University Degree Program Explained

University Degree Program (UDP) is or was an unaccredited consortium of diploma mills run by Americans Jason and Caroline Abraham (of Brooklyn, New York; also known by their Hebrew names Yaakov and Chaya Rochel) beginning in the 1990s. In 2004, The Chronicle of Higher Education called UDP the "granddaddy" of diploma mill operations.[1]

Operations

The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that the University Degree Program recruited "students" over the telephone from call centers in Romania (where the call center also sold fake international driver's licenses) and Israel. Telephone salespeople, who were paid on commission and received performance-based bonuses, could offer degrees in any field requested. The Abrahams created websites for a diverse variety of bogus institutions whose names were printed on diplomas. Customers were not told which of these "universities" would issue their degrees. According to the Chronicle, UDP sent a letter to customers stating: "The policy of not disclosing the name of the University protects you against unscrupulous individuals who do not approve of self-study and lifestyle improvement." The letter also said that this was done to avoid "bad publicity".[2]

The operation was estimated to have sold more than 30,000 "degrees" and received proceeds totaling $50 million to $100 million or more.

Early in 2003 the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and British government authorities took action against UDP and related businesses, including the illegal sale of fake international driver's licenses. The FTC filed a preliminary injunction in January 2003 and amended complaints in February and May 2003. In May the FTC and Israeli government authorities shut down the call center operation in the Mea Shearim section of Jerusalem. The FTC complaint cited "deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce". The Abrahams "turned over $100,000 in profits" and promised to stop selling degrees.

In 2004, however, the Chronicle reported that email advertising "remarkably similar" to UDP's and phone solicitations using a "nearly identical" script had continued after that agreement, leading observers to think that the UDP or the Abrahams were still operating diploma mills. The Oregon Office of Degree Authorization observed that some websites that appeared to be University Degree Program "products (or clones)" remained in operation.[3]

In 2009, it was listed as a diploma mill by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

Entities associated with UDP

Institutions

The following are institutions connected to UDP.

Accreditors

The following are unrecognized accreditation associations of higher learning connected to UDP.

Websites shut down by the FTC

The following are websites used by the UDP that were closed by the Federal Trade Commission.

People with UDP degrees

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bartlett . Tom . 2004-06-25 . The University of Spam . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220626085141/https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-university-of-spam/ . 2022-06-26 . 2022-06-26 . The Chronicle of Higher Education.
  2. News: June 25, 2004 . The University of Spam . . 2006-10-01.
  3. News: Information about some degree-granting institutions not accredited . . 2006 . 2006-10-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060627232714/http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/index_OR.html . 2006-06-27.
  4. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]
  5. News: Unconventional University Diplomas Doesn't Mean it exists (PDF File) . . September 2003 . George . Gollin . 2011-08-30.
  6. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A3147-2000Oct13?language=printer Brentwick U, Best of the Rest
  7. http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx Unaccredited colleges
  8. http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx Unaccredited Colleges
  9. News: Children's counselor charged with fraud . . April 26, 2005 . Marsha . Forys . 2006-10-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070306110542/http://pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/news/connellsville/s_328132.html . March 6, 2007 .
  10. News: Fake universities thrive on the web . . 5 January 2004 . 2006-10-18.
  11. Web site: Shepperton University. Information about some degree-granting institutions not accredited by CHEA-recognized organizations. Gollin. George. 2020-02-17.
  12. University of Dorchester was identified as a clone of Strassford University c. 2003, using website http://www.uoduk.co.uk/. As of 2011, an entity of the same name (but alternately calling itself Dorchester University) is using the website http://www.dorchesteru.org.uk/. The Oregon Office of Degree Authorization Web site: Office of Degree Authorization . May 17, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110525082240/http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx . May 25, 2011. (accessed 30 August 2011) identifies this entity as unaccredited, but does not link it to UDP.
  13. https://web.archive.org/web/20040324062738/http://www.uhamp.org/ Archived version of University of Hampshire website
  14. http://insidehighered.com/views/blogs/university_diaries/honor_among_thieves Honor Among Thieves
  15. http://bhagwanra.gaia.com/photos/random Leonard Ingram profile
  16. http://www.kmargaritis.gr/kmargaritis/index.aspx Kostas Margaritis' website
  17. Judy Kroeger, Counselor held for court in fraud, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 9, 2005
  18. Chris Foreman, Man enters ARD in counseling case, Pittsburgh Tribune Review, April 29, 2006
  19. http://www.gelfmagazine.com/mt/archives/george_weah_in_diplomamill_scandal.html George Weah in Diploma-Mill Scandal
  20. News: Phoney degrees: Pak Law Minister not alone. India Today . Farzand Ahmed . March 28, 2010 .
  21. News: Brownback sticking by new IT chief. Topeka Capitol Journal . Tim Carpenter . November 8, 2011 .
  22. News: Brownback's IT chief resigns over questions about degree. Associated Press . John Hanna . November 8, 2011 .