Honorary degrees are unearned degrees granted without completion of a specific course of study. They recognize the importance of an individual's scholarly, professional or social achievements. In order to match the importance of these achievements and the award, these degrees are generally special doctoral degrees. A doctorate is the highest academic degree conferred by a college or university. Common recipients include university presidents, contributors and trustees, educators, military leaders, political leaders, authors and artists.
Honorary degrees have a long history, traced back to early colleges and medieval predecessors in Europe, particularly England. As early as the 14th century, honorary degrees were often purchased by recipients or awarded to solicit contributions to the college. Granting a degree can also be used by an institution for publicity. Harvard University was the first American post-secondary educational institution to grant an honorary degree, although honorary degrees only became commonplace in the U.S. in the post-Revolutionary period.
Universities and colleges confer honorary degrees at their discretion to recognize individuals with accomplishments that are in line with the institution's values or are widely considered worthy of recognition. Colleges that confer honorary degrees tend to have a formal process and committee in place to nominate and select recipients. A typical college grants five to ten honorary degrees annually. Honorary degrees are presented at commencement ceremonies and the recipient typically delivers an address to graduates.
Examples of common honorary degrees include the Doctor of Literature or Letters, Doctor of Divinity, Doctor of Science, Doctor of Social Sciences and the Doctor of Human Letters. Honorary degrees can also include the Doctor of Laws and the Doctor of Nursing Science to recognize special achievement in an individual's legal or nursing profession. Individuals who have made significant contributions and achievements to the arts may receive the Doctor of Fine Arts or the Doctor of Music.