Credentials are used to support graduate school, teaching and other employment applications.
A credentials file normally contains transcripts and letters of recommendation.
It may also contain a resume or curriculum vitae, and supplemental materials like
a writing sample. When applying to a graduate school or for a professional position,
you submit a request to the credentials service asking that the contents of your
file be forwarded to the school or potential employer. The service then sends a
copy of those materials to the school or employer specified in your request.
School District representatives who have primary responsibility for hiring new teachers,
and college and university admission personnel who screen graduate candidates often
require that the credentials of potential teachers be submitted by academic institutions.
In most cases, the candidates have “waived their rights”, and have not
viewed the faculty and employer recommendations maintained in the Credential Files.
Organizations believe that credentials received directly from the University are
more reliable, credible, and valid.
The fee to open a credential file is $20. Please print the following directions to set-up your credentials file on CaneZone.
To have your credential file mailed, fee payment must accompany your request and
your account must be up to date. It takes 3-5 business days for your request to
be processed. The charge is $5 per individual mailing. Complete and submit a Mailing Request to the Career Center.
- Phone requests will not be accepted.
- If the request form is not complete with your full name, student ID, and complete
address of where the file is to be sent the request will not be processed until
all information is complete.
- No requests will be processed if there is a balance on your account.
Your credential file will be active for 5 years after the last date of activity.
After that time, your file will become inactive. You will be notified by mail (at
your last known address) that your file has become inactive. You can renew the file
by paying the renewal fee of $20 (another 5 years). If you do not request and pay the
renewal fee within 90 days, your file will be destroyed.
Almost any document attesting to academic or personal attainment, other than transcripts,
which must be sent separately by Enrollment Services, will be accepted for the credentials
file. Documents most often included are certifications, license verifications, letters
of recommendation, a resume, and associate teacher evaluations. You are encouraged
to update your credentials file frequently throughout your academic career.
Letters of recommendation, or references, are statements made by employers, academic
contacts, or personal acquaintances which recommend your ability to perform a particular
job or complete a graduate program. It is a good idea to begin identifying potential
references early in your college career. Once you’ve chosen a reference, be
sure to ask if he/she is willing to provide a recommendation. Provide each writer
with a copy of your resume and a description of the jobs or types of programs to
which you may apply. Plan to allow the writer at least two weeks to complete the
letter. Be sure to thank the letter writers for their time and assistance and let
them know the results of your search or application process.
Under the Ferpa (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1912) you have access
to the contents of your educational records including your credentials file. Some
employers and/or graduate/Professional Schools require confidential references.
In this case you will need to sign the waiver on the candidate evaluation form.
If you waive the right to see the recommendations you will not be allowed to inspect
that part of you file, nor can anyone share that information with you.
If you already have a paper credentials file, you have two options. The first is
to make your file electronic instead of paper by creating it on CaneZone. The second
is to continue using your paper file. Please note that the prices have changed from
$5.00/mailing to $7.50/mailing (domestic) and $12.50/mailing (international). Please
complete the Authorization to Mail form and submit a credit card number to store
on file for future credentials orders. When submitting these items, the following
information is needed:
Credit Card Type
Credit Card Number
Expiration Date (MM/YY)
CSV/Security Code
Telephone Number
E-mail Address
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