Importance of a Credential Importance of a Credential FileFile

Presented byPresented by

Career and Professional Career and Professional Development CenterDevelopment Center

Frostburg State UniversityFrostburg State University

Opening a Credential FileOpening a Credential File

Must sign Credential File Activation FormMust sign Credential File Activation Form A $20.00 Activation fee maintains your file for 7 A $20.00 Activation fee maintains your file for 7

years. Activation fee may be paid at the years. Activation fee may be paid at the Business Office during business hours. (Forms Business Office during business hours. (Forms for opening your file may be obtained on our web for opening your file may be obtained on our web page)page)

2 types of files:2 types of files:• Open-Retain your right to see content of fileOpen-Retain your right to see content of file• Closed-Waive right to see your letter of Closed-Waive right to see your letter of

recommendations. Letters of recommendations for recommendations. Letters of recommendations for “closed” files must be mailed to our office in a sealed “closed” files must be mailed to our office in a sealed envelope w/the senders name signed across the back envelope w/the senders name signed across the back seal of the envelope.seal of the envelope.

Credential File PoliciesCredential File Policies

Original copies should be placed in your file.Original copies should be placed in your file. Individual responsible for updating their Individual responsible for updating their

information and keeping it current..information and keeping it current.. Requests made by student and employer by Requests made by student and employer by

emailing emailing careerservices@frostburg.edu or by or by filling out a “Send To” form located in our office filling out a “Send To” form located in our office or on our website as a PDF file.or on our website as a PDF file.

A original copy of your official transcripts should A original copy of your official transcripts should be keep in your credential file. You may obtain be keep in your credential file. You may obtain a transcript by visiting the Registrar’s Officea transcript by visiting the Registrar’s Office

EXTRA INFORMATION TO EXTRA INFORMATION TO HELP OUTHELP OUT

Students can remove items from their file at any time.Students can remove items from their file at any time. Letters of recommendation can be removed by name of Letters of recommendation can be removed by name of

author, however, once removed they can’t be returned author, however, once removed they can’t be returned to the file. Any confidential recommendations are to the file. Any confidential recommendations are destroyed immediately when removed.destroyed immediately when removed.

Once a file has be opened at a “closed file” and any Once a file has be opened at a “closed file” and any information has been put in them, the file must remained information has been put in them, the file must remained closed or you can have the file destroyed and start the closed or you can have the file destroyed and start the opening of a credential file process all over again.opening of a credential file process all over again.

After the 7 year maintenance period, the file will be After the 7 year maintenance period, the file will be destroyed. If you wish to have your file remain active destroyed. If you wish to have your file remain active after the 7 year period , you MUST repay the $20.00 after the 7 year period , you MUST repay the $20.00 activation fee at the business office again before the 7 activation fee at the business office again before the 7 year deadline. year deadline.

Statement of InterestStatement of Interest

Purpose is to allow graduate programs Purpose is to allow graduate programs to learn about your strengths.to learn about your strengths.

Elements in a statement of interest:Elements in a statement of interest:• Goals desired from the programGoals desired from the program• Philosophy/Theoretical approach to the Philosophy/Theoretical approach to the

degree soughtdegree sought• Experience that highlight your strengthsExperience that highlight your strengths• Expression of your values and commitment Expression of your values and commitment

to the professionto the profession

ResumeResume

Layout/Presentation must be Layout/Presentation must be ProfessionalProfessional

Use action verbs that “show & tell” Use action verbs that “show & tell” what your skills, strengths, and what your skills, strengths, and accomplishments areaccomplishments are

Laser printed on quality resume paperLaser printed on quality resume paper Make and appointment and bring your Make and appointment and bring your

resume by our office for critiquing @ resume by our office for critiquing @ 301-687-4403.301-687-4403.

Letters of Letters of RecommendationRecommendation Ask people who champion your careerAsk people who champion your career

• ““Can you write me a strong letter of Can you write me a strong letter of recommendation?”recommendation?”

Give writer courtesy of time, addressed Give writer courtesy of time, addressed envelopes, and copy of your resumeenvelopes, and copy of your resume• Give writer at least 2 month notice.Give writer at least 2 month notice.

Writer may use form or write a letterWriter may use form or write a letter Keep recommendations current Keep recommendations current Do you want a closed or open file?Do you want a closed or open file?

Test Scores, Transcript, Test Scores, Transcript, Certificates, and stuffCertificates, and stuff

Test scores-NTE/Praxis, GREs, GMAT Test scores-NTE/Praxis, GREs, GMAT must be requested by the Counseling must be requested by the Counseling Center @ 301-687-4234 to be sent to Center @ 301-687-4234 to be sent to filefile

Only original transcripts may be in fileOnly original transcripts may be in file Certificates may be submitted to fileCertificates may be submitted to file Files cannot include: health records, Files cannot include: health records,

fingerprints , citizenship, birth fingerprints , citizenship, birth certificates, or copies of academic workcertificates, or copies of academic work

Our office can help you…Our office can help you…124 Sand Spring Hall ~ 124 Sand Spring Hall ~ 687-4403687-4403

Critiquing resumes,majors counseling Critiquing resumes,majors counseling and internship assistance and internship assistance

Career decision-making/goal settingCareer decision-making/goal setting Job search and networking assistanceJob search and networking assistance Interviewing strategies and mock Interviewing strategies and mock

interviewsinterviews Applying to graduate schoolApplying to graduate school