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Avoiding Diploma Mills

Degrees from diploma mills aren’t legitimate.

Diploma mills are non-accredited institutions that permits students to purchase degrees and diplomas for a one-time fee.

These certificates can be obtained despite insufficient or even non-existent curriculum. They hold no academic or professional legitimacy.

The prevalence of online degree programs has made student enrollment even easier for fraudulent schools. Professionally-designed websites impart a sense of authority and trust, and online applications lure those seeking immediate feedback. However, this seemingly polished veneer conceals a scam.

What Does Non-Accredited Mean? Why Does It Matter?

In the US, colleges and universities are accredited by private agencies that establish uniform academic standards. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is the principal accrediting body in the country, and its seal is internationally recognized.

When a school is not accredited, the diplomas it issues are often subject to question. Some private colleges and religious institutions are non-accredited, but in general schools seek professional endorsement. Be cautious when these official seals are absent.

Degrees earned (or rather “purchased”) from diploma mills hold no real value.

Warning Signs Of Diploma Mills

Diploma mills (also known as degree mills) share several characteristics that you should know:

• Their names are often similar to those of established, accredited institutions.
• Their promotional material features words like “licensed,” “state-authorized” and “state-approved.”
• They claim international recognition, often by organizations like UNESCO that are not involved in academic validation.
• Faculty members are either graduates of the institution or hold degrees in disciplines unrelated to those they teach.
• A degree can be conferred within days or weeks of enrollment.
• Annual tuition costs are paid on a per-degree rather than a per-semester, per-quarter, or per-course basis.
• “Life experience” is a valid substitute for previous academic credentials.
• The school’s address is a P.O. Box; its website lacks an .edu domain; it regularly sends spam email.
• Its website and literature look amateurish and contain spelling and grammatical errors.
• Courses in esoteric subjects –e.g. astrology and natural healing — are offered.
• No face-to-face meetings are required, and long-distance learning and online classes are preferred.
• Promotional material features phrases like “enroll now” and “hurry.”

No one warning sign always indicates diploma mills, but a combination or repetition of them is reason for skepticism.

Put simply, if an institution feels amateurish and more interested in fees than academics, there’s a good chance that it’s a diploma mill. Avoid it.