Background Checks: A University Requirement For International Students?

Background checks are a common part of the hiring process for universities and other educational institutions. While they are typically conducted on employees, some colleges and universities also conduct background checks on incoming students. This is becoming more common to keep campuses safe and to ensure students can access internship, externship, and work-study opportunities. These checks can include criminal history, education verification, and employment history. International background checks are also available and can be critical for employers hiring applicants who have lived, worked, or studied in other countries.

Criminal history checks

In terms of the scope of criminal history checks, universities typically search for records at the county, state, or federal level within the United States. This includes verifying information through county records, transcripts, and public records databases. Additionally, universities may screen for a history of violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, neglect, or drug offenses, as these are often considered red flags. International criminal checks may also be conducted, especially for applicants who have lived, worked, or studied in other countries.

It is important to note that the presence of a criminal record does not automatically result in disqualification from the university admission process. Universities consider the nature and severity of the crimes disclosed and may assess them in relation to the specific program or scholarship the student is applying for. For example, certain criminal behaviors may exclude students from gaining admission to degrees that prepare them to work with vulnerable members of society, such as care professions like nursing, medicine, or psychology.

To facilitate the background screening process, some universities employ electronic background screening platforms that allow student applicants to register and submit their background information online. This helps streamline the process and reduces the administrative burden on the university.

Furthermore, background checks are not limited to prospective students but also extend to faculty members, staff, and administrators. Universities conduct comprehensive background screenings to ensure the safety and security of their entire campus community, including students, faculty, and staff.

Education verifications

Education verification is an important part of the background checking process. It is a way to confirm an applicant's degrees, diplomas, and educational institutions attended. This is especially important for international students, as there is a high risk of applicants presenting fake degrees or diplomas. International education verification can be a complex process due to the many different languages, laws, and regulations involved. However, it is a necessary step to ensure that applicants have the required qualifications and to reduce the risk of fraud.

The education verification process typically involves confirming the name, address, and country of each school attended, as well as the diplomas or degrees conferred. This information can be obtained through various platforms and records, including county records, transcripts, and online databases. For international students, it may be necessary to conduct searches in multiple countries and navigate different data privacy laws and regulations.

In addition to confirming the educational background of applicants, universities may also verify employment history, criminal records, and professional licenses or certifications. These checks are designed to ensure that students are qualified and safe, and to protect the reputation of the university. While a criminal record may not automatically disqualify an applicant, it is important for universities to conduct thorough background checks to make informed decisions and maintain a safe learning environment.

The background checking process for international students can be time-consuming and complex, and it is often recommended that universities work with reputable background check providers to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. By conducting thorough education verifications and background checks, universities can make more informed decisions about admissions and protect the safety and well-being of their student body.

Employment history checks

For teachers, employment history checks are crucial as they help schools verify the information provided on resumes and applications. This includes confirming previous employment, understanding the teacher's professional experience, and identifying any potential red flags, such as misconduct or disciplinary issues. Schools may also use reference checks to gain insights into a teacher's teaching style, work ethic, and interactions with students.

In the case of college or university professors, employment history checks serve a similar purpose. Higher education institutions often conduct these checks to verify the credentials and experience of candidates, especially when hiring for specific academic areas or research positions. While a teaching certificate may not be required for professors, confirming their expertise and qualifications is essential.

International background checks, which include employment verification, are also important for educational institutions. These checks help ensure that applicants who have lived, worked, or studied in other countries meet the required qualifications and do not have disqualifying global criminal records. They can reveal information such as previous employers' names and addresses and employment start and end dates.

Conducting thorough employment history checks is a critical step in the hiring process for educational institutions. It helps protect the safety and well-being of students and staff, reduces liability risks, and ensures that the selected candidates are suitable for their respective roles.

Professional license checks

Certain occupations require professional licenses or certifications to ensure that people working in specific jobs are competent, suitably trained, ethical, and trustworthy. While the list of jobs that require professional licenses varies from state to state, it typically includes doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, real estate agents, counsellors, therapists, electricians, and building contractors.

When hiring for these positions, employers will often conduct a professional license verification as part of their vetting process. It is illegal for a person to work in a field that requires licensing unless they hold the appropriate license, and it is also illegal for an employer to hire someone for a position that they are not licensed to hold. Hospitals, law firms, public schools, and electrical companies, for example, will conduct professional license verifications to avoid the consequences of hiring an unlicensed, unqualified person.

Beyond the legal issues, professional license checks are also used to protect customers, patients, students, or clients. Jobs that require licenses are often high-stakes or high-risk, and only those with specific knowledge, skills, or experience can work in these roles without potentially causing dire consequences.

A professional license verification works in a similar way to other verification background checks, such as education verifications. If an applicant claims to have a specific license or certification, an employer can verify this information by contacting the appropriate state agencies and requesting a record check.

A professional license verification check will not only confirm that a person is licensed or certified but will also provide crucial details about the license, such as the issuing state or agency, the date of issuance, the date of expiration, and any honours, comments, or actions (including disciplinary actions) attached to the certification.

Global watchlist/sanctions checks

Global watchlist checks are also recommended for international students applying to universities. These checks search numerous databases maintained by government agencies, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement sources worldwide. They reveal if an applicant has engaged in terrorist activities, money laundering, fraud, or other serious crimes. Additionally, they identify individuals who are sanctioned, excluded, or debarred from working in certain industries, such as finance or healthcare.

Failing to perform these checks could result in penalties, liability issues, and risks to the university's reputation and safety. Universities can partner with trusted third-party screening services to conduct these checks accurately and efficiently.

Some of the databases included in global watchlist checks are:

• Interpol Red Notice List
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Most Wanted List
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Most Wanted Terrorists and Seeking Information Lists
• Adverse Media or Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) Lists
• European Union Financial Sanctions Consolidated List
• United Nations Security Council Consolidated Sanctions List
• U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security Denied Persons and Entities

Frequently asked questions