Every year, universities and institutions award honorary doctorates degree to individuals for their exceptional achievements in their respective fields. An honorary doctorate is awarded to persons who have achieved rigorous goals in their profession and made an exemplary impact on society. Generally, individuals who are awarded honorary doctorate are mainly from the field of business, politicians, artists, educators and others who have worked for humanitarian causes. Also, institutions nominate persons from different backgrounds and nationalities for this award. Basically, the selection of the candidates is based on the performance and results they have achieved in their careers. Typically, different universities and institutions follow different criteria and approaches for the selection of the honorary doctorate degree award.
In some cases, this process may include a variety of controversies. For instance, most of the controversies are related to reasons like the genuineness of their academic achievements, commercial use of the degree to attract funds and donations and inappropriate use of the Honorary Doctorate degree title.
In this blog, we talk more about the criteria for an honorary doctorate degree and the controversies surrounding the honorary doctorates degree.
Criteria For Honorary Doctorates Degree
Moreover, institutions awarding honorary doctorate degrees have their own criteria according to their institutional structure and standards. And these institutions offer an honorary doctorate degree award for a variety of subjects, including business management, law, literature, and many more.
Before going deep into details, first let’s discuss the basic criteria for awarding an honorary doctorate degree.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA FOR HONORARY DOCTORATES DEGREE
Notable Contributions:
Fundamentally, the main qualification for an honorary doctorate degree award is that the applicant has made a noteworthy contribution to a particular field or to society. This includes significant accomplishments in various fields such as technology, science, literature, and public service.
Resonating with institutional values:
Furthermore, many universities consider how well a candidate’s achievements fit with the institution’s values. For example, A University that promotes management sustainability might want to recognise those who have made major contributions in business innovation.
Prior Recognition:
Typically, most of the applicants for an honorary doctorate degree are already bestowed with national or international recognition for their accomplishments that have drawn public praise.
Persuasion and Support:
Along with professional achievements, individuals with leadership skills that challenge societal norms and policies are also considered eligible for the honorary doctorate degree award.
Here are some Types of the Honorary Doctorates Degrees
- Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.)
- Doctor of Education (D.Ed.)
- Doctor of Arts (DA)
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
- Doctor of Science (Sc.D.)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Usually earned from academic research but can also be awarded as an honorary degree.
- Doctor of Public Service (D.P.S)
- Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A), and
Some of the recognised fields for the honorary doctorate degree
- Science and Technology
- Business and Leadership
- Social Services
- Education
- Literature and Arts
Though the concept of an honorary doctorate remains the same, the traditions and some specific criteria may vary from region and university. Similarly, the criteria for the doctorate awarded vary depending on the subject areas. Have a look at some of the national and international recipients of honorary doctorate degrees.
Examples for Honorary Doctorate Recipients and the Countries recognised
Generally, the university and its committee members, along with alumni, faculty, and students, select the candidates. In some cases, they accept outside nominations when they approach for the honorary doctorate degree award.
However, the procedure for applying for an honorary doctorate degree is the same.
Here is a quick guide for the application process for an honorary doctorate.
PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION
- Select an appropriate Institution
- Prepare necessary documents
- Submit a formal nomination
- Navigate the application process
Sometimes, universities require additional information, and they call for an interview to discuss your vision and achievements.
After the final approval, the institution invites individuals to accept the honorary doctorate during graduation ceremonies or special events, and recipients deliver an acceptance speech. Generally, it is about thanking the institution and reflecting on your journey to inspire young graduates to achieve their goals.
While an honorary doctorate is to recognise and appreciate the significant achievements and accomplishments, it is also important to remember the fact of having the standards of transparency and ethics in awarding the most prestigious awards to the recipient.
There are many challenges and controversies over these awards.
KEY REASONS FOR THE CONTROVERSIES ON AWARDING AN HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE
Unclear criteria: Critics argue that institutions award honorary doctorates to nominees without genuine qualifications. Favoritism is one of the controversies, and the use of such an esteemed honorary doctorate degree award for publicity or fundraising made it a commercial.
Use of the title (Dr.): Recipients awarded honorary doctorate using Dr. before their name create confusion about their credibility. They should mention (H.C) honoris causa, that it is received “in sake of honours.”
Revoking Honorary Degrees: Universities revoke the doctorate awarded to the recipient if they find any reputational damage to the institution.
Fake honorary doctorate:
The unethical practice of selling an awarded honorary doctorate for money, and universities providing honorary doctorate degree awards without any accreditation.
SOME CASES OF CONTROVERSIAL HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREES
- KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY AWARDED HONORARY DOCTORATE TO NABARD CHAIRMAN
Kerala Agricultural University bestowed an honorary doctorate degree award on the chairman of NABARD, Shaji K.V. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Save University Campaign Committee questioned the decision. Specifically, he complains that Shaji has not made any agricultural contributions, as he works in the banking sector. Moreover, awarding him an honorary doctorate degree is a completely influential motive.
- SDSU UNIVERSITY’S DECISION TO HONOUR MARK ARABO
Mark Arabo, a prominent businessman and a global humanitarian, SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY facilitated him with an honorary doctorate which sparked a controversy. A court once challenged his credibility and ordered him to return funds he had improperly received. And some people believe that the doctorate awarded to Arabo, clashes with the standards and integrity of the institution.
3. FAKE HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE AWARD
Likewise, a fake university recently awarded an honorary doctorate to Jharkhand’s Minister of Minority Affairs, Mr. Hafizul Hasan.
4. HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE ON SALE
Recently, a scam of selling an honorary doctorate on social media through messages and emails, where you can even buy your honorary doctorate, attracted a large audience.
Similarly, a University in Italy is offering an honorary doctorate for cash. However, these awarded honorary doctorates are not recognised by the government. Unethical providers selling a prestigious award for a bag of price are not only committing a crime, but they are also simply mocking the education system and intellectual honesty.
Significantly, a purchased honorary doctorate is not a satisfactory outcome. After all, by the name itself, “honour”, it must be earned through education, hard work, sacrifice and impact on society.
Dunster Business School and Florida Institute of Science and Management – Apply for Honorary Doctorates
Do you consider yourself a perfect match and searching for a reliable platform for your honorary doctorate degree?
Your search ends here as we recommend the most trustworthy and authentic institutions for your honorary doctorate.
Dunster Business School is a prestigious management institution with global recognition. Additionally, it holds a certified accreditation and affiliation and supports cultural and social contributions. Whereas the Florida Institute of Science and Management grants honorary doctorate degrees to honour exceptional contributions in arts, social work, business, academics or philanthropy.
Why wait? Log in and check the credentials for the application process.
CONCLUSION
Above all, an Honorary Doctorate Degree may not involve exams or classroom academics; it comes with something much more powerful: recognition in the real world. Indeed, the doctorate criteria highlight that people always value hard work, sacrifice, and leadership. Furthermore, the controversies remind us that earned honorary doctorate degrees are always flourishing.
Recommended pages
- What is an Honorary Doctorate? (Honoris causa)
- Different Types of Honorary Doctorates: D.Litt., D.Div., DHL & More
- Best 8 Honorary Doctorate Degree in UAE
“Let your journey be the one that earns the honour”- explore Dunster Business School and flism.org today.
FAQs
Both processes are almost the same however, international nominations may need more preparation.
Specifically, in an honorary doctorate, you have to mention H.C. (Dr. H.C.).
Usually, universities select and nominate the candidates, but sometimes they accept external applications for an honorary doctorate.
Nope, mostly universities invite and award during graduation ceremonies.
It is a Latin word that says, “for the sake of the honors”, meaning the degree is awarded as an honour.
