The Office of Personnel Management has said that new
revisions to its qualifications standards operating manual
are designed to make agencies better judges of applicant’s
credentials and professional training claims.
The guidance — available at opm.gov/qualifications —
outlines a number of steps agencies can take to protect
themselves and employees seeking further academic
accreditation, including a review of the legal and
regulatory policy governing the use of federal funds for
coursework leading to a degree.
The use of diploma mills by federal employees has been
in the spotlight since 2003 when several high level
officials were found to have purchased mail order degrees
and used them to advance their federal careers.
