What the Heck is a 'Diploma Mill'?

A "diploma mill" is an unaccredited institution that grants degrees in exchange for money, and without ensuring that students are properly qualified. While most schools do not fall in this category, the Internet has helped to create a ripe environment for such institutions and therefore caution is advised.

Finding Detailed Information on Diploma Mills

eLearners provides a good description of the characteristics of a diploma mill. Diploma mills have been highlighted frequently in the news, even on the news show '60 minutes', yet they still continue to exist. Other sites to learn about diploma mills include:

Web Site	Description
Degree Mills	John and Maria Bear's history of degree mills
GetEducated.com	10 Signs of an online diploma mill
Degree Finders	How to avoid diploma mills

Additional Ways to Check Out an Online School

You can also check an online school with the Better Business Bureau to see if the institution has complaints against it. "Degree mills" often have many complaints against them with the BBB or the State's Attorney General office. Try the search form below. Simply enter the name or enter the name, city and state (if known.) Or enter the phone number or web address to see if any complaints exist.

Name:

City:

State: (Required if city entered)

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Phone:

- or -

Web Address:

Now that you've learned what to avoid, let's look at the breadth of online learning opportunities available.

See the Range of Online Learning Programs!