Is Linda Ikeji's Doctorate Honorary Award the same as PhD Award?

The number one African blogger, Linda Ikeji just got awarded with a doctorate honorary award today from the Trinity University of Ambassadors but is this award the same as the regular PhD degree? Read on to find out!


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Honorary degree

Not to be confused with honours degree.

The honoris causa doctorate received by Jimmy Wales from the University of Maastricht (2015)

An honorary degree,[1] in Latin a degree honoris causa ("for the sake of the honor") or ad honorem ("to the honor"), is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, a dissertation, and the passing of comprehensive examinations. The degree is typically a doctorate or, less commonly, a master's degree, and may be awarded to someone who has no prior connection with the academic institution[2] or no previous postsecondary education. An example of identifying a recipient of this award is as follows: Doctorate in Business Administration (Hon. Causa).

The degree is often conferred as a way of honouring a distinguished visitor's contributions to a specific field or to society in general.[3]

It is sometimes recommended that such degrees be listed in one's CV as an award, and not in the education section.[4] With regard to the use of this honorific, the policies of institutions of higher education generally[citation needed]ask that recipients "refrain from adopting the misleading title"[5] and that a recipient of an honorary doctorate should restrict the use of the title "Dr" before their name to any engagement with the institution of higher education in question and not within the broader community.[6] Rev. Theodore Hesburghheld the record for most honorary degrees, having been awarded 150 during his lifetime.[7]