DEGREES OF SUSPICIONIn this report:
Article: Inside the Multimillion-Dollar World of Diploma Mills
Article: Professors With Bogus Degrees
Article: What’s a Diploma Mill?
Multimedia: An interactive graphic showing the cozy connections between the operators of unaccredited colleges (Requires Flash, available free from Macromedia.)
Article: A One-Woman University
Article: The Hypnotist Who Married Lana Turner
Article: The University of Spam
Article: Fighting FakeryBy THOMAS BARTLETT and SCOTT SMALLWOOD
Here are excerpts from a telemarketing script used by the University Degree Program, which sold degrees under various names, including the University of Palmers Green. It was obtained from a disgruntled employee of the company by a former FBI agent, Allen Ezell, and a diploma-mill expert, John Bear. (The sentences in bold are instructions to the telemarketer.)
“First of all, let me be honest with you. If you’re looking for an accredited university, I suggest that you register at Harvard or Yale, pay the several hundred thousand dollars tuition, and study the many years required. Is that what you want?
Wait -- if “Yes,” hang up!
Or, would you rather have the benefits of an Ivy League education immediately with very little cost? Wait! Of course you would, so listen carefully! We don’t give a damn about other universities, employers, professors, or anyone else. We only care about YOU! We will do anything legal, moral, and reasonable on your behalf. As your speak softly and fast nonaccredited “diploma mill,” [normal speech] our job is to take care of your needs and wants by backing up your credentials. ...
... With your background, I feel that you can take advantage of a Ph.D. in state the name of his field or an MBA -- the price is the same so, which do you prefer, a Ph.D., MBA, or both? Wait! ...
... Actually, most university diplomas look very much alike, but let’s select a university and make your diplomas look like theirs. Of course, the diplomas will bear our university’s name. What’s your favorite university? Wait!
... You can assume any titles that come with your diplomas. For instance, when you get the Ph.D., or MBA, you can legally call yourself Doctor or put “Ph.D.” after your name. Do you plan to call yourself doctor? Wait!
In addition, to show what good students receive, there are custom made transcripts and recommendation letters from professors at the University. Isn’t this a great idea? Wait! We’ll also issue laminated wallet sized replicas of your diplomas so you can carry your credentials in your wallet to impress your friends. Do you understand? Wait! ...
... Well, I’ll tell you what. If you can invest just $2,900 in your future for the program -- for signing up right now, on this call -- I’ll mark your account “Paid in Full.” It can’t get any better than that. ...”
http://chronicle.com Section: Special Report Volume 50, Issue 42, Page A15
