Back
to Top of PageAlabama Threatens to Pull University
License
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2000/10/30/story3.html
In the state of Alabama, schools that transfer ownership must undergo a review
in order to determine that minimum standards are upheld. Barrington University,
the flagship school of Virtual Academics.Com of Boca Raton, which is registered
and incorporated in Alabama, failed to notify the state of such a change, and
this article from the South Florida Business Journal outlines the situation.
AOAEx: The Association for Online
Academic Excellence
http://www.aoaex.org/index2.html
AOAEx claims to have over 150 fully accredited members that may or may not have
a physical campus location. Some people have considered this accrediting agency
suspect due to the fact that the institutions listed do not post any affiliation
to AOAx on their college sites. Schools that have asked AOAEx to remove their
institution's name from the AOAEx site have not been successful. The proliferation
of suspect accrediting agencies may be something to watch out for in the future.
Backalley Press.com
http://www.backalleypress.com
Backalley Press.com is a branch of Shun Luen Co., Ltd, which has been in the
printing business for 17 years. They got into the diploma business in 1996,
and design thousands of fake diplomas, degrees and school transcripts all made
to order from universities around the world. Backalley Press.com will produce
diplomas from associate degrees to doctorates, but they avoid anything involving
medical school credentials. The site states that these phony documents are novelty
items that are to be used for entertainment purposes only.
Bernadean University: A Mail-Order
Diploma Mill
http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/Nonrecorg/bernadean.html
Bernadean University in Van Nuys, CA claims to be accredited by the World Council
of Global Education, and its College of Health Science is said to be accredited
by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. The problem is that neither
accrediting agency is recognized by the U. S. Secretary of Education. Even though
the accreditation claims are bogus and no one has authorized them to grant degrees,
Bernadean has stayed in business for 40 years. Stephen Barrett, MD, discusses
the background of this institution and points out active alumni who have "graduated"
from their programs in this March 19, 2002 Quackwatch report.
More information about this "institution"
can be found at:
Beware of Unrecognized Degrees
from Degree Mills and Diploma Mills
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~chrisyeh/degmill.htm
Christopher Yeh developed this site with the goal of educating others about
diploma mills. He addresses topics such as accredited versus unaccredited institutions,
tactics used by degree mills, tips to help people recognize diploma mills and
links to additional diploma mills resources.
Black Market Press
http://www.blackmarket-press.com
Black Market Press produces custom designed college and university transcripts
and degrees for customers. This company also provides the do-it-yourself option
that provides customers with templates and supplies that allows them to create
their own IDs, transcripts or degrees. One interesting section of the Black
Market Press site is the Underground Info pages, which offers documents, tips
and guides for lock picking, identity theft and bank fraud just to name a few.
Bogus Degree Sites Shut Down
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/2829237.stm
Bogus institutions, operated by an Israeli man and woman, were shut down following
a joint operation in the UK and the US. The institutions are thought to have
made millions of pounds, and this brief article from the March 7, 2003 edition
of the BBC News provides details about the investigation and the actions
taken against this operation.
Bogus PhD's, Fake Degrees
http://www.bogusphd.com
Bogus PhD offers any degree from bachelor's to PhD's to specialty degrees, like
law or medicine for $39.99. Their Web site states that they do not attempt to
create a "reproduction", "counterfeit", "copy"
or look-alike document from any legitimate or accredited institution.
ClosedCollege.com
http://closedcollege.com
Graduates of closed colleges or universities may find it difficult to prove
they actually attended and graduated from that institution. In these situations,
it may be difficult if not impossible to receive replacement diplomas and transcripts.
ClosedCollege offers authentic replicas of diplomas and transcripts with a leather
diploma cover for $225, which includes shipping costs. Their Web site states
that they will not create any replacement document for open and existing institutions.
Cheap Degrees and Web-Based Fraud
http://webtools.cityu.edu.hk/news/newslett/cheapdegrees.htm
Graeme Daniel and Kevin Cox prepared this article for the November 6, 2001 Web
Tools for Learning newsletter. The authors discuss who the main players
are in the diploma/degree mill game, who the customer base includes, and how
these "virtual institutions" get away with their scams.
Choosing Accredited Online Masters
Degrees
http://www.masters-degree-online-programs.com/making_the_right_decision.htm
This site is a public service of Adams Internet Coast Professorship FAUSOA:
Florida Atlantic University School of Accounting, and they provide selected
articles about diploma mills and tips to help people avoid them.
College Services Corp.
http://www.graduatenow.com
College Services Corp. boasts that customers can receive a college degree in
10 days or less. Fake degrees are also available to those who do not want a
"real" one. In order to qualify, people must have at least 3 years
of classroom education, work experience or a combination of both. The name of
the University granting the degree is not provided in order to preserve the
value of the diploma.
Cooldegree
http://www.cooldegree.com
Cooldegree produces novelty diplomas, and most orders are shipped within 21
days or less. Rush orders are shipped within 72 hours. This company has been
online since 1998, and they discourage any abuse or misuse of their products.
Cooldegree also provides a verification service for an extra fee.
Counterfeit Credentials
http://www.techtv.com/cybercrime/internetfraud/story/0,23008,3327045,00.html
CyberCrime, a weekly show focusing on the dangers facing computer users, investigates
how the Internet is making it easy to purchase fake diplomas from non-existent
schools. They take a look at some of the products offered by diploma mills,
discuss how diploma mills continue to stay in business and examine ways individuals
can avoid being taken by these fake institutions.
Counterfeit Library
http://www.counterfeitlibrary.com/
The Counterfeit Library does not create resources but acts as a portal leading
customers to fake ID, diploma and transcript sites. They provide links and ratings
to featured sites, and articles dealing with ways to build a fake college ID,
counterfeiting & forensic examinations and common mistakes made with fake
IDs are provided.
The Dark, Satanic Diploma Mills
http://education.guardian.co.uk/Print/0,3858,4375036,00.html
British fake degree mills are infiltrating Australia, and educators in Australia
are concerned about the damage they may do to legitimate institutions. Options
being considered to battle these diplomas mills are discussed in this March
15, 2002 article from The Guardian.
Degree Mills
http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/dm0.html
In the 1980s, the number of phony institutions dropped due to the efforts of
an FBI taskforce known as "DipScam". Technological improvements and
the growth of the Internet in the 1990s have reversed that downward trend. John
Bear, PhD, author of "Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning,"
a book and website that outline the pros and cons of getting an education online
and his daughter Mariah Bear, MA, executive editor of Degree.net Books, examine
the history of degree mills and discuss why these institution have made a come
back.
Digital Diplomas
http://www.motherjones.com/mother_jones/JF01/diplomas.html
Virtual universities are becoming big businesses, and many like Arthur Levine,
President of Columbia University's Teachers College, believe that these initiatives
may not only improve but eventually replace the traditional university. This
article from the Jan./Feb. 2001 issue of Mother Jones explores the growth
and controversies surrounding online education.
Diploma Forgery Goes Electronic
in China; Scholarship Fund in South Africa Is Robbed
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v48/i04/04a03902.htm
In an attempt to battle the increasing number of fake diplomas, the Chinese
Ministry of Education implemented a new electronic registration system for university
diplomas. This brief Chronicle of Higher Education article takes a look
at this system and how counterfeiters have been able to circumvent it.
Diploma Mill Crackdown: Officials
Vow End to Feds' Use of Suspect Degrees
http://federaltimes.com/index.php?S=2919147
In June, Laura Callahan, the senior director of the Homeland Security Department's
chief information office, was placed on administrative leave. It was revealed
that Callahan had received her doctorate degree, as well as her bachelor's and
master's, from an unaccredited institution. Details about how this action was
just the beginning of what turned out to be an 11 month investigation and the
steps that may be taken to stop the use of diploma mills are presented in this
article that was published in the May 17, 2004 issue of FederalTimes.com.
Diploma Mills: Federal Employees
have Obtained Degrees from Diploma Mills and Other Unaccredited Schools, Some
at Government Expense
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04771t.pdf
An investigation was conducted to determine whether federal employees had obtained
degrees from institutions that are considered to be diploma mills. The findings
can be found in the testimony before the U. S. Senate Committee on Governmental
Affairs. The document was published on May 11, 2004.
Diploma Mills: How to Spot Them
and Why You Should Avoid Them Like the Plague!
http://www.degreefinders.com/diplomamills.html
Almost anyone can set up a phony university Web site, print official-looking
documents and charge customers hefty fees for university diplomas. Rodney L.
Merrill, founder and degree consultant for DegreeFinders.com, created this site
and provides information about diploma mills. Merrill believes that some people
who get a degree mill diploma do not realize the potential ramification of their
actions, and he provides tips on how people can avoid getting caught up in the
scam. Links to articles and testimonies from people who were victims of diploma
mills are also provided.
Diploma Mills: The $200 Million
a Year Competitor You Didn't Know You Had
http://www.degree.net/html/diploma_mills.html
John Bear, an author who for 12 years was the FBI's principal consultant and
expert witness on diploma mills and fake degrees, takes a look at the villains
(perpetrators, customers, media and law enforcement) and the victims (unknowing
customers, employers, public and legitimate schools) of diploma mills in an
attempt to understand the current situation many higher education institutions
are facing. He also examines things that can be done and offers suggestions
for fighting the bad guys.
Diploma Scam Alleged at Kenyan
(subscription to the Chronicle of Higher Education required to access)
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v48/i25/25a04001.htm
Twenty-one people associated with a syndicate were arrested and charged with
making and selling fake diplomas at the Ministry of Education headquarters.
This article from the March 1, 2002 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education
details other phony documents impounded during this investigation by the police,
and provides information about how this investigation began.
Diplomas for Dollars
http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-021112diploma,0,3991922.story
Stephen Corbin, a licensed architect, always wanted a college degree, but he
could never find the time to complete the course work required in most traditional
academic programs. This November 12, 2002 article from the Chicago Tribune
takes a look at diploma mills that are operating on the Internet, and discusses
the course of action Corbin had to take to get a diploma from the University
of San Moritz.
Diplomas for Less
http://www.diplomasforless.com
Diplomas for Less is a diploma and transcript replacement service that provides
documents from U. S. high schools, colleges and universities with no proof of
graduation required. They have a buy-one-get-one free policy, but they do not
offer any verification services. The company does try to follow all applicable
state and federal laws, and certain state regulations prohibit Diplomas for
Less from offering replacement diplomas or transcripts to residents of Alaska,
Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Vermont or Washington, D.C.
Distance Learning and You
http://www.pbs.org/als/dlweek/dlandyou/faq.htm
This site from the Virtual University Gazette's FAQ on Distance Learning
and posted on the PBS Distance Learning page provides a brief section on diploma
mills and accreditation.
Distance Learning Scams
http://www.edu.supanet.com/dl2.html
Distance Learning Scams is a section on the Education Site pages, and it describes
diploma mills, their victims and accomplices. Tips on how to avoid distance
learning scams are also provided.
Down by the Diploma Mills Stream
http://www.wired.com/news/school/0,1383,54596,00.html
Harrington University, possibly one of the largest diploma mills in the world,
will grant a bachelor's or master's degree to anyone willing to hand over thousands
of dollars. Harrington is merely one of thousands of "institutions"
of this nature, and the proliferation of these diploma mills has gotten worse.
This Wired article from August 28, 2002 discusses some of the efforts
that have been implemented or are being considered in an attempt to put diploma
mills out of business.
Evaluate Schools
http://www.degree.net/guides/checking_out2.html
Degree.net designed this site to help students evaluate schools. The five-step
procedure outlined at this site is posted to guide students investigate and
evaluate schools. Contact information for agencies that license, regulate or
are concerned with higher education are also provided.
Fake College Diplomas Online in
Ten Days
http://www.yourdegreenow.com/index.htm
This is another diploma mill site that boasts real diplomas available in 10
days or less. Like many other companies of this nature, fake diplomas are also
available for those who do not want a "real" diploma. In order to
qualify for one of their real diplomas, customers must have at least 3 years
of either classroom education, work experience or a combination of the two.
Fake Degrees a Serious Problem
for Employers
http://www.iccwbo.org/ccs/news_archives/2000/fake_degrees.asp
More and more companies are finding that job applicants are falsifying academic
records in order to secure jobs or promotions. This article, posted by ICC Commercial
Crime Services, examines the various types of diploma mills and discusses how
this growing phenomena is becoming a serious problem for many companies.
Fake Degrees to Be Investigated
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3867037.stm
The Guardian reports that "authentic-looking" certificates from institutions
like Oxford University and Strathclyde are available from a Web site. These
reports have raised concerns with the education committee, and they plan to
ask Charles Clarke, the Education Secretary, to investigate the situation. Next
steps and plans for action are discussed in this July 5, 2004 article from the
BBC.com.
Fake Diplomas at BoxFreeConcepts.com
http://www.boxfreeconcepts.com/fake/diplomas.html
BoxFreeConcepts.com provides 3 fake diploma designs that allow users to create
their own diplomas for free at this site. Additional templates to create fake
diplomas and other related documents are also provided for a fee. Most of the
for-fee products cost between $5 and $10.
Magic Mill is one example of some of the free BoxFreeConcepts.com products, and can be accessed at http://www.boxfreeconcepts.com/magicmill/.
Fake Diplomas College Degrees
Transcripts High School Novelty Counterfeit Phony Forms Papers Documents
http://www.diplomareplacementservice.com
This site states that they produce the "absolute highest quality items
available anywhere." The disclaimer notes that these documents are intended
for "novelty and entertainment use only", and are not designed to
be presented as legitimate documents. Prices range from $100 for a high school
diploma to $225 for a completed PhD college transcript.
Fake Diplomas.com
http://www.fakediplomas.com/
Fake Diplomas.com claims to be the "best portal for novelty documents",
and they provide fake diplomas, degrees, transcripts, certificates, IDs and
other documents. Membership is required to access materials found at this site
and costs $39. In order to be considered for membership, a high quality diploma,
transcript, drivers license or other related document must be e-mailed to Fake
Diplomas.com.
Fake Degrees
http://fakedegrees.com
Fake Degrees provides members with the "largest range of custom made degrees,
diplomas, and certificates". Membership is required to access the services
provided at this site, and a fee of $75 gives customers 6 months access to the
Member's Area, Certificate Creator, Online Documents, Online Products and other
Member Resources. No fake IDs or drivers licenses are available at this site,
but sections for transcripts and letters of reference/recommendation are coming
soon. None of the documents provided at this site are intended for use in "any
matters perpetrating fraud or dishonesty."
Fakeid Souvenirs Award Winning
Site
http://www.souveniridcards.com
"Authentic novelty" IDs and diplomas from any country can be obtained
from this company. One statement on the site says, "Become ANYONE you want!",
but these novelty items are not intended for illegal use.
A Federal Rule Bedevils Online
Institutions
http://chronicle.com/prm/weekly/v50/i16/16a02901.htm
The 50-percent rule was passed in 1992 in an attempt to thwart the efforts of
diploma mills and fraudulent correspondence courses, but many believe this law
has actually hampered efforts of legitimate distance education institutions.
This article from the December 12, 2003 issue of The Chronicle of Higher
Education discusses the coverage of the 50-percent rule, and the push from
several lawmakers to put an end to this law or at least severely weaken it.
What changes in the 50-percent rule mean to online education institutions and
their students are also addressed.
General Delivery University (GDU)
http://www.bandersnatch.com/gduedu.htm
General Delivery University claims to be "America's only genuine diploma
mill" and their mission is to "provide the opportunity for the acquisition
of the appearance of a comprehensive education and semi-useful skills, without
the necessity of wasting a lot of time attending boring classes, and without
the exorbitant cost of tuition." GDU does not hide the fact that it is
merely a semblance of an university and makes no attempt to provide substantive
programs.
Government Inundated with Phony
Degrees
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=13075
Thousands of government employees have used phony degrees to secure jobs or
obtain promotions. This June 25, 1999 WorldNetDaily.com article by investigative
reporter David M. Bresnahan examines some of the diploma mills that grant degrees
based on work or life experiences, and discusses loopholes in state and federal
laws that allow many of these companies to stay in business.
How Online Degrees Work
http://biz.howstuffworks.com/online-degree3.htm
Diploma mills, companies that range from institutions that count life experience
toward degrees or ones that merely sell diplomas online, have been around for
decades. Lee Ann Obringer discusses ways some states are starting to crack down
on these non-accredited institutions and offers tips for avoiding these schools.
Illinois Board Backs Plan to Fight
Phony Degrees (subscription to the Chronicle of Higher Education
required to access)
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v48/i32/32a03603.htm
In April 2002, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) voted unanimously
in support of a bill designed to discourage people from purchasing fake degrees
and transcripts. If passed, this legislation would make using phony transcripts,
diplomas or other documents to secure a job or promotion a Class A misdemeanor.
Is the Internet Becoming a Bonanza
for Diploma Mills?
http://chronicle.com/data/articles.dir/art-44.dir/issue-17.dir/17a02201.htm
As online education becomes more popular, diploma mills find that their student
enrollment figures continue to increase. Many believe the Internet has given
new life to this once dying trend. This article from the December 19, 1997 issues
of the Chronicle of Higher Education addresses some of the aspects of
diploma mills that are often confusing to many students looking for online degree
programs and ways these "institutions" are being exposed for what
they really are.
Is the Internet Becoming a Haven
for Diploma Mills?
http://www.bbb.org/library/diplomamills.asp
The Better Business Bureau posted this site that offers suggestions designed
to help students identify diploma mills plus information about who to contact
if there are still doubts about a particular institution.
Kansas Authorities Investigating
Monticello University
http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/home.pat,local/3773c307.812,.html
The state of Kansas has found that it is harder to locate Monticello University
and its operator, Leslie Edwin Snell, than it is to sign up for one of their
bachelor's degree that can be completed in 10 months for $4000. Kansas filed
a lawsuit against Monticello University, Snell and other Snell operations for
violating the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. This article from the August 12,
1999 edition of the Kansas City Star discusses the background of Monticello
University and the case surrounding this diploma mill.
Learner Beware
http://www.pbs.org/netlearning/accredit.html
Some institutions offering alternatives to the traditional classroom are legitimate
while others are not. Tips for students considering some of the new distance
education offerings are provided at this PBS net.Learning site.
Mail-Order Bachelors
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,4982510%255E23004,00.html
There are numerous diploma mills lurking on the Internet. Services provided
from these "institutions" range from the basic design-your-own certificate
or diploma to degrees granted based on your present knowledge or work experience.
In some cases, $300 can buy a validated bachelor's degree in a variety of fields,
while others charge up to $2000 for master's and doctorate degrees. This article
from the March 13, 2002 issue of The Australian discusses diploma mills,
the varieties that are available on the Internet, and why no one has shut them
down yet.
Make Your Own Degrees
http://www.myodegrees.com
This is a site that allows members to build their own novelty degrees, diplomas
and certificates by printing or downloading templates, images and logos. At
this time, they are no longer accepting members, and refer potential customers
to fakedegrees.com at http://www.fakedegrees.com/.
Moonlighting for an Unaccredited
University
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v48/i31/31a03501.htm
Kennedy-Western University, an unaccredited online institution with a questionable
reputation, has enticed some professors at traditional accredited institution
to join their "academic underground". This article that appeared in
the April 12, 2002 edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education takes
a look at why some professors are drawn to this institution, and why some will
not admit it to their colleagues and employers.
New Zealand Universities Consider
Lawsuit Against Sites Selling Diplomas in Their Names
http://www.physics.utoronto.ca/~peet/ofinterest/cheNZ.htm
This brief Chronicle of Higher Education article from February 11, 2002
discusses actions being taken by a group of New Zealand universities against
two Web sites, fakedegrees.com and its British counterpart, that sell fake degrees
in the name of the New Zealand institutions.
David F. Noble
North Dakota Contemplates a Law
Prohibiting the Use of Fake Degrees
http://chronicle.com/free/2003/01/2003011501t.htm
In the near future, it may be a Class A misdemeanor to use a fake degree in
the state of North Dakota for employment, education or personal gain. The number
of diploma mills is growing, and lawmakers like North Dakota Rep. RaeAnn G.
Kelsch believe that this type of bill may help protect consumers and raise public
awareness. This article from the January 15, 2003 issue of The Chronicle
of Higher Education discusses the North Dakota proposal and addresses why
there may be confusion surrounding some diploma mills.
On the Web, It's Easy to Earn
Straight A's
http://chronicle.com/free/v49/i22/22a02501.htm
More and more sites selling fake college diplomas and transcripts are popping
up on the Web, and there is little that victimized institutions can do to stop
these businesses. Steps institutions are taking to reduce instances of fraud
and ways employers are guarding themselves against receiving phony credentials
are discussed in this article from the February 7, 2003 issue of The Chronicle
of Higher Education.
Online University Hears the Cat's
Meow in Consumer-Fraud Lawsuit Over Bogus Degree (subscription to the Chronicle
of Higher Education required to access)
http://chronicle.com/prm/daily/2004/12/2004120805n.htm
A few months ago, Colby, a short-haired cat, received an M.B.A. from an online
university, and this accomplishment resulted in a lawsuit being filed in Pennsylvania
on Monday, December 8, 2004 against the institution that granted the degree.
The cat's owner, Kathryn Silcon of the Pennsylvania attorney general's office,
got involved in this "project" after Microsoft approached her office
about illegal spammers. Colby's college experiences and details about the lawsuit
are discussed in this December 8, 2004 article from the Chronicle of Higher
Education.
Out of a Cracker Jack Box
http://209.125.88.134/new/apr01/feature4.htm
Some institutions, like NYU, do not distinguish between online and offline degrees
on student transcripts, but this is not the case with all institutions. Do employers
consider online degrees to be as credible as ones earned in a traditional classroom
setting? Do HR departments even recognize when candidates like diploma mills
on their resume? Chris Jones, assistant editor of OnlineLearning Magazine
discusses employer perception of online degrees and offers tips to increase
the credibility of these degrees.
Phony Degrees a Hot Net Scam
http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,35068,00.html
Diploma mills are growing rapidly over the Internet. Some of these "institutions"
offer degrees based on "life experience" while others simply sell
customers a customized diploma. The growing phenomena of diploma mills and some
of their "other" victims are discusses in this March 23, 2000 article
from Wired.
Phony Diplomas
http://www.phonydiploma.com
Phony Diplomas offer three different types of diplomas: 1) Good diplomas
for $64.95; 2) Better diplomas for $79.95; and 3) Best diplomas
for $99.95. The diplomas available from this site are not designed to duplicate
or reproduce diplomas from legitimate schools and are to be used for "entertainment
purposes" only.
Phony IDs and Credentials via
the Internet: An Emerging Problem
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=106_senate_hearings&docid=f:64986.wais
This report is from the Hearing before the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation
of the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the United States Senate on May
19, 2000. The Subcommittee conducted a 5-month investigation of more than 60
Web sites that either distributed fake IDs or provided computer templates that
allowed customers to make their own. This report discusses the Subcommittee's
findings.
Proposed Legislation to Prohibit
the Use of Fake Degrees
http://www.ibhe.state.il.us/Board/Agendas/2002/April/Item%207.pdf
This April 2, 2002 document was designed to convince members of the Illinois
Board of Higher Education (IBHE) to endorse the passage of legislation that
would address the use of fake Illinois degrees. It highlights degree providers
that are advertising fake degrees from Illinois institutions such as Illinois
State University, Illinois Valley Community College and Illinois Benedictine
University, and outlines the proposed language for the Fake Degrees Amendment.
Reality Check for Virtual Academics.com
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2000/10/16/story2.html
Virtual Academics.com, an up-and-coming firm in the distance learning field
seems to have done everything right in starting up their online institution,
well almost everything. Findings uncovered in a Business Journal investigation
about this institution and its chairman, Robert K. Bettinger, are discussed
in this article.
Red Flags to Watch for When Choosing
Distance Education Programs
http://www.petersons.com/distancelearning/code/articles/distancelearnquality5.asp
Charlotte
Thomas, the Career and Education Editor at Peterson's, acknowledges that checking
the quality of online courses poses challenges to many consumers. In this article,
Thomas discusses 12 red flags to watch out for when searching for legitimate
online courses and programs.
State Wants Diploma Mills Down
http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2002/07/29/story3.html
Many people find online institutions to be a education alternative that allows
them to fulfill their lifelong learning needs and professional development goals.
Problems arise when some of the institutions providing these alternatives, like
Pacific Western University, have no merit in the academic world. This article
from the Business Journal addresses the concept of diploma mills, and
discusses some of the legal issues plaguing Pacific Western University.
States Struggle to Regulate Online
Colleges That Lack Accreditation
http://chronicle.com/free/v47/i28/28a03401.htm
States like Wyoming, Montana and Hawaii allow unaccredited online universities
to do business as long as they maintain a presence in that state. Others, like
Oregon, are cracking down on these institutions in an attempt to regulate them.
This March 23, 2001 article from the Chronicle of Higher Education points
out some of the more well-known culprits, and discusses ways some states are
dealing with these virtual universities.
Information about three accrediting agencies not recognized by the U. S. Department of Education is also provided, and they include:
States Try to Crack Down on Diploma
Mills (must be subscribed to the Chronicle of Higher Education to
access)
http://chronicle.com/prm/weekly/v50/i17/17a02601.htm
Diploma mills have boosted their business initiatives, and this has caused many
states to work even harder to snuff out the efforts of these "illegal business."
This article form the December 19, 2003 edition of The Chronicle of Higher
Education discusses steps some states, like Illinois, Indiana, and New Jersey
have taken to stop the use of fake degrees. Enforcement issues, the strategy
of going after buyers, and an unclear definition of a diploma mill are also
addressed.
Taking Aim at Diploma Mills,
Education Department Creates Online List of Accredited Colleges (must be
subscribed to the Chronicle of Higher Education to access)
http://chronicle.com/prm/daily/2005/02/2005020203n.htm
Last year, it was discovered that a number of federal employees listed unaccredited
institutions on their resumes. Congress wanted to take action against entities
such as diploma mills, and called on the U.S. Department of Education to develop
a list that would help students identify credible institutions. The list of
6,900 institutions was launched on Tuesday, February 1, 2005, and this article
from the February 2, 2005 edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education,
outlines the nature of the site in greater detail. The site, "Postsecondary
Educational Institutions and Programs Accredited by Accrediting Agencies and
State Approval Agencies Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education"
is accessible at http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
Wired News also posted an
article on February 2, 2005 about the new "searchable online database"
site. The full text of "Database Fights Diploma Mills" can be found
at http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
Teachers Net Pay Hike with Bogus
Degrees
http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/05/04/bogus.degrees.ap/
After the state of Georgia checked the records of its teachers this spring,
it found that 11 held advanced degrees from Saint Regis, a Liberia-based diploma
mill. The No Child Left Behind Act has placed great value on advanced degrees
for teachers, and the diploma mill issue has surfaced in Georgia and a number
of other states. Details about the Georgia investigation and the impact the
diploma mill problem has made in a number of states are outlined in the May
4, 2004 article from CNN.com.
Additional information about teachers
coming under scrutiny for academic integrity violations is also addressed in
a May 6, 2004 article in the Independent (UK). The article titled "US
Teachers Buying Fake Degrees in Order to Qualify for a Pay Rise" can be
accessed at http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=518584.
Tips to Avoid Getting Cheated
in Distance Learning
http://www.gnacademy.org/mason/guides/cheat.html
Dr. Joseph Wang, president of Globalwide Network Academy, posts tips to help
people distinguish legitimate institutions from those that may be "too
good to be true".
Top 10 Diploma Mills
http://web.archive.org/web/19991117023500/http://cust3.iamerica.net/easywave/top10.htm
This
site defines a diploma mills as an "institution offering post-secondary
degrees which claims an unrecognized accreditation or makes materially false
claims as to the acceptance of their degrees". Based on that definition,
the developers of this site have compiled a list of the top ten "institutions"
that qualify as diploma mills. Descriptions of some of the institutions are
also provided.
Top 10 Signs You May be Dealing
with a Diploma Mill
http://web.archive.org/web/19990128221358/www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/28dipbox.htm
Mary Lord developed this David Letterman-like list for U. S. News Online.
Ten clues are provided to help people know whether or not a particular online
institution is legitimate or actually a diploma mill.
Tulane U. Fires an Instructor
Who Claimed a Doctorate from a Diploma Mill (subscription to the Chronicle
of Higher Education required to access)
http://chronicle.com/prm/daily/2004/08/2004080301n.htm
Wayne J. delCorral, a finance instructor at Tulane University, was fired weeks
after the Chronicle of Higher Education published an article (June 25, 2004
- http://chronicle.com/prm/weekly/v50/i42/42a00901.htm)
about diploma mills. The article indicated that delCorral obtained his Ph.D.
from Lacrosse University. At one time, Lacrosse University, which qualifies
as a diploma mill, was based in Louisiana, but the state did not renew its license.
Reactions from Tulane administrators can be found in this August 3, 2004 article
from the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Additional information about Lacrosse
University, can be found in this August 1, 2004 article, titled, "Mailbox
U." from the Times-Picayune. It can be accessed at http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-1/10913523177770.xml.
U. of Louisiana at Lafayette
Fires Basketball Coach with Bogus Degrees (subscription to the Chronicle
of Higher Education required to access)
http://chronicle.com/prm/daily/2004/07/2004071905n.htm
Glynn Cyprien, the new men's basketball coach at the University of Louisiana
at Lafayette, was fired after campus officials discovered that he attended,
but never graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a bachelor's
degree. It was also discovered that Cyprien's other degrees were from a diploma
mill. Additional information about Cyprien's career and details about this case
can be found in the July 19, 2004 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Unaccredited Degree Holders Fool
Public
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/GoodMorningAmerica/GMA010516Diploma_mills2.html
ABC's Good Morning America consumer correspondent, Greg Hunter, has filed
stories in the past addressing the issue of diploma mills and the threat they
pose to accredited schools. In Hunter's latest report, he investigates several
people in prestigious positions who actually purchased their degrees through
a diploma mill.
Unaccredited Degrees
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~chrisyeh/degmill1.htm
Christopher Yen has put together this list of institutions that are not recognized
by accrediting agencies in the U. S. He also points out some institutions that
do not truly qualify as diploma mills but are still unaccredited.
Unaccredited Institution Challenges
Oregon's Diploma-Mill Law in Federal Court (must be subscribed to the
Chronicle of Higher Education to access)
http://chronicle.com/prm/daily/2004/08/2004081001n.htm
Kennedy-Western University, an unaccredited institution based in Wyoming, believes
that an Oregon law violates the First Amendment. According to the Oregon law,
individuals are prohibited from listing diploma mill degrees on their resumes,
and Kennedy-Western believe that this "prevents Kennedy-Western graduates
from finding work in Oregon." Details about this lawsuit can be found in
the August 10, 2004 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Oregon's Office of Degree Authorization
has also posted a comprehensive list of diploma mills on their Web site, and
it can be accessed at http://www.osac.state.or.us./oda/.
Unaccredited Institutions or Not
Recommended Institutions
http://teleeducation.nb.ca/content/articles/english/accreditation/unaccredited-institutions.html
TeleEducation New Brunswick created this list of institutions that are not included
in their TeleCampus Online Courses Database (http://courses.telecampus.edu/subjects/index.cfm)
. They recommend that people exercise caution when taking courses from any institution
on the list.
Underground-Review.com
http://www.underground-review.com/F_DIPLOMA.html
Underground-Review.com began as merely a fake ID site that grew to include fake
diplomas due to contributions from visitors to the site. It is designed for
informational purposes and provides links to fake diploma Web sites, company
locations, prices, ratings and reviews of their operations.
Unrecognized Accrediting Agencies
in the U.S.
http://teleeducation.nb.ca/content/articles/francais/accreditation/unrecognized-accreditating-agencies.html
This TeleEducation New Brunswick site lists suspect accrediting agencies in
the U. S. College and universities accredited by any agency on this list may
not be accepted or recognized as a legitimate institution.
Virtual Whatever
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2000/10/30/editorial2.html
Reporters at the South Florida Business Journal began looking into Virtual
Academic.com in early October 2000. More and more questions surfaced as they
continued investigating this institution, and they filed this second report
on October 27, 2000 that discusses some of these questions. It also addresses
claims made in the company's literature about their chairman and information
about the agency that accredited this institution.
What's a Diploma Worth http://www.ishn.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,2162,3155,00.html
In 1990, Dan Markiewiez, an independent environmental health & safety consultant,
completed his study of the prevalence of bogus credentials. At that time, he
found that approximately 3% of all doctoral degrees in occupational safety &
health and related areas came from diploma or degree mills. Markiewiez believes
that this number has increased over the years, and discusses some theories as
to why people seek out the services of these illegitimate services.
The Virtual Battleground
http://education.guardian.co.uk/elearning/story/0,10577,629487,00.html
Students can buy many items via the Internet to assist them in their academic
endeavors, from pre-written term papers to fake degrees, and universities around
the world are finding themselves in a battle against the Internet. This January
8, 2002 article from the Guardian Unlimited discusses ways universities
are trying to utilize the benefits associated with this new technology while
maintaining academic integrity standards.
The Virtual University Gazette's
FAQ on Distance Learning and Accreditation and College Degrees
http://www.geteducated.com/articles/dlfaq.htm#Q9
This section of The Virtual University Gazette's FAQ discusses characteristics
of a diploma mill.
World's Biggest Diploma Mill Brazenly
Steps It Up
http://www.degree.net/news.htm
In the past, diploma mills only listed phony institutions on the diplomas they
sold to customers. Glencullen University has broken out of this mold and has
begun to forge diplomas from legitimate institutions. This Degree.net site also
provides other diploma mill news and related information.
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