The history of honorary college degrees is thought to start in the middle ages. Premier members of a community were presented with degrees as a means of honoring personal and community accomplishments. Harvard University, one of the oldest institutions in the U.S., presented their first recognition degree in 1692, first honorary college degrees to men in 1750, and first honorary college degrees to women in 1955. Honorary college degrees are typically earned in the fields of science, law, literature and arts.
Honorary bachelor's degrees were awarded to accomplished community members, as deemed by a board of reviewers. The recipient did not likely have a college degree before being awarded the honor. Harvard issued its last honorary bachelor's degree in 1834.
An honorary master's degree replaced the bachelor's degree after 1834, at Harvard. Master's degrees can be awarded to college faculty and outstanding members of society. Honorary master's degrees are slowly being replaced by honorary doctoral degrees. It is common practice at Harvard University to present an honorary master's degree to tenured teachers who have not earned a master's degree at the university.
Members of a university or community who exhibit extraordinary life accomplishments may be awarded an honorary doctoral degree. To earn an honorary doctorate in the fields of science or law, the candidate is presented to the degree board. Members vote on the proposed recipients. Honorary doctorates may be presented at the annual commencement ceremony or as part of a dedicated ceremony. Typically, recipients are learned men and women who hold advanced degrees.
Some colleges reserve honorary degrees for outstanding accomplishment in the field of art. Harvard, for instance, awarded Meryl Streep with a Doctor of Arts degree. In addition to the Doctor of Art degree, some universities honor written word with a Doctor of Literature honorary college degree.