A college honorary degree is given to someone who has not completed all of the requirements for graduation. Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the academic institution that bestows the degree or to the community at large. Some colleges award honorary degrees during commencement ceremonies, while others may hold separate ceremonies for honorary degree recipients. The recipient usually gives a speech at the presentation, and the speech can be a big part of the event.
The tradition of conferring a degree honoris causa, or “for the sake of honor,” dates back to the Middle Ages, when some institutions of higher learning decided to bestow honorary degrees on community members as a mark of respect and honor. The degree was clearly used as a reward for granting funds, lands, or other gifts to the community in some cases, while in other cases, such degrees were awarded for accomplishments such as developing new scientific equipment. In some cases, honorary degrees were awarded posthumously to individuals who had made significant contributions to the academic community during their lives.
An honorary degree may have the same standing as a degree earned meeting graduation requirements, or it may be viewed as a lesser degree, depending on the policies of the institution that grants it. Honorary degrees are usually doctorates, but they do not confer the title of “Doctor.” Master’s degrees can also be awarded as honorary degrees at some schools. If people include the degree on business cards, resumes, or other communications, they must clearly state that it is honorary in both cases.
Universities that award honorary degrees have a committee that nominates candidates and reviews them to determine how and when honorary degrees will be awarded. Some universities have sparked debate awarding degrees to wealthy donors, with critics claiming that it is possible to buy a degree rather than earn one through hard work. Some universities have specific guidelines for who can receive an honorary degree and when, in order to avoid accusations of this nature. Politicians and current faculty members, as well as major donors who are actively contributing to major projects, are frequently barred from receiving honorary degrees.
In most cases, people are unable to request an honorary degree. Individuals who achieve distinction may be awarded an honorary degree in recognition of their achievements, and the degree may be used as an incentive to attract a speaker to a commencement ceremony, but there is no way to request an honorary degree from a university or an honorary degree committee.