This course includes
- 6 hours of project-based training from experts
- Answers from real instructors
- Additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class
- Verified digital certificate of completion
- Learn at an accredited institution
- Credits: 0.8 CEUs
This course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instruction, take Adjudicating and Applying Veterans' Preference.
Ensure your agency fully complies with all current and applicable veterans' preference laws, rules, and regulations. Understand who meets the definition of veteran, who is entitled to preference in employment in the competitive and excepted services, and the circumstances under which veterans' preference applies, including competitive appointments, noncompetitive appointments, and merit promotion.
Get certified. Get ahead.
Tuition
Full Tuition
Price before discounts: $699Full tuition: $629.10
10% exclusive SDFM member-only discount Due before the class starts
This course includes
- 6 hours of project-based training from experts
- Answers from real instructors
- Additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class
- Verified digital certificate of completion
- Learn at an accredited institution
- Credits: 0.8 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
Real-world solutions
Directly addressing the day-to-day challenges of federal employees.
125+ departments & agencies served
Your trusted training partner, equipping public service professionals with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles and drive meaningful impact.
100% Online. Start Anytime
- 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 SDFM online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
- Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.
- Receive additional 1-on-1 mentoring to assist with your newly-learned skills and job search. Work with career services to polish your resume and LinkedIn profile, prepare for interviews, and apply to jobs.
Expert Instructors
Our instructors are industry experts and experienced educators, driven to help you succeed.
Dan Kowalski
Instructor
Judy Mintze
Instructor
Natalya H. Bah
Instructor
Richard Rodieck
Instructor
Victoria Cox
Instructor
Adrianna Harden
Instructor
Sarah Gurwitz
Instructor
Sineta Scott Robertson
Instructor
DeShanta Hinton
Instructor
Caren Eirkson
Instructor
1-on-1 Mentoring Sessions Included
We want you to succeed in your career goals. In addition to 6 hours of hands-on, self-paced training, you’ll also receive one live 1-on-1 mentoring session where you can:
- Review your portfolio work with an expert
- Drill down on challenging concepts
- Polish your resume and LinkedIn profile
- Receive professional advice for applying to jobs
- Ensure you’re on track with your learning goals
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!
Shareable on
Adjudicating and Applying Veterans' Preference Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum
What You'll Learn at a Glance
- Know the circumstances when veterans' preference applies.
- Identify the types of veterans' preference, including veteran, spouse, widow/widower, and mother.
- Correctly adjudicate veterans' preference claims.
- Apply veterans' preference to competitive and excepted service appointments.
- Apply special appointing authorities for veterans in the following: Veterans' Recruitment Appointments (VRA); 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans; Disabled veterans enrolled in a VA training program; and Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998.
Course Syllabus
Module 1: History of Veterans’ Preference and Definitions
- The history of veterans’ preference and the Veterans’ Preference Act of 1944
- Definitions of veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible
Module 2: Applicable Laws, Rules, and Regulations
- When veterans’ preference applies to positions, employment actions, and persons
- The six types of veterans’ preference and their point values
- Documenting and adjudicating preference claims using the DD Form 214 and SF-15
Module 3: Veterans’ Preference in the Competitive and Excepted Service
- The VOW to Hire Heroes Act and the category rating process
- Applying preference in competitive and excepted service appointments
- Excepted service schedules and disqualification and pass-over procedures
Module 4: Special Appointing Authorities and Entitlements for Veterans
- Special appointing authorities including VRA, 30-percent disabled veteran, VA training program, and VEOA
- Affirmative action under Title 38, reinstatement, and restoration rights after uniformed service
- Avenues of complaint available to preference eligibles
Related Courses: Compare to Adjudicating and Applying Veterans' Preference Course (Self-Paced)
These related courses share skills and topics with Adjudicating and Applying Veterans' Preference Course (Self-Paced). Select up to two and tap Compare selected courses to view a side-by-side comparison.
-
Calculating Service Computation Dates Course
1 day $699Master the process of calculating and updating Service Computation Dates (SCDs) for leave, retirement, RIF, and TSP purposes.
How does it compare?
Unlike this course, which focuses on adjudicating veterans' preference claims, Calculating Service Computation Dates Course covers computing and verifying SCDs for leave, retirement, RIF, TSP, and severance pay.
-
Behavioral Job Interviewing to Hire the Best Course
2 days $1,049Learn to design and conduct structured, behavior-based interviews by developing competency-focused questions and rating scales for better hiring decisions.
How does it compare?
Choose Behavioral Job Interviewing to Hire the Best Course if you want to focus on developing competency-based interview questions and scoring rubrics, rather than the veterans' preference adjudication covered in this course.
Human Resources 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.
Complete this form and we’ll get back to you within 1 business hour.