Reader’s Question:

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.