What are diploma mills? And what do I do in order to avoid them here in Kentucky?

Charlotte

Owensboro, KY

It is actually a very good topic to bring up because diploma mills are the reason why the reputation of online universities is being stained.

So, what exactly are diploma mills?

Diploma mills are those that purport to be universities online that offer distance learning for a certain amount of payment, and yet the degrees they offer do not in any way possess any academic significance and are not even recognized in the job market. These diploma mills have not been recognized by any official organizations that accredit degrees to be offered online. If you obtain your degree from one of these diploma mills, you may be faced with terrible consequences like the ruin of your career or even charges for criminal fraud, especially if you use this degree in applying for a job or for a promotion.

There are actually a lot of ways to recognize diploma mills. But the best and surest thing that you can do is to find an online university that has been accredited by nationally or regionally recognized accrediting institutions. These accrediting agencies should be recognized by the United States of America Department of Education, as well. I am quite sure that there are a lot of these there in Kentucky.

Online university degrees have been shown by studies to be equal to those that are offered in universities and colleges. But you just have to be very careful of these diploma mills, so as not get yourself into trouble.

I am seriously considering getting a degree online since I don’t have much time, what with my job here in Mississippi, but I am just hesitant because I don’t know if the degrees offered are really legitimate. Can anyone enlighten me on this matter?

Shayne

Biloxi, MS

The Internet is actually like another world on its own, and like in the real world, you cannot just trust everything that you see in there. Some universities found on the Internet would offer to send you a degree for a certain amount that you would have to pay them even though the degrees they offer are not legitimate and would not be accepted in the job market. This kind of universities is what we typically call as diploma mills. You have to be very careful in choosing the online university from where you would want to obtain your degree because in case you get your degree from a diploma mill and use it for employment or promotion, you might get into trouble and be faced with charges of fraud.

But you should not lose faith on online universities even in the presence of these diploma mills. You just have to seek out on the Internet an online university that is recognized by an accrediting agency recognized nationally or by an institutional accrediting agency that is found there in Mississippi. These accrediting agencies should in effect be also recognized by the United States Department of Education. The online universities that give legitimate degrees, along with the degrees they offer, are usually included in the Secretary of Education’s published list of establishments that provide quality higher education.

For more information about this issue, you could just check out the Web site of the U.S. Department of Education.

I’ve been working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania since I was seventeen and now I am in my mid-twenties. A fellow employee told me that he is taking online degree for college and I was sufficiently intrigued. I wonder if I can do it, too.

Earl

Philadelphia, PA

Of course you can, Earl – all you need is some patience, more than a little discipline, and much determination. I think you have all three, having been responsible enough to earn at an early age in life. Online education works like a real college program, except that everything is done online. You register online, enroll online, take lessons online, do your home works and case studies online, take exams online, get grades online and finally, earn your degree online. It is very popular for people like you who can not afford to be full-time students and will probably have limited time as well.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a lot of online degree programs and you should decide first what you would want to take, or which degree you’d like to earn online. Usual choices would be those related to your line of work now, so that you can advance your career in your work.

But you can also pick an online course completely unrelated to your work now in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – it is really up to you. Be prepared, Earl to even work harder for your online college degree. Online education system lets you pace yourself, so you can actually finish an online degree in just a matter of six months. Imagine that, Earl, in just six months you will be a full-pledged college graduate! Of course, those six months will be hellish.

I’m sorry dear but I am not a fan of this technology called the internet. Everything is done through it and I’m not sure it’s as real as the real thing. I even heard that there are now online degrees for college available! Call me old-fashioned but I still believe that University of Berkeley in Berkeley, California is the best when it comes to earning a college degree.

Miranda

Berkeley, CA

Hello, Miranda, too bad you didn’t mention your age, or is that a secret (wink)?

Online college degrees are getting to be more and more popular nowadays, yes, I grant you that, and this is because more and more of our countrymen need to work immediately and can no longer afford to spend the time earning a college degree the traditional way. Sure, it will not be the same as going to a physical university in Berkeley, California, after all, they say education does not only happen in classrooms but with interacting with people from all walks of life; but if one cannot afford this, should she be deprived of a college degree and therefore be less competitive in the world of corporate America? I don’t think so and that is why online college degree programs were developed and it is in fact equivalent to a college degree earned the traditional way.

There are many universities and colleges in Berkeley, California offering online degree programs and you might be surprised, Miranda, to know that your alma mater in fact has an extensive online college degree programs ranging from engineering to management to many other courses. Professors for the online college degree programs will be the same professors teaching in the halls of your dear university, Miranda. You should be glad to know that your alma mater has recognized and adapted well to the needs of our working students!

My dad just passed away after my high school graduation so I was forced to work to support my family in Anchorage Alaska. I still dream of getting a college education. Will online college degrees be the same?

Mikayla

Anchorage, AK

Mikayla, allow me to offer my condolences on your fate. But it is commendable that you have such a responsible and positive outlook in life. This outlook makes champions and heroes out of ordinary people and already it has helped you well in supporting your family in Anchorage Alaska.

Definitely one should never stop aspiring to get a college education since it is the ticket to many employment opportunities and career development. And lucky for all of us, with the advent of technology, we can now get college degrees online, which will be the same as a regular college degree earned the traditional way.

Have you already decided on which online degree to take, Mikayla? There are a lot, believe me, and you will need to decide first which online college degree you’d like to earn before you choose which online university you’d like to enroll in. Usually, the choice is made between what’s the most bankable or marketable (a degree that is most in demand nowadays by employers) and what’s in your line of work now. I wonder what work you do in Anchorage Alaska, Mikayla? You can decide on pursuing an online degree complementary to it. Good luck, Mikayla and hello to your family as well.

I am a secretary at a law firm in Miami Florida. My boss recently talked to me and said that she sees a promotion soon but not if I only have high school degree. I heard that the fastest way of getting an education is through online college education. How does it work?

Marin

Miami, FL

Hello, Marin! You are lucky to have such a considerate boss who not only looks after the success of the business but also at the development of his people. You may feel pressured now but years from now you will look at this as a blessing in disguise because your boss has actually forced you to do something you should have done a long time ago anyway.

You are correct, the fastest way of getting a college degree is through online degree programs. It is the fastest, depending on your own performance, I should add, Marin. From your office in Miami Florida, you can search, choose and enroll in an online college program most suitable to your line of work. You may even want to get some words of advice from your boss since she seems to be genuinely concerned with you anyway. There are many available online college courses and so it is best if you already know what online degree you’d like to have. Like I said, it all depends on your performance, Marin. Online degree programs let you pace yourself so it will depend on how much time you devote to fulfilling the requirements of the online degree program. I guess your boss would even agree to let you stay a few hours after work in your office in Miami Florida to do some assignments or even take some exams. Like I said, you are fortunate to have a considerate employer and you will do good to heed her advice.

I had about two terms in college before I had to stop when I had a child. I took some subjects in engineering in Berkeley California CA. Would this college degree be available online?

Norie

Berkeley, CA

Hello, Norie! Yes, this will definitely be available online in Berkeley California CA and you can even have your previous units credited to you as part of your online college degree program. What you need to do is go to your preferred college’s web page and look at how you can credit your past subjects to your online degree program.

There are many available engineering courses online and I am sure that you will have a good set of options in your hand. You should choose which inline degree program to take in the same manner you would choose a traditional education, save for the considerations in location since you will not be traveling to the campus anyway.

You can take your pick at the many available online engineering courses by simply searching Google for “online engineering degree” or “engineering degrees online”. Just double check if the online degree program and the university you have chosen is an accredited one and so you can even limit your search to “accredited online engineering degree” or “accredited engineering degrees online”.

Of course, even though online courses save you time and money, you will still exert the same and probably even more effort to successfully complete the degree. But isn’t it nice to know that you do not have to leave the comforts of your home in Berkeley California CA to pursue your college degree?

I am about to be a mom soon and will face the very tough task of raising my child on my own. I need to earn more than what I am earning now as a receptionist, and soon. I’ve heard of online college degrees. How do they work and will they be available in Albuquerque New Mexico NM?

Micah

Albuquerque, NM

Hello, Micah, allow me to give my warmest congratulations to you!

This is a very wise and responsible move, Micah. Getting online degree for college is one of the most (if not the most) practical and convenient way of pursuing higher education which will make you more competitive in today’s world. Remember that in this world, the more credentials and skills you have, the better chances you have of getting a higher pay, and therefore better capabilities to support your family. Online college degrees are available anywhere in the United States and it will most definitely be available in Albuquerque New Mexico NM.

Online college degree works like a normal college degree except that everything is done online, from enrollment to taking your final exams, to getting your grades and eventually, finishing your degree. It is very convenient because you can do it at home when you have the time or during your breaks in your workplace, or at your favorite coffee shop in Albuquerque New Mexico NM. Today more than ever, more and more employers are recognizing and acknowledging the validity of online college degrees so you do not have to worry about not being on equal footing with other college graduates. I can imagine, Micah that you are also on a budget, so this is another plus for you. Since online education does not require you to travel to the university campus, you save a lot on transportation expenses alone.

You will also dictate your pace so you can even finish a degree even before you give birth. Now that is some story to tell to your child in the future! Tell him (or her) that you got your college degree while you were waiting for her to arrive – it has a nice sound to it!

I just finished high school and I’m deciding between work and education. I heard that there are online college degrees available in Honolulu Hawaii HI and I’m thinking this might be the solution to my dilemma. Would you recommend this?

Ariana

Honolulu, HI

Definitely, I would recommend getting an online college degree to someone in your situation, Ariana. If you feel that you need to work, you don’t have to set aside getting that higher education because you can easily get an online college degree from Honolulu Hawaii HI. In fact, for people like you (or at least you will soon be one) with jobs to keep, this is the most ideal way of getting a college degree. You can proceed to work immediately while at the same time you get to earn a diploma through an online college degree.

Online degrees are now becoming popular for several reasons, the first of which is the relatively lower costs associated with online college degrees. Imagine never having to travel or board and lodge somewhere while getting your college degree? It is also very convenient since you dictate the hours when you want to work on that online degree. You pace yourself and therefore is in more control of your schedule. But perhaps the clincher to all of these is the growing acceptance of online college degrees by many employers.

I’m glad that you appreciate the strength of online college degrees, Ariana. You might want also want to tell your future co-workers about online college degree. They, too, might benefit greatly form this innovation.

I’ve always wanted to get a college education. I mean I don’t mind being a waitress now but this might not be able to provide for my future family. My co-worker from Westminster Colorado CO told me that he’s getting an online college degree. How do I go about this?

Sierra

Westminster, CO

Dear Sierra, you don’t have to explain yourself to anyone, particularly with this very noble intention of upgrading yourself with higher qualifications which you can easily get thru an online college degree. Online college degrees are readily available in most cities and it will also be available in Westminster Colorado CO. Getting an online degree is just like going to a university except that you decide on the hours you want to dedicate to it, and everything else is done through the internet.

The first step would be to determine which online college degree you’d like to get. To give you some tips on choosing the right online degree for you, you may want to ask yourself if you can think you will be in the industry you are in now, but on a higher position and rank. If the answer is yes and you want to pursue a career in restaurant management, for example, you may consider getting online degree for management, particularly restaurant management.

Next is you should choose which university you’d like to get your online degree from. Since distance is not an issue anymore, you can choose any which university you so desire. Just make sure that it is accredited so that your online college degree will be recognized in the business. When you have done this, go to the university’s web page and enroll online. It is as easy as that and you can even do this later after your shift. Skip overtime and go get that online degree, Sierra!