Personnel Security Adjudication Course (Self-Paced)

This course includes

118 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 1.8 CEUs

This Course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instructions, take Personnel Security Adjudication.

Learn to make solid personnel security determinations by applying the Federal Adjudication Guidelines mandated by Executive Order 12968. Understand the fundamentals of the personnel security program, including the history, laws, and regulations, personnel security investigations, the Adjudicative Guidelines, the disqualifying and mitigating conditions of each guideline, and the process for making personnel security determinations.

Full Tuition

$1,299
Due before the class starts

This course includes

118 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 1.8 CEUs

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

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Industry experts are assigned as your course instructor. Message your instructor with any questions.
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Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.

Earn a Certificate of Completion

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Personnel Security Adjudication Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Explain and apply the Adjudicative Guidelines.
Analyze, evaluate, and act on information in the investigative report.
Follow the process for making a personnel security determination.
Identify issues requiring further investigation or determination.
Recognize the required procedures for unfavorable determinations.
Know what due process is and when to initiate it.
Adjudicate all investigative files objectively.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Module 1: Adjudicator Responsibility

Understanding the role of the adjudicator in assessing security risks and making security clearance decisions.
Reviewing the adjudication process and the importance of impartial, unbiased decision-making.
Examining the factors influencing suitability and security clearance decisions, including past conduct and current behavior.

Module 2: Overall Process

Exploring the process of security clearance adjudication from start to finish.
Understanding the importance of thorough background checks and investigations.
Learning about the different types of investigations and risk designations for positions within the government.

Module 3: Decision Standards

Overview of decision standards for granting or denying security clearance eligibility.
Learning how to apply federal regulations, credentialing, and agency standards in decision-making.
Understanding the impact of an employee's financial, personal, and professional history on the adjudication process.

Module 4: Adjudicative Guidelines

Reviewing the 13 adjudicative guidelines that assess an individual’s eligibility for national security clearance.
Understanding the concept of the “whole person” in adjudicating security clearance decisions.
Exploring how to apply mitigating and disqualifying conditions for each of the adjudicative guidelines.

Module 5: Case Summaries

Analyzing case studies to identify potential derogatory conduct and mitigating conditions.
Understanding how to interpret security concerns in real-world scenarios.
Applying knowledge of decision standards and adjudicative guidelines to make informed decisions.

Module 6: Adjudication Process

Step-by-step breakdown of the adjudication process from case initiation to final determination.
Understanding the process of gathering and evaluating evidence, making determinations, and taking appropriate actions.
Recognizing the importance of due process and the role of appeals in the adjudication process.

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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Installments
	10% non-refundable deposit
$1,299.00	Total You Pay