The Office of Student Accountability (OSA) provides certification or clearance letters upon request to undergraduate students needing verification of whether they have been subject to University disciplinary action. Dean clearance letters may be necessary for students wishing to transfer from the University of Iowa to another institution, applying to a graduate or professional school, or requested by a place of employment, study abroad office, law board examiners, or the United States military. Often times, the form is created by the institution or organization that requires the verification. Forms should be dropped off or sent to the Office of Student Accountability for processing. OSA staff will fill out the form and can mail it to you to deliver to the other institution. In some cases, the letter may be sent directly to the other institution. If no form is provided to you by the institution to which you are applying, the Office of Student Accountability may be able to provide a clearance letter on DOS letterhead and mail it directly to the institution.

In all cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to determine which forms are required by the institution to complete the application process. Applicants should contact the Office of Student Accountability well in advance of the deadline in order to avoid your application being rejected for lack of timeliness.

Information for Undergraduates Transferring to Another Institution

  • Step 1. If you have a form, read the form carefully to see if there is a question about academic credentials.
    • If the form is a Common Application Form or a form requiring verification of your academic credentials, the form first needs to be filled out by your academic college (such as Business, Engineering, or the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences). Instruct your academic college to fill out their portion and route the form to the Office of Student Accountability (203 IMU) to be filled out and mailed.
    • If the form does not have a question about academic credentials, bring the form directly to the Office of Student Accountability (203 IMU).
  • Step 2. Authorize UI staff to release your information to the institution.
    • If you are using the form provided by the institution to which you are applying, look for the waiver question. Sign the waiver on the form which allows the Office of Student Accountability to release information regarding your record while a student at the University of Iowa.
  • Step 3. Help us track your letter. When you drop off the form at the Office of Student Accountability or your academic college, provide an additional sheet listing:
    • Your name and University ID number
    • The fax number or address of the institution where the form should be sent
  • If the institution to which you are applying requires a clearance letter from the Office of Student Accountability but does not use a standard form, send an email to dos-accountability@uiowa.edu requesting a Dean Clearance letter. Include in your email:
    • Your name and University ID number
    • Name of the college to which you are applying
    • Address or fax number where the letter should be sent
    • Any additional information requested by the college
  • Anticipate 7-10 business days to process.

Information for Applicants for Graduate/Professional School, Places of Employment, Study Abroad Office, Law Board Examiners, Military

  • Step 1. If you have a form, read the form carefully to see if there is a question about academic credentials.
    • If the form requires verification of your academic credentials, the form first needs to be filled out by your academic college (such as Business, Engineering, or the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences). Instruct your academic college to fill out their portion and route the form to the Office of Student Accountability (203 IMU) to be filled out and mailed.
    • If the form does not have a question about academic credentials, bring the form directly to the Office of Student Accountability (203 IMU).
  • Step 2. Authorize UI staff to release your information to the institution
    • If you are using the form provided by the institution to which you are applying, look for the waiver question. Sign the waiver on the form which allows the Office of Student Accountability to release information regarding your record while a student at the University of Iowa.
  • Step 3. Help us track your letter. When you drop off the form at the Office of Student Accountability or your academic college, provide an additional sheet listing:
    • Your name and University ID number
    • The fax number or address of the institution where the form should be sent
  • If the institution to which you are applying requires a clearance letter from the Office of Student Accountability but does not use a standard form, send an email to dos-accountability@uiowa.edu requesting a Dean Clearance letter. Include in your email:
    • Your name and University ID number
    • Name of the college to which you are applying
    • Address or fax number where the letter should be sent
    • Any additional information requested by the college
  • Anticipate 7-10 business days to process.