It seemed too good to be true. You could get a degree from a prestigious-sounding university just by taking a few classes at home, and sending a payment at the appointed time and date. In the mail would appear a gold-embossed diploma, identifying you as a graduate of the Bachelor of Science program.

One look at that diploma and your employer would be sure to bump up your salary, just like the employee handbook said. There couldn't be a downside, could there?

What Are Diploma Mills?

In the old days, the easy-as-pie degrees were advertised in small ads in the back of tabloid magazines. With the advent of the internet, the degrees have become more plentiful, more attractive, and even more questionable.

A diploma mill advertises college or other educational degree if you complete minimal educational courses and pay a fee. These diploma mills offer home study, online study and correspondence courses, but without qualified professors, accreditation and any real educational value.

The key difference between a diploma mill and a legitimate college or university is that a diploma mill completely lacks any accreditation or certification by any recognized association of higher learning. Simply put, a diploma mill just gives a piece of paper it and calls it a "diploma" to anyone who will pay for it.

Diploma Mills Often Sound Legitimate

Almeda University. Almstead University. Belford University. Bennington University. Rochville University. St. Regis University. Williamstown University. Sounds like an impressive list, doesn't it? Well, don't be fooled. These names, although they sound prestigious, are the cleverly disguised names of bogus diploma mills.

Almeda University once awarded a degree to a dog in Albany, N.Y. The bogus St. Regis University gave a US Secret Service agent three undergraduate and advanced degrees in exchange for $1,277. And of course, "Williamstown University" could be easily confused with Georgetown University or the College of William & Mary.

The Trouble with Padding Your Resume

A recent survey of LinkedIn, the well-known professional social networking site, revealed that many people have dressed up their resumes with a degree or two from a diploma mill. Twenty-three people, including the managing director of a leading hotel in Shanghai, China, include a degree from Almeda University on their LinkedIn resume.

Many people have reported to their employers that they've earned degrees, and have enjoyed the higher salary and promotion that go along with it. But the story hasn't had a happy ending for those whose employers learn that the degrees aren't legitimate.

Two police officers in Naples, Florida were fired in 2006 for putting Almeda University on their resumes. They were reinstated just last September. Eleven Georgia teachers had their teaching licenses revoked after they were found to include bogus St. Regis University degrees on their resumes.

Even though having that great-sounding (but false) degree on your resume might land you a job, if your employer eventually discovers the ruse, you might be fired, demoted or disciplined. If you're found to have given false or misleading information to get a job, you might be fired on the spot and lose all chance for a good reference in your job hunt.

The lesson to be learned? Stay away from easy-sounding online degree programs that aren't affiliated with a legitimate university. Check and cross-check the school on the internet, ask for proof of its accreditation, and don't pay a dime unless you're absolutely sure you'll be getting a real education.

Questions for Your Attorney

  • If I got a degree from a diploma mill, can I sue it for false advertising or something else?
  • If I get fired because of my degree from a diploma mill, can I sue the diploma mill?
  • What other things should I look for in an online university?