Western Carolina University

Each semester we have a few students with one relatively minor charge such as underage drinking on their background check.  With a reasonable explanation demonstrating growth and why such a problem will not occur again schools may be forgiving.  However, students with more severe charges or multiple minor charges will face more difficulty.  Students should be aware that schools may refuse to accept them for early field experiences or Internship/Student Teaching due to negative findings through a background check.  Also, students can be turned down for licensure or employment.  Students with concerns about their individual situation should make an appointment to see the Director of Field Experiences to discuss specific circumstances.  Ultimately students with criminal charges continue in the program at their own risk. 

Be aware that background check results are available to school personnel, program administrators, and advisers as needed for placement purposes. 

Self-Disclosure:

If you are arrested after the initial background check you must contact the Director of Field Experiences within 72 hours to discuss the impact on current or future placements and potential career opportunities.

Failure to disclose criminal charges may disqualify you from Internship/Student Teaching placement.

Internship/Student Teaching:

• If students have completed the comprehensive background check in an earlier field experience, they are required to obtain a follow-up background check the semester before Internship/Student Teaching as part of the application process. 
• Students applying for internship, students teaching or Special Education graduate practicum who have not had a previous field experience at WCU should follow the instructions for the initial background check above. 
• Go to https://www.certifiedbackground.com/ and use package code "CU98re" if this is a follow up from an earlier Office of Field Experiences background check or  "CU98" if this is your first background check for the Office of Field Experiences. 
• Again students should be aware that it takes 3-5 or more business days to receive the results with some counties taking longer, so ordering early is important to meet the application deadline.  
• Letters from school personnel offices, background checks through a local courthouse, and background checks from work are not acceptable.  The only exception is for students who will be completing their field experiences in the classroom where they are already employed. 
• Be aware that students with any arrests, dismissals or convictions will need to write a full explanation including circumstances, court disposition, any penalties such as community services and lessons learned that provide assurances that there will be no further problems. Court documents will also generally be required. Again - planning well ahead is essential.

Attaching Documents to TaskStream Applications:

On the main TaskStream application page with the application instructions there is a button at the lower left for attachments that somewhat blends with the background.  This will open up a box much like making an attachment to e-mail.

One of the highest priorities of any school is the safety of their students.  Screening of any individual working with the students is an important precaution.  Consequently, we require background checks from every student requesting a field experience.

Initial Background Check:

• Prior to approval of their first field experience at WCU, students are required to obtain a comprehensive background check. 
• This must be completed through CertifiedBackground.com and can take 3-5 business days or more so students should plan well ahead of application deadlines.  Some counties do take longer to report. 
• Letters from school personnel offices, background checks through a local courthouse, and background checks from work are not acceptable.  The only exception is for students who will be completing their field experiences in the classroom where they are already employed. 
• Go to https://www.certifiedbackground.com/ and use package code "CU98".  
• You will need to attach the report to every early field experience application you make, so be certain to save it so you will not have to call the company later to find it again. They will charge you more money to send it again.  If you obtained your background check before 2013 and no longer have it for applications we can obtain that for you to save you money.  Write in the comments "Background check on file from [class & semester completed]".  Please only do this if you no longer have access to the file.  With hundreds of placements each semester, the time to look these up from this office really adds up and slows down the overall placement process.  This only applies if the background check was before 2013.  2013 and forward, you are expected to keep up with the file for future placements.
• Be aware that students with any arrests, dismissals or convictions will need to write a full explanation including circumstances, court disposition, any penalties such as community services and lessons learned that provide assurances that there will be no further problems.  Court documents will also generally be required.  Again - planning well ahead is essential.