academic board which makes a judgment on the nominee using the criteria of the university, based on merit, impact to the society, ethics of the nominee and regarding the fit with the values of the institution.

4. Committee Evaluation: The committee is involved with a more thorough assessment process that may involve background examination, peer review and comparisons to past recipients. Organisations decide a way such that their credibility exists and academic reputation is upheld.

5. Final Approval: After successful review, the recommendation is forwarded to the university’s governing body (such as the senate or board of trustees) for final approval.

6. Confidential Communication: After making the approvals, the nominee is approached confidentially to accept the honor and then ensure that he/she is ready to attend the awarding ceremony.

7. Public Announcement and Ceremony: Once confirmed, the commissioning of an honorary doctorate body takes place during a formal celebration ceremony, such as a convocation stage at which the honoree can be expected to give a speech or deliver an address to the newly graduated class.

Should You Pursue an Honorary Doctorate?

An honorary doctorate cannot be applied in the same way that a traditional degree is. But through such meaningful contributions in your field, through community service or innovation, you can qualify to be considered by institutions that value these contributions.

If you're considering a formal academic path instead of an honorary degree, explore our Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program at Learning Saint — designed for professionals who aim to lead through academic excellence.

Conclusion

Getting to know what is an honorary doctorate degree can assist in realizing its worth even without scholarly accomplishment. It is a celebration of human potential, contribution to society and the power of individual excellence. Being an aspiring achiever or a university eager to recognize influential personalities, the honorary doctorate degree still remains a symbol of utmost respect.

While it doesn't replace the rigorous process of earning a doctorate, it represents the power of influence, commitment, and positive change.

FAQs of Honorary Doctorate Degree

1. What is an honorary doctorate degree?

Ans -  The honorary doctorate degree is an honorary award presented by a university to individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements to society, and usually does not entail any coursework.

2.Can I be called "Dr." after receiving an honorary degree?

Ans - Technically, the holder of the honorary degree is not entailed to use the title Dr.academically or professionally; however, they are permitted to use the title in ceremonies.

3. Are an honorary doctorate degree and a Ph.D the same?

Ans - No. A Ph.D. is a qualification gained using research and academic undertaking whereas an honorary doctorate is given as a token of appreciation.

4. How can someone receive an honorary doctorate?

Ans - Through nomination by a university’s committee, often based on significant contributions in a field or to society.

5. Does an honorary doctorate have any legal or academic value?

Ans - It is honorary but without any academic or professional rights as acquired doctorates.