Degrees of Doubt: Legitimate, real and fake qualifications in a global market

This paper provides an analysis into the global phenomenon known as credential/qualification fraud, a $US 1 billion dollar 'cottage' industry which has tainted higher education in Australia, and does not appear to be abating. The study is developed through a conceptual framework of credentialism, degree creep and screening theory, which the author theorises spawns the demand for degree qualifications, both legitimate and 'less-than-wonderful' along continuums of legitimacy and acceptability. The paper suggests several key resources and tools that can be used by administrators of universities, non-self accrediting higher education providers and industry human resource managers. The paper concludes by reviewing key-global practices currently employed as proactive measures to minimise credential fraud, moving towards a best practice framework for Australia.