How do employers verify the legitimacy of an online degree?
Okay, so I’m finishing up my Bachelor’s degree online soon, and I’m starting to get really anxious about how it will be perceived by employers. It’s a legit, accredited program, but I know there’s still a stigma around online degrees. I’ve been hearing a lot about diploma mills and people outright faking credentials.
My specific concerns are:
- How do employers actually check that my online university is legitimate and accredited? Do they have some database they access? Is it something I need to actively provide them beyond just the name of the university and my graduation date?
- What red flags will raise suspicion about my degree? Are there specific aspects of the university’s name, location (or lack thereof), or website that might make them doubt its validity?
- What documentation can I provide proactively to ease their concerns? Should I request an official transcript sent directly from the university, or is there anything else? Could a course syllabus help?
- How do they verify the content of the program? For example, I’m studying marketing – do they check if the courses listed on my transcript align with standard marketing curriculum? I want to make sure my hard work is recognized.
- Are there any specific accrediting bodies that are viewed more favorably (or unfavorably) than others? My university is regionally accredited, but I’m wondering if the specific agency matters.
- Does the employer’s industry or company size make a difference in how closely they scrutinize the degree?
Basically, I just want to be prepared and make sure I can confidently address any doubts an employer might have about the legitimacy of my online degree. Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
Answer
Employers use a variety of methods to verify the legitimacy of an online degree, ranging from simple checks to more in-depth investigations. The specific approach depends on the employer’s resources, the importance of the degree to the job, and any concerns raised by the applicant’s resume or interview.
1. Accreditation Verification: This is often the first and most crucial step. Employers want to ensure the institution awarding the degree is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
- Database Checks: Employers commonly consult databases maintained by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). These databases list accredited institutions and accrediting agencies. If the institution is not listed, it raises a red flag.
- Accrediting Agency Website Verification: Employers might visit the website of the accrediting agency claimed by the institution. This allows them to confirm the institution is currently accredited and to review the agency’s standards. Some accrediting agencies provide online tools for verifying accreditation status.
- Regional vs. National Accreditation: Employers sometimes differentiate between regional and national accreditation, with regional accreditation generally considered more prestigious and rigorous. They will verify which type of accreditation the institution holds. If the job requires a degree from a regionally accredited institution and the applicant presents a degree from a nationally accredited one, it might be considered insufficient.
- Programmatic Accreditation: For certain fields, such as engineering, nursing, or business, programmatic accreditation (e.g., ABET, CCNE, AACSB) is highly valued. Employers verify if the online degree program holds the appropriate programmatic accreditation.
2. Institutional Reputation and History: Employers consider the reputation and history of the institution offering the online degree.
- Online Research: Employers often conduct online searches to learn more about the institution, including its history, faculty, and any news coverage. They might look for reports of scandals, lawsuits, or other issues that could raise concerns about the institution’s legitimacy.
- Alumni Network: Employers may try to determine the strength and visibility of the institution’s alumni network. A strong alumni network can be a positive sign, indicating a well-established and respected institution.
- Partnerships and Affiliations: Employers may look for partnerships or affiliations with reputable organizations or institutions. These partnerships can lend credibility to the online degree program.
3. Transcript Verification: Employers often request official transcripts directly from the institution.
- Direct Request: The employer usually asks the applicant to authorize the institution to send the official transcript directly to the employer. This avoids the possibility of the applicant altering the transcript.
- Security Features: Employers examine the transcript for security features, such as watermarks, embossed seals, and special paper, to ensure it is authentic.
- Coursework and Grades: The employer reviews the transcript to verify the courses taken, grades earned, and the date the degree was conferred. Discrepancies between the transcript and the applicant’s resume can raise concerns.
- GPA and Academic Standing: The employer may also evaluate the applicant’s GPA and academic standing to assess their performance.
4. Degree Verification Services: Some employers use third-party degree verification services.
- National Student Clearinghouse: This is a widely used service that allows employers to verify degrees from participating institutions. Employers can quickly and easily confirm that an applicant earned a degree from a specific institution.
- Other Verification Services: Several other companies offer degree verification services. These services typically maintain databases of degrees awarded by various institutions and provide employers with a convenient way to verify academic credentials.
5. Interview Process: The interview process provides an opportunity to probe the applicant’s knowledge and skills.
- Subject Matter Questions: Employers may ask the applicant questions related to the coursework they completed in their online degree program. This helps assess whether the applicant has a solid understanding of the subject matter.
- Skills Assessment: Employers may administer skills assessments or tests to evaluate the applicant’s practical skills and abilities. This helps determine whether the applicant can apply what they learned in their online degree program to real-world situations.
- Behavioral Questions: Employers may use behavioral questions to assess the applicant’s problem-solving skills, teamwork abilities, and other soft skills.
- Portfolio Review: For some positions, employers may ask the applicant to provide a portfolio of their work. This allows them to evaluate the applicant’s skills and creativity.
6. Checking for "Diploma Mills": Employers are vigilant about identifying "diploma mills," which are organizations that award degrees for a fee without requiring significant academic work.
- Lack of Accreditation: Diploma mills often lack accreditation from recognized accrediting agencies.
- Short Time to Completion: Diploma mills often allow students to earn degrees in a very short amount of time, with little or no coursework.
- Focus on Life Experience: Diploma mills often give excessive credit for life experience, rather than academic work.
- Guaranteed Degrees: Diploma mills often guarantee that students will earn a degree, regardless of their academic performance.
- High Pressure Sales Tactics: Diploma mills often use high-pressure sales tactics to lure in prospective students.
- Unusual Degree Names: Diploma mills sometimes offer degrees with unusual or unfamiliar names.
7. Legal Considerations: Employers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations when verifying online degrees.
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): If an employer uses a third-party background check company to verify an online degree, they must comply with the FCRA. This includes obtaining the applicant’s consent and providing them with a copy of the background check report.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Laws: Employers must ensure that their degree verification process does not discriminate against applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other protected characteristics.
In conclusion, employers use a multifaceted approach to verify the legitimacy of online degrees, focusing on accreditation, institutional reputation, transcript verification, degree verification services, and the interview process. They are particularly concerned about identifying diploma mills and ensuring that the applicant’s online degree is from a reputable and accredited institution.
This content has been prepared by the Studentanswers editorial team for educational and informational purposes only. We recommend consulting a qualified professional before making any personal decisions.
