John Przypyszny Comments on Unaccredited ‘Diploma Mill’ Risks With The DO

In an article for The DO, education partner John Przypyszny discussed how doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) are being solicited by unaccredited medical schools, commonly referred to as “diploma mills,” to turn their DO degrees into MD degrees.

Przypyszny noted that the schools reaching out to potential students are not accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the U.S. Department of Education’s National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation or any commonly accepted accreditor. He added that the schools’ prey on potential students by offering to “convert” DO degrees into medical degrees. 

“[C]laims by certain offshore medical schools that a student can ‘convert’ DO degrees into MD degrees (or vice versa) are incorrect,” Przypyszny said. “There is not a recognized mechanism to ‘convert’ a DO degree to an MD degree. Obtaining a ‘diploma’ or ‘certificate of equivalency’ does not in itself confer any legal authority to practice medicine, increase the scope of one’s practice or obtain licensure without following state-level requirements.”

Przypyszny added that the U.S. Department of Education have warned against using unaccredited institutions and diploma mills, advising that prospective students should review the institution’s marketing materials and outreach carefully before making a decision on whether to attend.