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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider CHED warns public against 'diploma mills,' vows crackdown on unauthorized graduate programs

CHED warns public against 'diploma mills,' vows crackdown on unauthorized graduate programs

Teacher Education Council urges educators to enroll only in CHED-accredited programs

Published Nov 5, 2025 08:15 pm
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has issued a stern warning to the public against so-called “diploma mills” and unauthorized institutions offering substandard or unrecognized graduate programs, whether online or in person.
In a Notice to the Public released on November 4 and signed by Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, CHED said it has received reports of certain institutions operating without the required government authority—allegedly offering below-standard graduate programs or advertising online degrees not accredited by the Commission.
“Only Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) officially recognized by CHED and duly granted the required permits or authority are authorized to offer graduate education programs,” the Commission said.
CHED cautioned that institutions found operating as “diploma mills” or offering unrecognized graduate programs will face cease and desist orders, administrative sanctions, and possible criminal prosecution. Penalties may include program closure, fines, suspension or downgrading of institutional status, and revocation of permits or recognition.
To ensure compliance, CHED has directed all its regional offices to conduct strict and continuous monitoring of graduate programs under CMO No. 15, s. 2019. Programs found to be noncompliant will face immediate closure.
“Students enrolled in such programs shall not be issued Special Orders, and their academic credentials shall neither be validated nor recognized by CHED,” the Commission said. “Such credentials shall have no legal effect for purposes of employment, licensure, or further studies,” it added.
CHED acknowledged the challenges of monitoring numerous HEIs across the country but emphasized that it continues to coordinate with EDCOM II, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to strengthen enforcement and public awareness.
Meanwhile, the Commission urged the public to verify the official recognition of any institution before enrolling in a graduate program.
Verified listings and updates are available through CHED Regional Offices and the official website, ched.gov.ph.
“CHED remains committed to protecting the integrity of Philippine higher education and will not tolerate the operation of diploma mills,” the statement read.
The Commission also encouraged the public to report any suspicious or unauthorized activities involving higher education institutions via [email protected]
TEC backs CHED in fight vs ‘diploma mills’
In a show of solidarity, the Teacher Education Council (TEC) issued a statement supporting CHED’s crackdown on unauthorized graduate programs, emphasizing the importance of protecting the quality and credibility of teacher education in the Philippines.
“The quality of a nation’s education system can never exceed the quality of its teachers,” TEC said in a Facebook post on November 5. “When educators are incentivized to pursue ‘paper qualifications’ over genuine competency, our students pay the ultimate price through compromised learning outcomes,” it added.
TEC urged teachers and aspiring educators to enroll only in accredited and CHED-recognized programs to ensure that their postgraduate education leads to real professional growth.
“As an institution dedicated to shaping the future of teacher education, we recognize the crucial role that quality education plays in developing competent and responsible teachers,” TEC said.
With the CHED Chairperson serving as the ex officio Vice Chairperson of the TEC, both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to a unified and coordinated effort against academic fraud.
RELATED STORY: 
https://mb.com.ph/2025/11/01/ched-urged-to-crack-down-on-diploma-mills-in-teacher-education-graduate-programs

Related Tags

CHED diploma mills unauthorized graduate programs higher education teacher education TEC Philippine universities
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