What Is a Diploma Mill?

Diploma mills have been around for many years, and continue to be a problem in the world of academia. A diploma mill is an organization that awards academic degrees and diplomas without requiring any actual coursework or study on the part of the recipient. 

Diploma mills are a big problem. They’re responsible for tens of thousands of worthless degrees, and they’re often used to scam unsuspecting students out of their money.

A good education is one of the most important things you can give yourself. Don’t let yourself be scammed by a diploma mill — make sure your degree is earned the right way, through hard work and real study.

Why Do Diploma Mills Exist?

Diploma mills exist for one simple reason: to make money. They’re businesses, pure and simple. Like any business, their goal is to make as much money as possible.

Diploma mills prey on people who are desperate for a degree, whether it’s for personal or professional reasons. They promise a quick and easy way to get a degree, without any of the hassle or expense of traditional schools. All you have to do is pay a fee, and they’ll send you a diploma. It sounds too good to be true — and that’s because it is!

How To Avoid Diploma Mills

There are a few things you can do to avoid diploma mills:

Do Your Research 

Before enrolling in any school, make sure you do your research to make sure it’s accredited. This way, you can be sure you’re getting a quality education. You can usually tell that a school is accredited if it’s listed on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Accreditation means that the school has been evaluated and meets certain standards. Without accreditation, your degree may not be worth anything.

Check the Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau is a great resource for checking up on businesses. You can see if there are any complaints against the school, and look at how they were resolved.

Get Recommendations

If you’re unsure about a school, ask around. See if anyone you know has attended the school or if they’ve heard anything about it. Recommendations from people you trust can be helpful in making your decision.

Look For Red Flags

There are some red flags that may indicate a diploma mill. For example, if a school doesn’t have any physical address, or they guarantee you’ll get a degree in a short amount of time, it’s likely a diploma mill. Choose wisely!

Be Wary of Schools That Offer Degrees for Life Experience

You should also be careful of schools that offer degrees based on your life experience. While some legitimate schools offer these types of programs, diploma mills are more likely to do so. Make sure you research the school thoroughly before enrolling.

What Are the Dangers of Getting a Degree From a Diploma Mill?

There are a few dangers associated with getting a degree from a diploma mill.

Your Diploma Will Be Worthless

One of the dangers of getting a degree from a diploma mill is that your diploma will be worthless. Diploma mills are not accredited by legitimate accreditation agencies. This means that their degrees are not recognized by most employers.

You Could Be Fined or Jailed

Another danger of getting a degree from a diploma mill is that you could be fined or jailed. This is because diploma mills are often operating illegally. In some states, it is a crime to operate a diploma mill. There is no excuse — even if you were not aware that your school is a diploma mill. This is why you must conduct thorough research about the school you are planning to enroll in.

You Will Not Get a Refund

If you realize that you have been scammed by a diploma mill, it may already be too late. You will most likely be unable to get your money back. Most diploma mills require students to pay upfront, and in return, they will only get a worthless piece of paper. Before enrolling in any online school, make sure that you do your homework first. Research about the school, its accreditation, and its reputation.

Why Do Some People Use Diploma Mills?

There are a number of reasons why some people use diploma mills. For some, it is simply because they want to save money. They would rather pay a few hundred dollars for a fake diploma than thousands of dollars for a real one. Others do not have the time or the patience to go through four years of college. They would rather just buy a diploma and be done with it.

Can Diploma Mills Help People Get Jobs?

Unfortunately, diploma mills cannot help people get jobs. In fact, most employers can easily spot a fake diploma. If you’re thinking of using a diploma mill to get a job, think again. It’s not worth the risk.

If This Is the Case, Then Why Do Diploma Mills Exist? 

Well, diploma mills exist because there are people out there who are willing to pay for fake diplomas. Unfortunately, as long as there are people out there who are willing to pay for fake diplomas, diploma mills will continue to exist.

There are also instances when people resort to diploma mills because they are waiting for their diplomas to come in the mail. Diploma mills are not a good solution to this problem either. In fact, diploma mills can actually make the problem worse because they’ll have the name of their organization on the diploma instead of your actual school’s name.

If you need a copy of your diploma ASAP, you can always reach out to Phony Diploma instead of using a diploma mill. We specialize in creating a personal copy of your diploma which allows you to have a transcript or degree on file while you wait for an official copy from your university or institution. Think of it as a replacement diploma that is not used to defraud anyone.

Conclusion

If you’re ever tempted to use a diploma mill, think twice! It’s not worth it in the long run. Plus, there are other ways to get your diploma that don’t involve diploma mills. Do some research and find a reputable school that can help you get your diploma the right way. If you are waiting for your diploma to come in the mail but need it ASAP, Phony Diploma is here for you. What are you waiting for? Contact us today, so we can help you!

Sources:

https://www2.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/diploma-mills.html
https://nj.gov/highereducation/More_HE_Resources/DM-Centenary.htm
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/thec/bureau/student_aid_and_compliance/dpsa/DiplomaMills.pdf
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-04-771t
https://dhewd.mo.gov/psc/diplomamills.php