News Release

OPM Director Kay Coles James Issues Challenge to Agency and Department Heads to Stop the Use of Diploma Mills

Also calls for the need to protect and uphold the Merit System Principles

Washington, D.C. - Continuing OPM efforts to maintain a federal work force known by its reputation as highly qualified and well respected for its professionalism, U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James has issued a letter to heads of executive departments and agencies and agency chief human capital officers outlining the importance of protecting the Merit System Principles and guarding against the use of "Diploma Mills" to acquire academic degrees.

James, who also chairs the Chief Human Capital Officers Council (CHCO), outlines a number of steps that agencies may use to protect both themselves and their employees who may be considering furthering their education, including a review of legal and regulatory policy governing the use of federal funds for coursework leading to a degree.

"OPM is ultimately responsible to serve as a watchdog over the execution of the Merit System Principles," said James. "In light of recent diploma-mill investigations, I have solicited the assistance of the CHCO council to guarantee that high standards are maintained for the entire government. We are setting the standard for the federal government to protect against the issuance of academic degree falsification and fraudulence."

"The Department of Education provides information on institutions that are qualified and meet accreditation requirements," said James. "In any instance where a degree or institution is not accredited, the federal government will not invest money in paying for a degree for a federal employee from that institution." An important point in the James memorandum is that formal college or university education required to qualify for a federal position must be from an institution accredited by an organization approved by the Department of Education.

Federal agencies often pay for individual courses from colleges, universities and private vendors. These organizations generally provide valuable and cost-effective training that meets agency and employee needs. But, OPM will not allow employees or diploma mills to dupe the federal government into paying for individual courses as a ruse to obtain a fraudulent degree. OPM would view such an activity as fraud, which would be investigated by the employing agency's inspector general and could lead to a severe disciplining action against the employee and prosecution of the diploma mill.

"The federal government wants to invest in employees who need critical skills by paying for a degree for them where appropriate. However, in order for any of these privileges or benefits to be granted the institution is required to meet all requirements as set forth by OPM and the legal statutes that have been set. The government must continue to invest in the education and training of its most valuable asset - the employees - but it will not be duped by individuals or institutions who attempt to get the federal government to pay for bogus degrees."

James again thanked Senator Collins for her leadership on this issue saying, "Senator Collins has a clear record of elevating the importance of Merit Systems Principles and has been a strong voice for upholding the Theodore Roosevelt tradition of Civil Service as an honorable profession."

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OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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