honorary degree
Achievement-based diploma
An honorary degree is an academic credential awarded by a university to honor achievement or service, without requiring coursework or examination.
Recipients are typically distinguished figures in public life, the arts, or philanthropy: The university awarded honorary degrees to three civil rights leaders.
The most common form is an honorary doctorate, which does not confer the title "Dr." in professional contexts.
Act of starting
- convocationFormal ceremonial gathering
- cap and gownCeremonial graduation attire
- regaliaCeremonial emblems of authority
- robesLong loose outer garments
hooding · procession · academic procession · pomp and circumstance · keynote · dais · lectern · sash
Higher education institution
- doctorateHighest academic credential awarded
- institutionEstablished organization or custom
- alma materOne's former institution
- facultyInherent power or ability
dean · provost · board of trustees · campus · college · diploma · parchment · seal
Offering of respect
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- appreciationRecognition of worth
- commendationFormal expression of approval
- accoladeExpression of high esteem
homage · esteem · admiration · lifetime achievement · distinguished service · contribution · legacy · impact
Celebrated achievement recipient
- dignitaryPerson of high rank
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- philanthropistDonor to charitable causes
statesman · activist · artist · scientist · author · humanitarian · advocate · visionary
commencement
Act of starting
- convocationFormal ceremonial gathering
- cap and gownCeremonial graduation attire
- regaliaCeremonial emblems of authority
robes · hooding · procession · academic procession · pomp and circumstance · keynote · dais · lectern · sash · medallion
university
Higher education institution
- doctorateHighest academic credential awarded
- institutionEstablished organization or custom
- alma materOne's former institution
faculty · dean · provost · board of trustees · campus · college · diploma · parchment · seal
tribute
Offering of respect
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- appreciationRecognition of worth
- commendationFormal expression of approval
accolade · homage · esteem · admiration · lifetime achievement · distinguished service · contribution · legacy · impact · philanthropy
laureate
Celebrated achievement recipient
- dignitaryPerson of high rank
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- benefactorOne who gives aid
philanthropist · statesman · activist · artist · scientist · author · humanitarian · advocate · visionary · pioneer
- honorary titlesgoodwill ambassadors
- collegecampus, courses, application, dorms, dorm room
- achievementsaccomplishment, achievement, accomplishments, achievements, triumph
- degreeshigh school diploma, GED, BS, PhD, doctorate
- graduationcap and gown, diploma frame, graduation ceremony, graduate, commencement address
- honor ceremoniesmedal ceremony, awards banquet, pinning ceremony, promotion ceremony, lifetime achievement award
honorary degreeacademic degree
University-conferred educational qualification
graduate degree · undergraduate degree · PhD · doctorate · master's degree
honorary degreeprofessional certification
Earned competency credential
professional license · board certification · licensure · terminal degree
honor, degree, honored, dishonor, honors, degrees, honoring, dishonorable, honorably