HOW TO ESTABLISH A CREDENTIALS FILE

Credentials files are used primarily by schools, colleges, and universities to help determine which candidate is best qualified for the position.  Files are most often established by elementary and secondary school teachers, special education teachers, school administrators, counselors, and other personnel employed in a school setting.  Students seeking the Master of Library Science degree as well as students seeking admission into graduate school also may choose to establish a credentials file.

• You must be registered for full service and have a complete profile in Hire-A-Hornet and resume.  A Consent to Disclose Information form must be signed before a credential file can be sent.  NOTE: You must update your profile and resume every six months or your credentials file will not be referred.


• A credentials file consist of a minimum of two reference letters and any other optional documents you wish to provide, including an unofficial transcript and teacher certification/licensures.


• Reference letters may be “open” or “closed”.  The Buckley Amendment to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) permit students and alumni to have access to their Reference Letters or to waive their right to see them.  The choice is yours; however, a Reference Form must be signed with each letter, indicating whether your Reference Letter is open or closed.  Any letter received without the form, or any letter received with the form that is not signed will be an open letter.


• Career Services will send credential files to prospective employers at your request or the request of the employer.  You must provide us the complete address and USD number of the school you wish to send your file to. You may request your credentials electronically on our forms page, by phone (620-341-5407), fax (620-341-5168), mail, or e-mail Jackie Lutz (jlutz@emporia.edu).  Files are free for currently enrolled students.  After the month of graduation, there is a fee of $40.00 for 10 sets or $5.00 per individual set.

• As with your resume in Hire-a-Hornet, we strongly encourage all students and alumni to keep their credentials file "current". In order to update your credentials file, simply have new letters sent to our office, or update your contact information with us. If there is no activity for five years, the credentials file will be destroyed.