I want to be a "doctor" when I grow up (which will be never)

January 31, 2011 10:29 AM

I wannabe a doctor: What's the cheapest / easiest way to get an online "doctoral degree?"

It'd be great if the "institution" it came from either sounded very prestigious (e.g. "stamford [sic] university"), or completely ridiculous.

Thanks hive mind.

posted by blahtsk to Education (11 answers total)

You do know that there really is a Stamford University, right? Not saying it's prestigious, but it does exist.

Anyhow: here, here, here, or google "fake degree" and you will get bunches.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 10:39 AM on January 31, 2011

Check your spam filters. I'm sure an offer will appear there soon. (Oh, how tempting it was when I was getting my actual PhD...)
posted by madcaptenor at 10:41 AM on January 31, 2011 [2 favorites]

It sounds like you want this to be an obvious fake/joke, so why bother paying real money and supporting some creepy fraudulent online diploma mill? You can just make up a school and put together a diploma yourself, or use one of many easily Googled online joke diploma generators. Or else buy or make a diploma from a fictional university — Miskatonic, Starfleet Academy, that kind of thing.
posted by RogerB at 10:42 AM on January 31, 2011 [3 favorites]

Not online, but you can get a PhD in Tequila from Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in SF.
posted by JenMarie at 10:44 AM on January 31, 2011 [3 favorites]

I hope you realise it's bad form to apply for a fake diploma in your own name.

The correct protocol is to apply in the name of your pet.

See this list of institutions to give you any manner of qualifications.
posted by MuffinMan at 10:48 AM on January 31, 2011 [2 favorites]

As a birthday present some years ago, I was given an mail-order ordination package that came with an honorary doctorate of divinity. So in one fell swoop, Mr. Zombiedance became the Reverend Doctor Zombiedance.
posted by zombiedance at 10:50 AM on January 31, 2011 [2 favorites]

Here's the real deal. Degrees given in 7 days based on things you already know. Choose your major. Choose your GPA.
posted by mazola at 10:51 AM on January 31, 2011 [3 favorites]

I'm an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church of Modesto, California. They offer a Doctor of Metaphysics, among many others, for $29.00.
posted by slogger at 10:59 AM on January 31, 2011 [5 favorites]

Don't waste your money on the other programs which feature unrealistic things such as stickers for seals, incorrect fonts, illegal email verification and more. Insist on the Best, our Programs adhere to the strictest standards, raised ink text, embossed foil seals with impression on back of diploma, Fax or Phone Verification. Official Anti-Copy Transcript Paper and much more

Har!

Don't forget to compare their program vs competitors (found at the bottom of a page ironically titled "The Quality of Your Colege Degree & Transcript").
posted by mazola at 11:01 AM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

What if one wasn't looking for a 'fake' institution / degree? That is, what's the fastest / cheapest / easiest (no, I don't want to pick two) way to get a doctorate that's recognised by accrediting authorities (like the AQF in Australia), even if they throw up in their own mouths when they see it?
posted by obiwanwasabi at 4:31 PM on January 31, 2011

I, too, am affiliated with the Universal Life Church; that's where I got my D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) degree for $25, if I remember correctly. The Ph.D. was slightly more -- $50?

Since I already have a legit PhD, I decided to get the DD in my own name rather than a pet's.)
posted by phliar at 12:38 PM on February 1, 2011