About the FERPA Certification
In accordance with the FERPA law, all University employees are legally and ethically obligated to protect the confidentiality of student records. Our FERPA Certification process is designed to ensure that you are familiar with the provisions of the law and that you are prepared for the day-to-day challenges of protecting confidential student information. Please remember:
FERPA Certification is required to gain access to SPIRE for Staff or Advisors pages.
- SPIRE for Staff Applicants: You will have the option to take your FERPA Certification quiz 15 minutes prior to your SPIRE A or SPIRE Lite class. Alternatively, you can drop in during open-lab hours, as described in Step Two below.
- Advisors: FERPA Certification will be incorporated into Advisor training classes, so you do not need to make special arrangements to complete FERPA.
- Instructors: If you need FERPA training only to activate your class photo rosters, then you do not necessarily need to take the FERPA Certification quiz. There is a different training option available to activate class photo rosters. Please read more about the Instructor Security Certificate.
- Can't remember if you have access to SPIRE for Staff? Not clear whether you need to earn your FERPA Certification? Find out...
Your FERPA Certification does not expire. You will not have to retake the quiz for the next SPIRE upgrade, or if your SPIRE for Staff or Advisors access changes.
Get FERPA Certified
Step One: Review the FERPA Tutorial
Our FERPA Tutorial translates the legal language into simple, easy-to-remember scenarios. The tutorial is available online: review it any time from the comfort of your office, then stop by our training lab for a half-hour quiz.
Step Two: Take the FERPA Quiz in the SPIRE Training Lab
To take the FERPA Quiz, check our open-lab schedule and then stop by the SPIRE Training & Support Offices (A249 Lederle GRC Lowrise) at a time that is convenient for you. If you are coming in as a member of a group, please be sure that someone notifies the SPIRE Training team 24 hours in advance by emailing sis-train@oit.umass.edu. A trainer will assist you with the logistics of the quiz. This interactive quiz typically does not take longer than 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Instructors seeking photo roster access follow a different certification process and should read about the Instructor Security Certificate.
FERPA Resources
Information Security Tips
Need more practical advice for protecting students’ information? Our tips provide a few suggestions for securing your computing and work environment.
About FERPA: Guidelines for Disclosing Student Information
The Academic Regulations handbook publishes the University's official guidelines for releasing student information.
