Diploma Mills and Cheaters

My father studied in our home for many years through distance education and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Engineering when he was in his 60’s.  He was the first in his family to obtain a college degree. What an inspiration he was to his five children who all went on to obtain postsecondary degrees or certifications.  This past summer, my best friend earned a master’s degree through an online graduate school.  It was the proudest accomplishment of her life to date, she informed me.  I myself have completed several work related trainings which my company offers to employees via the Internet. 

With the growth and popularity of online education in recent years diploma mills have capitalized on this learning forum and are getting rich selling diplomas to people without the proper education required.  Some, so-called “students”, have pursued the low road to a bogus degree for the purpose of getting ahead quickly.  This has created a much needed discussion on academic integrity in public media. However, this discussion should not start and end with online schools.  Cheating is not limited to diploma mills or the students of distance learning.  I clearly recall kids cheating during exams in grade school and high school. In my traditional brick and mortar university experience, many of my classmates copied homework assignments and some bought and sold test answers and essays.  If you really enjoy the low road, you can now purchase a thesis paper on the Web.

Deceptive business practices and cheating are alive and well today just as they always were and will be.  Throughout our lives we bump up against our inner barometer of personal integrity which reminds us of whom we are or, better yet, who we hope to become.   From childhood into old age, cheating is always an option.  So is being an inspiration to your children, role model to your friends, a skilled employee, or an honorable graduate.  It’s an individual choice and it is certainly not new to higher education.

Contributing blogger - Jane R.

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Comments

February 10. 2008 12:44

Seems odd that someone would spend money for an education and then cheat themselve out of it by cheating. Then again, how long is going to take your new boss to figure out you don't know a darn thing about engineering or "your trade" You have to earn an education, you can't buy it. First you have to find a good legitimate accredited school like this one. If you cheat, or buy a diploma or degree from non-accredited school, you're only cheating yourself. Nice article.

John Martin

February 15. 2008 14:59

i read this blog alos i totally agree with you about the cheaters..

Summer Hodge

February 19. 2008 13:32

I read this article and thought to myself, wow that is completely right. When I told my parents I was getting a degree from PennFoster he was concerned about the website being another "diploma mill".I have to say at first I wondered about it too myself. I believe now though that it is a good school that I can study and learn at my own place and get an actual degree.

Rachael Newman

February 27. 2008 12:54

I just joined Penn Foster after looking at a few other places. I chose Penn Foster over the others because it seemed to have better materials, and a more in depth program than the others. Sure, I could have gone with a "diploma mill" and completed their program in a few months, but I didn't feel that they offered as much information as Penn Foster. I do not want to cheat myself out of the proper education that I will need for my future career. I would only be hurting myself in the long run.

Jillian Carr

March 23. 2008 23:16

Penn Foster is not a diploma mills. With diploma mills, you pay for a diploma and do not have to complete any required subjects. Some of these websites are even granting high school diplomas if you pass a short online quiz. If you fail the quiz, the website gives you the answers and thereby allows you to memorize the correct answers. Pass the little quiz and get a high school diploma. With Penn Foster, you have to work and study for your grades. Some of their medical programs even suggest an externship to gain hands on real experience before completing the program.

Also if you check out the accreditation of Penn Foster, it is legitimate. With the diploma mills, they will say they are accredited, but if you look up the accreditation on wikipedia, even the accreditation is fake.

Teresa McNeill

April 5. 2008 16:11

I ama student of Penn Foster.. I kind of gotten behind, but now i am focused again and ready to go. I am on the english course and these essays are no joke...keep up the good work Penn Foster Staff..

James

July 24. 2008 15:39

I don't see the sense in paying good money for a fake diploma when it costs just as much to get a great education. I guess some people just look for the easy way out but in all actuallity it is the hard way out because they don't gain anything but a piece of paper. They are not any smarter. I personally would rather do things the right way and get a good education. It makes you feel a lot better about yourself to achieve that!

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February 23. 2010 14:09

I read this article, and I said, now that very reason. When I told my parents that I get a degree in PennFoster was concerned about the site to another mill 'degree.' I must say first, I was wondering too. I think now, however, it is a good school, you can learn and learn from their own site, and get a real diploma.

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