If an online school allows unproctored open-book exams is it a diploma mill?

Answer 1

This is a great question! There are many diploma mill institutions out there just waiting to take your money. Those individuals who are not well informed fall prey to these institutions. They take your money and then you find out the degree and the course work you completed is not recognized, and basically it is worth nothing. That being said, let me tell you how you can protect yourself from these institutions,

There are many excellent colleges and universities that offer online courses and degrees. They are no different from ground (on campus) course work. In fact, the course work and degree are not indicated as online either on your transcript or degree. The only way someone would know, is if you volunteered the information. Many individuals find it very difficult to attend ground courses, because of work/life issues. In other words, time constraints because of work hours during the day or evening, family responsibilities, traveling, etc. The online courses make obtaining a degree and furthering your education possible. Do not be afraid to use the online approach, if it meets your needs. Just remember, you must be a disciplined individual in your study habits. You cannot be a procrastinator. Now, how do you avoid scams?

When choosing a college or university, make sure the institution has a regional accreditation. With a regional accreditation, you can be assured that the course work and degree you complete is recognized by all other colleges and universities as well as employers. That simple. Remember, Your looking for a regional accreditation!

I have listed the regional accreditation agencies below. If the school has one of these, taking on campus or online course work and degree is fine!

Regional Accreditation Agencies

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as schools for American children in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges - Educational institutions in the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
• Northwest Association of Accredited Schools - Primary and secondary schools in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities - Postsecondary institutions (colleges and universities) in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Educational institutions in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, Palau, and Northern Marianas Islands.
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.

Answer

I agree that regional accreditation is a plus, but I am troubled by the fact that most online schools lack professional accreditation. In business education, that means AACSB(www.aacsb.edu) and in public administration that means NASPAA (www.naspaa.org)

Computer giant Intel Corporation recently told its employees that it would not reimburse them for business courses taken at a college that was not AACSB accredited, regardless of whether or not the school had regional accreditation.