Building Your First MCP Server and Client Course (Self-Paced)

This course includes

4 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

This course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instruction, take Building Your First MCP Server and Client.

This hands-on workshop introduces the Model Context Protocol (MCP) through a practical, end-to-end build. Participants learn what MCP is, why it matters, and how to design MCP servers for AI agents instead of treating them as thin wrappers over REST APIs. Using Python and FastMCP, participants build a working MCP server around the SpaceX API, test it locally, connect it to an MCP-compatible host, and then build a minimal MCP client that can discover and call server tools.

The course emphasizes both implementation and design judgment. In addition to building a functioning server and client, participants learn how to reduce tool sprawl, design around agent workflows, manage context-window costs, and produce tool descriptions and outputs that work well for large language models.

Full Tuition

$649
Due before the class starts

This course includes

4 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

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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Real-world solutions

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

125+ departments & agencies served

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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 GSUSA online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.

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!

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Sample credential for completion of Building Your First MCP Server and Client Course (Self-Paced)

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Building Your First MCP Server and Client Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Explain the purpose of MCP and describe the host-client-server architecture.
Distinguish between tools, resources, and prompts, and identify when each is appropriate.
Describe how context windows affect MCP server design.
Recognize common anti-patterns in MCP server design, especially endpoint-for-endpoint REST wrappers.
Build a local MCP server in Python using FastMCP.
Design tools around outcomes and workflows rather than API structure.
Test an MCP server using the MCP Inspector and an MCP-compatible host.
Build a minimal MCP client that connects to a server, lists tools, and calls them.
Describe the basics of deploying a remote MCP server and the security considerations involved.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Module 1: Introduction to MCP and Agent-Facing Design

Examine the integration problem MCP is designed to solve and how it standardizes connections between AI applications and external tools, resources, and workflows.
Review MCP architecture, including the roles of the host, client, and server.
Explore how context windows affect tool design and output design.
Identify the three main server primitives: tools, resources, and prompts.

Module 2: Why Many MCP Servers Perform Poorly

Analyze why MCP servers should not be designed as one-to-one REST wrappers and the cost of excessive tool discovery for agents.
Evaluate why agent iteration is slower and more expensive than human trial and error.
Assess how output format and schema size affect context efficiency.
Apply principles of outcome-based tool design to improve server performance.

Module 3: Build an MCP Server with FastMCP

Initialize a new FastMCP project, create a simple tool, and inspect the server with the MCP Inspector.
Review the SpaceX API and identify likely user workflows for tool design.
Build a naive version to observe anti-patterns, then refactor into a smaller, more effective toolset.
Format outputs for LLM consumption using Markdown and improve tool descriptions, matching logic, and error handling.

Module 4: Build a Minimal MCP Client

Connect to the server from a local client, discover tools via tools/list, and call tools programmatically.
Examine the handshake and tool-call lifecycle between client and server.
Observe how an LLM-driven host uses the same pattern to interact with MCP servers.

Module 5: Deployment, Security, and Ecosystem Overview

Transition from local stdio development to remote deployment, including remote transport and hosting basics.
Review security and authorization considerations for remote MCP servers.
Survey the broader MCP ecosystem, including documentation, SDKs, and registries.

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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$649.00	Total You Pay