In 2002, the Board of Governors approved a policy authorizing the granting of an honorary doctorate degree recognizing the extraordinary achievements of distinguished citizens.  Any member of the Missouri State University community, including alumni, may nominate candidates for the degree.

“The honorary doctorate originated as a faculty initiative solely to honor the extraordinary and outstanding accomplishments of distinguished citizens,” said Dr. Paula Kemp, Honorary Doctorate Committee chair and distinguished professor of mathematics.

Four types of honorary doctorates may be bestowed:

• the Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D), given to persons who have distinguished themselves in the humanities;
• the Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.), given to scholars in particular disciplines
• the Doctor of Public Affairs (A.P.D.), given to persons distinguished in general service to the public, to learning and to humankind
• the Doctor of Science (Sc.D.), given to persons who have made distinguished contributions to sciences