The May 24th edition of
Inside Higher Ed
comments on the June 1st launch of diUlus Institute and University, a
new online "university" with associate's, bachelor's and master's degree-granting authority from
Seborga, a small self-proclaimed principality in Italy.
Many authorities on diploma mills consider Seborga as fertile ground
for these unaccredited institutions offering worthless degrees, having been
home to now-defunct mills such as Pebble
Hills University, James
Monroe International University, and Miranda International University, a school
connected to the infamous St. Regis University cluster of diploma
mills. (You may recall St. Regis
University as the "university" from which 11 Gwinnett County, GA
teachers purchased fradulent degrees in order to get pay raises in
2004. All 11 K-12 teachers subsequently lost their teaching licenses.)
Rob Capriccioso writes, "A number of circumstances surrounding the program — including an empty
headquarters in Washington, accreditation from a self-proclaimed
autonomous government operating in Italy, and a Web site based in the
French Antarctic — have several real-life diploma mill experts raising
caution flags."
While diUlus Institute and University is not explicitly labeled as a
diploma mill, the experts referenced in the article make their concerns clear:
- "Alan Contreras, an administrator with the Office of Degree
Authorization in the Oregon Student Assistance Commission, contends
that the Seborga accreditation is worthless."
- "One detractor [...] is John Bear, a distance education expert
who has aided in governmental diploma mill investigations. Bear is wary
of several aspects of the DiUlus Institute and University."
- "Richard Garrett, a researcher with the Eduventures higher
education consulting group, says that the online university resembles
many institutions that have been deemed to be diploma mills."
(Following the
article is a "Comments" section, where a lively thread, with a lengthy note from diUlus Institute and University's
founder, has ensued. Be sure to check that out too!)
Do yourselves a favor, people. Stick to legitimate online degrees. (It
is a misdemeanor to use a fake college degree in Oregon, New Jersey,
Indiana, Illinois, North Dakota and Nevada.) Remember that all the
online degree programs
listed on eLearners.com have been carefully screened to ensure that
they are all offered only by schools accredited by agencies recognized
by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher
Education Accreditation.