The Online Degree Dorm Room

online degree programs psychology | Degree Mill may claim another victim - Part 2

Posted by bposton on December 18th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Here’s a little more about this school superintendent candidate with a doctoral degree from a degree mill.

In all fairness, the search committee has said that having a doctoral degree was not a factor in picking this person as a finalist for the position, which has a budgeted annual salary of $95,000 plus benefits.

And, the candidate has served as superintendent of the Owego Appalachian Central School District. He has also been an assistant superintendent for instruction, a principal, assistant to the superintendent, director of elementary programs, coordinator of elementary social studies, an adjunct professor and a teacher.

However, there is another point that should be considered.

The candidate in question also applied to be the superintendent of schools for Leominster Public Schools in Massachusetts. The resume he submitted for that job did NOT list his doctorate, and he withdrew from consideration for that job to take the position of superintendent of the Owego Appalachian Central School District.

So if he didn’t list this phoney degree before, why now?

In case you’re wondering a bit more about the diploma mill that handed out his degree, heres some interesting history:

The founder and president of LaSalle University in Louisiana, James Virdamon Kirk, was sentenced to five years in prison for fraud. According to a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Kirk acknowledged no educational value was provided by LaSalle University. Kirk and associates of his lived an “extravagant lifestyle” and spent $36.5 million in fees and tuition acquired fraudulently.

some 15,000 graduates from LaSalle in Louisiana were sent a letter from the U.S. Attorney and offered a refund. Most did not respond, because they would have had to renounce their degree.

Again, I must point out that there is a real LaSalle University, a Catholic college outside of Philadelphia, which is accredited and is not associated with LaSalle in Louisiana.

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online degree programs psychology | Degree Mill may claim another victim

Posted by bposton on December 18th, 2006 — Posted in online degree programs psychology

Just thought I’d share a recent news story about how a guy with a degree from a diploma mill may be in trouble with his prospective employer.

Out in Claremont,New Hampshire they’ve been searching for a new Windsor Southwest Supervisory Union superintendent. However it was recently learned that One of the two remaining candidates has a doctoral degree from a well-known diploma mill.
He was named as one of two finalists for the job last Tuesday. and On his resume, he listed a doctorate of philosophy from LaSalle University of Louisiana.

Fact number one - In 1995, the FBI raided the unaccredited Louisiana school and its founder was convicted of fraud.

Fact number two - LaSalle University, a Catholic college outside of Philadelphia, is accredited and is not associated with LaSalle in Louisiana.

This candidate declined comment When questioned about his doctoral degree.

Ok, so are you ready for this?

When the search committee was told of this phoney degree, they said that they still considered him a viable viable candidate.

The spokesperson for the search committee said that he began his doctoral work in Maryland and elected to finish the degree online after moving out of state, and that he had significant experience in the field of education which was more than the base qualifications for the job.

This candidate does indeed have a masters of education in curriculum and instruction from the University of Maryland, as well as a bachelors of science in elementary education from the same university of Maryland.

Of course, that’s according to his resume.

So, how would you fell if he got the job? Especially if you’re a parent of a child in that school system?

Or the other candidate…:-(

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