| If you're thinking about signing up for an online | | | | transcripts or GPA's and test scores aren't necessary |
| degree program there are a few things to keep in | | | | for the online degree than be suspicious. |
| mind if you want to earn a degree online so you | | | | If you only need to fax a resume and acceptance is |
| don't get caught up in one of the scams or diploma | | | | based on a review of it, be suspicious. |
| mills instead of one of the legitimate online degree | | | | Many universities offer credit for career experience, |
| programs whether you want a bachelor's degree, | | | | but evaluating career experience for college credit is |
| masters degree, doctorate, associate or | | | | not a simple matter. |
| undergraduate degree, business, nursing, education or | | | | There isn't a university online degree program or |
| psychology degree or any other. | | | | distance learning university in the US that awards a |
| First of all what is a degree mill? A degree mill is a | | | | master's degree or doctorate online that is based |
| bogus college or university that sells college or | | | | solely on a review of career experience. But there |
| university diplomas. It's actually selling you just a piece | | | | are some undergraduate programs that will do it. |
| of paper, not a document that verifies your | | | | They will usually limit the credit for experience to a |
| educational experience form an accredited institution. | | | | maximum of ten courses or about 30 semester |
| Getting a college or university degree is one of the | | | | credits, which amounts to about one year of a |
| most expensive items people acquire in their lifetime. | | | | four-year degree. |
| Many jobs or careers require a college degree. | | | | If you're guaranteed a diploma within 30 days of |
| Because of this the demand is high for college | | | | application beware of a scam. Since degree mills are |
| degrees and there are businesses that make big | | | | only in business to sell you a piece of paper they can |
| business out of selling these diplomas, especially on | | | | make all the guarantees and promises they want. |
| the Internet. | | | | Beware if it charges a lump sum such as $2,500 for |
| How can you tell if the college or online college is | | | | an undergraduate degree or perhaps $3,500 for a |
| bogus, a scam or phony? | | | | graduate degree. Universities do not charge flat fees |
| First make sure the online college or university is | | | | for degrees. Colleges and universities charge per the |
| accredited. This is one of the easiest things to check. | | | | credit or per the course tuition and assorted fees. |
| If the college or university is accredited you still need | | | | Check with the online Better Business Bureau. See if |
| to check and make sure it's accredited by an agency | | | | they have any complaints on file about online degree |
| that is recognized by the CHEA (Council of Higher | | | | mills or online degree program or courses and |
| Education Accreditation.) | | | | particularly any one that you have in mind. |
| You'll find that the majority of the online diploma mills | | | | If you're told by the diploma mill representative that |
| are accredited. The chilling fact is that when you | | | | online universities can't be accredited by the CHEA |
| check the accreditation they seem legitimate enough. | | | | recognized agencies, this is not true. Many accredited |
| It appears they are accredited. However the startling | | | | universities have online degree programs. |
| fact is they have created these bogus agencies | | | | Find out if the online degree program has a list of |
| themselves. The names of the agencies can sound | | | | faculty who have attended schools other than those |
| like they are legitimate and most people would | | | | listed on bogus accredited agencies. |
| assume that accreditation means just that. But this is | | | | Beware if the online degrees are offered from |
| not so. | | | | another country but solely to US residents. |
| The first thing to do is to contact the CHEA and find | | | | Armed with this knowledge you should be able to |
| out if the accrediting agency is listed on their | | | | easily determine whether the online degree school or |
| accreditation list of college and university accrediting | | | | distant learning program is a diploma mill, scam or not. |
| agencies, both on campus and online. You will also | | | | Be careful. Many do a lot of advertising and sound |
| need to do this for any online degree program or | | | | and look credible. Find out the name of the |
| online degree course you're considering. | | | | accreditation agency is and check them out. Taking |
| If the admission criteria is based solely on owning a | | | | the time to do this can save you a lot of money, |
| credit card or of previous academic records | | | | time and energy later. |