University Degree Program

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".{{cite news |date=June 25, 2004 |title=The University of Spam |publisher=The Chronicle of Higher Education |url=http://chronicle.com/free/v50/i42/42a01401.htm |access-date=2006-10-01}}

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.{{cite news | url=http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/index_OR.html | title=Information about some degree-granting institutions not accredited | publisher=Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization | year= 2006 | access-date = 2006-10-18 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060627232714/http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/index_OR.html |archive-date = 2006-06-27}}

In 2009, it was listed as a diploma mill by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.{{citation |author=Ezell, Allen |title=Recent developments with degree mills |journal=College & University Journal |volume=85|number=2 |date=2009 |page=40 |url=http://macrao.org/Publications/Degree%20Mills%20Article%20CU%20Fall%202009.pdf |access-date=2012-01-31 |archive-date=2012-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313220135/http://macrao.org/Publications/Degree%20Mills%20Article%20CU%20Fall%202009.pdf |url-status=dead }}

The following are institutions connected to UDP.

• Ashford University (London) (not to be confused with Ashford University of Iowa)U.S. Food and Drug Administration, [https://www.fda.gov/downloads/RegulatoryInformation/FOI/ElectronicReadingRoom/UCM143709.pdf Notice of Disqualification Proceedings and Opportunity to Explain]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, January 20, 2006; among the complaints against the person cited are his claiming degrees from Ashford University and Brentwick University.{{cite news |url=http://www.hep.uiuc.edu/home/g-gollin/diploma_mills.pdf |title=Unconventional University Diplomas Doesn't Mean it exists (PDF File) |publisher=University of Illinois |date=September 2003 |first=George |last=Gollin |access-date=2011-08-30}}
• Brentwick University[https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A3147-2000Oct13?language=printer Brentwick U, Best of the Rest]{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, Washington Post, October 15, 2000. The reporter describes his experience obtaining a fake degree from Brentwick, whose address is actually a mail drop above a dry cleaner in London. However, the phone number he was originally given was in New York City; he wired his payment to Cyprus; and the diploma was accompanied by a notice that credit card records would show a payment to "Hyacinth, Romania."
• Glencullen University
• Harrington University
• Hartford University not to be confused with the University of Hartford in Connecticut. As of 2012, the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization stated that organizations using the "Hartford University" name were operating from the South Pacific island of Vanuatu and Washington, D.C.[http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx Unaccredited colleges] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525082240/http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx |date=2011-05-25}}, Oregon Office of Degree Authorization, accessed 14 February 2012
• Hartley University
• Kingsfield University
• Landford University
• Northfield University
• Oaklands University[http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx Unaccredited Colleges] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525082240/http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx |date=2011-05-25}}, Oregon Office of Degree Authorization, accessed August 29, 2011
• Parkhurst University
• Parkwood University
• Shaftesbury University{{cite news |url=http://pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/news/connellsville/s_328132.html |title=Children's counselor charged with fraud |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |date=April 26, 2005 |first=Marsha |last=Forys |access-date=2006-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070306110542/http://pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/news/connellsville/s_328132.html |archive-date=March 6, 2007 }}
• Shelbourne University
• Shepperton University{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3369567.stm |title=Fake universities thrive on the web |publisher=BBC |date= 5 January 2004 |access-date=2006-10-18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hep.uiuc.edu/home/g-gollin/oregon_north_dakota/#shepperton|title=Shepperton University|work= Information about some degree-granting institutions not accredited by CHEA-recognized organizations|last=Gollin|first=George|access-date=2020-02-17}}
• Stafford University
• Summerset University
• Thornewood University
• University of Bedford
• University of Devonshire
• University of DorchesterUniversity 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 {{cite web|url=http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx |title=Office of Degree Authorization |access-date=May 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525082240/http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx |archive-date=May 25, 2011}} (accessed 30 August 2011) identifies this entity as unaccredited, but does not link it to UDP.
• University of Dunham
• University of Hampshire[https://web.archive.org/web/20040324062738/http://www.uhamp.org/ Archived version of University of Hampshire website]
• University of Palmers Green
• University of San Moritz
• University of Wexford
• Westbourne University
• Westhampton University

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

• Distance Learning Council of Europe (DLCE: accrediting)
• European Council for Distance & Open Learning (ECDOL: accrediting)
• European Committee for Home and Online Education (ECHOE: accrediting))

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

• www.ashforduniversity.org (domain for Ashford University)
• www.brentwickuniversity.org (domain for Brentwick University)
• www.henryheston.com.cnchost.com (domain containing sites for the University of Devonshire, Glencullen University, Harrington University, and Shelbourne University)
• www.kingsfielduniversity.org (domain for Kingsfield University)
• www.landforduniversity.org (domain for Landford University)
• www.parkwooduniversity.org (domain for Parkwood University)
• www.thornewooduniversity.org (domain for Thornewood University)
• www.universityofwexford.org (domain for the University of Wexford)
• www.westbourneuniversity.org (domain for Westbourne University)

• Perry Beale, who was convicted of defrauding hospitals in Virginia by representing himself as a medical physicist, claimed to hold graduate degrees from the University of San Moritz [http://insidehighered.com/views/blogs/university_diaries/honor_among_thieves Honor Among Thieves] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020143457/http://insidehighered.com/views/blogs/university_diaries/honor_among_thieves |date=2007-10-20 }}, Insidehighered.com, October 16, 2007, and [http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/102007/10142007/322678/printer_friendly Inspector was not what he claimed], by Jim Hall, The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia), October 14, 2007
• Leonard Ingram (AKA "Bhagwan Ra Afrika"), a self-proclaimed anger management specialist, claims a PhD in philosophy from Glencullen University.[http://bhagwanra.gaia.com/photos/random Leonard Ingram profile], Gaia Community website, accessed April 6, 2008 Ingram has written several books and appeared on season five of Penn & Teller: Bullshit! in the episode entitled "Anger Management".
• Kostas S. Margaritis (Κώστας Σ. Μαργαρίτης), Greek politician, member of New Democracy (Greece) lists a degree from Shelbourne University.[http://www.kmargaritis.gr/kmargaritis/index.aspx Kostas Margaritis' website] (see Biography), accessed July 3, 2008. The Shelbourne degree has been discussed in Greek-language news media, including [http://www.iospress.gr/ios2008/ios20080622.htm http://www.iospress.gr/ios2008/ios20080622.htm] and [http://www.iospress.gr/extra/extra20080629.htm http://www.iospress.gr/extra/extra20080629.htm].
• In 2005 a Pennsylvania children's mental health counselor, Leon Shal, was charged with several counts of fraud in connection with his use of a Shaftesbury University bachelor's degree to obtain employment. A state investigation reported that the institution was neither recognized nor accredited in the United Kingdom or the United States and that Shal's university diploma contained two misspellings.Judy Kroeger, [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier/news/connellsville/s_351943.html Counselor held for court in fraud], Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 9, 2005 Shal avoided trial, but was placed in a pretrial diversion program.Chris Foreman, [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_448729.html Man enters ARD in counseling case], Pittsburgh Tribune Review, April 29, 2006
• George Weah, President of Liberia and a retired Liberian football player, lists a degree from Parkwood University.[http://www.gelfmagazine.com/mt/archives/george_weah_in_diplomamill_scandal.html George Weah in Diploma-Mill Scandal], Gelf Magazine, April 22, 2006
• Antoine Zahra, member of Lebanon's parliament affiliated with the Lebanese Forces and a candidate in the 2009 elections, claims a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Harrington.{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/Phoney+degrees:+Pak+Law+Minister+not+alone/1/90220.html |newspaper=India Today |author=Farzand Ahmed |date=March 28, 2010 |title=Phoney degrees: Pak Law Minister not alone}}
• Jim Mann, appointed by Governor of Kansas Sam Brownback as the Chief Information Technology Officer of the State of Kansas on October 31, 2011, claims a degree in Business Administration from the University of Devonshire.{{cite news |url=http://cjonline.com/news/2011-11-08/brownback-sticking-new-it-chief#.TrnMHnK-JV4 |newspaper=Topeka Capitol Journal |author=Tim Carpenter |date=November 8, 2011 |title=Brownback sticking by new IT chief}} Mann subsequently resigned the post on November 7, 2011, after questions about his credentials were published.{{cite news |url=http://www.kwch.com/news/kwch-rew-brownbacks-it-chief-resigns-over-questions-about-degree-20111108,0,2876183.story |newspaper=Associated Press |author=John Hanna |date=November 8, 2011 |title=Brownback's IT chief resigns over questions about degree}}

• Accreditation mill
• Diploma mill
• Educational accreditation
• List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning
• List of unrecognized accreditation associations of higher learning
• Operation Dipscam

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.connect.co.il/degree/ University Degree Program] – Official website
• Gollin, George (September 2003). [http://www.hep.uiuc.edu/home/g-gollin/diploma_mills.pdf Unconventional University Diplomas from Online Vendors], a presentation on an investigation of UDP. PDF format.

Category:Unaccredited institutions of higher learning in the United States

Category:Unrecognized accreditation associations

Category:Education fraud in the United States

Category:Counterfeiters