What is a “Diploma Mill?” According to an article in the Winter 2002 issue of Colleges and Universities (Volume 77, No. 3) by Allen Ezell, a diploma mill was defined as “an organization that awards degrees without requiring students to meet educational standards for such degrees; it either receives frees from its so-called students on the basis of fraudulent misrepresentation, or it makes it possible for the recipients of its degrees to perpetuate a fraud on the public.”
Many an unsuspecting U.S. national or international student is wooed by a degree mill with promises of receiving a bachelor, master or even doctorate degree based on his/her work experience for a fee. They’re assured that the degree is recognized by an accreditation agency with an impressive name which too is an accreditation mill. Before falling for the easy degree, check the status of the institution to ensure that it is not a degree mill. If the institution is in the U.S. and the accreditation agency it claims to have awarded its accreditation does not appear on the list of those recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for higher Education Accreditation, then know that you are not dealing with a legitimate organization. If the institution is not in the U.S. you must be sure that it is formally and officially recognized by that country’s Ministry of Education and that its academic programs are recognized by other accredited institutions in the country.
Ask questions, do your research and study hard!
Greetings:
This is an interesting blog. As an educator, diploma mills are very sad statement on society. It is sad that people would take advantage of others’ hopes and dreams. On the other hand, some people are so desperate for something to add to their resume, that they will do anything they can. Especially in a society when jobs are so hard to find. If this means claiming they have an education they didn’t really earn, then so be it. How many employers check to see if the education an applicant claims is legitimate.