This is the first of three articles on academic fraud. This article describes the history and growth of diploma mills and counterfeit operations. The second article will focus on Axact, the world's largest diploma mill (a true criminal enterprise). The third will detail how to identify diploma mills. This article describes degree mills…

The higher education landscape has changed significantly over the past decade as advances in technology and the proliferation of data have rapidly reshaped the work of the registrar. Despite these innovations, many registrars steadfastly resist changing the academic transcript, arguing that it must reflect the highly structured curriculum that…

Spring is a time for gardening, blossoms, and baseball. At American college and universities, it is also a time for commencement ceremonies. Students are recognized for their scholastic achievements as faculty and staff close out another academic school year. Family and friends applaud the graduates and celebrate their success. Students show their…

The purpose for adopting the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) at the University of Iowa was to enable students to satisfy certain graduation requirements thus freeing them to take other courses. This purpose is being accomplished without many early (or "cheap") graduations. (Author/PG)

A study that utilized a data set that permitted evaluation of assumptions regarding the effect of participation rates in student follow-up mail surveys is discussed. Participant demographics and relationships among the variables were analyzed in low and high response rate surveys. (MLW)

Students, it is argued, who have used combinations of entering college early and forging ahead fast in the curriculum have led or are leading highly effective lives. Parents and educators should have less fear when attempting to accelerate a child. (MLW)

A study of Los Angeles area high school seniors examined college-bound and noncollege-bound students' choice of specific educational program, the importance of future earnings in program choice, and perceptions of income differentials between high school and college graduates. A positive relationship between perceived economic benefits and college…

The 1963 freshman class accumulated a graduation rate of 15 percent over four years, 31 percent over five years, and 42 percent over 11 years. First semester grade point average is a useful predictor of academic success. It separates graduates from nongraduates, and roughly predicts time to graduate and semesters attended for nongraduates. (MSE)

Reports results of a study of the characteristics, educational background, and academic achievement of 3,948 transfer students to the University of Missouri. Findings are reported in terms of student demographics and previous higher education experience, characteristics of transfer students who graduated, interaction effects in the graduate group,…

A survey of graduating university students (n=165) investigated factors influencing their satisfaction with their majors. Career-related learning, communication skills, and parental influence in choice of major were the best predictors of satisfaction with major. Perceived quality of instruction and career opportunities/services were also highly…

The history, administration, and function of the University of Alberta's annual survey of graduating students, conducted as a performance indicator to assess quality of educational services, are described. Selected results from the 1993 survey are presented, and observations about factors seen as contributing to the success of this and other…

People of Nia is a cultural commencement designed to honor and embrace Black students who have successfully completed their college degrees at a predominantly White college or university. This article discusses this unique campus celebration, presents the history of People of Nia, and describes how People of Nia is presented on one predominantly…

In growing numbers, older women persist in pursing bachelor's degrees, although they most likely encounter significant obstacles along the path to completion and earn less than their male counterparts after graduating. The purpose of this interview. based study of twelve such women was to examine why they persisted and what value they placed on…