A Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) is a postgraduate or honorary degree in divinity. honorary doctorate (a degree honoris causa). Typically, the degree is given to someone who has made a substantial contribution to society through the arts.

Keep reading this post to see more details on what is an honorary phd degree, how to get a doctorate of divinity, is an honorary doctorate worth anything and more on collegelearners.

what is an honorary phd degree

An honorary doctorate is a high-level academic recognition granted by a university to a recipient without completion of the normal requirements for that degree. Schools grant them to honor the recipient, while also benefiting the university by association. Recipients sometimes have no relationship with the school, no prior degrees, and no formal higher education; though on occasion they might already have substantial education and other doctorates. Such acknowledgement, in the form of an honorary doctorate, can result in criticism if it appears to be awarded as a favor or to gain funding.

Origin and History
Benjamin Franklin received an honorary doctorate.
Benjamin Franklin received an honorary doctorate.
In most countries, a doctorate is the highest level of academic recognition. An honorary doctorate can be given for a variety of reasons decided upon by the university. The first instance of an honorary degree on record was issued by Oxford University to Lionel Woodward in the 1470s. This practice became much more common, however, in the 1600s when royalty visited universities in England.

Use of Such a Degree
An honorary doctorate will be given at a graduation ceremony, and the recipient will usually make a speech to the graduating class.
An honorary doctorate will be given at a graduation ceremony, and the recipient will usually make a speech to the graduating class.
The recipient of an honorary doctorate may use the degree in the same manner as a substantive degree, except under certain circumstances where formal academic background is required. Most recipients do not use the title of “doctor,” though there is no rule against it. Recipients such as Benjamin Franklin, Maya Angelou, and Billy Graham, amongst others, have used the title either before or after their names.

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Robert Mugabe’s honorary doctorate from the University of Edinburgh was widely protested.
Robert Mugabe’s honorary doctorate from the University of Edinburgh was widely protested.
Many universities that award honorary degrees refer to their recipients as “doctor.” Whether the title is used before or after their name, people typically add honoris causa or h.c. in parenthesis after the degree title. This indicates to others that the title is an honorary one, with all the benefits that entails.

Granting Honorary Doctorates
A university usually awards this degree at a regular graduation ceremony and recipients traditionally give an accompanying speech. Typically, several people are nominated for the degree and a university panel decides who deserves it most. In some places, however, an honorary doctorate can be applied for. This is common in the UK, Australia, and Ireland, though it frequently requires an established relationship with the university. The recipient often has a noteworthy academic record and may be a member of the university staff.

Criticism of these Awards
Conferring honorary degrees may cause considerable controversy for universities, especially if the recipient is a political figure. Former US President George W. Bush’s honorary doctorate from Yale University, where he had previously earned his bachelor’s degree in 1968, made waves with faculty and students alike, causing a boycott of the 2001 commencement ceremony. Similarly, the 2007 protests of Robert Mugabe’s honorary doctorate from the University of Edinburgh in 1984 eventually culminated in stripping the Zimbabwean leader of his award. Degrees awarded in creative or artistic fields, however, do not tend to make a stir, as seen with Joni Mitchell’s unopposed honorary doctorate of music.

Critics also worry that the degree and the title of “doctor” could be used to mislead others about the recipient’s qualifications. While the honor recognizes achievement, it does not necessarily indicate the level of knowledge expected of someone who has completed a traditional doctoral program. Others claim that honorary degrees are often given with the motive to secure large donations for the university, not to celebrate outstanding achievements. Because of this, many schools have tightened their requirements and raised their standards for honorary degree nominees.

Free Honorary Doctorate Of Divinity Degree

Free Honorary Doctorate Degrees Online

Here in this section, you’ll find some of the notable schools offering free honorary doctorate degrees online.

Please do well to read to the end, perhaps you may become the next beneficiary.

Abide University Free Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Abide University issues free honorary doctorate degrees online without any study or qualifications.

They provide their beneficiaries with their degrees, who in turn study and contribute to their knowledge base, journal, and other publications and forums.

Open University International On-line Free Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Open University International On-Line issues free honorary doctoral degree for accomplished adults. The degrees are accepted and recognized internationally.

They give out these degrees to people who desire to receive online doctorate degrees that do not require a Master’s degree.

They are capable, fast and the least expensive (sometimes free) means of getting an honorary degree certificate, so you can achieve more in this lifetime.

Berkshire University Free Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Berkshire University awards individuals with free honorary doctorate degrees online as an expression of the University’s appreciation of outstanding contributions made by the individual in certain areas.

They also have doctoral programs available for those who want to conduct advanced academic or professional studies.

Prowess University Free Honorary Doctorate Degrees

At Prowess University, to be considered for an honorary doctorate degree, there are specific criteria those individuals must meet, and there are a variety of doctorate degrees that may be awarded.

Recipients of honorary doctoral degrees do not earn these awards based on academic achievements. Rather they receive these awards based on generous actions or lifetime achievements.

To be eligible: You must have achieved eminence in cultural affairs, public service, or in the field of knowledge and scholarship, consistent with the ideals and purposes of the university.

Unicaf University Free Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Unicaf University is offering scholarships to people who wish to study for a doctoral degree. This scholarship is accredited by the British Accreditation Council.

Available courses are:

• Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Business Administration
• Doctor of Education (EdD)

Atlantic International University (AIU) Free Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Atlantic International University aims to inspire its students to define their purpose in life, mission, and legacy while integrating the 17 UNESCO 2030 goals.

Programs available at AIU include:

• Bachelor’s Programs
• Masters’ Programs
• Doctorate programs

Global Human Peace University Free Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Global Human Peace University provides higher education programs through electronic media, typically the internet and through the medium, the university offered several free honorary doctorate degrees online.

It is also offering an honorary degree certification program that comes with specified requirements from applicants.

Bethlehem University Free Honorary Doctorate Degrees

At Bethlehem University, recipients of honorary doctorate receive a citation, an imposition, and the conferment of a diploma.

A nominee for a free honorary doctorate degrees to be granted by Bethlehem University shall be nominated in writing to the Vice-Chancellor by any member of the faculty or staff, as well as members of the International Board of Regents, the Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, alumni, and friends of the University.

Grace of Bible University Free Honorary Doctorate Degrees

The criterion for receiving an honorary doctorate degree online from Grace of Bible University goes thus;

The recipient must have contributed in an exceptional way to the furtherance of the gospel and service of humankind for more than twenty years, and be obviously deserving of such an honor.

Degrees available include: Doctor of Divinity, Doctor of Christian Leadership, Doctor of Humanity, etc.

It is on record that Grace University is one of the top best universities offering free honorary doctorate degrees online.

Alliance International University Online Free Honorary Doctorate Degrees

The University has awarded a number of free honorary online doctorate degrees throughout its rich history.

The honorary degree issued by Alliance International University is not for everyone. It’s for people who want to be at the leading edge of entrepreneurship.

The AIU awards the following honorary degrees;

• Doctor of Letters
• Doctor of Business Administration
• Doctor of Laws
• Doctor of Divinity
• Doctor of Science
• Doctor of Humanities, etc.

How To Get An Honorary Doctorate Uk

A doctorate is the highest degree conferred upon a person. These degrees are most often obtained through years of coursework, research and teaching. Many well-known public figures have received honorary degrees at commencement ceremonies. You can apply or be nominated for an honorary degree from a university or college without spending tuition or years in the classroom.

Prepare your resume. Make sure you include all of your educational and professional background, as well as any philanthropic work you have performed. You should also include any samples of your published work or honours you have received.

• A doctorate is the highest degree conferred upon a person.
• You should also include any samples of your published work or honours you have received.

Ask reputable sources to write letters of reference for you. These letters should indicate what you have accomplished, as well as their relationship to you and how long they have known you.

Decide which doctorate degree you feel your most accurately depicts your personal and professional accomplishments. These degree choices include Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Law, Doctor of Literature and other educational areas.

Research from which college or university you would like to receive an honorary degree. Larger, well-known universities are more difficult to obtain nominations and degrees from, since those degrees are usually given to highly accomplished individuals such as former presidents, authors, and humanitarians.

• Ask reputable sources to write letters of reference for you.
• Larger, well-known universities are more difficult to obtain nominations and degrees from, since those degrees are usually given to highly accomplished individuals such as former presidents, authors, and humanitarians.

Another option is to apply for an honorary degree through a program such as the University of Berkley Online Honorary Degree or the Cosmopolitan University Doctorate Project. You will most likely be required to make a donation to these programs.

Contact the university directly for information about the application process and requirements, including the donation amount.

Fill out an application, or in some cases, ask a reference to fill out a nomination form for you. Wait for your approval or rejection letter from the university or program. If you are rejected, try again through another university. Don’t give up; it may take some time before you are accepted.

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Your letters of reference will stand out if they are written by well-known individuals. You want to make sure the letter is genuine. Ask another professional to look over your resume for grammatical errors, misspellings or unclear information. An unprofessional resume will give the committee a bad first impression of you.

WARNING

Be careful of companies that ask you to pay application and handling fees. Do your research about the university or program so you don’t lose your money to fraudulent companies. The University of Berkley Online and Cosmopolitan University are only examples of honorary degree programs and are not endorsed in this article.

how to get a doctorate of divinity

In many areas of the world, the Doctor of Divinity degree is an earned academic degree. To obtain this title, individuals first must enter an undergraduate program and get a bachelor’s degree in an area such as religious studies or theology. They then must complete a master’s program with a similar focus. With the master’s program completed, individuals may apply at accredited academic institutions and enter formal doctoral programs. These programs build on the lower-level courses such as Biblical ethics, Bible history, ministry, homiletics and systematic theology, holding additional requirements such as a dissertation, evidence of community service and letters of recommendation.

In some areas such as the United States, the Doctor of Divinity is not an earned academic degree and instead is an honorary title. When a person has contributed significantly to their community through religious leadership, his church or an academic facility affiliated with his church may determine that the individual is eligible to receive the degree. The point at which a person’s accomplishments become distinguished enough to warrant the honorary title varies, but often, the recipient must be ordained as a minister. In many instances, to receive the title, the individual must submit a dissertation on a religious topic, a statement of personal faith and a formal application. This work is not nearly as rigorous as earning an academic doctorate, but the institution issuing the Doctor of Divinity degree still has evidence that the recipient understands and is committed to his faith.

The simplest way to get an honorary doctorate is to find a religious institution that is willing to issue the degree in return for a payment, which usually is called a “requested donation.” This can be done online, with the recipient paying with on online escrow account or credit or debit card. Sometimes the amount required to purchase the title is only several dollars. This type of Doctor of Divinity degree typically does not qualify an individual to officiate at events such as weddings, but it may legally permit the recipient to call himself “Doctor,” regardless of how misleading that may be to those who associate doctorates with formal study.