Criminal Background Check for Certification
Loyola University Chicago (LUC) requires that all candidates for Illinois certification prior to initial field or practicum/internship experience in the schools/community agencies must submit to an Illinois State Police and FBI criminal background fingerprint check. This is consistent with state law that requires Illinois school districts to conduct criminal background investigations of applicants for certified and non-certified positions. A candidate whose background check results in a status of "no record" may be placed in the schools. Candidates in a teacher certification program may be requested to complete an additional background check prior to student teaching. Loyola University Chicago will not accept criminal background check reports from sources other than Accurate Biometrics.
Policies and Procedures for Submission of Background Check
Criminal background checks must be completed at the time specified for each program listed below. It generally requires three - six days to obtain the results of a fingerprint check. The background check is submitted electronically to a secure email address to the Associate Dean for Student Services.
Candidates cannot begin any field experiences without a “passed” background check. Candidates are responsible for all fees connected with this procedure.
A candidate may not be placed in any school if the background check determines that he or she has been convicted of criminal behavior that, by law, automatically prohibits him or her from attaining Illinois certification.
The offenses that automatically prohibit certification include first degree murder, any Class X felony, juvenile pimping, soliciting a juvenile prostitute, exploitation of a child, obscenity, child pornography, criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, some offenses set forth in the Cannabis Control Act, and some crimes defined in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.
In the event that no district will accept a student because of his/her criminal history, the School of Education will assist the student in choosing an alternative course of study.
| Program | When | To Whom | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Undergraduate | - CIEP 147 or - Application for Admission to Teacher Education |
School of Education Front Desk | A second background check may be required by the host school during student teaching. |
| M.Ed. Elementary | Prior to the fall Internship | School of Education Front Desk | A second background check may be required by the host school during student teaching. |
| M.Ed. Secondary | First semester attending classes | School of Education Front Desk | A second background check may be required by the host school during student teaching. |
| Ed.S./Ph.D. School Psychology | CPSY 421 | Internship Coordinator | |
| M.Ed./Cert. only School Counseling | CPSY 421 | Placement Coordinator | |
| M.Ed. Reading M.Ed.School Technology M.Ed. Special Education |
First semester attending classes |
School of Education Front Desk | This background check is waived with documentation of current employment in a public/private school district indicating completion of a fingerpring criminal background check. |
| M.Ed./Ed.D./Cert Only - Administration & Supervision/Type 75 M.Ed. Instructional Leadership |
First semester attending classes |
School of Education Front Desk | This background check is waived with documentation of current employment in a public/private school district indicating completion of a fingerpring criminal background check. |
Where to go for a Background Check
The School of Education contracts with Accurate Biometrics for a special price of $52.00 for LUC candidates. Submit the Finger Print Application form to any Accurate Biometric location to receive this discount price.
Items to bring:- Government issued picture identification (i.e. driver's license, passport)
- Cash, money order or certified check (no credit cards or personal checks)
- Completed Finger Print Application
The School will schedule on-campus fingerprinting once or twice each semester. For dates on-campus, please see the School of Education Calendar.
