Titles, Styles and Address for Honorary Degree Recipients
Honorary degrees may be referenced in several ways.
1) Use in biographical sketches
The name of the degree may be written out in full for biographical sketches.
• Doctor of Letters, honoris causa
• Doctor of Science, honoris causa
• Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
Examples:
o Jane Smith was awarded a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the University of British
Columbia.
o Jane Smith was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of British
Columbia.
2) Abbreviation of degree to follow name
• Doctor of Letters: D.Litt.
• Doctor of Science: D.Sc.
• Doctor of Laws: LL.D.
Example: Jane Smith, LL.D.
Note: The honorary degree should be the last thing noted if other degrees or honorifics are also listed.
Example: Jane Smith, O.B.C., O.C., LL.D. or Jane Smith, B.A., Ph.D., LL.D.
Note: Less common but also acceptable, the abbreviation “h.c.” for honoris causa may be included
following the degree if so wished. Please note italics should be used for the abbreviation to indicate it is
a language other than English (Latin.)
Example: Jane Smith, LL.D. h.c.
3) Addressing an honorary degree recipient
In situations such as formal correspondence, biographical sketches or formal introductions at a podium,
the university who has awarded the honorary degree may address the honorary degree recipient as
“doctor.” It is not appropriate for the recipient or others outside of the university to use this title.
Examples:
o Dear Dr. Smith: