What is a Diploma Mill?

Diploma mills are a real problem to watch out for when examining online degree programs. Cranking out diplomas to people who have not really earned them, these businesses make money by presenting themselves as real colleges, universities or schools, but lack the accreditation it takes to give out legitimate degrees.

The worst diploma mills (also known as degree mills) commit fraud, getting their cash by selling printed degrees, academic references and even fake transcripts to people willing to purchase them. Others have the false front of a true university, but do not properly evaluate academic work from their so-called students. Some claim you can “earn” your degree in mere days and others claim that “life experience” can count toward your online degree.

Still others assign coursework at a level far less rigorous than legitimate online colleges. Some degree-seekers are attracted to these operations because they assign little to no serious coursework, but don’t be fooled. Online degrees from diploma mills are not typically respected in the workplace and are essentially worthless.

Diploma mills can sell any level of degrees, ranging from bachelor’s degrees all the way up to doctoral degrees. A customer of a diploma mill can even buy honors like the coveted summa cum laude designation. Some people unwittingly go to diploma mills looking for a legitimate degree program; others go to these businesses with eyes wide open, willing to commit fraud in order to possess false credentials in academia or in their professional careers.

Look for the following when determining whether an online degree program is in fact a diploma mill:

• No accreditation by a nationally or internationally recognized accrediting agency
• No teaching facilities—the address is a postal box or mail forwarding service or suite numbers
• Little to no interaction with professors/instructors. Classwork/performance on assignments has no bearing on whether or not you get a degree
• Degrees can be obtained within several days, weeks or months from when you enroll and it’s possible to back-date
• Check out these other clues that are tell-tale signs of diploma mills.

Accreditation organizations were formed to combat diploma mills, but also present another problem—accreditation mills, or illegitimate bodies of accreditation. Many of these accreditors are in fact the brainchild of the diploma mills, so keep an eye out for bogus agencies as you sift the good from the bad in online education.

Top Online Colleges

	Kaplan University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Kaplan University is a respected online institution that offers a variety of degrees to students. Kaplan has campus locations available as well as degrees available online that students can choose from.
	Ashford University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Ashford University has an outstanding faculty and staff willing to help students succeed in their chosen degree path. Ashford offers accredited degrees entirely available to take online.
	University of Phoenix - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's & Doctorate Degrees. As the largest online university in existence, University of Phoenix has a large variety of degrees available. Students will find degree programs offered in high growing industries with an immediate need for new employees.
	Liberty University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. An accredited Christian online university, Liberty prepares students with a great curriculum and faculty. Liberty graduates impact their workplace with their new knowledge of their field.
	American InterContinental University Online - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. American InterContinental University is one of the world's largest and well respected online colleges in existence today. Thousands of students have graduated from AIU over the years and have gone on to have amazing careers in their chosen industry.
	DeVry University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Students just starting their educational career or students already with a degree will find a variety of degrees they will be interested in. DeVry offers high-quality, innovative programs that assist students in obtainting the skills they need to be successful.
	Everest University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Everest University is an excellent choice for students interested in obtaining their degree entirely online. With assorted degree levels available, lifelong learners or new college students will find the degree level perfect for them.
	Westwood College - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. First time college students will find excellent undergraduate degree programs at Westwood College. With Westwood's online delivery program, students never have to leave their home to get a college degree.