In ancient terms, the husbandry of knowledge within various fields carried certain levels of titles. At the "Master" level was a person that had developed complete specific knowledge of that field. They were commonly called "Husband" or "Master".

Below the husband or master was the "Bachelor", a person of general specialization, yet not of complete husbandry of knowledge.

In the 4-year college system of recent history, the Bachelor, or Baccalaureate, is the first accomplished degree of general specialization. The student spends 2 years in general studies, and then 2 years of basic study within a specific field.

The Honorary Degree is given for life's experiences, instead of for time spent within a classroom. Often life is a better teacher than studying the works of someone else.