To comply with Pennsylvania School Law and adhere to our district partner's policies, Penn State Harrisburg requires valid, updated clearances on file prior to the start of any semester where a teacher candidate will engage in work with minors. More information on the three required background clearances is available at the Department of Education's site.

Annually Required Clearances

The following clearances are required to be submitted annually to Teacher Education:

  1. Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History
  2. Department of Human Services Child Abuse History
  3. Federal Criminal History Record Information
  4. Proof of negative TB test (within 90 days of entering a clinical experience)

Programs Affected

Clearances are required for admission into and retention in the following programs:

  • Undergraduate Elementary (PK4 and 4-8) Education Degree Program
  • Post-baccalaureate Elementary (PK4 and 4-8) Certification Program
  • Undergraduate Secondary Education Social Studies Degree Program
  • Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate Secondary Certification Programs in English, General Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies

Field-related Courses

The following field-related courses require current (less than one year old) clearances to be on file. Absence of current clearances will result in a delay in field participation:

Elementary Education

  • CI 295 (undergrad only)
  • EDUC 315Y
  • EDUC 495A
  • EDUC 495B (residency)
  • EDUC 490 (student teaching)

Secondary Education

  • EDUC 313 (undergrad only)
  • EDUC 315Y
  • EDUC 458
  • EDUC 495 (residency)
  • EDUC 490 (student teaching)

Clearance Submission via Canvas

All teacher candidates must submit their updated clearances annually via the “Clearance Submission for Teacher Education” pride in Canvas. Check your Canvas dashboard for access.  If you do not see the clearances pride and you believe you need access, please contact the Clinical Coordinator, Ms. Danielle Bowers, at [email protected].