What is a diploma mill ?

I guess I could not get them to bite. I am Joe Cartwright (I loved Bonanza)

Joe Cartwright: Hello-

Curtis Knight: Hello

Curtis Knight: Are you ready to enroll?

Joe Cartwright: Could you tell me how long it takes to finish a degree?

Curtis Knight: which degree?

Joe Cartwright: A BA in engineering

Curtis Knight: ok

Joe Cartwright: I have 30 credits in general education and have taken about 30 credits in engineering

Curtis Knight: you can complete the program in less than 1 year as its a self pace program

Joe Cartwright: Can I finish in less then six months? I want to go to law school and be a patent attorney. Will I be able to get in?

Curtis Knight: it solely depends on your own pace

Joe Cartwright: Do you have a list of students that have been accepted in law schools and the names of the school?

Joe Cartwright: I know I can complete one course per weekend. Can you accept them that fast and grade them that fast?

Curtis Knight: yes you can

Joe Cartwright: How many course would I need to take to get a BS?

Curtis Knight: and as for the list of students who have enrolled and completed

Curtis Knight: i can't provide you with the names as its not our policy because of our students confidentiality

Curtis Knight: 14 courses you have to take

Joe Cartwright: Can you provide the names of the schools?

Curtis Knight: schools?

Joe Cartwright: Law schools that have accepted the degrees for admission?

Curtis Knight: well for that you have to check with law schools by yourself

Joe Cartwright: Okay, is your school properly accreditied? I don't really understand the accreditition thing but I know it is important.

Curtis Knight: yes it is definitely important

Curtis Knight: and yes we are accredited

Joe Cartwright: So I would be able to get in as long as your school is accreditied...so we are good right?

Curtis Knight: MUST is fully accredited and recognized nationally and internationally. The degree/diploma that you earn from MUST University can be used for further education and/or employment purposes anywhere

Joe Cartwright: Thanks, I feel better.

Curtis Knight: absolutely

Joe Cartwright: This might be strange but can I get the degree with the payment and work on the courses later? I really need the degree. You could always pull back the degree later. Please

Curtis Knight: ok

Joe Cartwright: yes?

Curtis Knight: no that is not possible

Joe Cartwright: What are the other options to get it really fast?

Curtis Knight: you have to clear your courses and upon the graduation you will get the degree

Joe Cartwright: Is there a minimum time frame I need to do it in? Can I do the 12 courses in 6-8 weeks if I really focus?

Curtis Knight: to complete your degree program courses

Curtis Knight: yes you will be able to

Joe Cartwright: Do you have a list of instructors so I can get an idea of who they are so I can contact them and talk about the courses?

Joe Cartwright: Can I skip the BS and just get a masters?

Curtis Knight: no you cannot

Joe Cartwright: Can I do both at the same time?

Curtis Knight: no you cannot

Joe Cartwright: Okay, I think I will find a school that offers that. Thanks

Curtis Knight: alright

Joe Cartwright: good night-

 

Must University

I hope this thread about Must University, will outrank Must University's website in the search engines.

 

Must we talk about this MUST University when Shawn (fka Capella Rocks) and the Tedmeister have both found real schools called MUST University (Malaysia University of Science & Technology and Missouri University of Science & Technology, respectively)? How about we make it a competition to find out how many real MUST Universities can be found?

 

I think we need to give that University named Must a break. Maybe Must is a legit University that is known around the world.

 

Much more subtle than I was...I salute you!

I chose "Bert" as in Bert Harbinson, the first fake name ever mentioned on Seinfeld.

 

I actually visited MUST, the Mongolian University of Science and Technology in Ulaan Bataar, in 2002. www.must.edu.mn Institute of Multimedia Communication. A friend was there training people in the travel and tourism industry, and I got to stop by for a day, en route to the Nadaam festival.

I have not, however, been to the Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda . . . but imagine a university starting with the letters "M" "B" "A".

 

From your observations would you say that the two MUST Universities in Mongolia and Uganda qualify as legit schools? (Hopefully, they're not duckmen.)

 

Wait a minute! How far upthread is your consultation with the MUST U enrollment counselor? This I have got to see!

 

And this MUST University (which I guess is also an MBA University) has the following website: www.must.8m.net. (Good find, John!)

 

I'm wondering if they have a random American-sounding name generator that creates a new name for the "college rep" that does each chat, since it always seems to be someone different, and I can't imagine it's more than one person answering the chats.

 

Must University

I think Must University will eventually shutdown. I just can’t see them operating under the name Must University too much longer.

 

It is very unlikely that the reps are American or using their real names. There are plenty of companies that provide online sales from Philippines, India or other countries with cheaper costs. The scam requires little investment and possible good returns. A web site like that can be developed in India for less than 5K and online customer service under $5 an hour. Their course work is probably obsolete material that can be downloaded over the internet and "self paced" probably means without any instructor or just a poorly paid marker.

I don't know if people still fall for this, owners of this site should know that operations of the same style like Kennedy Western are not longer making money. Robert de Sorbon must be feeling the effects of the negative campaigns also as they put a lot of effort to do "damage control" on this site but my bet is that they won't last other 5 years as people are becoming more aware of these worthless diplomas.

Most government agencies and employers are more aware about the internet scams and putting more effort to screen candidates' credentials.

 

I asked the Must guy for the registrar's address to send my official transcripts, and the link to the undergraduate application. He told me to e-mail him the transcripts and he already filled out my application. My user name was you so I don't understand how that was possible. His reply, he is doing things in steps. I told him the first step is to get my name.

 

Must High School

And in the oddness that is my life, I had a potential student contact me today asking if Must High School was a legitimate school. Yes, it's the same folks.





Tom Nixon

 

E-mail to IAO

The following is a copy of an e-mail I sent to the IAO concerning MUST University. I have not received a response. Should the IAO choose to respond, I will post the reply.

Shawn


[email protected]

dateFri, Apr 17, 2009 at 2:12 PM
subjectMUST University and accreditation
mailed-bygmail.com

hide details Apr 17 (3 days ago) Reply



To whom it may concern,

Good afternoon. My name is Richard Pryor. I am interested in completing a DBA in Hospitality Management through MUST University. I have some questions concerning IAO since I plan to use the DBA to teach.

1. Can you explain to me the differences between IAO, DETC, and Regional Accreditation?

2. Do you have a copy of the site visit summary for MUST University's accreditation for my review?

3. Where are the physical offices of the IAO in case I wish to contact you via FedEx or other ground carrier?

4. Can you provide me the names of the officers of the IAO?

5. According to MUST University, your organization has accredited MUST. In my contacts with MUST University, MUST refused to disclose their physical address to me. In addition, I had specific questions concerning the DBA and asked if I could have the contact information of the Chair of the Graduate School. MUST did not provide me with this information. Is this an acceptable practice?

6. Can you explain the points profile for the Hospitality DBA? I am curious to know what the quanitative differences are in the following ratings:

Orange Ratings: 5.9, 6.7, 7.6, 9.3.
Teal Ratings: 7.8, 7.9, 9.8
Purple Ratings: 8.5, 10.0

7. What other schools are accredited by the IAO?

Thank you for your assistance,


Richard Pryor

 

Don't they offer a DBA in Entertainment Business?

 

I would like to take a shot a predicting the answers...

1) IAO is international... international = good

2) We do have a copy, but it is only available to people other than you

3) We are located everywhere, kind of like God, we are omnipresent

4) refer to answer for question 2

5) MUST is great school - they are accredited by IAO which is international... international = good

6) The colors are very pretty... Purple is my favorite

7) what difference does it make... IAO is international and in case you did not know... international = good

 

ROTFLMAO! I'm going to start a poll

Shawn

 

According to this page, the tollfree number of the IAO is a cell phone.

Not that I'm the least bit surprised.

But what a shame they went to all the trouble of making that nice, pretty webiste (definitely the most advanced I've seen for a fake accreditor) and couldn't spend the $15 a month to get a real landline and a listing with tollfree directory assistance.

 

An address in San Francisco...(Part 1)

Troy Blunt: Want to check either you qualify for your desired degree and the Financial Aid... Let me Assist you with that!!
Troy Blunt: Hello there3
Troy Blunt: !
Philip Potter: Ii want to know about grad school
Troy Blunt: alright!
Troy Blunt: please go a head!
Philip Potter: I have a B.S. in management from Kennedy Western University
Philip Potter: Thinking about an MBA
Troy Blunt: that's impressive!
Troy Blunt: and when did you graduated?

Philip Potter: December 2008
Philip Potter: I am thinking about a career in higher education - but I have some questions - are you familiar with DegreeInfo?
Troy Blunt: Yes I am a Senior Student Counselor and i'll be more then happy to assist you please go a head!
Philip Potter: I have seen postings there that state you are a "joke - and the accreditation is worthless. I want to each, so I need to know about the "worth" of the degree.
Philip Potter: I meant I want to teach
Philip Potter: The other issue is my KW degree. KW is a non accredited school
Philip Potter: Will MUST accept my KW undergrad degree?
Troy Blunt: well let me clarify you that we are Internationally Accredited and Recognized world wide
Troy Blunt: We are Accredited by IAO
Troy Blunt: so the post which you read was meaning less
Philip Potter: Will you accept my KW degree for completion of the bachelors?
Troy Blunt: KW? i am sorry i didn't get it?
Philip Potter: Kennedy Western University
Troy Blunt: City and the State Please?
Philip Potter: Cheyenne, WY
Philip Potter: KW is closed now, but when it was open it was licensed by the Wyoming Department of Education
Troy Blunt: just give me quick moment let me check my records
Philip Potter: OK\
Troy Blunt: if i am not wrong that was closed before 2000?
Philip Potter: Here is a link to the website:
Philip Potter: http://www.wnuedu.com/
Philip Potter: They changed names to Warren National - I enrolled as a KW student. The school closed March 31
Troy Blunt: Yes i got that in my system
Philip Potter: So I can use my KW degree?
Troy Blunt: Yes you can defiantly enroll your self for a Master's Degree with MUST University
Philip Potter: OK - I was looking through the website; can you give me an overview of the program?
Philip Potter: Oh, and where can I mail my KW transcript to - I'll get that off in the mail tonight
Troy Blunt: Sure!
Troy Blunt: You can scan and email that my my email address
Troy Blunt: [email protected]
Philip Potter: I don't have a scanner - sorry
Troy Blunt: can fax that the over?
Philip Potter: Let me clarify that...I need to give KW the address to mail the official transcript
Philip Potter: I do e-mail and Internet, but no fax or scanner, sorry
Troy Blunt: NO
Philip Potter: No to what
Troy Blunt: they do not have to send us the transcripts
Troy Blunt: if you have the copy of that that is fine!
Philip Potter: Sorry for the skepticism, but you would accept a transcript from me?
Philip Potter: How do you know that the transcript is official?
Troy Blunt: otherwise we can try to pull your records through our Online Database
Philip Potter: You can hack KW's system?
Philip Potter: This is sounding bizzare
Troy Blunt: No
Troy Blunt: Actually we all the Educational Institutions have joint internet databse
Troy Blunt: this give us the option to verify the student from US
Philip Potter: So you can verify that someone graduated from any school?
Troy Blunt: Yes now we are on the same page!
Philip Potter: Because as I understand it, schools aren't allowed to release that info without written permission under FERPA.
Troy Blunt: Yes WE are not allowed to release your Information for Marketing purpose!
Troy Blunt: Under FERPA
Philip Potter: But how can KW, I haven't given them permission?
Troy Blunt: but when it comes to verifying your credentials thats a very normal process
Philip Potter: In fact, I value my privacy, I specifically indicated not to release any student directory info without my written permission under FERPA
Troy Blunt: even when you submit your resume for a Job even they can call your University or college to verify your credential
Troy Blunt: this is not the directory information
Troy Blunt: we just have to put your Name and your Date of Birth on the system
Troy Blunt: and your information will be there in front on our screen
Philip Potter: Actually under FERPA, if I have written a letter to the University, (which I have) not permitting the release of any information, you would not be able to access this...at least this is my understanding
Troy Blunt: Sorry to say but you got a very limited understanding
Troy Blunt: Welcome to the Online World where every thing happens on just one Click
Philip Potter: Alright, lets move on to the MBA
Troy Blunt: ok
Philip Potter: What are the degree requirements
Philip Potter: How many credits - and what is the class sequence?
Troy Blunt: the basis requirements are Bachelor’s degree or equiv. international education
Philip Potter: I see the core courses - but where is the specialization course listing?
Troy Blunt: and the total credits will be around 70 for completing 10 courses
Troy Blunt: you mind telling me what Major's are you looking for a Master's Degree?
Troy Blunt: so that i can provide you the link with the list of courses
Philip Potter: MBA - Management concentration. I plan to use this degree and then apply to a doctoral program. I'm looking at Walden, Capella, Union, and/or University of Phoenix for the doctorate.
Troy Blunt: that's a Brilliant Idea!
Troy Blunt: and let me also tell you that you are on the right track
Philip Potter: So I should have no issues with the accreditation? I didn't know about KW's lack of accreditation until I was about ready to graduate
Troy Blunt: Kindly go through this link
Philip Potter: I just never heard of IAO
Troy Blunt: let me also provide you the official website for IAO!
Philip Potter: How does IAO compare to US regional accreditation?
Troy Blunt: http://www.internationalaccreditation.org/iao/memberarea/certificate.asp
Philip Potter: Wow - pretty impressive website. I'm looking through the points profile now.
Troy Blunt: Yes!
Troy Blunt: Philip do not worry you are in safe hands!
Philip Potter: What does the points profile mean?
Troy Blunt: Each accredited institution is assessed on our unique patented profiling system. We have metrics of the bench-mark standards in global working adult’s education best practices.
Troy Blunt: 18 organizational management metrics, 6 academic management metrics and 3 institutional performance metrics are fully assessed for each applicant institution
Philip Potter: So what does 7.3 Green mean? (lower right corner)
Troy Blunt: On the basis of these measures the IAO will award applicant institutions with an accreditation Candidacy and automatically provide a unique points profile© that scores all quantitative measures of the intuitions performance fit to the best practices in working adult education.
Troy Blunt: There are 3 Institutional performance metrics. These assess how the Institutions fares in terms of Alumni performance and employment and any third party assessments and certifications they may have.
Troy Blunt: Alumni performance
Troy Blunt: Graduation rate
Troy Blunt: Standards certifications
Troy Blunt:
Philip Potter: Off the top of your head, are there any other IAO schools?
Philip Potter: I might want to look at one for a doctorate.
Troy Blunt: there are more then 800-900 Schools and Universities registered by IAO over here in US
Troy Blunt: well right now the choices you have in your mind is one the best Online Universities
Philip Potter: Are any of the schools I listed an IAO school (Capella, Walden, Union, UofP)
Philip Potter: I don't see a listing at the IAO site
Troy Blunt: Unfortunately i don't have any information about any other University
Philip Potter: OK.
Troy Blunt: i hope you understand
Philip Potter: Let me sum up our conversation so far:
Philip Potter: OK - here is the summary
Philip Potter: Wait until I type OK please
Troy Blunt: Yes please
Philip Potter: MUST will accept my KW degree
Philip Potter: Your MBA is recognized and certified by the IAO, which is a superior accreditation than Regional
Philip Potter: The MUST MBA will be acceptable for acceptance into doctoral studies at Walden, Capella, Union, or the University of Phoenix.
Philip Potter: OK
Troy Blunt: it's just the small correction which i would like to add that IAO is International Accrediting organization so this means that not only over here in US you can use these documents in part of world
Troy Blunt: rest i think we both understood each other!
Philip Potter: I am interested in enrolling.
Philip Potter: $9,000 for the program, correct?
Troy Blunt: Yes But we can bring it down with the help of Credit transfer (if any) and the Financial Aid
Troy Blunt: so i think your fees will not be more then $7,000