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If you’re looking for a degree program online, there are plenty of excellent schools that offer distance learning. Traditional schools are putting more courses online, up to and including four-year undergraduate and graduate degree programs. However, this field has its darker side. If you aren’t yet familiar with diploma mills, it’s wise to be aware of them so that your hard-earned education money gets you what it should – a valid degree.
One element that distinguishes a reputable online degree program from a diploma mill is accreditation. Schools that want their credits to be readily transferable both online and to traditional universities typically seek accreditation from one of six regional accreditation agencies. These regional agencies vet colleges and universities according to the same standards that traditional on-campus universities use.
Not every school chooses accreditation, but that doesn’t mean the school in question is a diploma mill. Some schools are still in the review process, especially as education online is such a rapidly growing field. New online universities simply haven’t had the chance to go through the entire process. Other schools may feel that their name is accreditation enough; private universities with wide renown may choose this option.
Still other schools maintain a relationship with other accreditation services. Research your school’s status either at the U. S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Institutions and Programs or even with a search of the university’s web site itself. An accredited university will typically display their accreditation prominently as a point of pride. When you check the Department of Education database, check the name of the listed college or university carefully, as diploma mills sometimes borrow another university’s good name.
A diploma mill might seem like a tempting offer. Perhaps you know your job, and are the best in the state, but not having a diploma to prove your knowledge. Unfortunately, the diploma that you would get from a diploma mill is more likely to taint your CV – or résumé – than to enhance it. Employers are aware of diploma mills and check into an applicant’s background enough to spot a tissue-paper diploma.
Be Wary of…
Still unsure about the university you’re considering? Here are some signs to look for:
§ The school offers unbelievably short degree programs. If the school promises to deliver a four-year degree in six months, don’t buy the hype, or the steep fees.
§ They promise to give you credit for “life experience.” Legitimate universities do this too, but they require ample proof of your experience before they give bona fide credit . A school that only wants you to write a list of experiences is probably a mill.
§ Their website is barren of important information such as the dean’s name, professors’ names, a phone number, a full address, or a university’s edu extension.
§ Their name is a bit too similar to that of a famous university. For example, “John Hopkin University” is almost definitely a mill, leaching off the good name of the prestigious Johns Hopkins.
§ They demand a lump sum instead of charging tuition per credit hour.
§ They boast “accreditation” that, upon further inspection, seems to be issued by the school itself and not a trustworthy outside agency.
The Good News Is
It may take a bit longer to earn your degree through an accredited program even if you’re able to work at your own speed with online education, but you’ll be assured of the quality of your credentials. A degree should mean more than simply a piece of paper to fatten a résumé. It will be valid and recognized if it comes from from a reputable or accredited institution. Accreditation also means that you’ll be able to transfer those credits freely, either to another online degree program or to a traditional on-campus learning environment. Pay for an education, not just a gilded paper with your name on it; you’ll be glad you did.
Author: SalieThreewit
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