A diploma mill is a company that offers “degrees” or “certificates” for a flat fee, requires little work, and awards you a degree based on your life experiences. Diploma mills and accreditation mills are bad. You need to make sure the college or university you want to attend is not a diploma mill. Degrees and certificates from diploma mills may not be accepted by other colleges and universities if you are looking to transfer into another school. Also, the person you may work for may not accept your degree or certificate if it came from one of these types of schools. You may spend a lot of money, not receive a legitimate degree or certificate, and not get the job that you have dreamed about.

How can you tell if the college or university you’re thinking about going to isn’t a diploma mill? Here are some tips that will help you find out:

• You don’t have to study and there are no exams — you get a degree for your experience. Diploma mills give you a degree for your “work or life experience” alone.
• You don’t have to go to school. Good colleges or universities, including those online, require that you must do work.
• You only pay a flat fee – Good colleges charge by the credit, course, or semester, not a flat fee for an entire degree.
• You don’t have to wait – Colleges and universities that give you a degree in a few days, weeks, or even months aren’t good. If an advertisement promises that you can earn a degree very quickly, it’s probably a diploma mill.
• You see an advertisement through spam or pop-ups on your computer – If the college or university caught your attention through an e-mail or pop-up ad, it may be a diploma mill.

How can I find out if a college or university program is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization?

Go to the U.S. Department of Education at www.ed.gov and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.