Hearing Officer & Decision-Maker Certification: Ensuring Procedural Integrity

September 29, 2026

Title IX Hearing Officer Certification prepares participants to serve as impartial, knowledgeable, and procedurally sound decision makers in civil rights matters. This advanced certification builds the applied judgment required to evaluate evidence, manage hearings, and issue determinations that are fair, clear, and defensible under federal regulations and institutional policy.

Designed for adjudicators, panel members, administrators, and legal professionals, the course provides a rigorous, practice-centered approach to decision making. Participants engage in simulations, questioning exercises, and analysis of real hearing materials, developing the confidence and skill needed to navigate high-stakes cases with professionalism and neutrality.

The cost of this certification is $725 per participant and includes all live sessions, peer discussions, and downloadable templates. Institutions enrolling ten or more participants qualify for a discounted flat rate.

Learning Structure

Part I – The Role of the Hearing Officer

This opening module defines the responsibilities and authority of hearing officers and panels, emphasizing due process, impartiality, and procedural consistency. Participants explore how to maintain hearing structure, manage bias, and ensure equitable treatment for all parties.

Topics include:

• Scope and authority of the hearing officer or panel

• Maintaining neutrality and addressing implicit bias

• Understanding hearing flow and procedural sequencing

• Distinguishing relevance, credibility, and evidentiary weight

Part II – Conducting Effective Hearings

This segment focuses on the operational demands of running a compliant and orderly hearing. Through mock exercises, participants learn how to manage questioning, navigate evidentiary issues, and ensure all parties have the opportunity to be heard.

Discussion topics include:

• Pre hearing preparation and checklists

• Managing questioning and addressing objections

• Balancing accessibility, decorum, and procedural control

• Responding to evidentiary disputes and deviations

Part III – Determinations, Rationale, and Appeals

The final module centers on decision writing and post hearing responsibilities. Participants learn how to synthesize evidence, articulate findings, and prepare rationales that withstand internal and external scrutiny.

Key discussion points include:

• Applying the preponderance of evidence standard

• Writing findings and rationales with precision and fairness

• Managing post decision communications and appeals

• Coordinating with institutional partners for records and follow up

Key Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

• Conduct hearings that are fair, compliant, and procedurally sound

• Apply credibility and evidentiary standards consistently

• Write clear, well supported determinations and rationales

• Manage appeals and post hearing obligations professionally

• Strengthen institutional trust through impartial, informed adjudication

Post Training Access

All participants receive a Certificate of Completion, digital templates for hearing scripts and rationale writing, and on demand access to recordings and resources within five to seven business days.

Note: After you register, we’ll send an email invitation with the session details. This allows us to add the meeting link directly to your calendar for easy access.