Calculating Service Computation Dates Course (Self-Paced) | Graduate School USA

This course includes

8 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 0.6 CEUs

This course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instruction, take Calculating Service Computation Dates.

Determine creditable service and correctly compute all four types of service computation dates (SCDs): leave, retirement, reduction-in-force (RIF), and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Recognize when and how to change an employee's SCD. Sessions will be taught virtually with live instructor-led interaction, individual and group exercises emphasis on peer learning. This course is offered in a one-day format.

NOTE: Students should take one of the following courses or have equivalent experience before enrolling in this course: Federal Staffing and Placement (STAF7009), Basic Staffing and Placement (STAF7100), Federal Staffing (STAF7102), OR Processing Federal Personnel Actions (STAF7010).

Learning Experience Highlights

Training from government‑experienced instructors

Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.

Specialized for government & DoD

Courses that are regularly updated based on feedback and industry developments, ensuring versions are mapped to federal competencies.

The instructor was wonderful and so knowledgeable. The course materials were extremely relevant to what my job is. I feel like I can be better because of this class.
— 2025 student

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Real-world solutions

Directly addressing the day-to-day challenges of federal employees.

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24/7 access to our premium course videos and projects.
Industry experts are assigned as your course instructor. Message your instructor with any questions.
Participate in GSUSA online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.

Earn a Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!

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Sample credential for completion of Calculating Service Computation Dates Course (Self-Paced)

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Calculating Service Computation Dates Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Learn what Service Computation Dates (SCD) are.
Determine whether service is creditable and how it is credited for civil service employment.
Determine if uniformed service is creditable.
Learn how to verify service.
Learn when to compute the SCD or make changes to the SCD.
Learn the differences between SCD for Leave, RIF, TSP, Retirement, and Severance Pay.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Module 1: Verifying Prior Service

Learn how to verify an employee's prior service for creditability in the federal service computation system.
Understand the importance of the SF144, resume reviews, and Official Personnel Folders (OPFs) in verifying prior service.
Explore the process for reconstructing personnel records and verifying military service.

Module 2: Computation of the SCD-Leave

Learn how to compute the SCD-Leave to determine leave accrual rates for full-time, part-time, and intermittent employees.
Understand the impact of breaks in service, intermittent service, and nonpay creditability on the SCD-Leave calculation.
Practice calculating SCD-Leave with examples using the alternate and preferred methods.

Module 3: How and When to Change the SCD

Learn when and why changes to the SCD should be made (e.g., due to prior service or errors).
Understand the impact of changes to the SCD on employees’ leave balances and other federal benefits.
Review the required remarks and effective dates of changes to the SCD in personnel records.

Module 4: SCD-RIF (Reduction in Force)

Learn what SCD-RIF is used for and how it is applied in reduction-in-force scenarios.
Understand the criteria for creditable service and how to calculate SCD-RIF for retention purposes.
Learn how to determine if retired military members are eligible for veterans' preference in RIF and their associated creditable service.

Module 5: SCD-TSP (Thrift Savings Plan)

Learn how to compute the SCD for TSP purposes and its impact on employees’ retirement savings.
Understand the eligibility requirements and how prior service is credited for TSP calculations.

Module 6: SCD-Retirement

Learn the process for computing the SCD for retirement and its significance in determining retirement benefits.
Understand how creditable service for retirement purposes is determined, including military and civilian service.

Module 7: SCD-Severance Pay

Learn how to calculate the SCD for severance pay and the types of service that are creditable for this purpose.
Understand the requirements for determining severance pay eligibility for federal employees based on their SCD.

Group Training

Since 1921, Graduate School USA has partnered with over 125 federal agencies and trained more than one million federal employees. Led by instructors with deep, real-world knowledge of federal regulations, policies, and practices, our private group programs are practical, mission-driven, and tailored to your agency’s objectives. We offer expertise across key federal domains—including human resources, financial management, acquisition and contracting, leadership, and more—to deliver training where and how your team needs it.

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