ONLINE DIPLOMA MILLS


January 17, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

ONLINE DIPLOMA MILLS

What to consider

If the answers to many of the following questions are “yes,” the Council for Higher Education Accreditation says the facility in question may be a diploma mill:

Can degrees be purchased?

Is there a claim of accreditation when there is no evidence of this status?

Is there a claim of accreditation from a questionable accrediting organization?

Does the operation lack a state or federal license or authority to operate?

Is little if any attendance required of students, either online or in class?

Are few assignments required for students to earn credits?

Is a very short period of time required to earn a degree?

Are degrees available based solely on experience or résumé review?

Are there few requirements for graduation?

Does the operation fail to provide any information about a campus or business location or address and rely on a post office box?

Does the operation fail to provide a list of its faculty and their qualifications?

Does the operation have a name similar to other well-known colleges and universities?

Does the operation make claims in its publications for which there is no evidence?

Source: The Council for Higher Education Accreditation