Diploma Mills

Online predators come in all forms, even in the academic world.

A serious problem facing the online education community today is what is known as a diploma mill. Also called a degree mill, these fraudulent schools attempt to pass themselves off as legitimate universities but in reality, they are nothing more than a business that sells diplomas rather than an education.

These con-artists not only devalue the education one receives from college, they also can scam individuals eager to advance their career through higher education out of thousands of dollars.

If you are unsure how to spot a diploma mill, here are some clear indications that the institution you are considering may not be legit.

1. The school is not accredited. If an online school is not accredited, it could very well be a diploma mill. Such businesses might use words instead of "accredited" that sound official but actually mean nothing. These words include terms like "authenticated," "verifiable," "licensed," "internationally approved", and "notarized."
2. The school is accredited but not by a legitimate accredited agency. Make sure that a school's accredited agency is recognized by the Council on Higher Education, or CHEA, or the U.S. Department of Education. If it is not, it could be a bogus agency that was created by the school itself.
3. A credit card is the only admission criteria. Legitimate schools require information like your previous academic record, grade point average and test scores. If the school promises that you cannot be turned down for degree, you might want to steer clear.
4. The school offers a college degree based on a review of your resume. While some universities do offer credit for career experience, the process is very complex. Additionally, a legitimate school would not award a degree based solely on career experience.
5. The school promised receipt of a diploma within 30 days. There are no short cuts in obtaining an advanced degree. If the school you are considering promises to deliver a diploma to you in a very short period of time, the school is likely a diploma mill.
6. You admission fee is a lump sum. Diploma mills typically charge a lump sum in exchange for a degree. In contrast, admission fees for legitimate universities are normally based on a charge per credit or per course.
7. The school contends that CHEA-recognized accrediting agencies are unable to grant accreditation to international online universities. This statement is untrue. In fact, CHEA provides a directory of approximately 467 quality assurance agencies and ministries of education in 175 countries.
8. The school's website does not list any faculty. Most legitimate universities will highlight key faculty members on their websites. If the school you are considering does not indicate who its faculty members are, you should proceed with caution.
9. The school is located in a foreign country but offers online degrees exclusive to U.S. citizens. Such schools are often located in a tiny nation without an academic accreditation system. In these cases, the "school" is most likely a diploma mill.

Another thing you may be worried about is paying for school. We have provided some assistance with information about getting financial aid.