While Hovind did not earn a Ph.D. at a state university, in both Baptist and Wesleyan fundamentalism, the honorary title of “Dr.” is sometimes given to certain preachers to acknowledge their influence, self-taught learning, and the seriousness with which their words are received. It’s not so much an academic certification as an honorary title given to acknowledge Bible believing preachers that possess more learning than regular preachers, such as Dr. A. W. Tozer and Dr. Leonard Ravenhill. –J.B.