International Accreditation Agency for Online Universities,

Definition

IAAOU, is a self-styled "accreditation" board that has no status with the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation(CHEA). Without USDE and CHEA recognition, such "accreditations" are essentially meaningless.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has indicated that Rochville University, Belford University, and the agencies from which they claim accreditation "appear to be operated by the same people.". The best way to avoid many of these "scam" schools is to thoroughly investigate. For instance the Michigan Report on non-Accredited schools or other sources such as Online Universities Report.