Diploma Mills

[cookderosa]

Another thread is hinting that a degree without learning and a diploma mill are the same thing. A diploma mill is when a company that is NOT a legal college sells you a piece of paper that says you've received a credential (bachelor's degree, master's degree, etc) from them or someone else.

To be clear: if I earn a degree from TESU, TESU will issue me a degree. They are legally authorized to do that, so I am totally legit.

If I BUY a piece of paper / transcript / diploma / degree from someone that is NOT TESU that says I graduated from TESU - that is fraud. I'm breaking the law in most states.

If start a company called CookDeRosa University, and I'm not accredited as a university or licensed to issue degrees of any kind - BUT I will sell you a degree for $500 that says you attended CookDeRosa University and earned a degree, then we are BOTH breaking the law.

Legal degree earning is pretty cut and dry - it is clear enough what is and isn't legit.

How much someone learns, what someone pays, how long it takes, and the state you are in have nothing to do with the shades of the question. It's black and white.