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I heard that Reb Shlomo Carlebach gave two different types of Semicha’s. One was for his Hevrei who hung out with him, knew “something,” and wanted the title to help them get part-time teaching gigs at Hebrew Highs, JCC adult ed classes, etc. He also gave another Semicha which required a pretty solid knowledge of Talmud and Halakhah, and was geared for those who wanted to be the rabbi of a synagogue.
…When you care more about the answer than the question.
…When you prefer to carry around a pocket-sized sefer than a huge sefer.
I have a master’s degree in education, became BT, learned in a yeshiva in Israel for a few years, never made it to the highest sheur, but received a Semicha by passing a test over various topics in Issur v’Heter even tho my Hebrew and Gemorah-learning skills were weak. I did so so I could complete against Conservative and Reform “Rabbis” for Jewish educator positions at JCC’s, CAJE’s/BJE’s, Jewish Federations, Hillels… As a result, the people who came to my 100s of classes that I taught over the years were given a Torah-true perspective on the material which they would not have receive if a non-Orthodox rabbi held my position. And, since obtaining this Semicha, I, of course, continued my learning. However, I never use the title Rav when getting an Aliyah. If others with a “quickie” Semicha would do the same I see nothing wrong with it.