• CHEA’s Web site: www.chea.org. This organization lists about 3,000 colleges and universities and encompasses more than sixty national, regional, and specialized accrediting organizations.

What if an Institution You Are Considering Is not Accredited?

As mentioned before, since online programs are still somewhat new, some might either choose to not be accredited or are in the process of becoming accredited. The process takes some time.

How can you make sure a school is legitimate if it is not accredited?

• Call the state agency with jurisdiction over higher education in the state in which the school is located. The agency can at least tell you whether or not the school is operating with a legitimate charter and if any complaints have been lodged or legal action has been taken.

• Call the school and ask why it is not accredited and whether the school plans to seek accreditation. If the school tells you it has applied for accreditation, double-check its status with the agency it names.

• Consult with people in your field about the school’s reputation and the value of its degree. Don’t forget, in some fields, a degree from an unaccredited school or program will bar you from professional licensure and practice.

Diploma Mills:"Get Your Degree for Only $500?"

By now, "diploma mills" is a well-known term in distance education and in the public mind. What you probably don’t know is just how prevalent diploma mills are. When you can buy a diploma for $500 to $2,500 and pay an extra $500 for magna cum laude, that’s a diploma mill. They have mushroomed in the online environment. With such varied state regulations, some states have become diploma-mill breeding grounds. Because diploma mills present themselves as viable educational institutions, it is difficult for the less-than-savvy person to differentiate them from legitimate institutions.

When potential students are smart enough to ask an online program provider if it is accredited, diploma mills say yes and point to their Web site. Their Web site says they are accredited, but is it by a recognized accrediting organization? Probably not. Some states are cracking down, but diploma mills just move to another state. Do you research and protect yourself!

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