# Personnel Security and Suitability Adjudication Course Canonical URL: ## Overview Learn the basic purpose, intent, procedures, and applications in reaching potential security and trustworthiness determinations. Learn suitability determinations for federal government employment and contracting under 5 CFR 731, and for security clearance determinations under the Federal Adjudication Guidelines mandated by Executive Order 12968. Demonstrate your fundamental ability to research, analyze, weigh, decide, and act on given security and suitability information. Because this course is designed to impart the skills necessary to adjudicate in a security office, human resources office, or adjudication facility, it relies on practical exercises in class. These practical exercises assist you with your primary functions as an adjudicator in identifying personnel security and suitability issues, and in making determinations with regard to the more frequent issues you encounter. ## What you'll learn - Follow the process for making a personnel security or suitability determination. - Understand policy guidelines and their application in classroom cases. - Identify basic issues requiring further investigation or determination. - Adjudicate cases for security clearance eligibility under Executive Order 12968 and the Adjudication Guidelines. - Adjudicate cases for suitability for employment under 5 CFR 731. - Understand the importance of due process and when to initiate it. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction to Suitability and Fitness Adjudication - Understanding the fundamentals of suitability and fitness adjudication. - Key concepts and guidelines as per 5 CFR 731. - Differences between adjudication for suitability and fitness, and security clearance determinations. #### Module 2: Position Risk Designations, Reciprocity, and Subject Engagement - Designating positions based on risk levels (Public Trust vs. National Security). - Understanding the investigative products provided by OPM/DCSA. - Analyzing reciprocity and subject engagement procedures. #### Module 3: Suitability and Fitness Factors - Review of the nine key suitability and fitness factors for federal employment. - Exploring disqualifying and mitigating conditions for each factor. - Understanding how to apply these factors in real-life adjudication cases. #### Module 4: Suitability and Fitness Preemployment Screening/Vetting Process - Performing preemployment screenings for potential suitability and fitness issues. - Understanding the role of the OF-306 form in screening applicants. - Applying the suitability and fitness referral guidelines. #### Module 5: Traditional Suitability and Fitness Adjudication Determination Guidelines - Step-by-step process for making suitability and fitness determinations. - Characterizing suitability issues and applying upgrades or downgrades. - Determining the impact of patterns and additional considerations. #### Module 6: OPM’s Suitability and Fitness Adjudication Determination Process - Differences between traditional adjudication and OPM’s new process. - Understanding OPM’s role and responsibilities in adjudicating suitability cases. - Using the new OPM determination worksheets to make decisions. #### Module 7: Evidence: Supporting Your Determination - Understanding the burden of proof in suitability and fitness cases. - Assessing the probative weight of evidence and supporting documentation. - Exploring options for resolving issues and safeguarding investigation materials. #### Module 8: Identifying Merit Fraud - Recognizing different types of merit fraud cases and their impact on suitability determinations. - Identifying bogus degrees and false qualifications. - Adjudicator’s responsibilities in handling merit fraud cases. #### Module 9: Taking Action in Suitability and Fitness Cases: Unfavorable Determinations - Steps for taking unfavorable suitability or fitness actions under 5 CFR 731. - Understanding the appeals process and the role of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). - Agency and OPM actions on unfavorable determinations. #### Module 10: Significant Precedent-Setting Cases - Discussion of significant cases that set precedents in suitability and fitness adjudication. - Reviewing key legal cases and their impact on future adjudications. #### Module 11: Decision Standards for National Security Positions: Executive Order 12968 - Understanding the coverage and requirements of Executive Order 12968. - How the order affects the adjudication of national security positions. - Key decision standards for eligibility for access to classified information. #### Module 12: National Security Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified Information or Eligibility to Hold a Sensitive Position - Reviewing the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines for personnel security determinations. - Exploring the disqualifying and mitigating conditions for national security positions. - Discussing eligibility requirements for access to classified information. ## Schedule - Jun 9, 2026 – Jun 12, 2026 — Live Online - Aug 31, 2026 – Sep 3, 2026 — Live Online - Dec 1, 2026 – Dec 4, 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:** $1649