Criminal History Background Clearance

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Criminal History Background Clearance

Please note: Faculty and Staff are handled by Human Resources and should not use the process below. This website is for students and visitors only.

Purpose

Peabody College takes seriously the safety and security of minors and vulnerable populations who reside, study, and are served in various ways on our campus daily. As such, each faculty, staff, or student who has Peabody as their home college as well as others who are enrolled in various classes, labs, or work settings are required to undergo a criminal background check. This check is in accordance with Tennessee law.

Process

The background clearance process involves four steps that you must complete in an Oracle Learn course titled Peabody Background Clearance Process.

There are three different offerings (sections) of this course: Fingerprint, Non-Fingerprint and Recheck.
Be sure you are enrolled in the correct offering! 

Background checks are valid for four years. If your Peabody clearance has expired, please use the Recheck link above to update your clearance. Note that all rechecks are done online. There is no need to re-fingerprint.

Your program of study determines which type of background check is required. Click here to view program requirements.

If you have had a background check within the last four years we may be able to accept that clearance.

If your program of study requires a fingerprint check, the previous check must have also been fingerprint. For the previous check to be considered, please send either a copy of the clearance report, or a verification letter from the entity that required your screening to bco@vanderbilt.edu for consideration. The letter, on letterhead, should include your name, the date and type of check (e.g. fingerprint, criminal background, etc.), and that there were no findings. If accepted, you may still be required to recheck during your program of study, depending on the expiration date of the previous check.

Background checks done for TSA or Visa status cannot be accepted.

Even if we can accept your previous clearance, you must complete steps 1-3 in the Oracle Learn course.

Please contact bco@vanderbilt.edu with any questions.

Note: you may be pre-enrolled in the course. This will show in the "my learning" section of your account when you log in. If you are not pre-enrolled you can self-enroll.

Log In

Log into Oracle Learn using the Company Single Source sign in and your VUNet ID and password.

 

Background Clearance Policies

Peabody Criminal History Background Check Policy

Protection of Minors Policy

Reporting Abuse

Contact Us

Office: 203 Peabody Administration Building
Email: bco@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: 615-322-0834

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who needs a background check?

    Background checks are required for all Peabody faculty, staff, students, and interns/observers. As well, non-Peabody students enrolled in particular classes that directly interact with children and/or vulnerable populations are required to obtain a background check. 

  • I am participating individually in an internship, volunteer opportunity, or other activity and they have asked for a background check. Can I go through this process?

    This process is designed for Peabody students participating in University-approved academic and co-curricular activities and cannot be used for events or programs not affiliated with Vanderbilt. 

  • How will I know if my background check is completed?

    When the clearance process is complete the date of clearance will be entered into your Oracle Learn course and, if you have completed steps 1-3, the course will be marked as completed. You can contact the Background Clearance Office (bco@Vanderbilt.edu) to check on your clearance at any time.

  • Who completes the background check?

    While the Background Clearance Office facilitates the background check program for students, the checks are conducted by either Identogo or CastleBranch, both outside vendors.

  • How long does a background check take?

    Because the background check is completed by an outside vender, the time to process results may vary for each individual and Vanderbilt University has no control over the timeline for receiving results. We encourage students going through the process to monitor their Vanderbilt email address for messages from bco@Vanderbilt.edu and noreply@castlebranch.com and respond to all communications as soon as possible.

  • Who sees the results of my background check?

    The Background Clearance officer, Human Resources, and relevant University personnel will have access to the detailed results of background checks completed through the University's process. General information about background checks may be shared with outside parties if a student gives the University permission to disclose information.

  • What happens if something is flagged in my background check?

    If a student's background check reveals an incident, the Background Clearance officer will review the available information and will determine next steps. Depending on the nature and severity of the flag, next steps may include meeting with the student to gather more information and/or escalation to the Background Clearance Committee for review.

  • Will anyone outside of the University be given my background check results?

    If the student needs information disclosed to an outside party, the student can submit a Background Check verification letter form which gives the University permission to disclose information to an outside party. The information disclosed will typically include that a background check was completed, when the check was completed, and if the check met the standards of the University.

  • How often do I need to complete a background check?

    Background checks on file with the University are valid for four years. To determine if you currently have a background check on file, visit http://admin.app.vanderbilt.edu/pomcc or contact bco@Vanderbilt.edu. 

  • Who do I contact if my question is not answered here?

    For additional information, contact bco@Vanderbilt.edu.