See also:

• Computers: Ethics  (69)
• Reference: Education: Distance Learning  (967)
• Reference: Education: Educators: Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism  (99)

Avoid Fake-Degree Burns By Researching Academic Credentials - - US Federal Trade Commission advice on identifying legitimate schools and assessing a job applicant's claimed academic credentials.

Degree.net - Diploma Mills - - Gives information on how diploma mills operate. Includes a list of the ways that consumers and employers are victimized.

Diploma Mills - - Information on diploma mills from the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization. Includes a list of institutions which are known to be diploma mills.

Diploma Mills: Fraud in Higher Education - - Gives information on the history and operating methods of diploma mills. It also defines terms and offers related links.

Fortune's Ask Annie - How to Spot a Fake Diploma - - A few tips on detecting phony sheepskins.

General Delivery University - - This is a parody site which shows how easy it is to set up a diploma mill. Includes course catalog and the ability to download a diploma.

How to Recognize Bogus Diploma Mill Schools - - Offers advice to military personnel on recognizing the providers of fake degrees.

Is the Internet Becoming a Haven for Diploma Mills? - - Alert from the Better Business Bureau on the problems that diploma mills pose to consumers.

Ivory Tower Ripoffs - Information about Diploma Mills - - Provides information about the history of diploma mills, what to look out for, as well as links to additional information.

Position Paper on Diploma Mills - - The National Council Against Health Fraud provides this summary of diploma mills and why they are bad for the nutrition industry.

Top 10 Signs: Online Diploma Mills and Degree Mills - - Lists tips for recognizing whether an institution is a legitimate degree provider.

Associated Press: Online University that Gave Cat Diploma Sued for Fraud - - An online university that supposedly granted a graduate degree in business to a pet cat was sued Monday for consumer fraud by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. (December 6, 2004)

USATODAY.com - Diploma Mills Insert Degree of Fraud into Job Market - - Article which examines the problems caused by diploma mills. It also shows how hard it is to combat the bogus degree providers. (September 28, 2003)

Wired News: Down by the Diploma Mills Stream - - Anyone can purchase a bachelor's or master's degree for the bargain price of several thousand dollars. (August 28, 2002)

Wired News: Phony Degrees a Hot Net Scam - - Diploma mills are proliferating. (May 23, 2000)

The Chronicle of Higher Education: Is the Internet Becoming a Bonanza for Diploma Mills? - - Article which examines how the Web has made it easy for diploma mills to operate. (December 19, 1997)