This sounds like a problem with how contracts are written.  They should be requiring that any degrees cited to fill contract qualification requirements come from an accredited  university.  That would at least take care of the worst cases.  Some accredited schools with well known and prestigious names also operate diploma mills because they know large companies will pay for students to get advanced degrees.<p>In the wider sense I don&#x27;t think this is a problem just in government though.  Dubious and outright false credentials are a problem in industry too (ie: An HP CEO had to resign after it was found his advanced degree was fabricated.)<p>The bigger question maybe that if the person can perform at a certain level does it really matter what degree they have? At the same time dishonesty shouldn&#x27;t be allowed just because the current system isn&#x27;t ideal.