About Graduate School USA - Leading Federal Training Institution Since 1921

Graduate School USA (GSUSA) is a leading provider of workforce training and professional development, serving federal agencies, state and local governments, private sector organizations, and individual adult learners across the U.S. and around the world. We deliver programs designed to support organizational missions, enhance career skills, and fulfill the personal ambitions of our participants.

For nearly a century, government institutions have relied on GSUSA to provide real-world training solutions that drive mission success. Whether through open-enrollment courses or customized on-site programs, our focus is on practical, results-oriented education that helps public sector professionals and organizations perform at their best.

Graduate School USA History

Founded in October 1921 as the USDA Graduate School, GSUSA holds the distinction of being the first U.S. institution created specifically to provide continuing education to federal employees. Established by the Secretary of Agriculture to offer professional development for USDA scientists (many of whom already held graduate degrees – hence the name “Graduate School”), the School’s early mission was clear: develop the skills of public servants to make government more efficient and effective.

GSUSA historical picture

Demand for training grew quickly. By 1935, enrollment had expanded beyond the Department of Agriculture to include employees from other federal agencies. In the decades that followed, the School’s audience broadened to encompass state and local government personnel, private sector professionals, and members of the local community seeking to advance their careers.

Shortly before our 90th anniversary, Graduate School USA separated from the USDA to become an independent organization (established as a nonprofit) and acquired most of the assets of Southeastern University, a D.C. institution. This acquisition in 2009 enhanced our portfolio with academic and community workforce development programs designed to prepare local residents for fast-growing careers and foster further professional development.

Training Programs and Services

Today, Graduate School USA offers an extensive catalog of courses and programs, now expanded to more than 500 courses in a wide range of subject areas. These include federal HR, leadership and management, auditing and financial management, acquisition and contracting, information technology and cybersecurity, project management, communication skills, and many more specialized topics relevant to government and industry. Our curriculum is continuously updated to reflect new legislation, regulations, and emerging best practices, ensuring that training stays timely and relevant to current workplace needs. We also offer a variety of certificate programs and long-term development programs that allow participants to deepen their expertise in areas such as leadership, financial management, and program management.

GSUSA instructor

Students can access GSUSA training through multiple formats to fit their schedules and learning preferences. We provide traditional in-person classes (both at our state-of-the-art Washington, D.C. training facility and at agency sites around the country), virtual instructor-led courses, and self-paced online courses, as well as blended learning options. Many courses are offered during the day, with some in the evenings or online on demand, to accommodate busy professionals.

We pride ourselves on flexibility – agencies can contract with GSUSA to bring training on-site or request fully customized training solutions tailored to their specific missions and challenges. Our status as an approved training provider on the GSA Professional Services Schedule makes it easy for federal agencies to procure our services.

In addition to individual courses, GSUSA’s curriculum offerings include comprehensive development programs. For example, we administer leadership development cohorts and executive programs through our Center for Leadership and Management, and we offer certificate of accomplishment programs in fields like human resources and project management that help learners systematically build and validate their skills. Whichever program or format our students choose, they can count on receiving practical knowledge and tools that can be immediately applied on the job.

Centers of Excellence

Graduate School USA is home to several specialized training institutes and centers of excellence, each focusing on a critical domain of public sector professional development.

GSUSA interior workspace

Government Audit Training Institute (GATI): Established in 1968, GATI is the premier provider of training in performance auditing for government professionals. GATI offers a robust curriculum of courses covering performance auditing, financial auditing, IT auditing, grant auditing, contract auditing, supervisory skills for auditors, and related topics. By training thousands of auditors over decades, GATI plays a key role in strengthening accountability and oversight across government.
Center for Leadership & Management (CLM): Founded in 1995, our CLM reflects GSUSA’s deep commitment to the power of effective leadership at all levels. The Center for Leadership & Management offers comprehensive leadership development programs, courses in management and supervisory skills, and long-term executive development programs that have earned high praise from the thousands of federal supervisors, managers, and executives who have participated. Graduates of CLM programs often advance to key leadership positions in government, a testament to the Center’s impact.
Federal HR Center of Excellence: Launched in 2025, the Federal Human Resources Center of Excellence® is a newer GSUSA initiative devoted to supporting federal HR practitioners with specialized training and a professional community of practice. With a catalog of nearly 100 HR-specific courses, GSUSA has long been a leading provider of federal human capital training. The HR Center of Excellence builds on that foundation by offering an interactive online community and expert-led resources to help HR professionals navigate fast-changing workforce policies and reforms. By investing in the HR community, we help agencies ensure their HR teams are equipped to support mission readiness and organizational change.

Through these centers of excellence – and others such as our Federal Financial Management programs and IT curriculum – GSUSA delivers targeted education that addresses the specialized requirements of different professional communities in government. Each center leverages subject-matter expert instructors, up-to-date curricula, and partnerships in its field (for example, GATI works closely with the federal audit community, and the HR Center collaborates with federal HR thought leaders) to remain at the forefront of training quality.

Expertise in Government Training

GSUSA’s experience and focus on government training are unparalleled. We like to say we are “where the government goes for training”. Our value proposition lies in understanding the unique context of public service and delivering training that is immediately useful in that context. What sets Graduate School USA apart is our deep expertise in federal workforce development.

GSUSA architectural

Trusted by Federal Agencies: We serve a broad client base of over 100 government agencies, including major departments such as Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Interior, Justice, and State. Agencies repeatedly turn to GSUSA as a training partner because we tailor our programs to support their missions and address real challenges.
Curricula Mapped to Government Competencies: Relevance is a hallmark of GSUSA training. Our courses and programs are mapped to federal core competencies and professional standards, so learners build skills that align with their official roles and advancement criteria.
Instructors with Real-World Experience: High-quality instruction is another cornerstone of our value. GSUSA’s courses are taught by expert instructors who bring extensive real-world government or industry experience in their fields. Many are former federal executives, managers, or technical specialists; others are renowned consultants and subject-matter experts.
Responsive and Customized Solutions: We pride ourselves on being responsive to the evolving needs of the federal workforce. Because we are not a one-size-fits-all school, we work closely with agencies to identify skill gaps or performance issues and then design targeted training to address them.

Our extensive history with federal training means GSUSA understands the nuances of government operations, regulations, and culture. We know how to help agencies meet mandates such as workforce upskilling initiatives, OPM requirements, or financial management improvement plans. This expertise, combined with our agile program development, makes GSUSA a go-to resource for government HR and training managers seeking to elevate their workforce capabilities.

Accreditations and Recognition

Graduate School USA is committed to quality and adheres to the highest standards in continuing education and training. Our accreditations, approvals, and the recognition we’ve earned underscore the credibility of our programs:

ACCET Accreditation: GSUSA is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET), a national accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a reliable authority on educational quality. This accreditation means our institution meets rigorous standards for instructional quality, curriculum, instructor qualifications, and learner outcomes.
Government and Industry Approvals: Our programs are endorsed or approved by various professional bodies and government initiatives. For instance, Graduate School USA is a recognized training partner of the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC), with 220+ courses aligned to the Department of Defense’s Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) competencies. We are a trusted training provider to the federal Chief Financial Officers Council, having worked with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to curate programs that support financial workforce modernization across government.
Awards and Honors: While our focus is on our clients’ success, Graduate School USA has also been recognized for its contributions to workforce development and quality. We are proud to sponsor the W. Edwards Deming Outstanding Training Award, an annual award now in its 26th year that recognizes excellence and innovation in government training programs.

Our Value Proposition: Why Choose GSUSA?

Choosing Graduate School USA means partnering with an organization that understands both the urgency of your mission and the importance of your people. Here are some key reasons GSUSA stands out as a training provider.

GSUSA folder

Mission-Focused Training: All our programs are designed to support and advance the missions of the organizations we serve. We work closely with clients to ensure training objectives tie back to agency goals and public service outcomes. By enhancing workforce skills, we directly contribute to improved program results and service to the American public.
Immediately Applicable Skills: We emphasize practical, hands-on learning. What you learn in a GSUSA course today can be applied in your job tomorrow. Courses incorporate real-life scenarios, simulations, and exercises that mirror the challenges employees face, so new skills and knowledge can be put to use right away.
Up-to-Date Curriculum: In the rapidly changing government environment, policies and best practices evolve constantly. GSUSA continuously updates its course content to reflect the latest laws, regulations, and technologies affecting the public sector. Learners can trust that they are receiving current information and training aligned with today’s standards and requirements, not yesterday’s.
Flexible Delivery and Learning Modes: GSUSA meets learners where they are. We offer training in multiple delivery modes – in-person, virtual classroom, and online on-demand – to accommodate different learning styles and logistical needs. We also provide blended learning solutions and cohort-based programs for more immersive development.
Proven Track Record: GSUSA’s longevity and client success stories speak to our effectiveness. We have helped numerous organizations achieve measurable improvements. Moreover, many federal agencies have honored their training teams through our sponsored W. Edwards Deming Awards (detailed later), showcasing the impact of training initiatives. These outcomes reinforce that choosing GSUSA leads to real results.

By choosing Graduate School USA, organizations and learners gain a trusted partner committed to excellence in training. We not only impart knowledge but also inspire confidence and continuous improvement, empowering our graduates to drive innovation and efficiency in their workplaces.

Graduate School USA’s accreditation and the trust placed in us by oversight bodies and clients alike reinforce that we are fully qualified and authorized to deliver training that matters. We remain committed to maintaining these high standards and to continuously improving our programs to meet the evolving needs of our learners.