The 2006 American comedy film “Accepted” follows the story of a group of high school graduates who create a fake college called South Harmon Institute of Technology (SHIT) to escape the pressures of traditional higher education. But was SHIT just a hilarious fictional creation, or was it actually a diploma mill in disguise?
What was South Harmon Institute of Technology?
SHIT, as portrayed in the film, was depicted as a non-traditional college located in a rundown mental hospital that offered an alternative approach to higher education. Led by the protagonist Bartleby Gaines, the students at SHIT were encouraged to create their own curriculum, engage in hands-on learning, and pursue their passions without the constraints of traditional academia. SHIT claimed to offer a unique educational experience that was free from the rigid structure and rules of traditional universities.
What did South Harmon Institute of Technology offer?
SHIT promised a range of unconventional programs, such as “Hookah Etiquette,” “The Art of Babe Scoping,” and “Foreign Affairs: Hooking Up Overseas.” These programs were not based on established academic disciplines and lacked proper accreditation. In addition, SHIT had minimal entry requirements and did not require standardized tests or transcripts, making it easy for anyone to gain admission.
How was South Harmon Institute of Technology seen as legitimate?
As depicted in the film, SHIT engaged in various activities that were inconsistent with legitimate educational institutions. For example, the students at SHIT fabricated a fake website, created fake brochures, and staged elaborate fake classes to deceive their parents and the public into believing that SHIT was a legitimate college. They even went as far as hiring fake professors and providing fake transcripts to maintain the illusion of a real university.
Was South Harmon Institute of Technology a diploma mill?
A diploma mill is defined as an institution that awards degrees or diplomas without providing the necessary education or meeting the required standards for accreditation. Based on these criteria, SHIT can be considered a diploma mill. Despite its comedic portrayal in the film, SHIT exhibited several characteristics of a typical diploma mill:
- Lack of Accreditation: Accreditation is a process through which an educational institution is evaluated by an external body to ensure it meets established standards of quality education. However, SHIT lacked proper accreditation, which is a red flag for diploma mills. Legitimate universities go through rigorous accreditation processes to ensure that their programs meet recognized educational standards.
- Non-traditional Programs: SHIT offered unconventional programs that were not based on established academic disciplines. Legitimate universities offer recognized programs that follow established curricula and are aligned with industry standards.
- Minimal Entry Requirements: SHIT had minimal entry requirements, such as no standardized tests or transcripts. This lack of rigor in the admissions process is inconsistent with legitimate universities, which typically have strict entry requirements to ensure that students are prepared for the academic challenges of higher education.
- Lack of Authenticity: SHIT engaged in deceptive practices, such as creating fake websites, brochures, and transcripts, to deceive the public. Legitimate universities maintain transparency and authenticity in their operations, including accurate representation of their programs, faculty, and accreditation status.
Comparison to Other Diploma Mills:
SHIT shares similarities with other known diploma mills in terms of lack of accreditation, non-traditional programs, and minimal entry requirements. For example, Tri-Valley University in California, which was shut down in 2011 for visa fraud and money laundering, was found to have similar characteristics to SHIT. It lacked proper accreditation, offered unconventional programs, and had minimal entry requirements, making it a diploma mill in disguise. Another example is Almeda University, an unaccredited online institution that claimed to offer degrees based on “life experience” without proper academic standards or accreditation, which is also consistent with the characteristics of a diploma mill.
South Harmon Institute of Technology was a Diploma Mill
Based on the characteristics of diploma mills, as outlined above, it can be argued that SHIT was, in fact, a diploma mill. Despite its comedic portrayal in the film, SHIT exhibited several key traits of diploma mills, including lack of accreditation, non-traditional programs, minimal entry requirements, and deceptive practices.
Firstly, SHIT lacked proper accreditation, which is a crucial factor in determining the legitimacy of an educational institution. Accreditation is a process that ensures an institution meets established standards of quality education. However, SHIT was depicted as a college without any proper accreditation, which is a red flag for diploma mills.
Secondly, SHIT offered non-traditional programs that were not based on established academic disciplines. Legitimate universities offer recognized programs that follow established curricula and are aligned with industry standards. However, SHIT’s programs, such as “Slacker Studies” and “Getting High and Getting Crazy,” were depicted as unconventional and lacked academic rigor, indicating that it did not provide a genuine educational experience.
Thirdly, SHIT had minimal entry requirements, such as no standardized tests or transcripts. Legitimate universities typically have strict entry requirements to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the academic challenges of higher education. However, SHIT’s lenient admissions process, as depicted in the film, was inconsistent with legitimate universities and indicative of a diploma mill.
Lastly, SHIT engaged in deceptive practices, such as creating fake websites, brochures, and transcripts, to maintain the illusion of being a legitimate college. Legitimate universities maintain transparency and authenticity in their operations, whereas SHIT’s deceptive practices were reminiscent of typical diploma mills that seek to deceive unsuspecting students and the public.
Something else to consider
while SHIT may have been portrayed as a humorous fictional creation in the film “Accepted,” it exhibited several characteristics of a diploma mill. Lack of accreditation, non-traditional programs, minimal entry requirements, and deceptive practices are all consistent with the traits of diploma mills. It’s essential to recognize that diploma mills are fraudulent and deceptive institutions that prey on unsuspecting individuals seeking higher education. Students should always verify the accreditation and legitimacy of any educational institution before enrolling to ensure they receive a genuine and recognized education.
