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A Doctor of Divinity degree can be earned through formal academic study, significant contributions to the community or church, or by paying for it. The first option is the most respected, while the last is controversial. In some areas, it is an earned academic degree, while in others, it is an honorary title. The simplest way to obtain an honorary degree is to pay for it, but it may not qualify the recipient to officiate at events.
A person desiring a Doctor of Divinity degree can study formally at academic institutions, contribute significantly to their community or church, or pay for the degree. Of these three options, the first carries the most weight and respect; people usually assume this is the way people who use “doctor” after their name. The second option is still respected, but it is not an earned academic degree. The last option is the easiest, but it is more controversial in churches.
In many areas of the world, the Doctor of Divinity degree is an earned academic degree. To earn this degree, individuals must first enter an undergraduate program and earn a bachelor’s degree in a field such as religious studies or theology. They must complete a master’s program with a similar focus. With the master’s program completed, individuals can apply to accredited academic institutions and enter formal doctoral programs. These programs build on lower-level courses such as biblical ethics, biblical history, ministry, homiletics, and systematic theology while maintaining additional requirements such as dissertation, evidence of community service, and letters of recommendation.
In some areas like the United States, the Doctor of Divinity is not an earned academic degree and is instead an honorary title. When an individual contributes significantly to their community through religious leadership, their church or an academic institution affiliated with their church may determine that the individual is eligible to receive the degree. The point at which a person’s accomplishments are distinguished enough to warrant the honorary title varies, but often the recipient must be ordained as a minister. In many cases, to receive the title, the individual must submit a dissertation on a religious topic, a personal statement of faith, and a formal application. This work is not as rigorous as earning an academic doctorate, but the institution issuing the Doctor of Divinity degree still has evidence that the recipient understands and is committed to their faith.
The simplest way to obtain an honorary doctorate is to find a religious institution willing to issue the degree in exchange for a payment, which is often referred to as a “solicited donation.” This can be done online, with the recipient paying from the online escrow account or credit or debit card. Sometimes the amount needed to purchase the title is just several dollars. This type of Doctor of Divinity degree does not normally qualify an individual to officiate at events such as weddings, but it may legally allow the recipient to call themselves a “Doctor”, regardless of how misleading it may be to those who associate doctorates with formal study. .
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