The College of Education recognizes its ethical obligation to the children, youth, and adults in our cooperating fieldwork locations. Therefore, the College of Education Office of Clinical Services and Certification requires compliance with the following background clearance policies and procedures for COE students participating in university-sponsored fieldwork.

All students subject to these policies must submit a statement to the College of Education Office of Clinical Services and Certification as part of the COE application to the program or field experience: (1) setting out the history of any criminal convictions in Alaska and other states in which they have lived, (juvenile crime records that have been sealed by the court need not be disclosed); (2) all names by which they have been known; and (3) all states in which they have lived. Any student who is convicted of a crime after submitting the statement must update the information with the College of Education Office of Clinical Services and Certification within thirty (30) days of the conviction.  Students who already possess a current Teacher, Administrative, or Special Services Certificate in Alaska need only report criminal convictions since the most recent background check required by EED.

The College of Education requires two types of background clearances. The type of clearance a student is required to have depends on the type of field placement course in which the student is planning to enroll. In general, Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) clearance is required for lecture courses that include a fieldwork component as part of the course. This background check involves a search for criminal convictions in Alaska. Courses that are field-based, such as practicum or internships, require fingerprinting and a national (FBI) criminal history background check. In some cases, APSIN clearance or Fingerprinting/Criminal History Background clearance is required for admission to a program.

Policy questions?                     Contact:   Teresa Johnson, Director,     907-786-4403
Processing questions?              Contact:   Drema Bagneschi, Assistant  907-786-4402 

COE Background Check Guidelines Brochure

Where do I go?

APSIN Form

Self-Disclosure Background Check Form