Is this cool?

[davewill]

I think it needs to be clearly stated that things don't get much more UNCOOL than this. Any attempt to use such a "degree" is clearly a fraud.

P.S. I also think it would be a good idea to obfuscate that URL in the original post rather than increase that site's search ranking even one iota. I tried to report it to make that suggestion, but it didn't work.

[High_Order1]

Question:

I went to the site. What is the 'legal loophole' the site repeatedly refers to?

I understand the concept of unaccredited schools, but, is that what they're talking about?

It would be interesting to hear what 'schools' they pull from; I get the feeling they are all outside the US.

[sanantone]

I think it needs to be clearly stated that things don't get much more UNCOOL than this. Any attempt to use such a "degree" is clearly a fraud.

P.S. I also think it would be a good idea to obfuscate that URL in the original post rather than increase that site's search ranking even one iota. I tried to report it to make that suggestion, but it didn't work.

I don't know where Rebel is at, but he's usually not happy when things like this are posted on the forum.

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Question:

I went to the site. What is the 'legal loophole' the site repeatedly refers to?

I understand the concept of unaccredited schools, but, is that what they're talking about?

It would be interesting to hear what 'schools' they pull from; I get the feeling they are all outside the US.

I believe it's illegal in my state to use an unaccredited degree to apply for jobs. I think most states have a requirement that all schools in their state apply for authorization to operate and eventually earn accreditation. Only schools primarily religious in nature are exempted. Also, some states have their own accreditation boards.

Even if HR fails to check, you risk losing your job in a very embarrassing way. Not to mention that these types of stories often make the news when you work for the government, a college, or in a high-profile position at a private company.

[DavidHume]

I keep a special email for signing up for internet scams because I'm just too curious not to see what the whole spiel is.
I decided to see about a PhD in feminist literature.

After you 'apply' for your degree you get an email that attempts to sound like it is making legal claims.

Then:
"For your process to move forward, there is a formality that you have to comply with. We must be supplied with proof that you have had access to suitable study material.

This is achieved thru the purchase of approved material in the form of e-books. Choices of e-book packages range from $210 to $290."

All of the e-book packages are bundles of texts on resume writing, interview skills, and ridiculous wealth attainment strategies. I was kind of hoping there would be the offer of at least 1 shoddy content mill authored book on feminism OR literature.

[Joeman200]

Hey! Their PhD in feminist literature is probably just as good as the real thing!


(I know, I couldn't help myself)

[High_Order1]

I believe it's illegal in my state to use an unaccredited degree to apply for jobs. I think most states have a requirement that all schools in their state apply for authorization to operate and eventually earn accreditation. Only schools primarily religious in nature are exempted. Also, some states have their own accreditation boards.

Even if HR fails to check, you risk losing your job in a very embarrassing way. Not to mention that these types of stories often make the news when you work for the government, a college, or in a high-profile position at a private company.

This still doesn't address the question; what is the 'loophole' they are talking about?

I found very little on the net without doing some digging. I'm glad this 'school' is referenced here; maybe others who google to see if this is legit will see that here, where nontraditional paths are discussed in depth, do not feel it's an appropriate path, and good reasons why. I think it also helps the online school community to see that this site is against the 'check-stroking-for-cum-laude' schemes.

So, I say, let it ride, for what little my opinion is worth here.

[jsd]

You're asking what "loophole" a fraudulent site is using?

Have you considered that maybe they are, you know, lying? Fraudsters are kind of known for that sort of thing.

[DavidHume]

I believe it's illegal in my state to use an unaccredited degree to apply for jobs. I think most states have a requirement that all schools in their state apply for authorization to operate and eventually earn accreditation. Only schools primarily religious in nature are exempted. Also, some states have their own accreditation boards.

Even if HR fails to check, you risk losing your job in a very embarrassing way. Not to mention that these types of stories often make the news when you work for the government, a college, or in a high-profile position at a private company.

This still doesn't address the question; what is the 'loophole' they are talking about?

I found very little on the net without doing some digging. I'm glad this 'school' is referenced here; maybe others who google to see if this is legit will see that here, where nontraditional paths are discussed in depth, do not feel it's an appropriate path, and good reasons why. I think it also helps the online school community to see that this site is against the 'check-stroking-for-cum-laude' schemes.

So, I say, let it ride, for what little my opinion is worth here.

The loophole seems to be their use of The Hague Convention Apostille. So essentially the "schools" issuing the degrees are in one of the countries that are party to the treaty.

See part IV of https://travel.state.gov/content/passpor...tials.html

[sanantone]

I believe it's illegal in my state to use an unaccredited degree to apply for jobs. I think most states have a requirement that all schools in their state apply for authorization to operate and eventually earn accreditation. Only schools primarily religious in nature are exempted. Also, some states have their own accreditation boards.

Even if HR fails to check, you risk losing your job in a very embarrassing way. Not to mention that these types of stories often make the news when you work for the government, a college, or in a high-profile position at a private company.

This still doesn't address the question; what is the 'loophole' they are talking about?

I found very little on the net without doing some digging. I'm glad this 'school' is referenced here; maybe others who google to see if this is legit will see that here, where nontraditional paths are discussed in depth, do not feel it's an appropriate path, and good reasons why. I think it also helps the online school community to see that this site is against the 'check-stroking-for-cum-laude' schemes.

So, I say, let it ride, for what little my opinion is worth here.

The answer is that there is no loophole. I thought that was obvious. This is a diploma mill .

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I believe it's illegal in my state to use an unaccredited degree to apply for jobs. I think most states have a requirement that all schools in their state apply for authorization to operate and eventually earn accreditation. Only schools primarily religious in nature are exempted. Also, some states have their own accreditation boards.

Even if HR fails to check, you risk losing your job in a very embarrassing way. Not to mention that these types of stories often make the news when you work for the government, a college, or in a high-profile position at a private company.

This still doesn't address the question; what is the 'loophole' they are talking about?

I found very little on the net without doing some digging. I'm glad this 'school' is referenced here; maybe others who google to see if this is legit will see that here, where nontraditional paths are discussed in depth, do not feel it's an appropriate path, and good reasons why. I think it also helps the online school community to see that this site is against the 'check-stroking-for-cum-laude' schemes.

So, I say, let it ride, for what little my opinion is worth here.

The loophole seems to be their use of The Hague Convention Apostille. So essentially the "schools" issuing the degrees are in one of the countries that are party to the treaty.

See part IV of https://travel.state.gov/content/passpor...tials.html

This isn't a loophole. They make it clear that authentication of the documents does not confirm accreditation.

Here is a discussion on Belford University and how this loophole is not a loophole.

https://www.geteducated.com/forums/19-de...university

[DavidHume]

This isn't a loophole. They make it clear that authentication of the documents do not confirm accreditation.
[/quote]
Yes, the US government makes that clear, but they would not be the ones issuing the certificate in this instance.
Also, the service makes it clear that they differentiate between legal and accredited:
"Are these degrees accredited?
PLEASE DON'T CONFUSE LEGALITY WITH ACCREDITATION

You must understand as explained in the FAQ that there is no such thing as a 'universally' accepted form of accreditation. A school may be accredited for one purpose, but unaccredited for another.

Please don't confuse "legality" with "accreditation". Accreditation is in most circumstances, a CREDIT TRANSFER issue and never a legal issue. As such, if you require specific accreditation for a specific job or a specific use (most don't), then you should not proceed."

They are selling a fake degree (and shoddy e-books) with a legal certification from a foreign country that looks fancy. Many folk looking at the certificate might be duped into thinking it authenticates the degree instead of authenticating the signature. The country the degree comes from might not have as explicit of a disclaimer available on their webpage as the US Department of State has.

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Also pretty sure their legal concern is more on their end and not so much for how their duped customers use or present the product.