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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jreichard (talk | contribs) at 17:17, 10 August 2006 (Reply to CaliEd). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Sourcing

For the note that unaccredited degrees MAY be illegal in some areas, Washington State: "State senators unanimously amended and approved a bill that would make giving or using a fake or otherwise unaccredited degree a class C felony, a crime of fraud that could warrant five years in prison and a $10,000 fine."[1] CaliEd 19:55, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Here is the law: HB 2507 - 2005-06 :Prohibiting false or misleading college degrees.[2] (top of page three)

False academic credential" means a document that provides evidence or demonstrates completion of an academic or professional course of instruction beyond the secondary level that results in the attainment of an academic certificate, degree, or rank, and that is not issued by a person or entity that: (i) Is an entity accredited by an agency recognized as such by rule of the higher education coordinating board or has the international equivalents of such accreditation; or (ii) is an entity authorized as a degree-granting institution by the higher education coordinating board; or (iii) is an entity exempt from the requirements of authorization as a degree-granting institution by the higher education coordinating board; or (iv) is an entity that has been granted a waiver by the higher education coordinating board from the requirements of authorization by the board. Such documents include, but are not limited to, academic certificates, degrees, coursework, degree credits, transcripts, or certification of completion of a degree.

"Board" of course refers to the Washington Board of education. CaliEd 20:16, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I just spoke with Karen Oelschlager, a Degree Authorization representative at the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (360.753.7869). She told me that while she could not render legal advice (of course), the intent of the Washington legislature was not exclude degrees approved by other states, but simply to prevent diploma mills from operating within the state of Washington without state authorization or accreditation. The law is not intended to make Washington an island by excluding the approval of other states; it simply omits mentioning other states because it was irrelevant to its original purpose. It is a matter of how the law is approached and interpreted, certainly. Your thoughts please. --Jreichard 20:28, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
WP:OR is not allowed as a sourcing method. The above Washington law is clear, a school must be recognized there to be acceptable. Unaccredited degrees are not acceptable in Oregon, North Dakota, New Jersey. Unaccredited doctorates are illegal in Indiana. The following is quoted from Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization:

Is Oregon the only state that disallows use of unaccredited degrees? No. It is also illegal in North Dakota, see (www.state.nd.us/cte/post-secondary/programs/priv-post-inst/real-degree.pdf) and New Jersey, see (www.njtrainingsystems.org/) to use unaccredited degrees. It is illegal in Indiana, see (www.in.gov/cope/directory/) to use an unaccredited doctorate. See those states’ laws for details. Many other states are considering similar laws in order to prevent fraud.[3]

CaliEd 21:59, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I agree with you; this is why I am advocating that we rephrase the template as stated above. I think that fraud should be dealt with harshly and illegitimate degrees should be prosecuted. However, I disagree that if a degree is not yet accredited that it is automatically illegitimate. How then will any new school operate? A new school cannot achieve accreditation instantaneously. Accreditation requires a history of operation, graduates, etc. To classify as degree as "fake" because it is unaccredited is not a valid designation unless the school is operating illegally (not authorized or approved by a particular state authority). Many fine unaccredited schools are on the pathway to accreditation. The citations above are not battling degrees that are approved by other state degree authorization boards; they are battling illegitimate diploma mills with no state authorization or approval that are issuing illegal, worthless degrees, an effort which I wholeheartedly, unquestionably support.--Jreichard 22:02, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
CaliEd, please read this reference on the Oregon page [4]. This clearly illustrates my point:
May a degree issued by a state-approved but unaccredited school in another state be used in the private sector in Oregon?
Yes, provided that the user discloses on all resumes, letterhead, business cards or web sites that the degree is unaccredited and unapproved by ODA.
Please comment.--Jreichard 22:22, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Proposed change of tag

It may be appropriate to modify the tag to read as:

... is an institution operating in the United States that is not accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. As such, its degrees may not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some states unless approved by the state licensing agency[1].

This accomplishes two things: 1) It better clarifies the US-centricity of the statement and 2) It reads just as the USDE disclaimer reads.--Jreichard 21:14, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I gave you a government source that states unaccredited degrees are illegal in four states, and the Washington law. The template is fine. CaliEd 22:05, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Did you read the proposed change? The word "illegal" is not removed in my proposition.--Jreichard 22:12, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
There are unaccredited schools outside the US, and use of unaccredited degrees from US schools is illegal in some jurisdictions outside the US, so I think it's best to leave it generic as-is. Just zis Guy you know? 22:13, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Then perhaps we need to remove the word "states" as that is certainly US-centric.--Jreichard 22:17, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Maybe local laws approve them or maybe not? However, states is a mainly used in a US context. This unaccredited template is, as wikipedia also is, used internationally. It is fine. CaliEd 22:55, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The template reads "... is not accredited by any recognised accreditation body". Who, exactly, is doing the recognising? --Drichardson 23:27, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

According to the government's laws. Such as:

CaliEd 00:44, 10 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

North Dakota does not accept unaccredited degrees

Source: [5] (section 15-20.4-15.)

15-20.4-15. Unlawful to issue, manufacture, or use false academic degrees - Penalty. 1. It is unlawful for a person to knowingly issue or manufacture a false academic degree. A person that violates this subsection is guilty of a class C felony. 2. a. It is unlawful for an individual to knowingly use or claim to have a false academic degree: (1) To obtain employment; (2) To obtain a promotion or higher compensation in employment; (3) To obtain admission to an institution of higher learning; or (4) In connection with any business, trade, profession, or occupation. b. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. 3. As used in this section, "false academic degree" means a document such as a degree or certification of completion of a degree, coursework, or degree credit, including a transcript, that provides evidence or demonstrates completion of a course of instruction or coursework that results in the attainment of a rank or level of associate or higher which is issued by a person that is not a duly authorized institution of higher learning. 4. As used in this section, "duly authorized institution of higher learning" means an institution that: a. Has accreditation recognized by the United States secretary of education or has the foreign equivalent of such accreditation; b. Has an authorization to operate under this chapter; c. Operates in this state and is exempt from this chapter under section 15-20.4-02; d. Does not operate in this state and is: (1) Licensed by the appropriate state agency; and (2) An active applicant for accreditation by an accrediting body recognized by the United States secretary of education; or e. Has been found by the state board for career and technical education to meet standards of academic quality comparable to those of an institution located in Page No. 6 the United States that has accreditation recognized by the United States secretary of education to offer degrees of the type and level claimed.

I'll fine more links later. CaliEd 22:50, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I will call the North Dakota Educational Practices Board tomorrow for further clarification. I believe you are misreading these laws. They are designed to protect consumers against diploma mills, not state-approved institutions.--Jreichard 23:09, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Please do. And when you do, will you modify Vision's webpage to let students and prospective students know that their degrees might be meaningless in other parts of the country? CaliEd 23:15, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Of course. For years while we maintained religious exemption (in pursuit of State Approval), we disclosed all state laws to the students on our website as the rejection of religious exempt degrees is much more explicit. Whatever the clear interpretation of the law in ND is, we will most certainly comply. We have no problem even letting our students know that the degrees are not acceptable for public employment in Oregon, for instance, but are acceptable for private, religious employment. You will find that we strive that to demonstrate integrity because we are quite aware of the countless diploma mills out there (especially in religious circles). In fact, the school from which VIU started is accredited in New South Wales, Australia, and we intend to follow suit in the USA. I will take this to our Academic Affairs Council after speaking with ND tomorrow. This is not about VIU in particular, but applies to all non-accredited but state-approved institutions. I appreciate your concern for high academic standards. --Jreichard 23:41, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I just spoke with Beverly Sandness at the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (701) 328-9641. Again CaliEd, you have demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of the purposes of these laws. Unless you are a bar-licenced lawyer, I am making the assumption that you are making brash interpretations of the law. The law in North Dakota, according to Mrs. Sandness, was not designed to proclude other State-Approved and duly licensed programs, but to prevent degree fraud from illegal, unlicensed diploma mills. The other purpose of the law is to prevent individuals with unaccredited degrees to attempt to gain certification, employment, or promotion in the North Dakota public school system. And of course, no institution is ever obligated to accept transfer credit from any other institution, especially if the institution is non-accredited. This makes perfect sense. She said that use of a degree from a California, for instance, State-Approved institution would NOT be a "class C felony" in North Dakota, unless it was misrepresented to attempt to gain government employment. She said most explicitly that if an individual earns a degree from a non-accredited but California State-Approved institution, in let's say, Religious Studies, that individual may use that degree in North Dakota without a problem. Please CaliEd, before you continue to interpret legal statutes, please confirm your legal credentials or leave the interpretation up to the experts who work for each individual state. You have again been proven incorrect. Does this not demonstrate that this topic deserves much more discussion and debate? --Jreichard 17:04, 10 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

New Jersey does not accept unaccredited degrees

New Jersey basically has the same law as North Dakota. New Jersey Statutes & Regulations Regarding Academic Degrees [6]

A person shall not append to his name any letters in the same form designated by the Commission on Higher Education as entitled to the protection accorded to an academic degree unless the person has received from a duly authorized institution of higher education the degree or certificate for which the letters are registered. For the purposes of this section, a duly authorized institution of higher education means an in-State institution licensed by the Commission on Higher Education or an out-of-State institution licensed by the appropriate state agency and regionally accredited or seeking accreditation by the appropriate accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Education or the United States Department of Education.

It is sections: L.1986,c.87,s.3; amended 1994,c.48,s.36. CaliEd 00:09, 10 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Washington does not accept unaccredited degrees

Washington State: "State senators unanimously amended and approved a bill that would make giving or using a fake or otherwise unaccredited degree a class C felony, a crime of fraud that could warrant five years in prison and a $10,000 fine."[7]

Here is the law: HB 2507 - 2005-06 :Prohibiting false or misleading college degrees.[8] (top of page three)

False academic credential" means a document that provides evidence or demonstrates completion of an academic or professional course of instruction beyond the secondary level that results in the attainment of an academic certificate, degree, or rank, and that is not issued by a person or entity that: (i) Is an entity accredited by an agency recognized as such by rule of the higher education coordinating board or has the international equivalents of such accreditation; or (ii) is an entity authorized as a degree-granting institution by the higher education coordinating board; or (iii) is an entity exempt from the requirements of authorization as a degree-granting institution by the higher education coordinating board; or (iv) is an entity that has been granted a waiver by the higher education coordinating board from the requirements of authorization by the board. Such documents include, but are not limited to, academic certificates, degrees, coursework, degree credits, transcripts, or certification of completion of a degree.

"Board" of course refers to the Washington Board of education. CaliEd 00:11, 10 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I spoke with Karen Oelschlager, a Degree Authorization representative at the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (360.753.7869). She told me that while she could not render legal advice (of course), the intent of the Washington legislature was not exclude degrees approved by other states, but simply to prevent diploma mills from operating within the state of Washington without state authorization or accreditation. The law is not intended to make Washington an island by excluding the approval of other states; it simply omits mentioning other states because it was irrelevant to its original purpose. It is a matter of how the law is approached and interpreted, certainly. If you are questioning Mrs. Oelschlager, you are saying that your interpretation of her state's educational law is inferior to yours. --Jreichard 20:28, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Oregon does not accept unaccredited degrees

Oregon does not accept unaccredited degrees, unless it is approved by Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization. [9]

583-050-0014

Unaccredited Degrees

(1) Users of unaccredited degrees may use the degrees in the following ways.

(a) Unaccredited degrees that have achieved ODA approval under ORS 348.609(d) can be used without a disclaimer.

(b) Unaccredited degrees that have not achieved ODA approval under ORS 348.609(d) can only be used with a disclaimer.

(c) Degrees issued by degree mills are invalid for use, with or without a disclaimer.

(2) Process for approval under ORS 348.609(d). A claimant of an unaccredited U.S. degree may submit to the Office information indicating that the school conferring the degree has the legal authority to issue degrees in another state and could reasonably be considered for approval in Oregon under OAR 583-030.

(a) A reasonable possibility of approval can be demonstrated by submitting to ODA the appropriate review fee and sufficient evidence that the unaccredited institution could meet ODA academic standards under OAR 583-030 for authorization to operate in Oregon if it chose to make such an application.

(b) ODA may, upon its own motion, evaluate an unaccredited institution and determine whether it has a reasonable chance to meet Oregon authorization standards without a degree user making such a request.

(c) If a request for evaluation under this section is not made to ODA within 30 days of notification that an unaccredited degree is being used contrary to Oregon law, the degree user's right to such a review is waived and ODA may pursue appropriate enforcement action. Degree users may, within the first 30 days, request up to 30 additional days for the purpose of gathering material necessary to apply for an evaluation.

(3) A claimant of a non-U.S. degree issued by a degree supplier not accredited by a U.S. accreditor may submit to the Office information proving that the supplier issuing the degree has the following characteristics.

(a) The supplier is operating legally as a degree-granting institution in its host country.

(b) The host country has a postsecondary approval system equivalent to U.S. accreditation in that it applies qualitative measures by a neutral external party recognized in that role by the government.

(c) The supplier has been approved through the demonstrable application of appropriate standards by the host country's accreditor equivalent.

(d) All degrees issued by the supplier are legally valid for use and professional licensure within the host country.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 348.609 Stats. Implemented: ORS 348.603, 348.609, 348.992 & SB 1039 (2005 OL, Ch. 546) Hist.: ODA 2-1998, f. & cert. ef. 8-12-98; ODA 1-2001, f. & cert. ef. 6-27-01; ODA 3-2003, f. 10-29-03, cert. ef. 11-1-03; ODA 4-2004, f. & cert. ef. 5-14-04; ODA 3-2005, f. 9-27-05, cert. ef. 9-30-05; Renumbered from 583-050-0031, ODA 4-2005, f. & cert. ef. 10-18-05

Thus, if you have an unaccredited degree it must be approved by the ODA. CaliEd 00:20, 10 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Indiana does not accept unaccredited doctorates

Indiana does not accept unaccredited doctorates unless they have a religious nature and "clearly identify the religious character of the educational program." [10]

SECTION 1. IC 24-5-0.5-12 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 12. (a) It is an incurable deceptive act for an individual, while soliciting or performing a consumer transaction, to claim, either orally or in writing, to possess a doctorate degree or use a title, a word, letters, an insignia, or an abbreviation associated with a doctorate degree, unless the individual: (1) has been awarded a doctorate degree from an institution that is: (A) accredited by a regional or professional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation; (B) a religious seminary, institute, college, or university whose certificates, diplomas, or degrees clearly identify the religious character of the educational program; or (C) operated and supported by a governmental agency

SECTION 1. IC 24-5-0.5-12 IS CaliEd 00:25, 10 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Florida does not accept unaccredited doctorates

Florida, like Indiana, does not accept unaccredited doctorates unless they have a religious nature and "clearly identify the religious character of the educational program." The citation is: [11]

Title XLVI

CRIMES Chapter 817 FRAUDULENT PRACTICES

817.567 Making false claims of academic degree or title.--

(1) No person in the state may claim, either orally or in writing, to possess an academic degree, as defined in s. 1005.02, or the title associated with said degree, unless the person has, in fact, been awarded said degree from an institution that is:

(a) Accredited by a regional or professional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation;

(b) Provided, operated, and supported by a state government or any of its political subdivisions or by the Federal Government;

(c) A school, institute, college, or university chartered outside the United States, the academic degree from which has been validated by an accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education as equivalent to the baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States;

(d) Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education pursuant to ss. 1005.01-1005.38 or exempt from licensure pursuant to chapter 1005; or

(e) A religious seminary, institute, college, or university which offers only educational programs that prepare students for a religious vocation, career, occupation, profession, or lifework, and the nomenclature of whose certificates, diplomas, or degrees clearly identifies the religious character of the educational program.

(2) No person awarded a doctorate degree from an institution not listed in subsection (1) shall claim in the state, either orally or in writing, the title "dr." before the person's name or any mark, appellation, or series of letters, numbers, or words, such as, but not limited to, "Ph.D.," "Ed.D.," "D.N.," or "D.Th.," which signifies, purports, or is generally taken to signify satisfactory completion of the requirements of a doctorate degree, after the person's name.

(3)(a) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (1) or subsection (2) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b) In addition to any penalty imposed under paragraph (a), a violator shall be subject to any other penalty provided by law, including, but not limited to, suspension or revocation of the violator's license or certification to practice an occupation or profession.

CaliEd 00:30, 10 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  1. ^ http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/accreditation.html
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