List of unaccredited institutions of higher education

This is an incomplete list, which may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Main article: Unaccredited institutions of higher education

This is a list of colleges, seminaries, and universities which do not have educational accreditation.

Degrees or other qualifications from unaccredited institutions may not be accepted by civil service or other employers. Some unaccredited institutions have formal legal authorization to enroll students or issue degrees, but in some jurisdictions (notably including the United States) legal authorization to operate is not the same as educational accreditation.^[1][2]

Institutions that appear on this list are those that have granted post-secondary academic degrees or advertised the granting of such degrees, but which are listed as unaccredited by a reliable source. An institution may not maintain accreditation for one of several reasons. A new institution may not yet have attained accreditation, while a long-established institution may have lost accreditation due to financial difficulties or other factors. Some unaccredited institutions are fraudulent diploma mills.^[3] Other institutions (for example, some Bible colleges and seminaries) choose not to participate in the accreditation process because they view it as an infringement of their religious, academic, or political freedom.^[4] Some government jurisdictions exempt religious institutions from accreditation or other forms of government oversight.^[5] Still other institutions are not required to have accreditation.

Some of the institutions on this list are no longer in operation. Several unaccredited universities have names that are similar to those of accredited institutions or that falsely imply that an entity is a public university.

A

• Académie Européene d'Informatisation, Belgium^[6][7]
• Academy of Natural Therapies, formerly in Hawaii until closed by court order; may have reopened in Wyoming or Montana^[8][9]
• Academy of Religious & Spiritual Studies^[6]
• Adam Smith University, Liberia; Saipan^[6][9][10]
• Addison State University, Ottawa, Canada; "has no Ontario authorization to issue degrees"^[6]
• Akamai University^[6]
• All Saints American University, Liberia^[6]
• Almeda University^{[6][9][11][12][13]}
• Ambassador University Corporation^[6][11]
• American Bible College University, Arizona^[14]
• American Central University, Wyoming^[15]
• American Century University, New Mexico; formerly known as Century University^[16]
• American City University^[9]
• American Coastline University^[9] formerly operated from mailbox rental services in Hawaii and Louisiana; was owned by Dr Richard Hoyer^[17]
• American College of Metaphysical Theology, Golden Valley, Minnesota^[10][11][18]
• American Global University^[6]
• American National University^[19]
• American Pacwest International University^[6][20]
• American School of Metaphysics, New York^[10][11]
• American State University^[21] (Hawaii) (aka Hamilton University and Richardson University^[22])
• American University in London^[23]
• American University of London^{[6][9][11][24]}
• American University of Hawaii^[9][11][25] Gulfport, Mississippi; Clinton, Mississippi; (also reported to be operating in India;^[26] not to be confused with the University of Hawaii)
• American University of Human Services, Mississippi. Reported closed as of 2007.^[27]
• American University of Mayonic Science and Technology^[6][28]
• American World University^[27][29]
• Americus University^[30]
• Ames Christian University, Florida^[10]
• Anacrusis Institute, Greece and United Kingdom^[6][9][11]
• Andersonville Theological Seminary, Camilla, Georgia^[31]
• Apostolic Prophetic Bible College & Theological Seminary, Rochester Hills, Michigan^[10]
• Ashford University, United Kingdom; not to be confused with the accredited Ashford University in Iowa^[6]
• Ashwood University^[6][9]
• Aston University, Nigeria^[32] (relationship with Aston University in the UK is not clear)
• Atlanta University, Nigeria^[32] (not be confused with Clark Atlanta University or the University of Atlanta)
• Atlantic International University, located in Hawaii or Nigeria^{[11][12][13][32][33]}

B

• Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Gokak, Belgaum, Karnataka, India^[34]
• Barber-Scotia College (lost accreditation in 2004)^[35]
• Barrington University, Mobile, Alabama^[9][13] (formerly operated by Virtual Academics.Com of Boca Raton, Florida^[36])
• Belford University^{[6][9][37][38]} (operated from a PO Box in Humble, Texas; not to be confused with the University of Bedford which is linked to University Degree Program)
• Beloved Community Seminary, Oregon, Hawaii^[6]
• Bennington University^[6] (not to be confused with Bennington College)
• Berne University USA^[6] (not to be confused with University of Bern)
• Bettis Christian University, Arkansas^[10][11]
• B. H. Carroll Theological Institute, Arlington, Texas^[39]
• The Bible Doctrine Institute, Jacksonville, Florida; founded in 1986 as The Blue Ridge Bible Institute^[40]
• Bienville University^[6][41] Woodville, Mississippi. Reported closed as of 2007.^[27]
• Bircham International University^[6](formerly Oxford International University)
• Blackpool University^[42]
• Blacksmith University, Nigeria^[32]
• Brethren Bible Institute, Pathanamthitta, India [8]
• Breyer State University^[6][12][43]
• Bridgewater University (associated with instantdegrees.com; not to be confused with Bridgewater College or Bridgewater State University)^[44]
• Britain College of Management and Science^[45]
• British West Indies Medical College (earlier known as West Indies College of Naturopathic Medicine and Surgery)^[46][47]
• Bronte International University^[6][48]
• Buxton University^[6][10] (not to be confused with the University of Derby's Buxton campus) (Connected with instantdegrees.com)

C

• Calamus International University (including Calamus Extension College and Vocalist International Distance Learning Academy), Vanuatu (formerly based in Turks and Caicos)^[10][49]
• California Graduate School of Theology^[50]
• Calvary Baptist Bible College, King, North Carolina^[51]
• Calvary Chapel Bible College, Murrieta, California (This institution's website states: "We are not accredited, nor are we seeking accreditation, so as to be free from outside control and remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.")^[52]
• Cal Southern University, Houston, Texas, and registered in the South Pacific island of Niue^[6][9] (Not to be confused with the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California, California Southern University in Irvine, California, or California Southern Law School in Riverside, California.)
• Cambridge State University, Jackson, Mississippi ("district officials discovered the school has an extensive criminal history and is nothing more than a diploma mill.")^[27][53]
• Canbourne University^[6] (not to be confused with Camborne School of Mines)
• Canby Bible College, Canby, Oregon, formerly Leadership Training Institute (Oregon’s Office of Degree Authorization lists this institution as “unaccredited religious exempt school”)^[54]
• Canterbury University (Seychelles)^[6][55][56]
• Canyon College^[10][57]
• Capital City Religious Institute, Baton Rouge, Louisiana^[10]
• Carlingford University, scam run by a prison inmate in Wisconsin; shut down in 2010.^[58] The name previously was identified with an address in London, and with the University Degree Program.^[59]
• Carolina International University, North Charleston, South Carolina ^[60]
• Carolina University of Theology, Manassas, Virginia (Website states that school is accredited by Accrediting Commission International^[61] but notes “This accreditation is not recognized by the US Dept. of Education. It is our intention in the months ahead to pursue a full accredited status with an agency recognized by the US Dept. of Education.”^[62])^[10][11]
• Chadwick University, Alabama^[63][64]
• Charis School of Divinity, Florida^[6]
• Chase University^[6]
• Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Nigeria^[32]
• Christ For The Nations Institute^[65]
• Christian Leadership University, New York^[6][11]
• Christian Bible College, Rocky Mount, North Carolina^[66]
• Christians of Charity American University of Sci. and Tech., Nigeria^[32]
• Clarksville School of Theology, Clarksville, Tennessee; shut down in 1982^[67]
• Clayton College of Natural Health^[6] (same operator as Chadwick University) (in Alabama)
• Clayton Theological Institute, California^[10][11]
• Clayton University,^[6] Hong Kong
• Colonial Academy (Chicago
• Colton University^[68]
• Columbia Pacific University^[6][9]
• Columbia State University^[6][9]
• Columbus University, Picayune, Mississippi^[27][41] (Closed by state action in Louisiana^[11])
• Collumbus University, UK or Nigeria^[32]
• Commonwealth Open University^[6][9] (Virgin Islands; not to be confused with Commonwealth Institute)
• Communion of Saints Seminary, Oregon^[6][11]
• Concordia College and University^[10][69]
• Concordia Theologica Institute For Biblical Studies^[70]
• Corllins University^[71]
• Cranmer Theological House, Louisiana; Texas^[72]
• Crescent City Christian College, Metairie, Louisiana, ("basically a coach's house — no campus, no facilities, no faculty, no library that anyone could discover")^[73]
• Crown College,^[74] Tennessee
• Crown College, Tacoma, Washington, (lost accreditation in 2007)^[75]

D

• Delta International University of New Orleans
• Dispensational Theological Seminary Forest Grove, Oregon (Oregon’s Office of Degree Authorization lists this institution as an unaccredited religious exempt school)^[54]
• Donsbach University (or Donsback University)^[6][76][77]
• Dorcas University, Honolulu, Hawaii^[10][13]
• Dublin Metropolitan University^[6][9]

E

• Earlscroft University^[9][12]
• Eastern Caribbean University, Texas; St. Kitts, Virgin Islands^[9]
• Ecole supérieure Robert de Sorbon, France; also linked to the American Universities Admission Program in Sarasota, Florida, which was sued in 2006 for allegedly using the logo of the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers to deceive prospective students.^[6][78][79] (The school's website—www.sorbon.fr—disputes the allegation of being a diploma mill.)^{[80][81][verification needed]}
• Ellington University^[69]
• Eternity Bible College^[82]
• European Business School Cambridge, or European Business School (Cambridge)^[83][84]
• European Open University^[85] Not to be confused with the European Open Universities Network at European Association of Distance Teaching Universities
• European Union University, Madrid, Spain (but incorporated in the U.S. state of Iowa)^[2]

F

• Fairfax University^[6][9]
• Faith Seminary - Salem, formerly Oregon Theological Seminary (Oregon’s Office of Degree Authorization lists this institution as unaccredited religious exempt school)^[54]
• Farington University^[6][86]
• Florida State Christian College, Florida^[10][11]
• Frederick Taylor International University, Hawaii; California^[6][10]
• Frederick Taylor University, California^[10]
• Friends International Christian University, Florida; California. Website states, “FICU is not accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education.”^[10][11][87]
• Full Gospel Christian College, Pontiac, Michigan^[10][11]

G

• Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith^[34]
• Generale University (also called Generale Polytechnic Institute)^[88]
• Geo-Metaphysical Institute, New York^[10][11]
• George Wythe University, Cedar City, Utah^[89]
• Georgia Christian University, Norcross, Georgia, United States^[10]
• Georgian International University, Paoli, Pennsylvania^[90]
• Glencullen University ("A phony 'Irish university' is marketing degrees internationally via the Internet. An EL reporter in the US, posing as a prospective student, has been offered an English literature degree from 'Glencullen University', without any study, for $960.")^[91]
• Glendale University (previously called Glenndale University)^[6][11]
• Glenford University in Mississippi. Reported closed as of 2007.^[27]
• Global Church Theological Seminary and Global Church University^[10][11]
• Golden State School of Theology^[92] (Stockton, California)
• Golden State Baptist College, Santa Clara, California. Part of Independent Baptist Bible College Movement, listed among Wikipedia category Unaccredited Christian colleges and universities.^[93]
• Golden State University, Mississippi^[27]
• Greenwich University^[94] (Operated on Norfolk Island from 1998 to 2002. Not to be confused with University of Greenwich, London, England)

H

• Hamilton University^[22] (aka American State University and Richardson University^[22])
• Heartland Baptist Bible College, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The School's website states that they "seek no national or regional accreditation, but seeks only God’s approval."^[95]
• Herguan University, Sunnyvale, California^[96]
• Holy Trinity College and Seminary, New Port Richey, Florida; Seminary’s website notes its choice to remain unaccredited and states, "the degree programs of this college are designed solely for religious vocations."^[97]
• Honolulu University (aka Honolulu University of the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities)^[98]
• Houdegbe North American University, Nigeria^[32]
• Hubbard College of Administration International, Los Angeles, California^[99]
• Huntington Pacific University^[10]
• Hyles-Anderson College and Hyles-Anderson College Seminary, Crown Point, Indiana. Part of Independent Baptist Bible College Movement. Founder asserted that the college remains unaccredited because the government would "take away our freedom."^[100]

I

• Illinois Theological Seminary Online, also named In-Depth Theological Seminary, Independent Theological Seminary and Intercontinental Theological Seminary.^[101] School states: “ITS is not an accredited school with any accreditation board. ITS very much cherishes...the principle of separation between Church and State.”^[102]
• Intercontinental University^[69]
• Intercultural Open University Foundation, global, with headquarters in the Netherlands and USA^{[103][104][105]}
• Interfaith Seminary, formerly Interfaith School of Theology, New Rochelle, New York (Institution’s website says: “As a religious Seminary the Interfaith Seminary is not accredited by an [sic] government agency.”)^[106]
• International American University, California; Nepal^[6]
• International Bible University, Norwalk, California; Carpinteria, California; Hawaii. Also called "E M International Bible University" or "E.M.I. Bible University."^{[10][11][107]}
• International Seminary, Plymouth, Florida^[10]
• International Technological University San Jose, California^[96]
• International Theological University California^[11]
• The International University, Missouri or Nigeria^[32]
• International University for Graduate Studies St. Kitts and Nevis^[10]
• International University of Ministry and Education, Grandview, Missouri^[108]
• International University, Vienna (an American unaccredited private institution with a campus in Vienna, Austria)^[6]
• IOND University, Hawaii; Japan^{[6][9][11][109][110]}
• Irish International University^{[9][111][112][113]}
• Isles International University^[114][115]

J

• James Monroe University (also called James Monroe International University)^[116]
• Jacksonville Theological Seminary, Southaven, Mississippi^[48]

K

• Kennedy-Western University^[9][10]
• Kensington University, California; Hawaii (closed in 2003 by state action)^[117][118]
• Kent College, Louisiana^[6]
• Kentucky Christian University (Ashland), Ashland, Kentucky (not to be confused with Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky, which is accredited)^[11]
• Kepler Space University, South Carolina ^[60]
• Kingston College, British Columbia; illegal operation closed down October 4, 2006;^[88] not to be confused with Kingston College (England) in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England
• Kingsway Bible University (Des Moines, Iowa) (formerly Mid-States Bible College)^[119]
• Knightsbridge University^[6]
• Knoxville College (lost accreditation in 1996)^[11]

L

• Lacrosse University^{[9][10][13][41][120]} Reported closed as of 2007.^[27]
• Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee (Lost accreditation in 2010.^[121])
• LaSalle University (Louisiana)^[122][123] (not to be confused with La Salle University (Philadelphia), nor with The LaSalle Extension University (Chicago))
• Leadway University, Nigeria^[32]
• Life Christian University, Tampa, Florida ^[124]
• Lobi Business School, Nigeria^[32]
• London College of Technology and Business^[125]
• London External Studies, UK or Nigeria^[32]
• Louisiana Baptist University (formerly Baptist Christian University), founded in 1973 by Jimmy G. Tharpe^[126][127]
• Louisiana Christian University, Lake Charles, Louisiana^[11]

M

• Madison University, Gulfport, Mississippi^{[10][13][27][41][48][128]}
• Maharana Patap Shiksha Niketan Vishwavidyalaya, Pratapgarh, India^[34]
• Mahila Gram Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad, India^[34]
• Maithili University/Vishwavidyalaya, Darbhanga, Bihar, India^[34]
• Management Institute of Canada^[6]
• Master's International School of Divinity, Evansville, Indiana (Oregon’s Office of Degree Authorization lists this institution as “unaccredited religious exempt school”)^[54]
• Metropolitan Collegiate Institute (associated with the fake teaching hospital Sussex General Hospital, both purportedly in London)^[129]
• Metro University, Nigeria^[32]
• Miami Christian University, Miami, Florida^[10]
• Mid-States Bible College (Des Moines, Iowa) (now Kingsway Bible University)^[119]
• Mississippi International University^[27]
• Monticello University^[130][131]
• Morris Brown College (lost accreditation in 2002)^[132]
• Mountain States Baptist College, Montana.^[133] Part of Independent Baptist Bible College Movement.^[134]

N

• National University of Nigeria^[32]
• Nations University, Monroe, Louisiana^[135]
• New Age International University, nominally of the Principality of Seborga, a micronation within the borders of Italy; admissions, licensing and certification are controlled by the Institute of Education, Research & Development, Kolkata, India^[136]
• New Tribes Bible Institute, Jackson, Michigan; Waukesha, Wisconsin^[10][137]
• New West Seminary Oregon City, Oregon, (Oregon’s Office of Degree Authorization lists this institution as unaccredited religious exempt school)^[54]
• Nightingale University, Panama City, Panama; Melbourne, Australia^[6][10][11]
• North Central University, Nigeria^[32]
• North American Reformed Seminary, Flagstaff, Arizona^[138]
• Northern Ireland Institute of Business and Technology, Malaysia ^[139]
• Novus University or Novus University International, Diamondhead, Mississippi^[13][27]

O

• Oaklands University, United Kingdom.^[9] May be "a new version of the University Degree Program."^[6][11]
• Ohio Christian College^[10][11]
• Open International University, Nigeria^[32]
• Oregon College of Ministry, Gresham, Oregon (Oregon’s Office of Degree Authorization lists this institution as unaccredited religious exempt school)^[54]

P

• Pacific International University, Springfield, Missouri; originally was located in Victoria, Australia^[10][11][17]
• Pacific National University and Theological Institute, Los Angeles, California^[10][11]
• Pacific Southern University^[140]
• Patriot Bible University (formerly Patriot University, Colorado; claims that its accreditation is by American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions, which is an unrecognized agency deemed to be an accreditation mill)^{[10][11][141]}
• Pebbles University, Nigeria^[32]
• Pensacola Bible Institute^[142]
• Pensacola Christian College^[10][143] In November 2011 the college announced that it had been granted candidacy status for accreditation from TRACS.^[144]
• Portland Bible College Portland, Oregon (Oregon’s Office of Degree Authorization lists this institution as unaccredited religious exempt school)^[54]
• Preston University (aka Fairmount International University)^[145]
• Preston University Pakistan^[6]
• Promis University of London^[6]

Q

• Queenston University, Utah, Vanuatu, and Australia^[6][10][11]

R

• Raja Arabic University, Nagpur, India^[34]
• Redding University^{[6][9][146][147]}
• Regent International University^[6][148] (not to be confused with the accredited Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia)
• Rev. D. O. Ockiya College of Theology and Management Sciences, Nigeria (lack of accreditation affects only its degree-awarding programmes)^[32]
• Richmond Open University, Nigeria^[32]
• Rochville University^[37][116] (not to be confused with La Rochville University, an accredited university in France)
• Rocklands University^[6][149]
• Royal University Izhia, Nigeria^[32]
• Rushmore University^[6][10]
• Rutherford University (previously known as Senior University and Stratford International University)^[6][88]

S

• Sacramento International University, (also called San Francisco International University, and Bellington University)^[150]
• Saint Augustines University of Technology, Nigeria^[32]
• St. Clements University^[9][10][32] (Called a "degree mill" by the State of Maine,^[151] but removed from list after a formal action taken by St. Clements University.^[11])
• St. John's University School of Medicine,^[6] Montserrat
• St. John's University or St. John's University of Practical Theology, Springfield, Louisiana^{[152][153][154]}
• Saint Luke School of Medicine, Liberia; California; Ghana^[6]
• Saint Martin’s College and Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.^[10][11]
• St. Paul’s College & Seminary, Saint Paul, Minnesota^[10][11]
• St. Regis University, Dominica; Liberia; Washington D.C.; and Washington (closed by court order in June 2005)^{[9][10][11][13][73][155]} (not to be confused with Regis University in Denver, which is accredited)
• Saint Stephen’s Educational Bible College, Los Angeles, California^[10][11]
• St. Thomas-a-Becket College & University, Canterbury, England^[156]
• Saint Wolbodo Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland^[157]
• Samuel Ahmadu University, Nigeria^[32]
• Sancta Sophia Seminary, Oklahoma. Claims "accreditation" by the Accrediting Commission International for Schools, Colleges, and Theological Seminaries, Inc.,^[158] an unrecognized accreditation agency.^[61]
• Sequoia University, Los Angeles and Oklahoma. Closed by court order in 1984.^[159]
• South California Polytechnic University, Taiwan^[13]
• South Pacific University^[160]
• Springfield Christian College and Theological Seminary^[161]
• Stanton University^[162]
• Strategic Business School, Nigeria^[32]
• Success Seminary, Oregon^[6]
• Suffield University; operating illegally in Connecticut^[9]
• Summerset University ("Appears to be a new version of the "University Degree Program" cluster supposedly closed by UK and US action. It has no legal authority to issue degrees.")^[6][9]
• Sunday Adokpela University, Nigeria^[32]

T

• Tennessee Christian University, Tennessee^[10][11]
• Texas Christian Bible University, Crowley, Texas^[9]
• Texas Theological University, Texas^[10][11]
• Thomas Jefferson Education Foundation^[163]
• Thompson University^[27]
• Tiu International University, UK and Nigeria^[32]
• Thunderwood College, Internet only, an admitted spoof website for an unaccredited college which offers instant "degrees" in a variety of subjects.^[164]
• Trafalgar Distance Learning Institute, Calgary and Red Deer, Alberta, Canada^[165]
• Tri-Valley University, Pleasanton, California, raided by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly operating as a front for illegal immigration.^[166][167]
• Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana. ("Trinity is currently working towards accreditation with a U.S. Department of Education (USDE) recognized agency for all of its programs."^[168] (Accessed August 18, 2010))
• Trinity College and University^[6]
• Trinity Southern University (See: Colby Nolan)^[169]
• Tyndale Theological Seminary, Texas.^[170] In 1999, Tyndale Theological Seminary was fined for violating a state law that required institutions to have state approval or accreditation to award degrees or use terms such as "college" or "university" in their names. The fine was appealed, and in August 2007 the Texas Supreme Court ruled that Tyndale and other seminaries that offer theological education and award religious degrees can do so without state government approval or accreditation.^[171]

U

• UNESCO University, Nigeria^[32]
• United Christian University, Nigeria^[32]
• United Nations University, Delhi, India (not to be confused with United Nations University)^[34]
• United Nigeria University College^[32]
• Universal Bible Institute, Birmingham, Alabama^[10][11]
• Universal Degrees^[172]
• Universal University^[27][48]
• Université de Wallis (lists addresses in Wallis and Futuna and United Kingdom)^[6]
• University Consulting, Inc.^[69]
• University Degree Program (formerly operated at least 28 different diploma mills in at least five countries)^[173]
• University of Applied Sciences & Management in Benin and Nigeria^[32]
• University of Berkley, Erie County, Pennsylvania^[174][175]
• University of Beverly Hills, California^[176]
• University of Central Europe, Pascagoula, Mississippi,^[41] Reported closed as of 2007.^[27]
• University of Esoterica (Institution website states: "We are not accredited by any state agency, and don't want to be...due to entanglements and Separation of Church and State."^[177])^[6][10][11]
• University of Fairfax^[178]
• University of the Holy Land, Israel^[6][11]
• University of Humberside (not to be confused with the University of Lincoln, which formerly used this name)^[179]
• University of Industry, Nigeria^[32]
• University of Lamberhurst^[6]
• University of Metaphysical Sciences, California and Minnesota ^[180]
• University of Metaphysical Studies, New Mexico^[6]
• University of Metaphysics, Studio City, California, and Sedona, Arizona. Also called University of Sedona^{[6][10][11][181]}
• University of the Nations^[182]
• University of Natural Health, Brandon, Mississippi^[48]
• University of North America, Virginia ^[96][178]
• University of Northern Virginia^{[96][178][183][184][185]}
• University of Northern Washington^[88][186]
• University of NorthWest^[6][9][13]
• University of Redwood (fictitious)^[187][188]
• University of Santa Monica, also known as Kohenor University^[6][10]
• University of Sedona, Studio City, California, and Sedona, Arizona. Alternative name for University of Metaphysics^{[6][10][11][181]}
• Uttar Pradesh Vishwavidyalaya, India^[34]

V

• Vancouver University Worldwide^[88]
• Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya^[34]
• Vision International University^[189]
• Volta University College in Ghana and Nigeria^[32]

W

• Warnborough College, Ireland^[9][17]
• WARP University, Fort Mill, South Carolina ^[60]
• Warren National University^[9][10]
• Washington International University,^[190] Pennsylvania,^[13][17] British Virgin Islands^[9]
• Washington School of Theology, Oregon^[6][11]
• West Coast Baptist College, Lancaster, California. Website states: "[I]t is not our intention to [pursue accreditation].”^[191]
• West Coast University of Panama, Bangladesh^[192]
• Western Michigan Bible Institute, Muskegon, Michigan^[10]
• Weston Reserve University^[6]
• Wisconsin International University, Florida, Ghana (Wisconsin International University College has National Accreditation Board accreditation in Ghana as a university college affiliated with the University of Ghana and University of Cape Coast), Ukraine and other locations,^[6][193] now using the name Worldwide International University^[194]
• Woodfield University (also operates the illicit Woodfield High School), South Carolina ^[60]
• Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary, Washington^[195]
• Worchester University, Panama^[6]
• World Information Distributed University, Russia; Belgium; Switzerland^{[6][196][197]}
• Worldwide International University, new name of Wisconsin International University^[194]

See also

• Educational accreditation
• Accreditation mill
• American Biographical Institute
• Bogus colleges in the United Kingdom
• Council for Higher Education Accreditation
• Diploma mill
• Distance education
• List of recognized accreditation associations of higher learning
• List of unrecognized accreditation associations of higher learning
• Nationally recognized accrediting agencies in the United States

References

1. ^ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Oregon Office of Degree Authorization, accessed October 5, 2010
2. ^ ^{a b} John Bear and Mariah P. Bear (2003), Bears' guide to earning degrees by distance learning, Ten Speed Press.
3. ^ Important Questions about Accreditation, Degree Mills, and Accreditation Mills, Council on Higher Education Accreditation website, retrieved October 17, 2010.
4. ^ An example of a school that refuses to participate in an accreditation process is Pensacola Christian College. The Chronicle of Higher Education reported (in Bartlett, Thomas, "A College That's Strictly Different," March 24, 2006): "Pensacola has shown no interest in outside approval of any kind. Nor does it advertise its unaccredited status. A search of the Web site turns up no mention of accreditation. It is not mentioned in the college's viewbook either, which dedicates four pages to sports activities and two to campus facilities. It is mentioned, in small print, on the inside flap of the course catalog: 'Pensacola Christian College has never made application for regional accreditation as the College believes it would jeopardize the College's philosophical distinctives.' The catalog goes on to say that getting other colleges to accept Pensacola's credits 'has seldom been an insurmountable problem.'
5. ^ Religious Exempt Schools, Oregon Office of Degree Authorization website, accessed October 17, 2010.
6. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz} Oregon Office of Degree Authorization, Unaccredited Colleges
7. ^ Letter from Ministère de la Communauté française, Belgium, to AACRAO, April 15, 2005, identifies this institution as a private organization in Belgium whose diplomas and degrees have "no legal effects."
8. ^ State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuits: Academy of Natural Therapies
9. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah} Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas. Under Texas law "fraudulent or substandard degrees" are degrees conferred in Texas in violation of the Texas Education Code, conferred in another state in violation of that state's laws, conferred in another state by an institution not accredited by an accreditor recognized in Texas, or conferred outside the United States by an institution that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board determines is not the equivalent of an accredited or authorized degree.
10. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba} State of Michigan, Colleges and universities not accredited by an accrediting body of the Council on Higher Education Accreditation
11. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at} Maine Department of Higher Education, Non-Accredited Colleges & Universities List
12. ^ ^{a b c d} Information about some degree-granting institutions not accredited by CHEA-recognized organizations, Oregon Office of Degree Authorization, 2004-2006.
13. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} United States Distance Learning Association list of the accreditation status of its members and affiliates
14. ^ As of August 15, 2008
15. ^ Tie to illegal degrees doesn't block Wyo. school licensing, Casper Star Tribune, March 12, 2005.
16. ^ [1] The ACU website (accessed May 14, 2009) states that the school is accredited by Accrediting Commission International but notes “The A.C.I. Accrediting Commission has not requested a listing nor is it recognized by the U.S. Department of Education."
17. ^ ^{a b c d} Protecting Australia’s Higher Education System: A Proactive Versus Reactive Approach in Review (1999–2004) by George Brown, Proceedings of the Australian Universities Quality Forum 2004 (10 pages)
18. ^ Accreditation page on the American College of Metaphysical Theology website (accessed November 12, 2007) states that the institution is an "incorporated religious non-profit organization and a non-secular school" that is "not accredited." The website also states that doctoral degrees can be obtained in as little as one month for a full price of $249.
19. ^ State of Hawaii Department of commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuit: American National University
20. ^ State of Hawaii Department of commerce and Consumer Affairs, Press release: Pacific Western University (Hawaii) aka American PacWest International University, May 19, 2006
21. ^ State of Hawaii Department of commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuit: American State University
22. ^ ^{a b c} CBS News, 60 Minutes II, Diplomas For Sale, Nov. 10, 2004.
23. ^ Private Educator Faces New Questions, The Vancouver Sun, 16 October 2006
24. ^ Pakistan Higher Education Commission, Public Alert on Substandard Private Universities
25. ^ State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuits: American University of Hawaii
26. ^ University Grants Commission, India, Fake Universities Mal Practices Alert
27. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n} Non-Approved Entities, Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation, 2007. Accessed November 21, 2010.
28. ^ Accreditation, American University of Mayonic Science and Technology website, accessed January 17, 2011. "The American University of Mayonic Science and Technology has chosen to not persue [sic] accreditation at this time."
29. ^ Bartlett, Thomas and Scott Smallwood (2004). "Maxine Asher Has a Degree for You" (http). The Chronicle of Higher Education. http://chronicle.com/free/v50/i42/42a01201.htm. Retrieved 22 June 2007. 
30. ^ http://www.adrforum.com/domains/decisions/193904.htm
31. ^ ATS website states [2] that it is accredited by Transworld Accrediting Commission and "on the list of Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Recognized College Programs". Neither organization is listed as a recognized accreditor in the United States.
32. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af} National Universities Commission of Nigeria, Monday Bulletin, Vol 3, No. 32, 18 August 2008. Pages 7-8.
33. ^ Atlantic International University website states that the school is incorporated in the U.S. state of Hawaii and has "private accreditation" through an entity "not regulated or approved by the US Department of Education."
34. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} University Grants Commission, India, List of fake universities (as on August 24, 2006)
35. ^ PCUSA, Presbyterian News Service, Barber-Scotia College loses accreditation, July 23, 2004
36. ^ Alabama threatens to pull university license, South Florida Business Journal, October 27, 2000
37. ^ ^{a b} Craig Malisow, First-Degree Fraud, Houston Press, July 20, 2006
38. ^ Consumer Watchdog Botswana
39. ^ "B. H. Carroll Theological Institute was organized to seek accreditation and certification of and ultimately begin a Baptist Seminary. If granted accreditation and certification, the Institute will be a graduate level community of faith and learning..." http://www.bhcti.org/about-us/faqs.html
40. ^ The Bible Doctrine Institute handbook
41. ^ ^{a b c d e} Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation, Non-approved entities (accessed June 23, 2007)
42. ^ Melanie Newman, "The counterfeiters: fake institutions escape clampdown", Times Higher Education, 22 January 2010
43. ^ Clay Risen, The Scourge of Fake Diplomas, The New Republic, 01.23.06.
44. ^ George Brown, Fighting Credential Fraud: A Brief Critique of Australian and American Approaches to Qualification Verification and Authentication, World Education News & Reviews, Volume 18, Issue 5, October 2005, retrieved from website 4 April 2009
45. ^ Sean Coughlan and Gary Eason, Fake college degrees warning, BBC News Online, 12 May 2004
46. ^ DCs Lured to Foreign Medical School, Dynamic Chiropractic, January 1, 1993, Volume 11, Issue 01
47. ^ 'Fake doctor factory' awards degrees, BBC News, 26 November 2000
48. ^ ^{a b c d e} The Clarion-Ledger: Diploma mill ban showing results
49. ^ "Calamus International University: Important Statement on Accreditation". http://www.unicalamus.org/status.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-07 . This is Calamus' own page, disclaiming any government-recognized form of accreditation, but claiming accreditation by the "International Association for Distance Learning", an unrecognized entity.
50. ^ "A Matter of Degree: Carl Baugh's Alleged Credentials," NCSE Reports Vol 9, No. 6, Nov-Dec. 1989
51. ^ http://www.cbbcs-king.com/Academics/accreditation.php
52. ^ Calvary Chapel Bible College Accreditation
53. ^ Jackie Harrison-Martin, Online degree decision pleases district officials, The News-Herald, Southgate, Michigan, July 2, 2006.
54. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Oregon Office of Degree Authorization Religious Exempt Schools Retrieved 20 Oct 2007
55. ^ Recognised bodies listed by DfEE, retrieved 24 May 2007
56. ^ Fighting Credential Fraud - World Education News & Reviews website, retrieved 24 May 2007
57. ^ Carnevale, Dan (2004). "Don't Judge a College by Its Internet Address". The Chronicle of Higher Education 51 (4): A29. http://chronicle.com/free/v51/i14/14a02901.htm 
58. ^ Ryan J. Foley (Associated Press), Con man serving time in Wisconsin helped run suspected diploma mill, Washington Examiner, February 22, 2010
59. ^ Bears' Guide, pages 195 and 284
60. ^ ^{a b c d} Institutions that may be operating illegally in South Carolina; Or operating illegally elsewhere and enrolling residents of South Carolina, South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, August 3, 2011
61. ^ ^{a b} Accrediting Commission International website, accessed March 28, 2008. "We have never applied to the U.S. Department of Education for any affiliation with the government."
62. ^ Carolina University of Theology FAQ Page, last updated 22 Sep 2006
63. ^ Adam Jones, State’s diploma mills draw academic ire. Tuscaloosa News, Feb. 11, 2007
64. ^ Schoolhouse crock, CityLink, October 15, 2003.
65. ^ Christ for the Nations Institute website: Accreditation (accessed March 21, 2008): "Board of Directors of Christ For The Nations has determined to withdraw from pursuing accreditation with the Association for Biblical Higher Education ... CFNI holds accreditation with the International Christian Accrediting Association (ICAA) ... ICAA is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education."
66. ^ Steve Levicoff. Name It and Frame It?. (3rd edition) Institute on Religion and Law. 1993 (page 34-35) ASIN B0006F1PCQ
67. ^ Closure for lack of legal authority to issue degrees is cited in Texas State Supreme Court decision and in Berkshire Eagle article, 5 November 1985.
68. ^ http://www.coltonuniversity.org/pages/legal.htm "Colton State University is not accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education."
69. ^ ^{a b c d} Diploma mills offer degrees for a price and not much else, The East Carolinian, September 30, 2004
70. ^ Concordia Theologica Website
71. ^ Consumer Watchdog Botswana
72. ^ Notice Regarding Accreditation, Cranmer Theological House website, accessed April 18, 2009, states: "CTH is not formally accredited by any secular organization."
73. ^ ^{a b} States probe teachers' uses of bogus advanced degrees, USA Today, 5/4/2004.
74. ^ According to its website, the college has not sought accreditation and does not accept direct federal funds.Crown College Admissions FAQ (accessed June 14, 2007)
75. ^ See Tacoma career college loses its accreditation, by Justin Matlick, Puget Sound Business Journal, August 3, 2007, and Accreditation lost, Tacoma school closes by Emily Heffter, Seattle Times, August 9, 2007
76. ^ Stephen Barrett, M.D., Some Notes on Donsbach University, Quackwatch website, May 28, 2004
77. ^ Nutrition Quackery: Big Business, New York Times, August 3, 1986
78. ^ Registrars’ Group Takes On Diploma Mills, Inside Higher Ed, February 10, 2006.
79. ^ David Gulliver, Hospital candidate runs firm that has had a tangled past, Herald Tribune (Sarasota, Florida), August 23, 2008.
80. ^ "Registered French Institution of Higher Education #0862003720; Publication Journal Officiel de la République Française #20040039-1669: Authorized to bestow degrees L731-14"
81. ^ France DOCEOS Education Search Engine
82. ^ Walker, Joshua. "A Letter from Our President on Accreditation". Eternity Bible College. http://www.eternitybiblecollege.com/about/accreditation.html. Retrieved August 29, 2009. 
83. ^ "Concern at University of Wales overseas degrees", BBC News, 9 November 2010. Accessed 24 July 2011.
84. ^ Isabel Shapiro, "Fake 'Oxbridge educations' for sale over the internet", Varsity, 18 January 2008. (PDF) Accessed 24 July 2011.
85. ^ Stephen Barrett, MD. "Questionable Organizations: An Overview". Quackwatch. http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/nonrecorg.html. Retrieved 2007-02-12. 
86. ^ Ian Rollins, Sheriff: Degree didn’t aid Burright, Albany (Oregon) Democrat-Herald, May 5, 2006
87. ^ Friends Int’l Christian University Accreditation Statement, Retrieved 21 Oct 2007
88. ^ ^{a b c d e} Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia, Who is operating illegally in BC?, updated 28 March 2007, accessed July 15, 2007
89. ^ Accreditation and "Accreditation Campaign". George Wythe University. http://www.gw.edu/ways_to_give/accreditation_campaign/. Retrieved 2011-06-22. 
90. ^ Georgian International University website, which does not mention accreditation
91. ^ Harry Browne, "'Irish' university is mobile phoney," The Irish Times.
92. ^ Golden State School of Theology FAQ
93. ^ Golden State Baptist College Catalog, Retrieved 26 Oct 2007
94. ^ "Alert on Greenwich University". Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (Australia). 2002. http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Programs/Quality/QualityAssurance/Pages/AlertGreenwichUniversity.aspx. Retrieved 2010-05-14. 
95. ^ http://www.heartlandbaptist.edu/335432.ihtml#accredited
96. ^ ^{a b c d} Tom Bartlett, Karin Fischer, and Josh Keller, Little-Known Colleges Exploit Visa Loopholes to Make Millions Off Foreign Students, The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 20, 2011
97. ^ Holy Trinity Catalog, Retrieved 20 Oct 2007
98. ^ German Press Agency, "US university sues dead Singapore agent," October 15, 2006
99. ^ "Apart from the Hubbard College of Administration International, an unaccredited post-secondary school, only students taught in a number..."Dawar, Anil (19 May 2008). "Will Smith funds school teaching Scientology creator's study method". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/19/usa.filmnews. Retrieved 2009-03-14. 
100. ^ Hyles-Anderson College & Seminary Catalog, Retrieved 26 Oct 2007
101. ^ IT Seminary ProBoards Page, Retrieved 20 Oct 2007
102. ^ Illinois Theological Seminary homepage, Retrieved 20 Oct 2007
103. ^ Rob Nanninga De Universiteit van Opeinde Skepter, Year 20, no. 1, 2007
104. ^ The Diploma Mafias - with a list of diploma factories worldwide New Sabah
105. ^ "Degree Mills: non-accredited and irregular higher education institutions" by Luca Lantero, CIMEA – Italian Enic/Naric centre
106. ^ IFS home page, Retrieved 15 May 2010
107. ^ Website states, “Accredited by the world's largest non-Governmental accrediting agency.”[3], Retrieved 21 Oct 2007
108. ^ Steve Rock, Unaccredited school in Grandview offers degrees of uncertainty, The Kansas City Star, July 14, 2007
109. ^ IOND University website
110. ^ State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuits: IOND University
111. ^ Morris, Nigel (Monday, 7 January 2008). Bogus university scam uncovered BBC News. Accessed 2008-01-07
112. ^ Click Here for a Diploma, by Cesar Bacani and Oliver Rohlfs, AsiaWeek.com, 2000.
113. ^ Duped by rogue college, The Sunday Star (Malaysia), August 23, 2009
114. ^ Nigel Morris (2008), Investigating the bogus education scam, BBC News,
115. ^ Varsity: We’re no degree mill, Malay Mail, September 9, 2010
116. ^ ^{a b} Diploma Mills Represent Security Threat to United States December 15, 2005 CNN, Paula Zahn Now
117. ^ State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuits: Kensington University
118. ^ Ron Matus, P.S.: Your M.A. or Ph.D. may be B.S., St. Petersburg (Florida) Times, December 6, 2007. In 2004, Florida State Rep. Jennifer Carroll removed a reference to a Kensington master's degree from the House website after a news reporter asked about it. In 2007 she told another reporter that she had spent more than $20,000 and "countless hours of research" on the degree, "only to find out that the institution lied about being accredited."
119. ^ ^{a b} FAQ showing "accreditation" by a non-recognized "accrediting body"
120. ^ Associated Press, Cheyenne police chief defends distance-learning degree, April 23, 2005.
121. ^ Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges website, http://www.sacscoc.org/2010%20December%20Actions%20and%20Disclosure%20Statements/Lambuth%20University.pdf
122. ^ Jan Colley, Hypnotist McKenna sues over degree claim, The Scotsman, 11 July 2006.
123. ^ Michael Horsnell, McKenna sues over claim he bought PhD, The Times, 11 July 2006.
124. ^ Questions about LCU
125. ^ Sean Coughlan, College trading standards probe, BBC News, 8 June 2004.
126. ^ Louisiana Baptist University Academics and Vision "However, as a primarily religious institution, LBU has not sought either regional or national accreditation by a secular accrediting agency."
127. ^ Dr. Jihad: The crusading life of Islam ‘expert’ Robert Morey (page 1) Orange County Weekly March 2, 2006
128. ^ Madison University's website states (on the page "Accreditation & Recognition") that the school is "fully accredited" by the World Association of Universities and Colleges. However, WAUC is not a recognized accreditation agency.
129. ^ BBC News, 'Fake doctor factory' awards degrees, 26 November 2000.
130. ^ State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuits: Monticello University
131. ^ State dominates the $200 million quick-degree industry, by Heather Tang, Pacific Business News (Honolulu), May 26, 2000
132. ^ College's Ex-President Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Washington Post, May 2, 2006
133. ^ Mountain States Baptist College website, Retrieved 26 Oct 2007
134. ^ List of Independent Baptist Bible Colleges, Retrieved 26 Oct 2007
135. ^ Nations website, as archived January 12, 2008, discussed "Why has Nations University not sought accreditation of its programs?". Nations website as of May 6, 2011, discusses the lack of accreditation and efforts to attain accredited status.
136. ^ "New Age International University: Exclusive Agreement with IERD". New Age International University. http://www.newageuniversity.net/exclusive_agreement_with_ierd. Retrieved 2011-07-31. 
137. ^ Website states: "Although NTBI is not accredited, a number of Christian colleges and universities accept our credits." (New Tribes Bible Institute website, Retrieved 21 Oct 2007)
138. ^ Website states: "We are an unaccredited institution exempt from state regulation because of the religious nature of our programs." (TNARS website, Retrieved 1 Dec 2009)
139. ^ Consumer Watchdog Botswana
140. ^ State of Hawaii Department of commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuits: Pacific Southern University
141. ^ PBU website (Accessed June 23, 2007)
142. ^ Nowhere identified as accredited. Promotional item on page 7 of Bible Believer's Bulletin, Vol. 31 No. 6, June 2007, a newsletter published by PBI head Peter Ruckman states, "Some hidden nuggets from the King James that you are not going to be taught in any accredited school," indicating Ruckman's attitude toward educational accreditation.
143. ^ Thomas Bartlett, A College That's Strictly Different: Secretive Pensacola Christian controls student life with tough regulations and unwritten rules, The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 24, 2006
144. ^ Announcement from PCC’s President, Pensacola Christian College website, Accessed Nov. 12, 2011.
145. ^ Gruver, Mead (March 15, 2007). "New law prompts online school changes". Associated Press. http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/03/17/news/wyoming/91016bed29c488e38725729e0082649c.txt. Retrieved 2007-03-13. 
146. ^ Kara Hansen, West Linn mayor’s education questioned, The Lake Oswego Review, March 11, 2010. "Redding University doesn’t offer classes but instead bases degrees on credits awarded for courses taken elsewhere and for life and work experience."
147. ^ Former Oregon mayor pleads guilty to election violation, KATU.com, May 11, 2010
148. ^ 'I'm a celebrity, get me an honorary degree!', The Guardian, July 6, 2006
149. ^ Erica L. Green, School official resigns amid Sun investigation into his college degrees, Baltimore Sun, April 28, 2011. A Baltimore city school official claimed to have received a bachelor's degree in accounting from Rocklands University in 1998. Article states that the school "has no current website" and that "a search of Internet archives yielded a website with no description of when the university operated or who operated it, nor any information on how to enroll or obtain a degree." George Gollin is quoted as saying: "If Rocklands was a legitimate school at some point, or went belly up, I would expect some news story that said Rocklands went belly-up."
150. ^ [4], "Character building, health topics for YLC, By: DAVID OWENS, Associate Editor, 02/10/2007
151. ^ #564
152. ^ Steve Bousquet and Ron Matus, Degree inspires little faith, St. Petersburg (Florida) Times, October 27, 2007
153. ^ Ron Matus, Substandard degrees everywhere St. Petersburg (Florida) Times, November 2, 2007
154. ^ Unaccredited Post-Secondary Educational Institutions, State of Maine Department of Education, November 26, 2006
155. ^ Urgent Disclaimer on the illegal establishment and recognition of higher education institutions in the Republic of Liberia The Embassy of Liberia, 2004.
156. ^ St. Thomas-a-Becket Website
157. ^ Website states, “Currently, Saint Wolbodo’s Seminary does not hold accreditation from any US Department of Education approved regional or national accrediting organization.”Saint Wolbodo's Seminary website, Retrieved 17 Dec 2009
158. ^ Sancta Sophia Seminary website, accessed March 28, 2008
159. ^ John B. Bear and Mariah P. Bear, Bears' Guide to Earning College Degrees Nontraditionally, p.331 Ten Speed Press, 2003.
160. ^ State of Hawaii Department of commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuits: South Pacific University
161. ^ Bland's Words Echo Kofi Annan's By Rosalind S. Helderman, Washington Post, August 5, 2007
162. ^ State of Hawaii Department of commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuits: Stanton University
163. ^ Bear, John; Bear, Mariah P. (2003). Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning. Ten Speed Press. ISBN 1580084311. http://www.google.com/books?id=k67XC_7y5xEC&pg=PA333&dq=%22Thomas+Jefferson+Education%22&ei=v2CGSIeFKo6UiAHnmNDcAw&sig=ACfU3U3aUq6lO97T8f6fFONKJSb7z9z1yA. 
164. ^ [5]
165. ^ [6]
166. ^ "Feds probe Calif. 'sham university' for visa fraud", Terence Chea, Associated Press, February 2, 2011
167. ^ Chidanand Rajghatta, Duped Indian students ignored red flags, Times of India, January 31, 2011
168. ^ Trinity Accreditation
169. ^ Abbie Vansickle, Deputy keeps job, not diploma, St. Petersburg Times, October 21, 2006
170. ^ Institution's website states "Tyndale Theological Seminary & Biblical Institute has no plans to pursue any type of accreditation."[7]
171. ^ Court Upholds Autonomy for Seminaries - Will Decision Help Diploma Mills Too?, Inside Higher Education, September 4, 2007
172. ^ Consumer Watchdog Botswana
173. ^ The University of Spam, The Chronicle of Higher Education, June 25, 2004
174. ^ Grant, Tim (July 8, 2005). "Judge shuts down Erie 'diploma mill'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05189/534844.stm. Retrieved 2007-07-20. 
175. ^ "Judge Lets Diploma Mill Stay in Business". University Business. 2007. http://universitybusiness.ccsct.com/page.cfm?p=954. Retrieved 2007-01-20. 
176. ^ George Lurie, Woodard Awaits Judge's Decision, Valley Voice newspaper, August 16, 2006
177. ^ University of Esoterica Religious Degrees, Retrieved 19 Oct 2007
178. ^ ^{a b c} "Private & Out-of-State Colleges & Universities Certified to Operate in Virginia". State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. http://www.schev.edu/Students/PrivateCollegeList.asp. Retrieved March 31, 2010. 
179. ^ Mark Townsend, The Observer: Degree frauds hit new heights, The Guardian, February 1, 2004. "Last month the University of Humberside was investigated in Israel over a multi-million-pound fake degrees scam following allegations that 5,500 people paid for fictitious qualifications."
180. ^ Accreditation and Associations, UMS website (States that the school issues only religious degrees; lists two unrecognized agencies as its accreditors.)
181. ^ ^{a b} University of Metaphysics website (Source for information about the locations and other topics.)
182. ^ Considerations about accreditation, University of the Nations website (states that the school lacks accreditation and provides several justifications for this situation).
183. ^ "ACICS List of Institutions with Accreditation Denied, Withdrawn or Conditioned". ACICS. http://www.acics.org/commission%20actions/content.aspx?id=1448. Retrieved March 31, 2010. 
184. ^ Institution: University of Northern Virginia, U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, accessed March 31, 2010
185. ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43935088
186. ^ State of Hawaii Department of commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuits: University of Northern Washington
187. ^ Helliker, Kevin (February 26–27, 2011). "College Cries Foul Over a Copycat". Wall Street Journal: p. A3. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704692904576166833446761162.html. 
188. ^ Wieder, Ben (February 24, 2011), "Reed College Seeks to Stop Copycat Web Site", Wired Campus blog (Chronicle of Higher Education), http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/reed-college-seeks-to-stop-copycat-web-site/29999?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en, retrieved 2011-02-27 
189. ^ VIU Authorization, Vision International University website
190. ^ State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Civil Enforcement Lawsuits: Washington International University
191. ^ West Coast Baptist College Accreditation Statement, Retrieved 18 August 2010
192. ^ UGC asked to sue West Coast University of Panama, The Daily Newspaper, Dhaka, April 17, 2007
193. ^ As of February 2010, State of Wisconsin regulatory authorities were working to convince WIU to drop "Wisconsin" from its name. They had earlier prevailed upon the institution to remove pictures of Milwaukee from its website and provide a disclaimer stating that WIU is not connected to the University of Wisconsin. In a hearing before the state legislature, WIU president John Buuck said the school was founded in Wisconsin in the 1990s, but had never granted degrees to U.S. students. He said its focus was on higher education partnerships in countries such as Estonia and Ghana. Source: Associated Press, Wisconsin plan aims to stop use of phony degrees, LaCrosse Tribune, February 3, 2010. Copy reproduced on page 43 of Wisconsin Education Approval Board document.
194. ^ ^{a b} Worldwide International University website, accessed October 10, 2010. "The name of our university has been changed from Wisconsin International University to Worldwide International University to better reflect its international purpose. Also, WIU has not been located or involved in the State of Wisconsin for a number of years."
195. ^ Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary Catalog, 4th Printing June, 2007, retrieved 20 Oct 2007, states: “The Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary is not accredited through the mainstream religious accrediting bodies because of the uniqueness of Pagan religions... Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary has been granted religious exemption by the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board Degree Authorization Agency as a college level degree granting institution of higher learning.”
196. ^ Erwin Malfroy, NARIC-Vlaanderen (Higher Education Administration Flemish Community of Belgium), PDF of e-mail message sent April 05, 2005, confirming that "you may consider the World Information Distributed University, located in Belgium as a diploma mill."
197. ^ IUPUI admits unchecked credentials, WTHR Channel 13, Indianapolis, Aug 6, 2007