You've seen them before, on television, in your local weekly paper, and in suspicious-looking online ads. Their claims are often too good to be true: "earn your degree in one year," or "why waste years studying when you could be earning money?"
In the education community, these schools are often referred to as diploma mills - substandard schools that have not been subject to any kind of academic scrutiny or quality standards. In the job market, employers know that the degrees these schools offer aren't worth the paper they're printed on and generally view them as illegitimate degrees.
In addition to being a waste of your hard-earned money, just trying to use a degree from a diploma mill is illegal in many states. In some states, using your degree from a diploma mill to get a job or to boost your resume is punishable with a fine and, in some cases, jail time.
How do you spot a diploma mill? Well there are two simple signs to look for:
First, does the school offer federal financial aid? If they do, then you are safe to assume that they are a legitimate and recognized school, since diploma mills and other substandard schools cannot participate in federal financial aid programs.
Second, is the school accredited? Accreditation is a status granted to an educational institution that meets established criteria of educational quality. It's essentially an academic stamp of approval, and it means that the school has undergone a detailed review and met specific academic standards.
When considering a school for your online studies, look for regional accreditation. Regional accreditation is the highest level of accreditation a school can earn. It is awarded by one of six regional accrediting agencies in the US: Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern and Western. Most 4-year universities, public and private, as well as 2-year community colleges, are regionally accredited.
By following these two tips for identifying a legitimate and quality online program, you can be well on your way to the future you deserve!
