This guide to institutions that offer academic degrees through nontraditional means has four parts. Part 1 addresses issues in nontraditional education, such as degree requirements and transcripts, whether a degree is worth the effort, how to evaluate a school, accreditation, and financial aid. Part 2 specifically addresses alternative methods of earning credit, including equivalency examinations, correspondence courses, credit for life experience learning, credit by learning contract, credit for foreign academic experience, and the credit bank service. Part 3 lists the institutions offering nontraditional degree programs, grouped into the following categories: accredited schools with nonresident programs; accredited schools with short residency programs; accredited schools with nontraditional residential programs; unaccredited schools with nonresident programs; unaccredited schools with short residency programs; unaccredited schools with nontraditional residential programs; schools that offer high school diplomas and associate degrees; law schools; medical and other health-related schools; and degree mills. Part 4 covers such miscellaneous topics as honorary doctorates, bending the rules, advice for people in prison, and other schools. Four appendices include a glossary, a bibliography, information on personal counseling, and an explanation for the exclusion of religious schools. Subject and school indexes are included. (DB)