7 Signs That a School Might Be a 'Degree Mill'

How many times have you received an email announcing that you can get a degree from a “Prestigious Unaccredited University”? This is only one of many advertising methods used by scam schools that seek to defraud, and perhaps provide a service to those who seek to defraud. Many fraudulent schools advertise in reputable national newspapers and magazines. There are many internet sites that at first appearance try to guide distance learners to the best choices for distance education only to find degree mills and scam schools peppered amongst accredited institutions. Sadly, this only adds to the confusion. There are many ways to research a school, but you can start with the list below as to whether a school you are interested in may be a degree mill.

1. The College is not accredited by an agency recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education.
A great number of degree mills claim accreditation for their school. The problem is that the accrediting institution is generally just as fraudulent as the college and usually owned by the same folks. For U.S. schools, look for a school which is CHEA recognized.

2. The College will award a degree with no course work, exams, or transferred credits.
“Get your degree in 7 days! No one turned down”! Need I say more?

3. Degrees are awarded according to how much you are willing to pay.
Be wary of schools that offer undergraduate, masters and doctorate degrees for set prices per degree. For instance, the only criteria for getting a Masters degree is that you are willing to pay more than you would for a bachelors degree.

4. The school offers a transcript documenting courses or exams that you have never taken.
If the school offers to provide you, for a fee, a transcript that shows course work and grades for classes, portfolio assessment or exams that you never completed, you can be fairly certain you dealing with a degree mill.

5. The school offers degrees based on nothing more than your resume.
Some fraudulent schools offer degrees based solely on a resume that you provide (and a substantial fee).

6. The school offers a special rate if buy a combination of degrees.
This is a sure sign of a degree mill. If the school offers a discount when you “purchase” a combination of bachelor, master or doctorate degrees, then chances are it is fraudulent.

7. The school shows pictures of their diplomas in their marketing material or on their website.
Most legitimate schools know that prospective students will not be sold on an institution just because they have an impressive diploma. However, a great many degree mills feel it is important to show you pictures of a diploma, presumably because that is the only thing you are paying for.