Goal

There’s no denying that the title of Honorary Doctorate, colloquially known as Doctor Honoris Causa, holds wide recognition. This esteemed recognition is not just a title; it is a symbol of honor and respect that has been coveted by numerous Theological Schools, Seminaries, Universities, and religious groups across the United States, when it comes to bestowing honorary titles.

While the process at the Christian Union Theological Seminary (STUC) of awarding the Doctor Honoris Causa honors the historical and ecclesiastical precedents accepted broadly by the Church, it shares many similarities with its British counterpart. This is done to ensure that this prestigious title holds its rightful place amongst ecclesiastical doctorates.

However, it’s important to note that this ecclesiastical title isn’t intended to compete with traditional academic or professional doctorates. This honor is not earned through traditional means of education. If your goal is to acquire a doctorate, you can do so by enrolling in one of our doctoral programs.

At STUC, the following honorary titles are awarded:

Doctor of Divinity, for contributions to the ministry

Doctor of Theology, for recognition of outstanding Ministries or other merits

Doctor of Pedagogy, for contributions to teaching and education

Criteria

The following are the necessary criteria for eligibility:

Applicants must have a minimum of 15 to 20 years of experience in their specific field.

Applicants should be at least 40 years old.

Possession of a high school diploma or GED is required.

Submit copies of all degrees, credentials, licenses, or any other relevant documentation.

Submit a recent photograph.

Craft a one or two-page statement listing down your qualifications and why you (or the candidate) should be awarded an Honorary Doctorate.

Prepare or present a two-page typewritten summary or abstract of your work for the Lord.

Secure endorsements from three other ordained ministers or other prominent church leaders.

Prepare a 25-page essay/research paper on a topic chosen by the Dean of Administration or an approved topic chosen by the degree candidate.

Nominations

Upon approval, all supporting materials should be sent to the Honorary Titles Subcommittee. This can be done either by email at seminario@cutsedu.org, or by postal mail at the following address:

Christian Union Theological Seminary

P.O. Box 548
Holyoke, MA 01041
Donation and Fees

Donation and Fees

There is an administrative fee of $100.00 that must be submitted prior to initiating the honorary title process. This $100.00 fee needs to be paid at the time when the Application is submitted, which will be refunded should the candidate’s application be unapproved. Please indicate which honorary title you’re applying for in your application.

The donation for the Honorary Doctorate is $1,500.00. For this particular title, payment plans are not available. The suggested donation amount, coupled with the administrative fee of $100.00, must be fully paid before the title can be granted or received.

Payments can be made via money order, cashier’s check payable to the STUC, or debit/credit card online by selecting the enrollment tab on our website.

Notice

By submitting your honorary application, you agree to abide by the procedures of the Honorary Doctorate. (No exceptions!) Please don’t contact us if you’re unable to meet the requirements or if you’re unprepared to make the required financial contribution to receive this title.