When the first edition of Degree Mills was published, fake universities and counterfeit degrees were already a significant problem. Fueled by the Internet, this scam continues to grow—now more than half of all people claiming a new PhD in fact have a fake degree. In this updated edition, experts Allen Ezell and John Bear go beyond exposing these fraudulent practices to provide detailed recommendations—for government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals—on what can be done to rid us of them. This eye-opening and definitive guide shows how degree mills operate and how to check the validity of anyone’s degree—an indispensable reference book.

Is the accreditation system “broken” as claimed by successive Secretaries of Education and some recent reports? This book addresses this question head-on, asking whether accreditation is indeed in need of radical reform, and whether the agencies’ authority should be curtailed; or whether in fact the changes now underway – that accrediting agencies contend ensure rigorous and consistent standards and degrees that are a reliable gauge of student attainment – are moving the academy and the nation in the right direction. In a sweeping and ambitious book, Paul Gaston deploys his knowledge and experience as a peer reviewer for three regional accrediting agencies, a former board member and chair of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors, and his involvement in the early stages of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, to go beyond the polemics to explore whether a strategy that builds on the emerging values and good practices can achieve the substantive and positive improvements the public is demanding.As an introduction for readers new to the debate, he provides a brief overview of the development of accreditation, its terminology, and structure, describing how it currently works, and what it has achieved; and offers insight into the proliferation of the missions of accreditation – as well as the multiplicity of stakeholders with an interest in its outcomes – to question whether the mandate of accreditation should, as some contend, be expanded, or particular missions reassigned or abandoned. This established, he undertakes a dispassionate analysis of the arguments and recommendations of critics and supporters of the current direction of accreditation to identify common ground and explore constructive ways forward, paying specific attention to current and potential reforms of the three sectors of higher education accreditation: the seven regional accrediting associations, the national accreditors, and programmatic, or “specialized” accreditation. The book concludes by outlining a comprehensive approach to reform. His proposal would preserve practices that already work well while advancing important changes that can be incrementally implemented. The result would be a higher education accreditation structure more cost effective, more efficient, more transparent and accountable, and more responsive to institutional and public needs.

Corruption and poor governance are acknowledged as major impediments to realizing the right to education and to reaching the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education by 2015. Corruption not only distorts access to education, but affects the quality of education and the reliability of research findings. From corruption in the procurement of school resources and nepotism in the hiring of teachers, to the buying and selling of academic titles and the skewing of research results, major corruption risks can be identified at every level of the education and research systems. Conversely, education serves as a means to strengthen personal integrity and is a critical tool to address corruption effectively. The Global Corruption Report (GCR) is Transparency International’s flagship publication, bringing the expertise of the anti-corruption movement to bear on a specific corruption issue or sector. The Global Corruption Report on education consists of more than 70 articles commissioned from experts in the fields of corruption and education, from universities, think-tanks, business, civil society and international organisations. The Global Corruption Report on education and academic research will provide essential analysis for understanding the corruption risks in the sector and highlight the significant work that has already been done in the field to improve governance and educational outcomes. This will be an opportunity to pull together cutting edge knowledge on lessons learnt, innovative tools and solutions that exist in order to fight corruption in the education sector.

This title was first published in 2001: An edited collection of essays from experts in the field of quality assurance in higher education. Each contributor provides a summary of recent developments in the respective countries centred on specific themes. They include an outline of the nature of higher education in the various countries, a description of recent developments in higher education quality assurance mechanisms together with discussions of the role of government, funding, the implications of emerging new trends such as distance learning, and non-traditional modes of delivery and assessment. The book should be of use to those working in higher education - both academics and policy makers - because of its comparative focus and ability to compare strategies and structures from one country to another. Similarly those working directly in assuring quality issues should also find the volume valuable.

This book examines how major Asian cities have enhanced their global competitiveness by transforming their higher education systems to equip their graduates with global competence. It primarily focuses on policy implications and urban governance, especially comparing how governments are responding to the growing challenges of international connectivity and are managing the diversity of populations resulting from an increasingly globalized world.

The key to success is knowing how a system works, then putting it to work for you. Becky Brown reveals the secrets of online college success in easy to understand language. Becky has taught more than 3000 classes at UOP, WIU, Axia, Kaplan and AIO. Now she tells all. Learn to choose the right university, check accreditation, and be certain your online school is worth the money. Find out the secret to getting As on all assignments, what to do when your prof isn't doing his job, and whether your degree is really going to result in a promotion or new career. Plus, step-by-step instructions to master the technology, study smart not hard, what to do on the first day of class, make an assignment calendar, research & write papers, talk to your advisor, make friends with your classmates, excel in the dreaded team projects and more. This is the stuff online schools don't want you to know-but you MUST know it! You're paying top dollar for an education; know what you're buying.

The performing and visual arts niche to college admissions is a specialty that few students and college counselors know how to navigate. This guidebook simplifies the process, makes it less daunting and is very straightforward. It offers practical, insightful information and helpful hints to assist students in their pursuit of an education in the performing and visual arts. "A Guide to College Choices for the Performing Visual Arts" is a must read for any student interested in studying the performing and visual arts in college.

Higher Education in a Global Society delves deeply into the compelling challenges and opportunities facing higher education in cultivating world citizens. An exceptional range of scholars offers insights providing direction and guidance for colleges ready to respond to globalization from institutions crossing borders to creating international experiences at home, from students studying abroad to international students journeying to the United States, and from the critical demands on administrators to the vital contributions of faculty. J. Michael Adams, Fairleigh Dickinson University and International Association of University Presidents, US Higher Education in a Global Society should be of tremendous practical value to deans and provosts contemplating an international partnership or program. Written in a most accessible style by a combination of higher education scholars and veteran academic administrators, it provides a nuanced understanding of both the pitfalls and unanticipated benefits from such programs. Charles T. Clotfelter, Duke University, US Preparing students for the 21st century labor force requires exposure to other cultures and societies. This volume discusses ways to build richer campus experiences for achieving this requirement. Different chapters explore research connections, international visitors and students, campuses abroad, study abroad programs, and curriculum changes. By presenting case studies from different types of institutions, the editors and authors offer ideas that can be useful throughout higher education. Teresa A. Sullivan, President, University of Virginia, US This book is a very positive contribution to the literature on higher education internationalization. Written from a distinctly US perspective, it examines topics such as worldwide demographic and educational attainment trends; university R&D investments abroad and technology transfer issues; the interrelated dynamics of national policies regarding international education, migration and nation-human capacity building; and strategies to embed internationalization on campus. Debra W. Stewart, Council of Graduate Schools Higher education functions in a global environment of consumers, employees, competitors, and partners. It has been a force for globalization and a model for adaptation, but nonetheless faces challenges. This volume of essays examines emerging issues and opportunities for advancing education across borders. The demands upon and need for higher education have never been greater at both the individual and societal levels, and the avenues for pursuing the mission of higher education have greatly expanded due to globalization. This volume examines how strategically minded institutions can better fulfill their mission in a global environment while promoting international collaboration and strengthening the world economy. Chapter authors include prominent senior administrators from higher education and leading researchers on higher education and globalization. They provide new and actionable information to enhance decision making and inform strategic planning as well as a contemporary examination of the business of higher education and areas of potential new research. This book is an excellent resource for academic administrators, as well as for researchers and students in business, management, economics, education, and public sector economics.