What is an Honorary Doctoral Degree?

An honorary doctoral degree, or doctorate, is often awarded in recognition of one's life experiences. It is denoted by the letters "h.c.", which is an abbreviation for "honoris causa" (Latin for "for the sake of honor"). This means that the degree is bestowed as an honor rather than through the completion of certain academic requirements. Those who are honored with this title often do not have any prior connection to the award-giving institution.

Honorary doctorates are often awarded by prestigious universities such as Harvard or Oxford. They are often given to those who have either made contributions to a certain field, or more commonly as a "thank you" to those who have made large donations to the institution. Some notable recipients include former U.S. President Barack Obama, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, and acclaimed actor Meryl Streep, just to name a few.

But honorary doctoral degrees can also be awarded by organizations like California Enrichment Institute. These are called ecclesiastical honorary degrees, and are awarded in disciplines related to metaphysics and religion. A recipient of an ecclesiastical honorary doctoral degree can use the title of Doctor Honoris Causa just as the recipient of an honorary degree from Yale University, for example. Similarly, our honorary degrees are given in appreciation of a donation. This is exactly the service that we offer: if you make a small contribution to our institute, we will award you an honorary doctorate degree.

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It is important to note that honorary degrees are symbolic honors. They do not represent the completion of an academic program and may not carry the same academic or professional standing as an earned doctorate.

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"In the arena of human life, the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action." - Aristotle