Revised August 2012
Professional Liability Insurance and Clearances Required
M.A.:
- Professional liability insurance ($1 million per claim/$3 million per occurrence coverage)
- Act 34, Criminal Record Clearance, less than one year old
- Act 151, Child Abuse Clearance, less than one year old
M.Ed.
- Professional liability insurance ($1 million per claim/$3 million per occurrence coverage)
- Act 24, Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form
- Act 34, Criminal Record Clearance, less than one year old
- Act 151, Child Abuse Clearance, less than one year old
- Act 114, Federal Clearance, within the last five years (needs to be updated if student is not continuously enrolled in Fall and Spring semesters)
- TB test, less than one year old (school districts may require shorter time periods at practicum or field placement)
Process:
- Obtain the liability insurance and clearances as outlined below.
- Mail the proof of liability insurance and clearances directly to Kelly Duplin in the Department of Counseling as outlined below.
- Use the Checklist on p. 5 of this document each time you submit these documents and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Signed checklist will be returned to you to and will serve as a receipt.
Beginning with Fall 2010 Admissions
Professional Liability Insurance Requirement – For M.A. and M.Ed. students
Deadline: Prior to the first night of class
Upon admission, students must obtain their professional liability insurance and submit the proof of the insurance policy NO LATER THAN THE FIRST NIGHT OF CLASS.
Liability insurance may be purchased through any appropriate insurance carrier. Liability insurance limits of 1 million: 3 million are required by the university. Two options often used by counseling students include:
HPSO Professional Liability Insurance
1-800-982-9421
http://www.hpso.com
Approximately $36.00 per year for students
You may also join the American Counseling Association at www.counseling.org. Student memberships receive professional liability insurance through HPSO as part of their membership.
American School Counselor Association Insurance
Administered by Lockton
1-888-301-2722
Approximately $18 per year for students
Clearances required – For M.A. and M.Ed. students (see list above)
Deadlines:
Fall and Summer Admissions: Deadline December 1
Obtaining Clearances
See below for how to obtain clearances.
Students must apply for above listed clearances listed at the beginning of the semester in which they are enrolled.
Once clearances are received, students must mail original copies of clearances and checklist to the following location, providing a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of the originals to you (It is recommended, though not required, for you to use certified mail).
Attn: Ms. Kelly Duplin
Department of Counseling
206 Stouffer Hall
Indiana, PA 15705
If a student has a finding on any clearance, the student should contact Laurie Nicholson, Director of Field Placement Assistance for a meeting to discuss the finding. Ms. Duplin will be forwarding all paperwork to Dr. Nicholson after logging its receipt.
Dr. Laurie Nicholson
Director of Field Placement Assistance
College of Education and Educational Technology
Stouffer Hall, Room 104
1175 Maple Street
Indiana, PA 15705-1058
Phone: 724-357-2485
Email: Laurie.Nicholson@iup.edu
Prior to any practicum or field experience, the Director of Field Placement Assistance is required to contact potential sites to disclose and discuss any findings.
Updating Liability Insurance and Clearances
- Students are responsible for keeping liability insurance and all clearances updated. Updated paperwork is to be provided in the same manner as listed above.
- Failure to provide updated liability insurance and clearances would prevent a student from enrolling or continuing in classes.
- Non-compliance with this departmental policy would result in referral to the student issues committee and could result in dismissal from the program.
Clearances
- Criminal Record Check – May be done online via the PA State Police at https://epatch.state.pa/us/Home.jsp or via mail and the attached form. Cost is $10.00.
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance – Use the attached form. Cost is $10.00.
- Federal Criminal History Record – This is required under Act 114 of 2006. It applies to work in schools, only for all experiences starting after April 1, 2007. The cost is $40.00, and procedures are outlined at www.coe.iup.edu/teach_ed. Your application can be made online at www.pa.cogentid.com. See attached memo.
- Arrest/Conviction Form and Certification - This is required under Act 24 of 2011. This form is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/background_checks_(act_114)/7493
TB Test (school counseling students only, or if required by the site)
For students in the school counseling program, it is a requirement of the Pennsylvania Department of Education to have proof of a negative tuberculosis test prior to any placement in a school district. There are two options for getting this testing:
- You may go to any general practitioner of your choice, either electing to self-pay or utilize your private health insurance benefits.
If you are unable to pay for the testing, testing is available at no charge from the Allegheny County Health Department at the following two locations.
Allegheny County Health Department
Forbes Medical
3441 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA
412-578-8062
Hours: 9:00 a.m. –
4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
**Do not park in Arby’s or CVS or your car will be towed
Lawrenceville
3901 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA
412-578-8084
Hours: 8:30AM –
Noon; 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday through
Friday, on street parking
Health Service on IUP’s Indiana Campus
Center for Health and Well-Being
Suites on Maple East
901 Maple Street
Indiana, PA 15705
Phone: 724-357-2550
Call for information. Costs vary depending on whether you have paid the student health fee.
Checklist for Receipt of Liability Insurance and/or Clearances
