Background Check Policy

Phoenix Seminary programs prepare students for ministry. Anyone who receives a seminary degree may be regarded as having a “license” to minister. Accordingly, an applicant’s character and moral conduct are important components in considering all applications for admission.

As part of the application process, background checks are performed for all applicants to all credit and non- credit programs.

Phoenix Seminary has contracted with CertifiedBackground.com as their approved source for background checks. CertifiedBackground.com is a service that allows applicants to order and purchase their own background check. The results of your background check are posted to the CertifiedBackground.com website in a secure, tamper-proof environment where the student as well as the school can view the background check.

Ordering Instructions:

1. Go to www.CertifiedBackground.com and click on “Students.”
2. In the package code box, enter package code: PH33
3. The background check fee is $41.00.
4. Select a method of payment: Visa, Master Card or money order.
5. Once your order is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email containing a password to view the results of your background check. When your background check is complete, you can view/print a copy at CertifiedBackground.com by entering your password, then the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number. Results should be completed within 3-5 days.

PLEASE NOTE: Previous background checks conducted by other agencies, no matter how recent, will not be accepted by Phoenix Seminary.

23. POLICY

1. When the background check is received from CertifiedBackground.com, it will be included as part of the applicant’s application for admission.
2. Should an applicant refuse to perform a background check as required, the Seminary will not accept his or her application for admission.
3. Any applicable admission interview will not be conducted until the background check has been completed.
4. Should the background check reveal any concerns, the Fair Credit Reporting Act mandates that the applicant be sent a pre-adverse action letter with a copy of the background check report and a document detailing the applicant’s rights. If the applicant wishes to refute or clarify information contained in the background check, the applicant must do so in writing (email or letter) within seven days of the date of the pre-adverse action letter.
5. Should the initial background check reveal any matters that may impact consideration of the application for admission, the Seminary reserves the right to require further background check information. Applicants will be required to pay for any additional background work necessary to process the application, and will be advised in advance of any such costs. Any applicant not wishing to pay for the additional background work may withdraw his or her application. Any additional background check report will be sent to the applicant following the same procedures in item #8.
6. Any information provided by the applicant regarding his or her background check will be included for consideration in his or her application for admission.
7. If the applicant is admitted, the Seminary will store a copy of the background check in the student’s file in perpetuity, either on paper or digitally archived.
8. If the applicant is not admitted, the Seminary will store the entire application, including background check, in the Seminary’s admissions files for a period of five years, after which the application will be destroyed in its entirety.

AUTOMATIC AND DISCRETIONARY DISQUALIFIERS are located on the next page.

24. AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS

The Admissions Committee will automatically disqualify any applicant who has:

1. Engaged in sexual misconduct against children (under the age of 15), including any perpetration of a sexual crime against children (under the age of 15) while the applicant was a minor (under the age of 18).
2. Engaged in sexual misconduct against a minor (under the age of 18) or adult within five years of application.
3. Engaged in conduct constituting a felony within five years of application.
4. Engaged in conduct constituting a misdemeanor within two years of application (minor traffic violations excluded).
5. Engaged in any act of domestic violence within two years of application, including but not limited to, any crime of violence, intimidation, harassment, damage to property, or other abuse perpetrated against a current or former spouse, current or former intimate partner, or family member.
6. Possessed, sold, manufactured or used illegal drugs within three years of application.
7. Been in prison within two years of application.
8. Engaged in conduct constituting driving under the influence (“DUI”) / driving while impaired (“DWI”) within two years of application.
9. Received church discipline within two years ofapplication.
10. Been removed from a position of ministry because of acharge of unethical or immoral behavior within five years of application (does not include ministry removal for economic or institutional necessity).
11. Lied during any stage of the application process, including but not limited to falsifying any information on the application.

DISCRETIONARY DISQUALIFIERS

The following discretionary disqualifiers may, upon review by the Admissions Committee, make any applicant ineligible for Seminary admission who has:

1. Engaged in sexual misconduct against a minor (under the age of 18) or adult more than five years prior to application.
2. Engaged in conduct constituting a felony more than five years prior to application.
3. Engaged in conduct constituting a misdemeanor more than two years prior to application (minor traffic violations excluded).
4. Engaged in any act of domestic violence more than two years prior to application, including but not limited to, any crime of violence, intimidation, harassment, damage to property, or other abuse perpetrated against a current or former spouse, current or former intimate partner, or family member.
5. Possessed, sold, manufactured, or used illegal drugs more than three years prior to application.
6. Abused prescription drugs or alcohol over a period of time within two years of application.
7. Been in prison more than two years prior to application.
8. Engaged in conduct constituting driving under the influence (“DUI”) / driving while impaired (“DWI”) more than two years prior to application.
9. Been dishonorably discharged from any branch of the Armed Services.
10. Received church discipline more than two years prior to application.
11. Been removed from a position of ministry because of a charge of unethical or immoral behavior more than five years prior to application (does not include ministry removal for economic or institutional necessity).
12. Been involved in the use of pornography of any form or medium within two years of application.
13. Been involved in homosexual, premarital, or extramarital sexual relations within two years of application.
14. Had a complaint of sexual harassment substantiated against him/her.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of factors which may lead to the disqualification of an applicant for admission, and does not preclude denial of admission to any applicant on other appropriate grounds.