(EMAILWIRE.COM, April 10, 2009 ) Fake Education Scams: State Officials Use Diploma Mills to get Higher Pay

Could accredited distance learning programs suffer as a result of the latest attempts by state officials to increase their salaries? Given the recent surge in the discovery of numerous state employees who have used fake degree scams to get pay raises, this seems entirely possible.

Generally, the public respects and admires police officers, who are sworn to uphold the law and protect American citizens. These officers have a right to be respected. They also have a responsibility to the public to behave in a manner deserving of that respect.

Lately, however, the behavior of Washington State’s police offers appears to give cause for the public to re-examine and question their collective opinions. Six months ago, ten police officers from the state’s patrol force were investigated for using fake diplomas to obtain pay raises. Recently, a fake diploma was found in the file of a sheriff’s deputy who has been suspended since November.

Unfortunately, no employer or manager is exempt from the risk of hiring or promoting someone with a fake diploma, and distance learning degree programs seem to be at higher risk of being tarred with the same brush as these diploma mill scams. A high percentage of distance education degree programs, though, are accredited and highly credible routes to higher education for hardworking adults.

How can employers and the general public, as well as prospective students, avoid these degree scams? One of the best ways to do this is to get educated about the differences between real and fake distance learning programs. Sites such as www.degreeboard.com offer forums where students can virtually meet and discuss distance learning programs and gain more information about them.

Degreeboard.Com also offers visitors regular updates about accreditation status, and invites users to post about questionable or suspicious degree programs they encounter. Although spotting a fake degree scam can sometimes be tricky even for experienced educators, most diploma mills share a few characteristics. If you’re aware of these factors, you’re likely to be able to recognize a fake degree when you see one, even without a lot of experience.

First, beware of ‘universities’ that do not have a physical location and address. Most accredited distance learning universities have multiple campuses throughout the country. Additionally, check to see if these schools are regionally accredited.

The U.S. Department of Education confers accreditation through a number of regional agencies, and most schools proudly advertise this accreditation. (Not all accreditation is legitimate, however, so you may have to make a phone call or two to make sure the Department of Education does confer the claimed accreditation.)

Finally, if a school promises you a degree “based on your experience” or in an unusually short time, or without requiring the completion of course work or examinations, beware. You’ve just bought yourself a fake degree.
Stay connected with fellow educators and students by frequenting the discussion forums at Degreeboard.Com. Protect the future of distance learning – and help keep it safe for others to earn a degree online too – by helping to protect the public from these fake degree scams!

Contact Information:
Degreeboard.com
shoshana dovid
Tel: 888.384.9528
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