In the resources box for the story on Web based Education  [WEB BRINGS FLEXIBILITY TO EDUCATION, January], readers are referred to www.classesusa.com with the note that it lists degrees “available through accredited universities.” This is false. Not all of the universities listed are accredited, and using degrees obtained from some of them is restricted by law in Oregon, with potential penalties for inappropriate use. The www.study2u.com site is cleaner, but its links to “accredited online schools” also list some unaccredited schools.

People interested in distance-education degrees should never assume that what is on the Web about accreditation is true. Any legitimate Oregon college registrar’s office or my office can tell you quickly whether a U.S. school is accredited, and for a modest fee whether a foreign school is genuine.

-- Alan L. Contreras
Oregon Student Assistance Commission
Eugene