The Problem of Fake Degrees

In a previous post, I wrote about bogus academic degrees for sale. That post included a link to an article published in the Chicago Tribune about bogus degrees sold by St. Regis University. At the end of my post, I asked the following question: “I wonder if some of the degrees sold by St. Regis University were in the area of biblical studies.”

Now, I have the answer and the answer is YES.

According to the US Government, Exhibit A, 197 degrees in religion and theology were sold by St. Regis University. According to the report, the following degrees were sold in the field of religion and theology:

Associate Degree 3

Bachelor’s Degree 51

Master’s Degree 51

Doctor’s Degree 77

Professor’s Degree 5

In addition to these, 23 degrees were sold in the area of Religious Education and 16 degrees in the area of Religious Healing.

These numbers reflect a huge problem faced by religious institutions. Most of them will never check the transcript of a candidate because they believe ministers would never lie about their credentials. Even if religious institutions would check the credentials of candidates, many of them would not be able to discover that St. Regis University was a diploma mill.

Now, I worry about those five professors who bought their degrees from St. Regis University. Are they teaching in Christian schools? How about those 77 doctors with (false) university degrees? Are they also teaching?

In a few minutes, I will be going to my dentist. According to that same report, 10 people bought fake degrees in dentistry. Is my doctor one of them? Perish the thought!

For the ladies reading this post: 36 persons bought their ob-gyn degrees from St. Regis University.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: Fake Degrees, Scams