American degrees and their accreditation

Abstract

A degree is a title conferred by a school to show that a certain course of study has been successfully completed. A diploma is the actual document or certificate that is given to the students as evidence of the awarding of the degree. Diplomas are also awarded for courses of study that do not result in a degree; as, for example, on completion of a programme in real estate management, air conditioning repair, or youth leadership. This can lead to confusion, often intentional, as in the case of someone who says: I earned my diploma at Harvard; meaning that he or she attended a weekend seminar there, at the end of which a Diploma of Completion was awarded.

Citation

Manaf, Z. (1985), "American degrees and their accreditation", Education + Training, Vol. 27 No. 10, pp. 291-295. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb017199