1.   Along the way, he defied the education establishment, which tried to label his school a diploma mill and run him out of town.

2.   Because their staffs are typically small and their physical plants are virtually nonexistent, diploma mills are highly mobile.

3.   A week ago, the Houston Chronicle ran a story charging that Luepnitz had obtained his doctorate at a diploma mill.

4.   Advertisements for diploma mills show stately buildings and boast of accredited programs that offer flexibility for working adults.

5.   But the regional accrediting body accused him of running a diploma mill and shut him down.

6.   Colleges that train teachers are often no more than diploma mills, offering watered-down courses and marginal preparation for the profession.

7.   Few agencies have taken a role in monitoring diploma mills, experts said.

8.   For example, some states exempt religious schools from state oversight, thus allowing diploma mills to register as religious institutions.

9.   However, there have been complaints of diploma mills that sell unqualified people certificates in order for them to meet the requirements.

10.   In Wyoming, diploma mills filed incorporation papers with the Secretary of State, but did not register with education officials because they did not have to.