The Human Services Program Criminal Convictions Information

The Western Washington University Human Services Program (HS) reviews the criminal history of all admitted students in our program. HS is a field studies (internship required) major. Therefore, we must abide by the Washington State Child and Adult Abuse Information Act, RCW 43.43.830-835, which requires background checks to protect vulnerable children and adults. As a condition of enrollment in the HS program, students must submit a background check through a company called CastleBranch. We want to ensure each student’s success in the program; evaluating background checks is part of this process.

By law, WWU HS will not automatically or unreasonably deny an applicant’s admission to our program based on criminal history.

Failure to disclose information on the Human Services application’s criminal history disclosure form may result in a withdrawal of program acceptance or dismissal from the program. Once a student is in the Human Services program, it is the student’s responsibility to disclose any new information regarding convictions immediately.

Western’s Human Services Program recognizes and values experiences that may have brought you to the HS major, to advocate for system change, and to reach and support others in communities. Therefore, we strongly encourage all interested students to apply to our program.

Contact Christina Van Wingerden, Academic Program Director, should you have any questions or concerns [vanwinc@wwu.edu; 360-650-4655].