FWIW, this phenomenon is not a "US National Security Community" thing, it's a government thing (although quality control can vary). I saw it in the Army -- enl

FWIW, this phenomenon is not a "US National Security Community" thing, it's a government thing (although quality control can vary). I saw it in the Army -- enlisted Soliders get a certain number of "points" towards their promotions for completing coursework and obtaining a degree. So, they find the most expedient methods -- and for-profit schools that catered to this nonsense were all over. An entire platoon could literally pass around the same papers and get through an associate's degree together. "Criminal justice" was a popular one, for some reason. I have lots of teachers in my family. They get a big pay bump for a Master's degree (had to be accredited, admittedly, so that's a little better). If the pay bump is the same no matter which school you go to, why not take the path of least resistance, especially when you're working full-time and raising a family? They all have online degrees from one of the local state colleges that caters to this market. I don't think they try to argue that they are better teachers for it. It's just a way to hustle for more money (and can you blame them?) If you have to make a one-sized-fits-all rule about "this degree is worth this amount of money," you're going to run into these issues.