The United States Embassy here urged Saudi students planning to study in the US to beware of unaccredited educational institutions. Such institutions, which are not recognized by the US Department of Education, and companies offering degrees or diplomas for sale often advertise in local newspapers, asserting that they are accredited US institutions of higher learning, when in fact they are not, the Embassy said. The Embassy said that students should exercise particular caution if the degree offered by certain colleges or universities requires minimal online or classroom attendance, or if the degree can be earned in a very short period of time. In all such cases, the degree is most likely for sale. Saudi students and their parents should make certain that the US college or university in which they are interested is an accredited institution of higher learning and that it is recognized by the US Department of Education. This can be done by calling the Education Advising Officer at the US Embassy in Riyadh on 01-488-3800 ext. 4505, 4207 or the Education Advisors at the US Consulates in Jeddah on 02-667-0080 ext. 4151 and in Dhahran on 03-330-3200 ext. 3200. Interested parties can also verify if a college, university or accrediting body is recognized by the US Department of Education through Internet sites http://www.ope.ed.gov/accredition or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (http://chea.org/search/default.asp). These websites offer accurate information on the accreditation of institutions of higher education. The US Embassy, however, did not elaborate on the need for issuing such an alert to Saudi students and parents. According to reports, in 2007 there were more than 15,000 Saudi students attending US universities and colleges, the highest number since 2001.
