All Education candidates must complete a background check through CastleBranch prior to conducting field experiences in any K-12 school. Candidates who have completed a background check through LCA do not need to complete a background check through CastleBranch. See below for additional instructions.
It may take 1 - 2 weeks for you to hear back from CastleBranch about your background check. It is important to complete this process and order a background check as soon as possible so that you have time for it to be completed prior to your first field experience in a school. The Department of Teacher Education at Nicholls MUST have a copy of a certificate showing that your background check has been completed before you visit any school.
To begin, visit:
You will receive an emailed receipt of your purchase. This is NOT an indication that the background check was completed.
Once the background check is completed, you will receive an email with instructions about how to access your certificate. Print or save the certificate as a PDF to turn in to your education course instructor. Questions about this process should be directed to your instructor.
Background checks are valid until the candidate applies for Student Teaching or Residency. At this time, the candidate must complete a new background check to cover them for the final semesters in the program. During clinical placement for student teaching or residency, candidates may also be asked to complete a background check through a school district’s system.
If a candidate has completed a background check through Little Colonels Academy (LCA) on Nicholls campus, they are exempt from an additional background check upon entry into Teacher Education courses. Please contact Dr. Mistie Perry (mistie.perry@nicholls.edu) to obtain a copy of your completed background check to be submitted to your EDUC course instructor.