Education Verification Services: There are third-party education verification services that specialize in verifying academic credentials. You can contact one of these services and provide them with the person's name, social security number (if permitted by law), and any other relevant information they may require. These services will contact the educational institutions directly and obtain official verification of the person's degree.
National Student Clearinghouse (NSC): The National Student Clearinghouse is a nonprofit organization that provides student transcript and enrollment verification services. While the NSC does not grant degrees, they maintain records of students' enrollment and degrees awarded. You can request a verification report through their website, which may provide general information about a person's education without disclosing the specific college or university.
Check Professional Licenses or Certifications: Some professions require licenses or certifications that may be linked to a person's educational background. You can check with the relevant licensing or certification boards to see if they maintain records of the person's education and credentials.
Employer Verification: If you are considering hiring someone and need to verify their college degree, you can ask them to provide a copy of their diploma or transcripts from the college or university they attended. You can then contact the college or university to confirm the authenticity of the documents provided.
Ask for References: You can ask the person to provide references or contacts who can vouch for their educational background. These references can be former professors, academic advisors, or colleagues who can provide firsthand knowledge of their education.
It is important to note that privacy regulations may restrict the release of certain educational information without the consent of the individual concerned. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that you have the person's permission before attempting to verify their college degree. In case of doubt or if the verification process becomes complex, you may want to consider hiring a professional background check service that specializes in education verification.