Education Credentials

Policy:
Credential files for education graduates and certification students are no longer maintained by the Center for Career Development and Internships. As of the fall of 2007, all education graduates and certification students will be expected to maintain their own credential papers and make them available to prospective employers upon request. If you are asked to mail them in advance of an interview, you should type the following on the envelope:

Name of Principal, or Superintendent
Name of School, or District (and number, if applicable)
Address
City, ST Zip

You may be asked to fax them in advance, or bring them with you.
Recommended Procedure:

1. The forms you need will be found here: Credentials.

2. All candidates should complete one of the two cover pages. Look for the one which is appropriate to your situation.

• Fill it out on line using the arrows "down/up/across" to move from one line to the next. Do not use the "Return" key. This cover page should be no longer than one page, and the letters of recommendation (see #5 below) should be no longer than the two pages shown.
• Save the document.
• Print it and sign it where indicated.

3. You should request a minimum of three letters of recommendation. Your cooperating teacher must be one; a School of Education faculty member from NPU should be one; a character reference from a past employer would be a good one as well. DO NOT ASK CLERGY (unless they were employers), FAMILY, or PERSONAL FRIENDS.

4. Most writers of letters of recommendation prefer to write a letter. If they choose to do so, make sure they type it on their employer's letterhead, and that they sign the letter.

5. If the writer prefers to complete a form you may provide them with one of the two forms available on the Credentials link. You must complete side one and insert your name in the appropriate spot on side two. Please refer to #2 above for reminders on the best method of preparing these pages.

6. You are encouraged to obtain current letters of recommendation as you move from one job to another. Letters of recommendation lose their impact if they're more than three years old!

Please inform the Center of any changes of address or status so we can keep our information about you current.