List of unrecognized higher education accreditation organizations explained

This is a list of unrecognized higher education accreditation organizations, as identified by the organizations themselves, government authorities in their respective countries, or other independent authorities. This article includes entities that are engaged in higher education accreditation or have been identified as being accreditors, but which lack appropriate recognition or authorization.

Prerequisites and rules for higher education accreditation vary from country to country. In most countries, the function of quality assurance for higher education institutions is conducted by a government ministry of education. However in the United States, educational accreditation is performed primarily by private nonprofit membership associations,^[1] the legitimacy of which is validated through recognition by the United States Department of Education (USDE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or both. USDE and CHEA recognize many of the independent accrediting organizations, but not all. Accreditors seek USDE or CHEA recognition for different reasons; for example, USDE recognition is required for accreditors whose institutions or programs seek eligibility for federal student aid funds. CHEA recognition confers an academic legitimacy on accrediting organizations, helping to solidify the place of these organizations and their institutions and programs in the national higher education community.^[2]

Often, a school relying on accreditation from an unrecognized accrediting body will not be viewed as legitimate in the academic community.^[3] Institutional accreditation is usually required by US institutions to receive federal government funds. Also, students who attend institutions of higher education that are accredited through organizations not recognized by the USDE or CHEA do not qualify for US government financial aid.^[4] Similarly, employers or graduate programs cannot be confident that graduates of an unaccredited institution or program will be appropriately prepared.^[5]

To assist education consumers, several national and international bodies publish lists of recognized accreditation bodies and accredited educational institutions, as well as lists of other accreditors that are known to lack the necessary legal authority or recognition, and higher education providers known to lack accreditation. The United States organization CHEA maintains an international directory of education ministries and other recognized higher education quality assurance bodies worldwide. The 2007 version of that directory lists 467 recognized bodies in 175 countries.^[6]

Some, but not all, of the entities in the list below are considered to be fraudulent accreditation mills that were set up to help diploma mills lure students and whose "accreditation" has no legal or academic value. Some diploma and degree mills have played a role in creating these accrediting bodies as well. These diploma and degree mills may further confuse matters by claiming to consider work history, professional education, or previous learning, and may even require the submission of a purported dissertation or thesis, in order to give an added appearance of legitimacy.^[7] Some other listed entities are religious accreditation bodies, whose accreditation may have doctrinal significance but lacks recognized academic value.

Also included are some organizations that do not offer educational accreditation but have been falsely identified as accrediting bodies by organizations that claim to have been accredited by them. A notable example of this last type is UNESCO, which does not have authority to recognize or accredit higher education institutions or agencies. Nonetheless, because diploma mills have claimed false UNESCO accreditation, UNESCO itself has published warnings against education organizations that claim UNESCO recognition or affiliation.^{[8] [9]}

A

• Academy for Contemporary Research^[10]
• Academy for the Promotion of International Culture and Scientific Exchange (APICS) or Akademie für Internationale Kultur und Wissenschaftförderung, Switzerland, Hawaii; accreditor of Monticello University, also associated with La Jolla University and Irish International University^[10]
• Accelerated Degree Programs
• Accreditation Agency for European Non-Traditional Universities, Ireland, New York; accreditor of Ballmore Irish University^[10]
• Accreditation Association of Ametrican College and Universities; accredited the American University of Hawaii^[10]
• Accreditation Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries, Morgantown, Kentucky^[10]
• Accreditation Council for Distance Education^[10]
• Accreditation Council for International Education^[10]
• Accreditation Council for Online Academia^[11]
• Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools^[12]
• Accreditation Council on Medical Denturity^[10]
• Accreditation Distance Education Council^[10]
• Accreditation Governing Commission of the United States of America^{[10] [13] [14] [15] [16]}
• Accreditation Panel for Online Colleges and Universities^{[14] [11]}
• Accredited Universities of Sovereign Nations^[10] from their own website: "We are not affiliated with any government, any industry, any sovereign nation, nor any political or religious ideology — our seal of accreditation is one of independence and international excellence."^[17] (affiliated with American University of Sovereign Nations)
• Accrediting Association of Christian Colleges and Seminaries, Sarasota, Florida^[10]
• Accrediting Commission for Specialized Colleges, Gas City, Indiana^{[10] [16]}
• Accrediting Commission International (ACI) (formerly in Beebe, Arkansas, now in Sarasota, Florida) (aka International Accrediting Commission)^{[10] [18] [14] [16]}
• Accrediting Commission International for Schools, Colleges, and Theological Seminaries (ACI) (in Beebe, Arkansas) (aka Accrediting Commission International)^[16]
• Accrediting Commission of Independent Colleges and Schools, Bald Knob, Kentucky^[10]
• Accrediting Commission of International Colleges and Universities (ACICU)^[19]
• Accrediting Council for Colleges and Schools (ACCS)^[10]
• Adult Higher Education Alliance (AHEA) ^[20]
• Advanced Online Business Education Society^[10]
• Agency of International Education^[21]
• AF Sep, accreditor claimed by Beta International University^[10]
• Alternative Institution Accrediting Association (AIAA), Washington, DC^{[10] [16]}
• American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions (AATI) (in Rocky Mount, North Carolina)^{[10] [22]}
• American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE)
• American Association for Higher Education and Accreditation (AAHEA)^{[14] [23]} Based in Ocala, Florida, but uses the name and Washington, DC telephone number of another organization that was defunct in 2009.^[14]
• American Association of Accredited Private Schools (AAPS) ^[14]
• American Association of Drugless Practitioners Commission on Accreditation (AADPCA); also known as American Alternative Medical Association^{[10] [16]}
• American Association of Independent Collegiate Schools of Business^[10]
• American Association of International Medical Graduates (AAIMG)^{[10] [18] [16]}
• American Association of Non-traditional Colleges and Universities (AANCU)^[10]
• American Association of Non-Traditional Private Postsecondary Education^[16]
• American Association of Schools (AAS)^{[10] [15]}
• American Association of Universities and Colleges (AAUC)^[14]
• American Board of Higher Education Commission (ABHEC)^{[10] [14]}
• American Bureau of Higher Education (ABHE)^{[10] [14]}
• American Communication Association (ACA)
• American Council of Private Colleges and Universities (ACPCU) (connected to the operator of Hamilton University, now called Richardson University)^{[16] [24]}
• American Council on Private School Accreditation (ACPSA)^[25]
• American Education Association for the Accreditation of Schools, Colleges & Universities^[16]
• American Federation of Colleges and Schools (AFCS)
• American Federation of Colleges and Seminaries(AmFed)(AFCS) or American Federation of Christian Colleges and Schools (in Lakeland, Florida)^[22]
• American Naturopathic Certification Board (ANCB)
• American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board (ANMAB)^{[25] [26]}
• American Naturopathic Medical Certification and Accreditation Board (ANMCAB or ANMAB)^[16]
• American Naturopathic Medicine Association (ANMA)
• American Psychotherapy Association^[16]
• American Universities Admission Program^[27]
• American University Accreditation Council (connected to the operator of the University of Northern Virginia)^{[28] [29]}
• Arizona Commission of Non-Traditional Private Postsecondary Education^[16]
• Asia Theological Association (ATA)
• Association of Accredited Schools of Business International Link to the accreditation mill
• Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP)^[16]
• Association for Distance Learning Programs (ADLP)(aka National Academy of Higher Education and Association of Distance Learning Programs)^{[16] [30]}
• Association for Innovation in Distance Education^{[14] [31]}
• Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAE) (may be based in Wales)^{[18] [16] [24]}
• Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students (AEGIS)
• Association of Accredited Bible Schools^[11]
• Association of Accredited Private Schools^[14]
• Association of Career Training Schools^[16]
• Association of Christian Colleges and Theological Schools (in Louisiana or Virginia)^{[18] [16] [22]}
• Association of Distance Learning Programs (ADLP) (aka Association for Distance Learning and National Academy of Higher Education)^{[11] [30]}
• Association of Independent Christian Colleges & Seminaries^[32]
• Association of International Education Assessors (includes Council for Distance Education Accreditation)^[33]
• Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) ^{[34] [35]}

B

• Board of Online Universities Accreditation (BOUA)^{[10] [14] [16] [36]}
• British Learning Association (BLA)^[10]
• British Public University System, claims authorization from British Honduras (which became Belize in 1981)^[10]

C

• Central Orthodox Synod, claimed accreditor of International Reform University^[10]
• Central States Consortium of Colleges & Schools (CSCCS), Warren, Ohio^[10]
• Centre of Academic Excellence UK (CAEUK)^[13]
• Central States Council on Distance Education (CSCDE), (Washington, DC); alternatively named Central States Association Council on Distance Education^{[10] [18] [14] [16]}
• Christ For The Nations Association of Bible Schools (CFNABS) http://www.cfn.org/bible-schools
• Christian Accrediting Association (CAA)
• College for Professional Assessment^[37]
• Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Schools^[16]
• Commission for the Accreditation of European Non-Traditional Universities^[16]
• Commission on Medical Denturitry Accreditation (COMDA)^{[16] [38]}
• Commission on Online Higher Learning^[14]
• Confederation of International Accreditation Commission (CIAC) CIAC is registered in Delaware, USA as a private company, however, solely operates out of India and has no functional presence in the USA as it claims. Their Registered Office Address noted on the company's website is of the address of their company registration Agent. Therefore, evident that it is another fake degree accreditation agencies misleading public and regulators in India portraying it as an International organisation.^{[39] [40]}
• Council for Distance Education Accreditation (CDEA), (connected to Association of International Education Assessors)^[33]
• Council for International Education Accreditation (CIEA)^[16]
• Council on Postsecondary Alternative Education^[16]
• Council on Postsecondary Christian Education – According to John Bear's list of unrecognized accreditors, this organization was established by the operators of LaSalle University (Louisiana) and Kent College (Louisiana).^{[41] [16]}
• Council on Medical Denturitry Education (COMDE)^{[16] [38]}

D

• Distance Education Council (regis) (DEC) (connected to the operator of Saint Regis University) (not to be confused with the legitimate Distance Education Council recognized by the Indian Department of Education)
• Distance Education Council of America^[41]
• Distance Education and Training Council (UK, Cyprus) (detc.org.uk not to be confused with the legitimate detc.org)^[13]
• Distance Graduation Accrediting Association^{[18] [16]}
• Distance Learning Council of Europe (DLCE)^{[18] [13] [16]} (connected to University Degree Program)

E

• Education Accrediting Association (in Idaho)^[18]
• Educational Accreditation Association (in Idaho)^[42]
• Education Commission for Integrative Health (ECIH)^[16]
• Education International (Idaho), Post Falls, Idaho.^[43] Not to be confused with Education International, a global federation of unions.
• Education Quality Assurance Commission (EQAC)^[44]
• European Accreditation Board of Higher Education Schools](in France, Belgium, and UK)^[18]
• European Committee for Home and Online Education (ECHOE) (connected to University Degree Program)^{[13] [45]}
• European Council for Distance and Open Learning (ECDOE)^{[18] [13]} (connected to University Degree Program)^{[13] [16]}
• Examining Board of Natural Medicine Practitioners (EBNMP)^[16]
• Expressive Psychology Association^[18]

G

• Global Accreditation Board for Distance Learning
• Global Accreditation Commission (GAC)
• Government Accreditation Association of Delaware^[46]

H

• Higher Education Accreditation Commission (HEAC)^[16]
• Higher Education Services Association (HESA) (connected to University Consulting Inc.^[16] and University Degree Program)^[13]
• Hygienic Doctors Association (HDA)^[47]

I

• International Accreditation Council for Business Studies (IACBS) - IACBS since 1991, does not exist^[48]
• Innovation University of Silicon Valley recently founded (2015), office located in California
• Integra Accreditation Association (IAA)
• Inter-Collegiate Joint Committee on Academic Standards (ICJCAS)^[16]
• Interfaith Education Ministries (IEM)
• International Academic Accrediting Commission (IAAC)
• International Accreditation Agency for Online Universities (IAAOU) (connected to operators of Ashwood University, Belford University, and Rochville University)^{[16] [49] [50]}
• International Accreditation for Universities, Colleges and Institutes (IAUCI)^{[16] [36]}
• International Accreditation and Recognition Council (IARC)^[51]
• International Accrediting Association for Colleges and Universities (IAACU)^[16]
• International Accrediting Commission (IAC) (Kenosha, Wisconsin)^[22] (aka Accrediting Commission International)
• International Accrediting Commission for Schools, Colleges, and Theological Seminaries (IAC) (aka International Accrediting Commission)^{[41] [16]}
• International Accrediting Commission for Postsecondary Institutions (IACPI)
• International Accrediting Commission for Postsecondary Education Institutions^[41]
• International Association for Distance Learning (IADL) - IADL states that it does not accredit institutions unless they "are licensed or approved by national or regional government or are already accredited by a nationally or internationally recognised organisation or body"^[52] and that it has no government affiliation,^[53] but IADL has been claimed as an accreditor by institutions lacking standard licensing, approval or accreditation.
• International Accreditation Organisation^{[54] [55]}
• International Association of Bible Colleges and Seminaries (IABCS) a proposed name for Southern Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, Institutes and Seminaries.^[56] Southern Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, Institutes and Seminaries (which is also named Southern Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges and Seminaries and Southern Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges) did not also become accredited.^[10]
• International Association of Educators for World Peace^[15]
• International Association of Universities and Schools (IAUS)^{[18] [16] [57]} (not to be confused with the International Association of Universities (IAU))
• International Commission for Higher Education (ICHE)^{[13] [16]}
• International Commission of Open Post Secondary Education (ICOPSE)^[16]
• International Commission on Distance Learning,^[15]
• International Distance Education and Learning Council (IDETC) (not to be confused with the US-recognized Distance Education and Training Council (DETC))
• International Distance Learning Accrediting Association (IDLAA)
• International Education Ministry of Accreditation Association^[18]
• International Interfaith Accreditation Association https://web.archive.org/web/20130925092641/http://www.iiaaweb.org/ (IIAA) (Closing down operations at the end of May 2007^[58])
• International Parliament for Safety and Peace (IPSP), operating from Italy
• International University Accrediting Association (IUAA) (in California)^{[18] [15] [16]}

K

• Kingdom Fellowship of Christian Schools and Colleges

M

• Middle States Accrediting Board (MSAB)^{[41] [16]}
• Mid States Accrediting Agency^[16]
• Midwestern States Accreditation Agency (MSAA)^[15]

N

• National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE)^[16]
• National Academy of Higher Learning
• National Accreditation Association (NAA)^{[41] [15] [16]}
• National Accrediting Agency of Private Theological Institutions (NAAPTI). Grimesland, North Carolina.^[59]
• National Association for Private Post-Secondary Education (NAPSE)^{[41] [16]}
• National Association for the Legal Support of Alternative Schools (NALSAS)
• National Association of Alternative Schools and Colleges (NAASC)^{[41] [15] [16]}
• National Association of Open Campus Colleges (NAOCC)^{[41] [15] [16]}
• National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges (NAPNSC), (Grand Junction, Colorado)^{[41] [16] [60]}
• National Board of Education of Liberia^{[18] [61]}
• National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE)^[16]
• National Council of Schools and Colleges (NCSC)^{[41] [16]}
• National Distance Learning Accreditation Council (NDLAC)^{[16] [62]} (Glendale University and Suffield University claim NDLAC accreditation)
• National Learning Online Council (NLOC)
• Naturopathic National Council (NNC)
• North American Distance Learning Association (NADLA)
• Northwest Regional Accrediting Agency^[16]

P

• Pacific Association of Schools and Colleges (PASC)^{[41] [10] [16]}
• Private World Association of Universities and Colleges^[10]
• Professional Board of Education, West Lebanon, New Hampshire^[10]

Q

• Quality Assurance Commission UK (QAC-UK);^{[63] [64]} not to be confused with Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)

R

• Regional Education Accreditation Commission (REDAC)^[10]
• Revans University (also known as the University of Action Learning)

S

• Society of Academic Recognition^[10]
• Southern Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges and Seminaries^[10]
• Southern Accrediting Association of Bible Institutes and Colleges (SAABIC)^{[10] [18] [16]}
• Southern Accrediting Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Seminaries, Milton, Florida^[10]
• Southern Association of Accredited Colleges and Universities^{[10] [16]}
• Southern Cross International Association of Colleges and Schools^[10]
• Southwestern Association of Christian Colleges^[10]

T

• The Association for Online Distance Learning (TAODL)
• Transworld Accrediting Commission International (TWACI), Riverside, California, USA

U

• UNESCO^[8] (UNESCO states that they do not have the power to accredit any higher education institutions or agencies; as a consequence, institutions or agencies claiming to be recognized by UNESCO should be looked upon with suspicion)
• United Congress of Colleges (UCC) (Ireland, UK)^{[18] [16]}
• University of Action Learning (UAL) (Port Vila, Vanuatu)^[65]
• US-DETC—Nevada (not to be confused with the legitimate Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), based in Washington DC)^{[18] [16]}
• United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA); posted on the Michigan list, but website does not claim to provide accreditation
• Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA)^{[13] [16]}

V

• Verity College (Illinois, Michigan)^[18]
• Virtual University Accrediting Association (VUAA)^[18]
• Virtual University Accrediting Association (in California) (VUAA)^{[15] [16]}
• Virtuous Universal Accreditation Commission^[10]

W

• West European Accrediting Society (WEAS)^{[41] [15] [16]}
• Western Accrediting Agency^[16]
• Western Association of Private Alternative Schools (WAPAS)^{[41] [15] [16]}
• Western Council on Non-Traditional Private Post Secondary Education (WCNPPSE)^{[41] [15] [16]}
• World Association for Online Education (WAOE)^[66]
• World Association of Universities and Colleges (WAUC) (in Nevada; operated by Maxine Asher)^{[41] [18] [13] [16] [24]}
• World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions
• World Council For Excellence in Higher Education (WCEHE)^{[18] [15]}
• World Online Education Accrediting Commission (WOEAC)^{[16] [36]}
• World-wide Accreditation Commission of Christian Educational Institutions (WACCEI)^{[41] [16]}
• Worldwide Accrediting Commission^{[41] [15] [16]}

See also

• List of recognized higher education accreditation organizations
• List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning

External links

• Get Educated.com - The Consumer's Guide to Online Colleges: List of fake agencies for accreditation

Notes and References

1. https://web.archive.org/web/20050312020754/http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/index.php?ntid=28423&ntpid=3 Diploma mills provide phony credentials
2. Web site: An Overview of U.S. Accreditation . 7 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070804003555/http://www.chea.org/pdf/overview_US_accred_8-03.pdf . August 4, 2007 .
3. http://www.chea.org/pdf/fact_sheet_6_diploma_mills.pdf Important Questions about "Diploma Mills" and "Accreditation Mills"
4. https://web.archive.org/web/20070804003555/http://www.chea.org/pdf/overview_US_accred_8-03.pdf An Overview of U.S. Accreditation
5. Web site: CHEA - Value of US Accreditation (FAQ). https://web.archive.org/web/20101201020048/http://chea.org/pdf/Value%20of%20US%20Accreditation%2006.29.2010_buttons.pdf. dead. 1 December 2010. 23 August 2012. 3.
6. http://www.chea.org/intdb/international_directory.asp CHEA International Directory introduction
7. Web site: Bogus Institutions and Accrediting Bodies.
8. Luca Lantero, Degree Mills: non-accredited and irregular higher education institutions, Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence (CIMEA), Italy. "On Unesco's website a warning has also been published regarding all institutions that claim to be recognized by them, but which are actually not. As Unesco make clear in their communiqué, they do not have the power to accredit any higher education institutions or agencies; as a consequence, institutions or agencies claiming to be recognized by Unesco has to be looked upon with suspicion."
9. https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20151221034420/http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=48787&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html UNESCO "Alert: Misuse of UNESCO Name by Bogus Institutions"
10. Book: Degree Mills: The Billion-Dollar Industry That Has Sold Over a Million Fake Diplomas. John. Bear. Allen . Ezell . 2012 . Prometheus Books . 9781616145088 .
11. Web site: Unrecognized and Fake Agencies for Online College Accreditation. GetEducated.com. January 24, 2012.
12. News: Feds cancel reinstated accreditor after USA TODAY finds apparently fake college . Chris . Quintana . . June 2, 2021 . August 9, 2021.
13. Fiocchetti, C., Checcacci, C. & Lantero, L., "How to spot and counter diploma mills", Chapter 4 (November, 2010) Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence (CIMEA) Web site: Archived copy . 2012-02-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120313135806/http://www.cimea.it/files/fileusers/CHAPTER4.pdf . 2012-03-13 .
14. Ezell, Allen (2009), Recent Developments with Degree Mills: Accreditation Mills and Counterfeit Diploma and Transcript Operations, College and University 85(2): 40–50. Accessed on website of MACRAO, the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers, October 19, 2010.
15. Bear, John, and Bear, Mariah P.: Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning. Ten Speed Press, 2003, pages 51–61.
16. Stephen Barrett, Be Wary of Nonrecognized Accreditation Agencies, dated November 20, 2008, Credential Watch website, accessed October 7, 2010
17. Web site: Accredited Universities of Sovereign Nations . 2021-02-12.
18. http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/accreditation.html "Accrediting" entities not recognized by the State of Oregon
19. Web site: Not listed on CHEA-recognized organizations. Council for Higher Education Accreditation. January 24, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20060815053055/http://www.chea.org/Directories/index.asp. August 15, 2006.
20. http://www.hep.uiuc.edu/home/g-gollin/pigeons/ Information concerning unaccredited universities
21. The Agency of International Education is associated with the training college called Infant Massage Information Service. Rolfe, John. "Infant Massage Information Service Investigated by Fair Trading", The Herald Sun, Sydney, 6 November 2014. Retrieved on 6 November 2014.
22. https://books.google.com/books?id=k67XC_7y5xEC&pg=PA61 Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning
23. Thomas Bartlett, ""Inquiry Into Higher-Education Group Reveals Odd Connections," Chronicle of Higher Education, Monday, August 25, 2008 longer excerpt at https://web.archive.org/web/20170211160003/https://business.highbeam.com/434953/article-1G1-184386864/inquiry-into-highereducation-group-reveals-odd-connections
24. http://chronicle.com/free/v47/i28/28a03401.htm States Struggle to Regulate Online Colleges That Lack Accreditation
25. Canyon College lists accreditation through the Nevada based ANMAB and the New York based ACPSA. Web site: Canyon College Accreditation. https://web.archive.org/web/20100923092741/http://canyoncollege.edu/index.php?page=accredit. September 23, 2010 . Canyon College website. October 18, 2010. .
26. Web site: American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board is a scam . geteducated . Diploma Mill Police Trinity College Natural Health Distance Learning Accreditation Report . 23 April 2016 . 1.
27. http://insidehighered.com/news/2006/02/10/aacrao Registrars’ Group Takes On Diploma Mills
28. The University of Northern Virginia, which claims accreditation from the American University Accreditation Council (formerly identified as the American Council of University Accreditation), states on its website that "AUAC is not recognized by the US Department of Education as an accrediting body and is a non-CHEA accreditation agency for the U.S. schools with international programs." (Accessed October 10, 2010)
29. 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. Identifies the organization as "not recognized by the Department of Education." "Drive to the address on the contact page and ... you'll find a bustling auto-body repair shop. That shop, it turns out, is owned by Gary Zhu, acting chairman of the board at UNVA."
30. Associated Press, Cheyenne police chief defends distance-learning degree, April 23, 2005.
31. http://www.the-aide.org/ Association for Innovation in Distance Education
32. Web site: AICCS Disclaimer. Association of Independent Christian Colleges & Seminaries. 30 January 2011. "Because of the AICCS Board of Directors' convictions in support of religious freedom, Christian liberty, and the separation of church and state, AICCS has never applied for affiliation with any federal government agency. AICCS, therefore, is not recognized by the United States Department of Education."
33. Association of International Education Assessors and its affiliate, the Council for Distance Education Accreditation, are based in the United States (Murfreesboro, Tennessee), but their website states that the organization "is not listed with any government agency or the U.S. Department of Education."
34. Web site: Archived copy . 2016-10-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161018195021/http://www.chea.org/pdf/Recognition/summaries-2016-sep/AACSB.pdf . 2016-10-18 .
35. Web site: Archived copy . 2008-03-08 . 2017-01-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170113002744/http://www.chea.org/pdf/CHEA_USDE_AllAccred.pdf . dead .
36. Gene Trainor, Diploma mills keep churning out bogus degrees, Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas), March 27, 2010
37. Book: Bear. John. Bear. Mariah P.. Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning. 2003. Ten Speed Press. 1580084311.
38. Web site: Minutes, CHEA Board of Directors Meeting, January 22, 2001. At its September 25, 2000 meeting, the board of directors accepted the committee on recognition's recommendation that the American Denturitry Association Council on Denturitry Education Commission on Denturitry Accreditation be deemed ineligible to be considered for CHEA recognition.. https://web.archive.org/web/20060618124401/http://chea.org/Events/BoardMeetings/2001January.cfm. June 18, 2006. CHEA.
39. Web site: 2020-10-23. Fraud Alert - Munir Khan. 2020-11-16. Bad Science. en-US.
40. Web site: Stop Fake Certificates! - Ethics News - Globethics.net. 2020-11-16. www.globethics.net.
41. http://www.degree.net/guides/non-gaap_listings.html Accrediting Agencies Not Recognized Under GAAP
42. http://www.edaccredit.org/pages/aboutus.html#_Recognition "Recognitions"
43. http://www.accreditedu.org/pages/aboutus.html About Us
44. http://www.independent.ie/education/latest-news/bogus-university-boasts-web-of-institutes-from-kenya-to-malaysia-230592.html Bogus university boasts web of institutes from Kenya to Malaysia
45. Marsha Forys, Children's counselor charged with fraud, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, April 26, 2005
46. Web site: Cimea — Against the mills . January 8, 2018 . 43.
47. Although based in the United States (Helena, Montana), the Hygienic Doctors Association official website states (in an FAQ) as its response to the question "Is The H.D.A. recognized by the Department of Education?" that "Current laws in the United States of America prohibit the recognition of global accreditation of associations and organizations," indicating its acknowledgment that it lacks recognition.
48. Web site: IACBS Website .
49. http://www.houstonpress.com/Issues/2006-07-20/news/news.html First-Degree Fraud
50. Book: Distributed Learning and Virtual Librarianship. 2011. ABC-CLIO. 978-1-59158-906-8. 284. Arne J Almquist. Sharon G. Almquist. Academic Libraries, Marketing, Accreditation, and Support.
51. http://www.iarcedu.com/default.aspx IARC website states
52. Web site: iadl.org.uk . 2023-01-12 . ww12.iadl.org.uk.
53. Web site: Legal notices . International Association for Distance Learning . April 14, 2014.
54. News: Swan. Melanie. Education ministry warns UAE students of unaccredited online degrees. 24 January 2018. The National. 27 November 2012.
55. News: Kohli. Gauri. Global drive planned to check fake colleges and universities. 24 January 2018. Hindustan Times. 21 March 2017.
56. Web site: history of International Association of Bible Colleges and Seminaries . International Association of Bible Colleges and Seminaries . IABCS HISTORY . 23 April 2016 . 1.
57. http://chronicle.com/cgi2-bin/printable.cgi?article=http://chronicle.com/free/v50/i42/42a00901.htm Psst. Wanna Buy a Ph.D.?
58. According to the recognition page of the Calamus International University Web site: Calamus - Recognition . 2007-07-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070708234030/http://www.unicalamus.org/accred.htm . 2007-07-08 ., the IIAA is closing down operations at the end of May 2007.
59. Web site: What is Accreditation. National Accrediting Agency of Private Theological Institutions website. National Accrediting Agency of Private Theological Institutions, in accordance with the inspired teaching of the Bible, has chosen not to seek endorsement from either the EAES or CHEA.. August 30, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120716051400/http://www.naapti.com/Pages/AboutAccreditation.aspx. July 16, 2012.
60. http://www.napnsc.org/ National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges website
61. The higher education approval authority in Liberia is the National Commission on Higher Education, which reports that some fake universities diploma mills have disseminated fake documentation from Liberian authorities. Republic of Liberia National Commission on Higher Education, Urgent Disclaimer on the Illegal Establishment and Recognition of Higher Education Institutions in the Republic of Liberia (2004). Archived on March 3, 2008.
62. News: Man pleads guilty in $5M 'diploma mill' scheme. Prosecutors said the duo even created a fraudulent accrediting body, the National Distance Learning Accreditation Council,.
63. Web site: Investigating the bogus education scam. BBC. 7 January 2008.
64. News: A degree of deception. The Guardian. 8 January 2008. London. Angela. Saini.
65. Web site: Teachers' wasted study on popular emotional literacy course. Milne. Jonathan. Times Educational Supplement. October 10, 2008. February 2, 2014.
66. GetEducated.com describes WAOE as a "real, esteemed professional agency for educators" that is not involved in accreditation and does not allow its name to be used as an accrediting agency. (Print Unrecognized and Fake Agencies for Online College Accreditation, GetEducated.com, retrieved August 29, 2012)