Diploma mills insert degree of fraud into job market

usa today. ^ | 9/29/03 | By Stephanie Armour

[paltz]

It turns out those diplomas came from degree mills, which are bogus universities that confer degrees for little or no study. When the mother followed his advice and took her daughter off insulin, the 8-year-old girl began vomiting and died.

[paltz]

Beginnig of article

After Marion Kolitwenzew learned her daughter was diabetic, she took her in 1999 to a specialist for care. He seemed impressive, with an office full of medical supplies and a slew of medical degrees from universities.

[isthisnickcool]

[annyokie]

"Back of the Matchbook U" alert.

[Mears]

The consumer and the ones that employ these people should bear some responsibility. Background and education must be checked,and checked thoroughly.

[ml/nj]

It's surprisingly difficult to validate academic credentials of anyone. I was interested in a man who claimed a Columbia degree, and no one at Cornell's main research library could begin to tell me how I could verify the degree without challenging the man directly.

ML/NJ

[Junior]

A "Patriot University in Colorado" bump (y'all know what I mean...).

[PrincessB]

I believe that any school can verify whether a degree was granted so long as the person did not request the "directory information" be withheld. Try calling the registrar's office.

Also, whether we like government involvement are not, accrediting bodies are listed on the Department of Education Website, and each body lists its members.

[PatrickHenry]

A "Patriot University in Colorado" bump (y'all know what I mean...).

He's in this list: Some Questionable Creationist Credentials.

[nuconvert]

Shouldn't this have a "Big Duh Alert" ?

[caisson71]

There's not much difference between diploma mills and affirmative action universities - except maybe time and money.

[Think free or die]

Unfortunately, some employers are perfectly willing to hire and retain these phony graduates and people with questionable credentials. I once pointed out a patently dishonest internal resume to my manager while we were screening applicants for a marketing position. I was assured that "hyperbole is expected" in resumes and not to worry about it. She was an affirmative action case and got the job, of course. We had another such marketing manager whose degree was from an unaccredited university and who treated her peers to screaming tirades. It was all tolerated to keep up the "diversity" numbers. It really made me sick. Not all managers really want to know about phony credentials.

[holyscroller]

Let's not forget phoney degrees like Chelsea's too. Ligitimate universities handing out degrees for non-attendance to the daughter of the smartest woman in the world.

[NonValueAdded]

Verification is only a certified transcript request away.

It takes real moxie to buy a fake degree in ethics!!!

[El Conservador]

There's not much difference between diploma mills and affirmative action universities - except maybe time and money.

My friend, you've just lumped every college and university in the country in the diploma-mill list. Virtually every higher-education institution, public or private, in America is an a affirmative-action, equal-opportunity institution.

[paltz]

However,
What they may be misssing are the Alumnae Associations...the fringe benefis of being a graduate from an institution. And those who want to fake their wa into the richie rich crowd would have to come up with a prep school diploma too, and those institutions are so small, one is bound to get caught.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I keep getting emails telling me I can buy a diploma.

[boris]

I work for a big aerospace company. At one point, they created a "skills database" which included degrees. The electronic form stated that "proof" of degree had to be provided to one's manager.

I brought in my diplomas and showed them to her.

"Why are you showing me these?"

"The online form said I had to provide proof."

"Well, you're the only staff member (of ~40 in her group) who has done so."

"You mean I could have given myself a PhD?!"

--Boris

[A CA Guy]

Does this invalidate my dog's internet Harvard Law degree?

[Aracelis]

What-the-heck! 500-bucks and I could already have my PhD instead of slaving away watching myself grow older.

No, seriously...I enjoy pain, and I have ethics. I'll finish the right way.