# Advanced Personnel Security Adjudication Course Canonical URL: ## Overview Learn the advanced skills required to make final adjudicative determinations for security and trustworthiness eligibility, and also how to administer due process procedures when necessary. Discuss cases and issues personnel security adjudicators will encounter during their careers. Review personnel security investigations containing significant derogatory information, which provide an in-depth study of adjudication policy guidelines and the basis for and application of due process procedures in unfavorable personnel security and trustworthiness determinations. Discuss how to evaluate and resolve complex multiple and sensitive issue cases, including the actions and related requirements involved. Complete due process case exercises, including practice with writing Statements of Reasons (SOR), reviewing subject replies (rebuttals), and writing final Letters of Intent (LOI) to the subject. Review your results in class. ## What you'll learn - Identify and adjudicate significant derogatory information in cases during initial, post-adjudicative, and reconsideration reviews. - Prepare a Statement of Reasons (SOR), review replies to the SOR, and make final determinations. - Learn when to request additional information, including any necessary medical evaluation. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Course Introduction & Adjudicator Responsibilities - Understand the purpose, framework, and legal authorities of the Personnel Security Program (PSP). - Review the role, responsibilities, and prohibitions for adjudicators. - Examine the overall adjudicative process, suitability factors, and bias awareness. #### Module 2: Guideline A: Allegiance to the United States - Identify behaviors that raise concerns about an individual’s loyalty to the U.S. - Review disqualifying and mitigating conditions related to acts against U.S. interests. - Examine how unlawful or unconstitutional activities impact security determinations. #### Module 3: Guideline B: Foreign Influence - Assess risks created by foreign contacts, interests, and property holdings. - Review factors that heighten vulnerability to manipulation or coercion by foreign entities. - Apply mitigating conditions to balance security concerns. #### Module 4: Guideline C: Foreign Preference - Understand how voluntary actions indicating preference for a foreign country affect eligibility. - Review disqualifying activities such as using foreign citizenship privileges or holding foreign office. - Apply mitigating conditions when foreign preference poses minimal security risk. #### Module 5: Guideline D: Sexual Behavior - Identify sexual behavior concerns that may affect reliability and trustworthiness. - Recognize patterns that could make an individual vulnerable to coercion or exploitation. - Apply mitigating conditions for past or resolved conduct. #### Module 6: Guideline E: Personal Conduct - Evaluate the impact of dishonesty, lack of candor, and refusal to cooperate on clearance eligibility. - Identify conduct that creates vulnerability to exploitation or duress. - Apply mitigation when behavior is minor, outdated, or corrected in good faith. #### Module 7: Guideline F: Financial Considerations - Recognize how financial distress or unexplained affluence can impact security decisions. - Review disqualifying financial behaviors and related risks. - Apply mitigation when issues are resolved, controlled, or caused by factors beyond control. #### Module 8: Guideline G: Alcohol Consumption - Understand how excessive alcohol use affects judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness. - Review incidents and diagnoses that raise security concerns. - Apply mitigating factors for resolved or well-managed alcohol-related issues. #### Module 9: Guideline H: Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse - Identify security concerns related to illegal drug use, misuse of prescriptions, and substance abuse. - Review disqualifying conditions and legal implications. - Apply mitigating factors when abstinence and rehabilitation are demonstrated. #### Module 10: Guideline I: Psychological Conditions - Evaluate how emotional, mental, and personality conditions may impact eligibility. - Recognize behaviors and diagnoses that could impair judgment or reliability. - Apply mitigation when conditions are controlled, resolved, or in remission. #### Module 11: Guideline J: Criminal Conduct - Understand how criminal activity reflects on judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness. - Review patterns and offenses that trigger security concerns. - Apply mitigating conditions for rehabilitated or coerced conduct. #### Module 12: Guideline K: Handling Protected Information - Identify violations in handling classified, sensitive, or proprietary information. - Review negligent and deliberate actions that compromise security. - Apply mitigating conditions for inadvertent or corrected violations. #### Module 13: Guideline L: Outside Activities - Evaluate the impact of outside employment or activities on security responsibilities. - Identify disqualifying conditions involving foreign or sensitive engagements. - Apply mitigation when conflicts are resolved or activities terminated. #### Module 14: Guideline M: Use of Information Technology Systems - Recognize improper or unauthorized IT system use that raises security concerns. - Review disqualifying behaviors involving data handling and system access. - Apply mitigating conditions for minor, unintentional, or corrected misuse. ## Schedule - Jun 23, 2026 – Jun 25, 2026 — Live Online - Sep 16, 2026 – Sep 18, 2026 — Live Online - Nov 17, 2026 – Nov 19, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Judy Mintze — Instructor Judy Mintze is a retired Federal HR instructor with over 30 years of experience specializing in Federal Human Resource Processing and Personnel Actions (FPPA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and has dedicated her career to teaching federal HR professionals. Judy is known for creating engaging and inclusive learning environments where participants feel empowered to ask questions and apply federal laws, rules, and regulations to their work. Her expertise spans a wide range of HR topics, including recruitment, pay setting, and personnel action processing. During her tenure as an HR Specialist at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Judy served as a Senior Human Resource Instructor, training newly hired HR staff on complex topics such as developing assessment materials, adjudicating veterans' preferences, and setting pay. She also developed course materials, lesson plans, and examinations, ensuring her students were well-equipped to navigate the complexities of federal HR processes. Judy’s passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom, as she has also conducted federal resume writing workshops and contributed to process improvement projects to streamline hiring practices. ### Natalya H. Bah — Instructor Natalya Bah has been a part-time instructor at the Graduate School USA for over fifteen years. Natalya teaches across multiple curricula, including Leadership and Management, Project Management, and Human Resources. She has created a curriculum for the school, including Change Management Workshops and project management courses. She has served as an action learning coach, instructor, and facilitator for government leadership programs in the Center for Leadership and Management. Natalya also provides self-assessments and dynamic team-building sessions on behalf of the Graduate School USA. Outside of Graduate School USA, Ms. Bah is a self-employed business owner providing executive coaching, training, and consulting services to the public and private sectors. She created the Define and Achieve Your Goals Process™ and is a certified Birkman Method© Consultant. She received her Master of Science degree in Project Management from George Washington University’s School of Business, where she served as a teaching assistant and received the Project Management Award. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). ### Richard Rodieck — Instructor Richard Rodieck is a seasoned human resources professional and instructor with over 50 years of experience in federal HR management, specializing in position classification, staffing, and organizational development. A retired federal employee, Richard has held leadership roles in agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, USDA, and the Department of Justice, where he managed classification programs, developed HR policies, and supervised large teams of HR specialists. Notably, he served as Chief of the Corporate Classification Team for the U.S. Forest Service, where he reviewed and certified over 2,600 Standard Position Descriptions (SPDs) and resolved complex classification issues. Richard’s expertise extends to developing training programs, authoring HR handbooks, and providing technical guidance to senior leadership. Since 1998, Richard has been an instructor at Graduate School USA, where he has authored and revised numerous HR textbooks and self-paced courses. His teaching portfolio includes a wide range of federal HR topics, with a focus on classification principles and practices. Richard’s dedication to excellence has earned him multiple Faculty Excellence Awards from Graduate School USA, including recognition as HRM Instructor of the Year. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Richard also holds advanced coursework in public administration from California State University, Sacramento. ### Victoria Cox — Instructor Dr. Victoria Cox is a seasoned professional with over 31 years of distinguished service in the federal government. She holds a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and brings a wealth of expertise to her role as an instructor. Since joining Graduate School USA in 2023, Dr. Cox has been dedicated to teaching Human Resources courses, leveraging her extensive experience to guide and inspire the next generation of HR professionals. ### Adrianna Harden — Instructor Adrianna is a retired federal Human Resources (HR) Senior Leader who dedicated her civil service career serving America’s veterans. She retired after spending over 32 years in HR, working at Veteran Affairs Headquarters, Regional Office, and Field facilities. She passionately shares her wealth of HR knowledge to all who are interested. She loves learning and intentionally commits to learning “something new” every day. In addition to her extensive HR experience, she has a Master’s degree in Management Technology and HRM. She is certified as a Senior HR Professional with the Society of Human Resources Management organization. ### Sarah Gurwitz — Instructor Sarah Gurwitz brings over 30 years of expertise in Human Resource Management, currently serving as an HR consultant for both federal and private sector organizations. She is also an Adjunct Professor at NYU’s Wagner School of Public Administration, where she designs and teaches graduate-level courses in Human Resource Management for the MPA program. Sarah’s career includes more than two decades as the Director of Human Resource Management at a VA Medical Center in New York City, alongside 10 years as an HR Consultant to the office of the Under Secretary for the Veterans Health Administration. Her recent work spans HR training, the development and delivery of diverse Human Capital programs, HR program assessments, technical HR guidance, organizational evaluations, workforce planning, and policy development. She has collaborated with several federal agencies, including Homeland Security, the Defense Logistics Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Justice, as well as private-sector not-for-profit religious organizations. Sarah has also volunteered with the Peace Corps in South America and currently works as a tour guide specializing in New York's historic Lower East Side. Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Education from SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia NY and a Master of Arts in Education from Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY. She has taken numerous continuing education classes in Human Resource Management, computer skill development, and leadership. ### Sineta Scott Robertson — Instructor With nearly four decades of distinguished service in federal Human Resources leadership, Sineta Scott Robertson is a seasoned executive and educator recognized for her expertise in Title 5 Human Resources, workforce planning, organizational design, and employee engagement. She has dedicated her career to advancing strategic human capital management across Cabinet-level agencies, serving as both a transformative leader and trusted advisor to senior executives and policymakers. Throughout her career, Sineta has held pivotal leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Housing & Urban Development, and Department of Agriculture, where she guided national HR policy, labor relations, workforce innovation, and program oversight. Notable achievements include leading the Department of Transportation’s efforts to become a “Telework Ready” agency, implementing its HR Accountability and Pathways Programs, and spearheading process improvements that significantly reduced error rates and enhanced performance management scores. Beyond government service, Sineta has extended her expertise to the classroom as an Adjunct Human Resources Instructor with Graduate School USA, where she equips HR professionals, supervisors, and executives with practical and technical knowledge in federal human resources systems, policies, and practices. In 2014, she founded Perspectives for Peace, LLC, a consulting and Christian coaching practice. Through this work, she partners with organizations to strengthen HR effectiveness and provides faith-based executive and life coaching, helping leaders align purpose, performance, and peace. Her career is marked by a commitment to people—helping agencies build high-performing, motivated workforces while guiding individuals to unlock their potential and live with clarity of purpose. Sineta holds a master’s in Christian counseling from Newburgh Theological Seminary (2024) and is a Doctoral Candidate in Christian Counseling (expected 2026). She also earned her Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Washington Baptist Theological Seminary. A respected professional, mentor, and faith-driven leader, Sineta Scott Robertson continues to merge her passion for organizational excellence with her calling to serve others through coaching, teaching, and ministry. ### DeShanta Hinton — Instructor DeShanta N. Hinton is a Human Resources Professional who has experience serving in various capacities across the HR industry. She has a proven track record of leading Staffing, Recruitment, and Classification teams. During her 35-year tenure as a federal government employee, she has worked in 5 different agencies where she became well-versed in the following HR areas: Recruitment & Staffing, Personnel Processing, eOPF administration & maintenance, Quality Assurance, Benefits & Compensation, and Employee & Labor Relations. DeShanta is enthusiastic about writing and mentoring. In 2018, she became a published author. Collaborating with other women of influence and information, this humbling experience provided DeShanta with a therapeutic process for healing, growing, maturing, and becoming a better version of herself. Through her heart’s work, in 2016, DeShanta began partnering with a few non-profit organizations across the Washington, DC metro area to formally mentor low-income Washingtonians. Leaning into her love for learning, DeShanta furthered her education by obtaining the following degrees: an Associate and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, as well as a Master of Science in Human Resources and a Master of Business Administration. Her passion for Human Resources ignited her journey to becoming an Instructor at the Graduate School, where she now facilitates Human Resources Management courses. She is a native Washingtonian and enjoys spending time with her family, spending time outdoors, and growing plants in her spare time. ### Rhonda Coachman-Steward — Instructor Rhonda Coachman-Steward is a seasoned federal human resources leader with more than 30 years of experience in recruitment, staffing, classification, employee relations, executive resources, and HR policy development. She has held senior HR roles across multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Secret Service. She is known for her strong analytical skills, strategic leadership, and deep expertise in federal HR operations and systems. At Graduate School USA, Ms. Coachman-Steward teaches a range of Federal HR training courses, drawing on her extensive experience overseeing major HR functions and advising senior executives. She is proficient in systems such as NFC, DFAS, DCPS, PeopleSoft, QuickHire, and USA Staffing, and holds a Certificate in Computer Programming from Strayer University, along with Computer Science studies at the University of Maryland. Her work has been recognized with numerous federal awards, including multiple Special Act or Service Awards, Quality Step Increases, Time Off Awards, and Inspector General commendations. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1299