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Course Description

The landscape of employment background screening has evolved significantly over time, shaped by legal precedents, technological advances, and shifting societal attitudes. From early negligent hiring cases to modern digital databases, conducting criminal background checks has become increasingly complex. This complexity is further amplified by recent legislative changes, including cannabis decriminalization and Clean Slate laws, which have introduced new considerations for employers and hiring managers across the United States.

In this course, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of criminal records and their role in employment decisions. Through practical scenarios and real-world examples, you'll discover how to identify common errors in criminal records and understand their potential impact on hiring decisions. You’ll also examine the historical context of background screening and how recent legislative changes are reshaping hiring practices. By the end of this course, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed, fair, and compliant hiring decisions while navigating the evolving landscape of employment background screening.

You are required to have completed the following course or have equivalent experience before taking this course:

  • Understanding Mass Incarceration and Fair-Chance Hiring

Faculty Author

Jason Hoge; Thomas Jones; Matthew Saleh; Timothy McNutt

Benefits to the Learner

  • Understand the components and sources of criminal records and evaluate their appropriate use in employment decisions
  • Identify common and prevalent errors on criminal records
  • Analyze the history of background screening in the U.S.
  • Incorporate record clearance legislation into hiring practices

Target Audience

  • Recruitment and talent professionals
  • Human resources managers
  • DEI specialists
  • Workforce development professionals
  • Probation and parole officers
  • Reentry specialists
  • Vocational training managers
  • Licensing and credentialing professionals
  • Learning and development managers

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Type
2 week
Dates
May 06, 2026 to May 19, 2026
Total Number of Hours
16.0
Course Fee(s)
Regular Price $999.00
Section Notes

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION

This course includes two years of free access to Symposium! These events feature live, highly participatory virtual Zoom sessions with Cornell faculty and experts to explore today’s most pressing industry topics. Throughout the year, you may participate in as many sessions as you wish. Attending a Symposium is not required to successfully complete the certificate program.

Type
2 week
Dates
Jul 29, 2026 to Aug 11, 2026
Total Number of Hours
16.0
Course Fee(s)
Regular Price $999.00
Section Notes

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION

This course includes two years of free access to Symposium! These events feature live, highly participatory virtual Zoom sessions with Cornell faculty and experts to explore today’s most pressing industry topics. Throughout the year, you may participate in as many sessions as you wish. Attending a Symposium is not required to successfully complete the certificate program.

Type
2 week
Dates
Oct 21, 2026 to Nov 03, 2026
Total Number of Hours
16.0
Course Fee(s)
Regular Price $999.00
Section Notes

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION

This course includes two years of free access to Symposium! These events feature live, highly participatory virtual Zoom sessions with Cornell faculty and experts to explore today’s most pressing industry topics. Throughout the year, you may participate in as many sessions as you wish. Attending a Symposium is not required to successfully complete the certificate program.

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