Have you heard these claims on television and radio?
- Earn your Bachelor’s degree in 1-2 years!
- Get your degree in your spare time – just a couple hours a week!
- We offer a degree for the life experience you already have!
If continuing your education is your goal and you are committed to it, you will find that you have numerous options. Choosing a school requires time and research and is not a decision that should be made hastily. This article is not intended to help you choose a school but to help you avoid paying and working for a degree or certificate that is worthless.
What is a diploma mill? It is an educational institution or similar entity that provides a diploma without proper credentials. Credentials are provided by accreditation agencies such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges which, incidentally, provided accreditation to Texas A & M University on July 1st, 1924. However, it is important to note that even accreditation agencies can be bogus. Accreditation agencies must be recognized by the Secretary of Education.
What this means to you is this; If you get a job or promotion due to an education you received from an unaccredited institution, you may face termination or even possible prosecution. I think we have all heard stories of people who got great jobs even though they exaggerated or outright lied about their qualifications. This is very risky behavior.
Warning signs that an institution may be a diploma mill:
- Did you hear about them through spam or a pop-up? Most legitimate schools will not use these methods.
- High pressure tactics. Legitimate schools make a reciprocal investment in their students. If their students are not dedicated and maintain a reasonable GPA, the school could lose accreditation. Therefore the school does not want to coerce someone into a hasty commitment.
- Typically it takes 3-4 years for an undergraduate degree. It usually takes a couple more years for a Master’s degree. If the school suggests that you can do it in half the time with their program, it is probably not legitimate.
- Flat fees are a warning sign. Most reputable institutions charge per credit hour, not by the diploma itself.
- No tests and no studying. While many legitimate schools offer some credits for previous work experience, you are still going to have to demonstrate knowledge of the material.
I want to make it clear that I, in no way, want to deter anyone from pursuing their education. I personally went back to school after the “typical” college age and it was a tremendously rewarding experience. The reality of it though is that you are going to have to make a serious commitment to it and understand that there will be some long hours ahead of you.
Below is a list of resources when researching an educational institution:
U.S. Department of Education - A list of all postsecondary institutions that are accredited by agencies recognized by the Secretary of Education.
http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation
U.S. Department of Education - Overview of accreditation in the United States and List of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies.
www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
Degree.net - Simple questions to ask about accreditation and earning unaccredited degrees.
www.degree.net/guides/accreditation_faqs.html
Jordan Rzad
Internet Marketing Manager
The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas
