DEGREES FOR SALE: THE DIPLOMA MILLS PROBLEM CONTINUES By Emily Tse, International Education Research Foundation (IERF) In 2010, a study identified 23 individuals on LinkedIn who claimed degrees from Almeda University, a known diploma mill (Prouix, 2010). Just two years later, in a separate study published in 2012, the number catapulted to 2,500 individuals on LinkedIn claiming qualifications from the same institution (Ezell and Bear, 2012). In 2015, in a third study, the number increased again to 4,000 individuals listing credentials from Almeda University (Neifer, 2015). While this trend speaks to the overall growth of the professional networking site, it also can range from several hundred dollars a source for much confusion and as a draws attention to the alarming growth to several thousand. loophole for diploma mills in the U.S. of degrees issued from diploma mills. And yet, this pattern represents only one Confusion Breeds Opportunity The rise of alternative forms of among the estimated 5,000 diploma Despite the dubious locations of education, and the recognition of these mills that exist today (Ezell, 2015), many diploma mills, the United States various forms, have also added to the confusion. For instance, online degree suggesting that the overall collective has been established as the most number would be exponentially larger. programs have become commonplace, popular site for degree mill operators. Also, although Almeda University’s particularly with advancements in Nevertheless, wherever the location website is no longer in operation, it is technology. Equally common is awarding may be, their global reach is far and evident on LinkedIn that their degrees credit based on examinations (e.g., wide. For instance, a diploma mill may continue to be used and cited. CLEP) and recognition of prior learning operate in one country, present itself as experiences that take place outside existing in another, and sell credentials the classroom. Examples include “In this context, diploma mills, to a customer in a third country. The independent study, internships and borderless nature of these enterprises also commonly referred to as volunteer work. While credit may be makes it easy to escape discovery. Yet, if degree mills, are entities that granted for such experiences, entire detected, these entities often simply move degrees cannot. Yet, diploma mills offer substandard or illegitimate to another state or country, particularly confer degrees based solely on life small island nations, where there is little academic degrees for a fee. experience. Upon receipt of payment, the oversight of private institutions. customers’ life experiences are converted As such, they are not regarded Diploma mills are known to thrive in into degree certificates and transcripts as true institutions of learning the U.S. in large part due to existing showing courses, credits and grades. and are not accredited by a loopholes in state authorization and Tricks and Gimmicks regional accreditation. States typically Degree mill operators employ recognized authority.” issue degree-granting authorization to many tactics to create an air of educational institutions; however, the legitimacy, such as using names that standards vary greatly. For this reason, In this context, diploma mills, also sound similar to existing reputable accreditation is viewed as a significant commonly referred to as degree mills, universities, producing brochures and are entities that offer substandard or additional authorization, despite websites that closely resemble those illegitimate academic degrees for a being a purely voluntary measure. For of legitimate universities, and using fee. As such, they are not regarded as example, accreditation is frequently edited photos of university campuses. true institutions of learning and are not used as a requirement in the provision They often advertise in well-established accredited by a recognized authority. of financial aid and transfer credit. publications, such as The Economist, These businesses differ from counterfeit This division between degree-granting Forbes, and USA Today; and create operations that issue fraudulent degrees authorization and accreditation, along faculty profiles on LinkedIn and other from legitimate universities. Depending with the separation between state and on the diploma mill, the cost of a degree federal oversight of education, serves as continued on the next page NAGAP PERSPECTIVES • SPRING 2016 27 DEGREES FOR SALE CONTINUED sites, using stock photos or images for phone operators was to upsell. For Board (THECB) targets consumers of gathered from the Internet. Operators example, one might have posed as an diploma mill qualifications, stating that also present their universities as being American official and advised customers it is illegal to use fraudulent degrees, accredited; however, they do so by that State Authentication Certificates whether in spoken or written form, to creating fraudulent accrediting bodies, were required. While the cost to obtain gain employment, a promotion, or known as accreditation mills. To feign such a certificate is less than $100, admission into a school. The THECB legitimacy, accreditation mills often Axact operators would charge up website also includes a comprehensive place themselves on lists that they to several thousand dollars for this list of institutions whose degrees are fabricate, which include other known, additional service. designated as illegal to use in Texas. recognized accreditation authorities. Additionally, they cite recognition of other Many of Axact’s degrees were sold These HEDD and THECB lists are helpful known, respected schools. Collectively, to residents in the Gulf countries and tools to identify substandard institutions these strategies shape a false sense of the U.S. Yet, Axact employees did not and degree mills. When reviewing an credibility as institutions of learning. target consumers in Pakistan, helping applicant’s educational background for to avoid detection until recently. admission, it is important to confirm that Another popular tool is the Apostille Prompted by the release of The New the school is recognized by the proper or State Authentication Certificate, York Times article, an investigation is authorities in the originating country and frequently issued to accompany the now being conducted by Pakistan’s that it has the authority to grant degrees fraudulent diploma and transcript. Federal Investigation Agency. After there. Such measures help safeguard the These certificates serve to authenticate several raids, approximately two million value of genuine degrees and protect notarized documents to be used abroad. blank certificates belonging to various the public from services being provided However, like the notarized documents fraudulent high schools and universities by individuals who are not appropriately themselves, the stamp and signature were discovered, along with servers qualified. n of the authenticating office do not containing details of sales made. attest to the veracity of the contents of the documents. The office would Combatting Diploma Mills not have the capability to do so, as it Despite the mercurial nature of diploma References typically does not have any ties to the mills, it is of paramount importance Proiux, S. (2010, February). Online educational authorities that would be that efforts to combat them continue. Diploma Mill Credentials in the Working able to provide such verification. Yet, In the United Kingdom, it is illegal World. Online Degree Finder. Retrieved the official look of the Apostille and to award and issue British degrees from http://www.onlinedegreefinder. Authentication Certificate contributes unless authorized to do so. In this way, com/2010/02/18/online-diploma-mill- to the perception of authenticity, degree mill operators are targeted and credentials-in-the-working-world/ particularly when issued by the U.S. discouraged from selling their wares. Ezell, A. and Bear, J. (2012). Degree Mills: State Department’s Office, bearing the Additionally, the Higher Education The Billion-Dollar Industry That Has Sold signature of the Secretary of State. Degree Datacheck (HEDD) provides over a Million Fake Diplomas. Amherst, a website that allows users to look up NY: Prometheus Books. The Largest Diploma Mill recognized degree-granting institutions Neifer, A. (2015, October). LinkedIn is Filled with Fake Degrees. Motherboard. Operation Known in the UK, including the former names Retrieved from http://motherboard.vice. In May of 2015, The New York Times of educational institutions, with dates of com/read/linkedin-is-filled-with-fake- published an exposé, uncovering what recognition specified, and indications degrees is arguably the largest diploma mill of any subsequent mergers and name Ezell, A. (2015, November 10). The operation to date (Walsh, 2015). Axact, changes. The database also furnishes “Axact” Scam and the Big Business of a software company in Pakistan, was definitive information if an institution Credential Fraud [webinar]. American discovered to be behind more than 370 is not recognized. When degree mills Association of Collegiate Registrars and websites for fraudulent high schools, are uncovered, the HEDD works with Admissions Officers. universities, accreditation bodies, and enforcement agencies toward their Walsh, D. (2015, May). Fake Diplomas, educational search portals. Using round- prosecution and closure. Real Cash: Pakistani Company Axact the-clock phone agents, it is estimated Reaps Millions. The New York Times. that Axact generated tens of millions of In the state of Texas, the tactics differ Retrieved from http://www.nytimes. dollars in revenue each year. somewhat, despite similar objectives. com/2015/05/18/world/asia/fake- Instead, the consumers of diploma diplomas-real-cash-pakistani-company- Based on information provided by mill qualifications are targeted. The axact-reaps-millions-columbiana-barkley. previous employees, one frequent tactic Texas Higher Education Coordinating html?_r=0 28 SPRING 2016 • PERSPECTIVES NAGAP.