Define Degree Mill

Define degree mill. I have heard terms such as less than wonderful, degree mill, and diploma mill, and I would like to know the definition of and difference of each.

 

There's no single correct definition.

I've seen reasonable use of the term for as mild as

substandard school

to as strict as

proven illegal in a court of law.

 

How to Spot a Degree Mill

Through the magic of the Internet Archive:

http://web.archive.org/web/20000815222423/levicoff.tripod.com/criteria.htm

I think Dr. Levicoff explained it rather well.

 

From the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization

And here is what Oregon has to say about it:

"Diploma mills (or degree mills) are substandard or fraudulent “colleges” that offer potential students degrees with little or no serious work. Among other activities, the Office of Degree Authorization is responsible for terminating substandard or fraudulent degree activities.

What is a diploma mill?
Diploma mill: An institution of higher education operating without supervision of a state or professional agency and granting diplomas which are either fraudulent or because of the lack of proper standards worthless. —Webster’s Third New International Dictionary

Diploma mills (or degree mills) are substandard or fraudulent “colleges” that offer potential students degrees with little or no serious work. Some are simple frauds: a mailbox to which people send money in exchange for paper that purports to be a college degree. Others require some nominal work from the student but do not require college-level course work that is normally required for a degree."

 

Re: From the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization

I don't like to give the ODA credit for much in the way of common sense, but if they will truly use these standards to judge schools, it would be within reason. The other definitions are also to my liking, but it also depends on the quality and fairness of the people doing the judging. If they approach schools with an open mind and consider each one without bias, it could be successfully done.

 

Re: Re: From the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization

The ODA decisions seem very simple to me. If it is a substandard school then the degrees can't be used in Oregon. Judging what is a standard school is less subjective and more objective. Your discomfort seems to be more rooted in a reluctance to consider the fact that K-W is a degree mill rather than anything else. Perhaps if you looked at it from the point of view that the ODA does not even try to apply the label of degree mill or diploma mill but only to judge whether or not the school is substandard then you would feel better about the ODA?

 

I agree with Bill Huffman that there is no universally accepted definition of 'degree mill'.

I tend to use it in a rather strong sense, to mean something like 'educationally bogus'. That might mean, depending on my mood, anything from 'outright fraud' to 'significantly substandard'.

 

O.K..... Of course, that would be any university that isn't accredited by the DETC.



Just kidding...............

 

I think the ODA definition of degree mills is workable. Unfortunately, the policies of the current ODA administration are not consistent with those definitions which in my opinion is dysfunctional. This has resulted in a significant amount of confusion, misinterpretation, and miscommunication. A good many schools have been labeled illegal in that state which don't fit their own definition of degree mill.

 

I believe you are correct in your assessment of the ODA. What they define as being a degree mill is not the standard they use to ascertain the quality of a school. They say one thing and do another. What is the point of setting standards to judge schools by if you are not going to adhere to them??? The ODA is a perfect example of how not to run a government agency.

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA You guys crack me up.

The ODA does NOT apply the term degree mill or diploma mill to any institution. They simply try to enforce proper use of degrees within Oregon. That is that degrees used in Oregon should not be substandard.

 

Of course both of you have a stake in believing that. Personally I believe the ODA is doing a fine job and it looks like the federal government will be stepping back up to continue previous efforts at fighting degree mills. Definately a great move on their part.

 

How did we manage to move so quickly from trying define the phrase 'degree mill' to once again trying to trash Oregon's ODA?

The standard used to determine whether a particular degree may legally be used in the state of Oregon was established by the Oregon state legislature.

Suppose that you were in charge of the ODA. What would you do differently?

Here's the Oregon Revised Statute sections that set the Oregon standard:

348.596 Purpose of ORS 348.594 to 348.615.

It is the purpose of ORS 348.594 to 348.615 to provide for the protection of the citizens of Oregon and their post-secondary schools by ensuring the quality of higher education and preserving the integrity of an academic degree as a public credential. [1997 c.652 §9; 1999 c.59 §94]
...

348.609 Misrepresentation of possession of academic degree; complaints; civil penalties; rules.

(1) No person who has been warned by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission, through the Office of Degree Authorization, to cease and desist shall claim or represent that the person possesses any academic degree unless the degree has been awarded to or conferred upon the person by a school that: _____

(a) Has accreditation recognized by the United States Department of Education or the foreign equivalent of such accreditation; _____

(b) Has been approved by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission through the Office of Degree Authorization to offer and confer degrees in Oregon; _____

(c) Is described in ORS 348.594 (2); or _____

(d) Is located in the United States and has been found by the commission to meet standards of academic quality comparable to those of an institution located in the United States that has accreditation, recognized by the United States Department of Education, to offer degrees of the type and level claimed by the person. _____

 

I have different definitions for each, both are my personal opinion.

Diploma Mill - A school that will award a degree upon payment, upon receiving a resume for "life experience", or upon satisfying some ridiculous requirements like a 10-page paper. Some examples are Columbia State, Harrington University, and Saint Regis University.

Degree Mill - A school that requires some work, but not nearly to the standards of a legitimately accredited school. Some examples are Kennedy-Western, Canyon College, and Breyer State University.

 

Charles Fout wrote:

> Through the magic of the Internet Archive:
> http://web.archive.org/web/20000815222423/levicoff.tripod.com/criteria.htm
> I think Dr. Levicoff explained it rather well.

That URL gives me a "Blocked Site Error." And http://levicoff.tripod.com/ itself says "This site has been removed by the author." Does Steve Levicoff have something to hide?

Here is Steve's distinction, as posted to Usenet:

"A *degree* mill *does* require work for the degree. However, the amount, and quality of work is so far below the level of accredited or legit/unaccredited schools that their degrees are still a joke.
"A *diploma* mill requires no work at all for the degree, or such a minimal level of work (say, nothing except a 10-page dissertation for a doctorate) that it is a bigger joke. [...]
"We have, over the past few years, also seen on this newsgroup the increased use of the phrase 'less-than-wonderful school.' This term, of course, originated with Dr. John Bear [...]. I think it is reasonable to observe, however, that the term 'less-than-wonderful school' originated because John Bear has been sued far more than I have."

 

So, less than wonderful = degree mill?

 

Bingo!!! Give that man a prize.

I have always had problems with the phrase "less than wonderful." That is why, I over two years ago, right here on this forum, I proposed the GAAS criteria (see here).

 

Dave, I provided my opinion because I think it's true both academically and logically. You have a stake behind your opinion too, I hope.

I too think its great that the Feds may be stepping up their efforts.

 

Well Bill, you crack me up as well..!! We can always count on the "RA or the highway and it just doesn't get any better than this!!" point of view... Yes, Bill... we know... many of us have been there, done that, got the t-shirt AND the postcard...

The ODA appears schitzophrenic in their presentation of information. On one hand they define diploma/degree mill repeatedly on their site and their charter to protect Oregonians. Then they show an incomplete list of schools that they proclaim as illegal (without explaining why). Many schools have been duly approved through proper state inspection yet still appear on their list. If their intent is to protect the Oregonians from fraud then they should concentrate on that, but instead, they knowingly include all state approved schools in their ban. I think that defines substandard government administration on their part.

As far as enforcement, can you list on the fingers of one hand the prosecutions the ODA has undertaken? We've spent some time on this subject before, but it seems worthwhile to mention it again.

 

Legal degrees in Oregon are either accredited or approved by ODA. The current law gives flexibility to ODA to enact more efficient processes for approval than what are currently being used. ODA currently approves non-accredited schools individually. This is inefficient and has proven itself to be ineffective given the number of schools which have been approved.

(a) I would familiarize myself with other state laws and educational codes. (b) I would pass those schools that have been approved under government supervision. (c) I would expand the list with a more complete list of those schools that either have been proven to be, or by definition are diploma/degree mills. (d) I would also establish clear criteria for school approvals under Oregon law. (e) I would actively prosecute degree fraud.