The College Degree: April Fools?What employers can do to avoid putting their companies at risk from so-called "degree mills".
270 RIVER ST. SUITE 3R TROY NY 12180 PHONE: 518-271- FAX: 212-937- www.commercialinvestigationsllc.com Contact: Michelle Pyan, President, Commercial Investigations LLC, 518-271-7546 michellepyan@ THE COLLEGE DEGREE: APRIL FOOLS? April 2008 (Troy, NY) Receiving a college degree is supposed to be one of the greatest accomplishments of a lifetime. The excitement of finishing, the feeling of success and the prospect of a bright future ahead are just a few of the benefits that come with a college education. For some, the work that comes with receiving a college education is simply viewed as a requirement of the curriculum. However for other people the work is only a waste of time. How is it possible to receive a college degree without completing the required curriculum? The answer: A Degree Mill. What is a Degree Mill? While there is no agreed upon definition of what a Degree Mill is, Wikipedia defines it as “an organization that awards academic degrees (and diplomas) with substandard or no academic study, and without recognition by official accrediting bodies. These degrees are often awarded based on life experience.” While the practice of obtaining a degree issued by a Degree Mill is by no means original, the industry has been rejuvenated in recent years by way of the internet, soaring these Mills to an estimated billion dollar profit. Perhaps the lure of these Mills is the ease of their accessibility. With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can find your way to institutions such as Belford University or Ashwood University that offer degrees delivered right to your door in just 7 days for about $450 in fields such as Nursing, Accounting and Information Technology. Further enhancing the lure is that many Degree Mills are now offering verification services that ensure your “credentials” Don’t be Fooled by Accreditation. A standard practice for any established academic institution is to maintain accreditation through an official accrediting body. Degree Mills are clever entities though. Many claim their institutions are fully accredited and therefore offer legitimate degrees. While it is true that many Degree Mills are “accredited,” In an effort to validate the legitimacy of accreditation, all legitimate accrediting bodies are required to be registered with either The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or U.S. Department of Education (USDE) (NAPBS Journal, 2008). The CHEA and USDE are organizations that provide a national advocacy for self-regulation of academic quality through the practice of accreditation, providing scrutiny and certification of the quality of higher education accrediting bodies. This includes specific accrediting bodies focused on areas such as faith-based and career specific agencies and regional accrediting bodies such as liberal arts agencies (NAPBS, Journal 2008). It is the duty of the CHEA and the USDE to provide scrutiny to accrediting bodies, ensuring programs comply with the standards expected of institutions of higher education. My Employees Would Never “Purchase” While it is true that a majority of people would never resort to the use of a Degree Mill to advance their education and career, no employer is immune to the liability of such a degree. In 2004, Laura Callahan, a Senior Director of The Department of Homeland Security, resigned when it was discovered that her Doctorate Degree was issued by Hamilton University, a known Degree Mill located in Wyoming. The mill has since relocated to the Bahamas using the name “Richardson University.” Similarly, Charles Abell, former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, obtained his Master’s Degree from Columbus University, a Degree Mill which was closed by the state of Louisiana as one of the 12 famous Degree Mills labeled the “Dirty Dozen” (Irish Times, 1998). Daniel Matthews, Chief Information Officer for the Department of Transportation, received his Bachelor’s Degree from Kent College in Louisiana. The cost? $3,500. What is being done about these mills? While some states like New Jersey and Oregon have been successful in adopting legislation that combat Degree Mills, most states have been less successful. When the dust settles, a Degree Mill is simply a business that has the same right to operate as the any other business. Legislators in some states have argued that Degree Mills are operating on a fraudulent basis. However, as long as no false claims are made with respect to the degree issued, very few of these arguments have been successful. In addition, many states have non-descript laws on the books that infer possessing a degree issued by a Degree Mill is not is crime but rather a constitutional right. Regardless of the circumstances, it has become clear that fraudulent degrees are everywhere and that identifying such degrees sits solely on the inquiring party, whether it is an institution of higher education or a potential employer. It’s an employer beware world and day can be April Fools Day. -Eric Wood/Investigator Commercial Investigations LLC Commercial Investigations LLC assists employers with protecting their employees, customers and overall businesses through their Background Investigations and Consulting Services. For more information visit their website at www.commercialinvestigationsllc.com or call them at 518-271-7546. COMMERCIAL INVESTIGATIONS LLC (CI), a full service licensed private investigative agency, offers thorough and affordable employment BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS. CI provides accurate, timely, cost effective and fully compliant reports supported by high standards of customer service. CI also offers consulting services to assist organizations with reviewing and auditing their BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS processes for compliance, effectiveness and efficiency. CI provides the PROACTIVE TRUTHTM regarding applicants, thereby reducing turnover and limiting exposure to civil liability. # # # About CI: Offers thorough and affordable BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS. CI provides accurate, timely, cost effective and fully compliant reports supported by exceptional customer service. CI also offers consulting services to assist organizations with reviewing and auditing their BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS processes for compliance, effectiveness and efficiency. CIWARE, a user friendly, secure online application, allows clients to select the inquiries they need and view results in progress Website: www.cichecked.com End
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