Honorary degree

An Honorary Degree (Latin: honoris causa ad gradum) is an extra-ordinary academic degree awarded to an individual as a decoration, rather than as the result of matriculating and studying for several years. An honorary degree may be conferred by an institution that the recipient never attended. The degree itself may be a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree — the latter being by far the most common. Usually the degree is conferred with great pomp and ceremony as a way of honoring a famous or distinguished visitor.

Introduction

Honorary degrees are usually awarded at regular graduation ceremonies, at which the recipients are often invited to make a speech of acceptance before the assembled faculty and graduates — an event which often forms the highlight of the ceremony. Generally universities nominate several persons each year for honorary degrees, and these usually go through several committees before receiving approval. Those who are nominated are generally not told until a formal approval and invitation are made; often it is perceived that the system is shrouded in secrecy, and occasionally seen as political and controversial - in recent years a "lamentable" trend has been to award popular icons, such as politicians and actors, rather than scientists and scholars.

Related Topics:
Graduation - Faculty - Universities - Committee

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An ad eundem degree may also be considered a sort of honorary degree, although it is only conferred on an individual who has already achieved a comparable qualification at another university.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first honorary degree was awarded to Lionel Woodville in the late 1470s by the University of Oxford. He later became Bishop of Salisbury.

Related Topics:
Lionel Woodville - 1470s - University of Oxford - Bishop of Salisbury

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~