Students and employers can now access a master list of accredited colleges, universities, and career and trade schools—thus helping combat the growing problem of diploma mills—thanks to a new Department of Education Web site unveiled today by Department officials, the Federal Trade Commission, the Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Reps. Mike Castle, Buck McKeon and Tom Davis.

"This new Web site—www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation—is an important tool to combat the growing industry of diploma mills that scam unsuspecting consumers and employers by offering fraudulent degrees," said Assistant Secretary of Education Sally Stroup. "On behalf of Secretary Spellings, I would like to thank Senator Collins and Congressmen Boehner, Castle, Davis and McKeon for their support. This Web site is the first step in our continued efforts to increase awareness and provide useful information to the public."

Diploma mills operate outside the purview of the accreditation process and the Department of Education's oversight of federal student aid programs. Consequently, they threaten to devalue the genuine education credentials of millions of Americans.

It should be noted that some institutions have chosen not to participate in the federal student aid program and therefore do not have to be approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the Department. While these institutions do not appear on the Department's list, they may be legitimate schools. Stroup encouraged consumers and employers to use the list as an initial source of information and to investigate further whenever an institution does not appear on the list.

Last January, after discussions with Sen. Susan Collins, Department of Education officials brought together federal and state representatives to discuss the most effective ways to combat the rising problem of diploma mills. Last May, Stroup testified before Congress on the problem of diploma mills and pledged a coordinated, ongoing effort by the Department along with other state and federal entities to address the issue.

In addition to the new Web site, the Federal Trade Commission announced a new publication, Avoid Fake-Degree Burns by Researching Academic Credentials-a resource for hiring managers and human resources professionals, with information on the Department of Education's database and other tools to help assess academic credentials. The publication, available at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/diplomamills.htm, also identifies red flags that indicate a job applicant's claimed academic credentials could be bogus.

###

Top

Back to February 2005