Tift College of Education

Criminal Background Check

In order to fulfill its contracts with school system partners, the Tift College of Education now requires all candidates seeking field placements to undergo a criminal background check prior to applying for their first field experience*. Some school districts may require their own background checks; if you are applying to one of those districts, you should anticipate fulfilling that additional background check requirement, but it will not substitute for the Tift College of Education's requirement. School districts are within their rights to require teacher preparation candidates to undergo criminal history background checks and to refuse placement of those they find unacceptable.

If you do not comply with the background check procedure and policy, the Office of Field Placement will not be able to process your placement application.  OFP will not follow up with you regarding this process.  At the close of each application period, OFP will check to ensure all names on the application site have complied.  Applications for any candidates who have not completed the required background check through CertifiedBackground.com will be dropped.

Mercer has chosen CertifiedBackground.com as our approved source for background checks. Candidates are responsible for ordering and purchasing their own background check directly online.

Order Summary

  • ·Required Personal Information: In addition to entering your full name and date of birth, you will be asked for your Mercer ID, Social Security number, current address, phone number, and email address.
  • ·Payment Information: At the end of the online order process, you will be prompted to enter your Visa or Mastercard information.(Money orders are also accepted but will result in a $10 fee and an additional turn-around time.)The package cost is $45.00.

Placing Your Order

Go to www.CertifiedBackground.com and click on "Students" then enter package code: MG24

You will then be directed to set up your CertifiedProfile account.

View Your Results

Your results will be posted directly to your CertifiedProfile account.This is a secure, tamperproof environment. You will be notified if there is any missing information needed in order to process your order. Although 95% of background check results are completed within 3-5 business days, some results may take longer.Your order will show as "In Process" until it has been completed in its entirety.The district contacts in the school districts to which you apply for placements will be able to view your results online with their unique username and password. A Mercer administrator can also securely view your results, to ensure that you have completed this requirement.

*All candidates applying during Spring 2012 for Summer 2012 or Fall 2012 placements must meet this requirement prior to applying for the placements, not only those applying for their first experience.