Degree and Accreditation Mills – Degrees and certificates from “degree mills” may not be acknowledged by other institutions when seeking admittance to graduate school or transferring to a new university. “Accreditation” from an accreditation mill can mislead students about the quality of an institution. As a result, students may spend a good deal of money and not receive an education or a useable credential. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education publish lists of the accrediting agencies each recognizes, including the CAA.