Dear Education Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in applying to the Indian Hills Community College Education program. Our
program prepares the student to become a classroom teacher in a public or private school district
anywhere from Preschool to 12
th
grade. By entering the Education program, the student is on a path to
gain teacher licensure in the state of Iowa or any other state. According to the Iowa Board of
Educational Examiners (BOEE), a state background check and a national fingerprint background check
and a check of the sex offender and child and dependent adult abuse registries is to be conducted on all
applicants preparing to obtain an Iowa teaching licensure (2019). Therefore, this program is closed to all
applicants with a felony record, conviction of a serious misdemeanor crime or any crime of immorality.
Background checks are required pending entrance to the Education program since it would be unfair to
the student for Indian Hills Community College to allow a student to complete the entire education
curriculum only to be refused acceptance into a 4-year institution, licensure and or employment.
There are two documents to complete. One is a Questionnaire for Participation Form and the other is
the Criminal History Record Check Authorization for Release Form. The Questionnaire for Participation
Form is required to be in compliance with Iowa law which is states that this institution can only receive a
criminal background check for violations and convictions in the State of Iowa. In completing and signing
this form, you, the applicant states that you have not been charged with or convicted of the above listed
offenses anywhere in the United States. Again, it would be unfair for an applicant to successfully
complete the education program only to be turned away from a 4-year institution or unemployable in
the field.
Along with the two forms, a check, money order or cashiers check payable to Indian Hills Community
College in the amount of $20.00 is required as a processing fee and should be placed in the same
envelope with the two forms.
Upon receipt of the completed forms and money, we will submit the Criminal History Record Check
Authorization for Release Form to the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to perform the
background check. A reply is usually received with a day or two. At that point you will be allowed into
the program. It is very important to complete the forms and send the processing fee as soon as possible
to be accepted into the Education program prior to the start of Fall term. Your documentation will not
be processed without both forms or the money to process the forms.
Again, please complete both forms and add a check, money order or cashier’s check and mail to:
ATTN: Program Director, Education
Indian Hills Community College
525 Grandview Ave
Ottumwa, IA 52501