Honorary Degrees for Qualified Applicants
GAITS recognizes the years of service dedicated to the Lord, significant contributions to the Church, notable achievements of individuals in active Christian service, and the exemplary qualifications of those individuals in their field of service. A candidate for an honorary degree must be at least forty (40) years old and have a minimum of Ten to fifteen (10-20) years of full or active part-time Christian service (some exceptions in ministry years may be made based on the achievements of the candidate). An honorary degree is awarded in recognition of an individual’s work in contribution to the ministry of the Church –professional and academic. The candidate for an honorary degree must be recommended by two to three (2-3) established ordained ministers and/or Christian professionals. If the applicant is recommended by two non-ministerial Christian professionals, the third must be an established ordained minister. The following are the two honorary degrees awarded by GAITS:
Doctor of Divinity (D.D.)
For an exemplary qualification in any area of Christian ministry. A special emphasis may be placed along with the degree title based on the area of expertise if preferred by the candidate. Areas of expertise include, but not limited to the following:
Ministry
Evangelism
Missions/Communications
Christian Counseling
Christian Education
Christian Music
Humanities
Christian Business Management/Administration
Eccl. Political Science
For an exemplary ministry qualification in the field of Christian writing, teaching,
theology, and biblical studies.
If interested in any of the above, believe you qualify, and would like to apply for
consideration, please download the honorary degree application and requirement document below.
What is an honorary doctorate?
Honorary degrees from Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary are awarded to individuals who have made substantial and meritorious contributions to Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary, to the Church, to society, to their profession in such a way as to have enlarged human understanding and enriched human life. An honorary doctorate acknowledges that the recipient deserves to be recognized for their unsurpassed abilities and contributions due to life's learning and experiences.
How are honorary doctorate recipients chosen?
Categories of achievement from which nominees might come
include creative and scholarly work, invention, accomplishment of outstanding
merit, and distinguished or exemplary leadership or service. Nominees may have
rendered significant service in the Church; education; governmental, political,
international, civic, and community affairs; industry, commerce and labor, the
arts, particularly in activities related to Achievers International University's mission; and in philanthropy and sacrificial service or altruism to humanitarian causes.
Honorary degrees may be awarded at official commencements or at special
convocations held on the Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary campus or elsewhere. There are no restrictions on candidates for honorary degrees as to race, religion, sex, or creed. Honorary degrees will not be awarded to members of the International Board of Regents, Foundation Board or the Board of Trustees while they are serving in that capacity.
Great Achievers International Theological Seminary will confer honorary degrees judiciously. The awarding of an honorary degree is recognized as a unique means by which Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary acknowledges individuals who exemplify vital human values. The selection of honorary degree recipients should be made in a manner that will bring honor to both the recipients and Great Achievers International Theological Seminary.
What do honorary doctorate recipients receive?
Recipients of an honorary doctorate receive a citation, an imposition,
and the conferment of a diploma. The citation is the public declaration of
the reasons that led the candidate to be presented to the Vice Chancellor for
the degree. The doctoral insignia, which is called a “patte”, is worn on the
left shoulder, over the academic hood. It is of red silk and ermine surmounted
by the University coat-of-arms embroidered in metallic thread. The placing of it
for the first time is called the Imposition. Thereafter it remains the property
of the recipient of the honorary doctorate. The honorary doctorate is conferred
to the recipient by the Vice Chancellor of Great Achievers International Theological Seminary with the following pronouncement:
“As Vice Chancellor of Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary , by authority of the powers vest in me, do hereby confer upon you the degree of Doctor of the SEMINARY, with the title, honour, and privileges that are proper to it.”
The recipient is then handed their diploma.
How can you nominate someone for an honorary doctorate?
A nominee for an honorary degree to be granted by Great Achievers International Theological Seminary shall be nominated in writing to the Vice Chancellor by any member of the faculty or staff, as well as by members of the International Board of Regents, the Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, alumni, and friends of the Seminary. The nominating document shall include a narrative statement (preferably no more than two pages) outlining the qualifications and/or contributions of the nominee which justify awarding the degree. The nominating document may include any supporting material the nominator wishes to include. Each nomination should be in writing and should contain the full name of the nominee plus the following information:
1-Date of birth.
2-Chronological list of academic degrees earned and the institutions granting
them.
3-Chronological summary of vocational achievements.
4-Other career history or experience that is deemed relevant to the
nomination.
5-List of important publications and/or scholarly activities not enumerated
under one of the preceding items.
6-List of memberships in learned societies, professional association, and civic
organizations, etc.
7-List of significant honors already attained.
8-Any additional comments that add interest or pertinent information concerning
the nominee.
9-Connections, if any, with Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary .The nominating document shall be written in such a way that the identity and affiliation of the nominator is not revealed. Any nominations failing to meet this requirement shall be transcribed by the Vice Chancellor’s Office in a
manner which will preserve the anonymity of the nominator and his / her
affiliation. If such a transcript is not possible, the nomination shall be
returned to the nominator with a request that it be rewritten in such a way that
the identity and affiliation of the nominator is revealed only in the cover letter.
Nominations should be submitted to the Vice Chancellor at least three months
(and preferably 5 months) in advance of the possible date of the awarding of the
degree – via email to [email protected]
to: Vice Chancellor Valencia Spain
Nominations meeting the anonymity requirements will be forwarded by the Vice
Chancellor to the Executive Council for their consideration. The Vice
Chancellor’s Office shall be the only office where a record of the nominator’s
identity is maintained. Upon receiving nominations from the Vice Chancellor’s
Office the Executive Council will review the qualifications of candidates for
honorary degrees, taking particular care to insure that any candidate under
consideration measures up to the standards and philosophy guiding conferral of
honorary degree. Their recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of
Trustees.
The Board of Trustees will review the nominations from the
Executive Council and make a recommendation to the Vice Chancellor. Since the authority to confer honorary degrees rests with the International Board of
Regents, the Vice Chancellor shall present to the International Board of Regents
the names of persons who are recommended by the Board of Trustees to receive an honorary degree. All matters pertaining to the nomination and selection of honorary degree candidates are confidential.
Types of Honorary Doctorate Degrees Depending on the achievement, schools may present different types of honorary doctorate degrees. Some schools may offer only a Doctor of Philosophy degree, while others bestow a degree based on the accomplishment of the recipient. Mostly these honors are conferred on merited candidates during our convocations or other annual events! Honors are given in the following areas: (A few examples include):
Doctor of Divinity (D.D.)
For an exemplary qualification in any area of Christian ministry. A special emphasis may be placed along with the degree title based on the area of expertise if preferred by the candidate. Areas of expertise include, but not limited to the following:
Ministry
Evangelism
Missions/Communications
Christian Counseling
Christian Education
Christian Music
Humanities
Christian Business Management/Administration
Eccl. Political Science
For an exemplary ministry qualification in the field of Christian writing, teaching,
theology, and biblical studies.
If interested in any of the above, believe you qualify, and would like to apply for
consideration, please download the honorary degree application and requirement document below.
What is an honorary doctorate?
Honorary degrees from Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary are awarded to individuals who have made substantial and meritorious contributions to Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary, to the Church, to society, to their profession in such a way as to have enlarged human understanding and enriched human life. An honorary doctorate acknowledges that the recipient deserves to be recognized for their unsurpassed abilities and contributions due to life's learning and experiences.
How are honorary doctorate recipients chosen?
Categories of achievement from which nominees might come
include creative and scholarly work, invention, accomplishment of outstanding
merit, and distinguished or exemplary leadership or service. Nominees may have
rendered significant service in the Church; education; governmental, political,
international, civic, and community affairs; industry, commerce and labor, the
arts, particularly in activities related to Achievers International University's mission; and in philanthropy and sacrificial service or altruism to humanitarian causes.
Honorary degrees may be awarded at official commencements or at special
convocations held on the Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary campus or elsewhere. There are no restrictions on candidates for honorary degrees as to race, religion, sex, or creed. Honorary degrees will not be awarded to members of the International Board of Regents, Foundation Board or the Board of Trustees while they are serving in that capacity.
Great Achievers International Theological Seminary will confer honorary degrees judiciously. The awarding of an honorary degree is recognized as a unique means by which Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary acknowledges individuals who exemplify vital human values. The selection of honorary degree recipients should be made in a manner that will bring honor to both the recipients and Great Achievers International Theological Seminary.
What do honorary doctorate recipients receive?
Recipients of an honorary doctorate receive a citation, an imposition,
and the conferment of a diploma. The citation is the public declaration of
the reasons that led the candidate to be presented to the Vice Chancellor for
the degree. The doctoral insignia, which is called a “patte”, is worn on the
left shoulder, over the academic hood. It is of red silk and ermine surmounted
by the University coat-of-arms embroidered in metallic thread. The placing of it
for the first time is called the Imposition. Thereafter it remains the property
of the recipient of the honorary doctorate. The honorary doctorate is conferred
to the recipient by the Vice Chancellor of Great Achievers International Theological Seminary with the following pronouncement:
“As Vice Chancellor of Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary , by authority of the powers vest in me, do hereby confer upon you the degree of Doctor of the SEMINARY, with the title, honour, and privileges that are proper to it.”
The recipient is then handed their diploma.
How can you nominate someone for an honorary doctorate?
A nominee for an honorary degree to be granted by Great Achievers International Theological Seminary shall be nominated in writing to the Vice Chancellor by any member of the faculty or staff, as well as by members of the International Board of Regents, the Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, alumni, and friends of the Seminary. The nominating document shall include a narrative statement (preferably no more than two pages) outlining the qualifications and/or contributions of the nominee which justify awarding the degree. The nominating document may include any supporting material the nominator wishes to include. Each nomination should be in writing and should contain the full name of the nominee plus the following information:
1-Date of birth.
2-Chronological list of academic degrees earned and the institutions granting
them.
3-Chronological summary of vocational achievements.
4-Other career history or experience that is deemed relevant to the
nomination.
5-List of important publications and/or scholarly activities not enumerated
under one of the preceding items.
6-List of memberships in learned societies, professional association, and civic
organizations, etc.
7-List of significant honors already attained.
8-Any additional comments that add interest or pertinent information concerning
the nominee.
9-Connections, if any, with Great Achievers International Theological
Seminary .The nominating document shall be written in such a way that the identity and affiliation of the nominator is not revealed. Any nominations failing to meet this requirement shall be transcribed by the Vice Chancellor’s Office in a
manner which will preserve the anonymity of the nominator and his / her
affiliation. If such a transcript is not possible, the nomination shall be
returned to the nominator with a request that it be rewritten in such a way that
the identity and affiliation of the nominator is revealed only in the cover letter.
Nominations should be submitted to the Vice Chancellor at least three months
(and preferably 5 months) in advance of the possible date of the awarding of the
degree – via email to [email protected]
to: Vice Chancellor Valencia Spain
Nominations meeting the anonymity requirements will be forwarded by the Vice
Chancellor to the Executive Council for their consideration. The Vice
Chancellor’s Office shall be the only office where a record of the nominator’s
identity is maintained. Upon receiving nominations from the Vice Chancellor’s
Office the Executive Council will review the qualifications of candidates for
honorary degrees, taking particular care to insure that any candidate under
consideration measures up to the standards and philosophy guiding conferral of
honorary degree. Their recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of
Trustees.
The Board of Trustees will review the nominations from the
Executive Council and make a recommendation to the Vice Chancellor. Since the authority to confer honorary degrees rests with the International Board of
Regents, the Vice Chancellor shall present to the International Board of Regents
the names of persons who are recommended by the Board of Trustees to receive an honorary degree. All matters pertaining to the nomination and selection of honorary degree candidates are confidential.
Types of Honorary Doctorate Degrees Depending on the achievement, schools may present different types of honorary doctorate degrees. Some schools may offer only a Doctor of Philosophy degree, while others bestow a degree based on the accomplishment of the recipient. Mostly these honors are conferred on merited candidates during our convocations or other annual events! Honors are given in the following areas: (A few examples include):
- Doctor of Eccl. Humane Letters - For Cultural contribution/acknowledging academic distinction
- Doctor of Eccl. Laws - awarded to professionals in the field of law
- Doctor of Literature - honoring extraordinary authors and journalists
- Doctor of Eccl. Science - recognizing revolutionary scientific research and discovery
- Doctor of Eccl. Fine Arts - conferred primarily to musicians, actors, architects and artists
- Doctor of Humanities - signifying exemplary public service
- Doctor of Divinity - bestowed upon exceptional religious figures
- Doctor of Eccl.Literature (D.Litt.)
Doctor of Philanthropic Management (Ph.D.)
Doctor of Divinity in Health Management ( D.D.H.M.)
Doctor of Philosophy in Metaphysics (Ph.D.)
Doctor of Philosophy in Ministerial Education (Ph.D.)
Doctor of Divinity in Public Relations (Ph.D.)
Doctor of Philosophy in Eccl. Business Management (Ph.D.)
Doctor of Philosophy in Eccl. Business Administration (Ph.D.)
Doctor of Social Sciences (Ph.D.)