Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Course
IDPROJ8015
All sessions are full. Contact us to be added to the waiting list.
All sessions are full. Contact us to be added to the waiting list.
This two-day, entry-level course is taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer®. The CSM course is designed to cover all the basics of Scrum so you can begin to fulfill the ScrumMaster role. In the CSM course, you will learn about: Scrum basics and core values How the Scrum framework compares to other methods, such as waterfall How to identify when to use Scrum A Scrum team’s three roles and responsibilities Scrum meetings, including the Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective and Release Planning Sprint Backlog and Product Backlog Scrum artifacts, including the Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog and Burndown Charts.
Students should have prior experience working in a team-based project environment and an understanding of collaborative workflows or iterative development practices.
Email CustomerRelations@graduateschool.edu to request this course, or see related courses with upcoming availability
Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.
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
Directly addressing the day-to-day challenges of federal employees.
Your trusted training partner, equipping public service professionals with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles and drive meaningful impact.
Attend this course in-person in Washington, DC or Live Online. Engage with expert instructors, ask questions, and get feedback on your exercises and projects.
At Graduate School USA, you’ll learn in small groups and receive personalized attention.
Get face-to-face interaction with an instructor and other students when you learn at our DC campus. Courses are hands-on with a computer and software provided.
Get the same interactivity and access to the instructor as in-person students. There are no extra fees and we’ll work with you to ensure your remote setup is perfect.
Our instructors are industry experts and experienced educators, driven to help you succeed.
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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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Module 1: Overview of Scrum
Module 2: Agile
Module 3: Scrum Framework
Module 4: Scrum Roles
Module 5: Meetings
Module 6: Sprint Planning
Module 7: Release Planning
Module 8: Tracking Progress
Module 9: Product Backlog
Module 10: Project Simulation
These related courses share skills and topics with Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Course. Select up to two and tap Compare selected courses to view a side-by-side comparison.
Explore foundational Agile practices, frameworks, and Scrum methodologies to plan, track, and monitor projects interactively.
This one-day course introduces standardized project management principles and best practices, equipping you with practical tools to manage projects efficiently and confidently. Through small group discussions and case study exercises, you’ll learn how to apply foundational project management concepts, analyze project initiation components, evaluate risks, as well as manage project progress and closure effectively. Whether you're new to project management or looking to formalize your skills, this course will help you navigate key project challenges and improve your ability to deliver successful outcomes.
Learn how to engage internal and external stakeholders through structured communication planning and targeted messaging for successful project and program outcomes.
Prepare for the PMP® certification exam with PMI-authorized training, expert instruction, and comprehensive exam preparation tools.
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.
The first installment is due one week before the first class. Subsequent installments are spread out evenly across the duration of the course.
Installments | |
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$149.90 | 10% non-refundable deposit |
$1,499.00 | Total You Pay |
See the Installment plan FAQ for more information.
Instructor
Alan Zucker is a Senior Instructor at the Graduate School, focusing on project management, agile, and leadership. He brings over 25 years of experience working for the Federal Government and Fortune 100 companies to the classroom. Mr. Zucker has led high-visibility strategic initiatives and managed a project execution organization of 175 project professionals.
Mr. Zucker has a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Certified Professional (PMI-ACP), and a Disciplined Agile Coach from the Project Management Institute. He is also a Scaled Agile (SAFe) Program Consultant, a Certified Scrum Professional with Scrum Alliance, and a Certified Trainer from the Agile Leadership Academy.
Mr. Zucker has delivered thousands of successful projects and played a leadership role in the agile transformation of a Fortune 50 financial services company. He is active in the project management and agile communities. Mr. Zucker is a keynote speaker and is regularly quoted in the industry press. He has authored nearly 150 articles on project management best practices.
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).
Instructor
Willie Morris is a seasoned Project and Program Management professional with over 30 years of experience, specializing in both Traditional and Agile delivery methodologies. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Willie has served as a Registered Educational Provider (R.E.P.) with the Project Management Institute (PMI) and an Authorized Training Partner (A.T.P.) with Rita Mulcahy (RMC) Learning Solutions, where he taught PMP® Exam Prep Certification Courses. His extensive career includes leadership roles in the U.S. Air Force, Department of Homeland Security, Delta Air Lines, and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), where he excelled in project and portfolio management.
A retired U.S. Air Force veteran, Willie served as an Air Mission Planner, Project Manager, and Program Manager, focusing on South American and Caribbean Joint Special Operations. He also worked as a formal courseware developer, instructor, and flight examiner for the Air Education and Training Command. After retiring from the Air Force, Willie transitioned to roles in asset management and project management within the Department of Homeland Security and later in the private sector. His passion for education led him to teach aspiring project managers at Kennesaw State University and Graduate School USA, where he continues to share his expertise. Willie holds advanced degrees in Aeronautical Science and Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, along with multiple certifications in project management and aviation safety.
Instructor
Dr. Deanne M. Larson is a distinguished leader in data science and analytics with over 20 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, international enterprises, and Fintech organizations through her firm, Larson & Associates, LLC. She specializes in AI-driven strategies, machine learning implementation, customer data platforms, and enterprise data architecture. Among her notable achievements are developing fraud detection models that reduced risk by 30%, managing a global personalization platform for a CPG company serving over 225 million consumers, and delivering innovative data governance solutions in cloud and blockchain environments. Her expertise spans predictive analytics, data integration, and agile project delivery in complex, high-stakes environments.
In academia, Dr. Larson serves as Principal Adjunct Faculty at City University of Seattle, where she mentors doctoral students and develops curricula in data and business analytics. She is passionate about bridging academic research with real-world applications, authoring peer-reviewed publications on MLOps, agile analytics, and data science acceleration. With doctorates in Computer Science (AI), International Management, and Management, as well as a master’s in Business Analytics from NYU, Dr. Larson is a frequent speaker at TDWI conferences and a thought leader in data science, analytics education, and digital transformation.
Instructor
Sarah Gurwitz is a human resources expert with years of experience leading, teaching, and consulting across federal agencies, healthcare systems, and higher education. She has been with Graduate School USA since 2008, where she teaches a wide range of human capital courses, including HR Analytics, Workforce Planning, Strategic Human Capital, HR Consulting, Interviewing, and Job Analysis. She has also developed and updated numerous courses for the HR curriculum, ensuring that federal HR professionals gain practical, up-to-date skills.
Sarah’s career spans both executive HR leadership and academic instruction. She spent nearly two decades as Director of Human Resources at the VA Medical Center in New York, overseeing all aspects of HR operations for more than 2,000 employees. She later served as the HR consultant to the Veterans Health Administration, advising the Under Secretary for Health and shaping nationwide initiatives in workforce planning, succession management, and HR modernization. She was also the founding chair of VHA’s Strategic Human Resource Advisory Council.
Instructor
Bascom Destrehan “Dit” Talley, III is a seasoned educator and consultant with more than four decades of experience in leadership development, executive training, and organizational consulting. Since 1993, he has been an instructor with Graduate School USA, designing and delivering courses in leadership, management, and executive development for federal and international clients. He also teaches Global Leadership in the International Teaching and Global Learning Program at Johns Hopkins University and has instructed in the Police Executive Leadership Program, supporting both undergraduate and graduate cohorts, including law enforcement professionals from the U.S. Secret Service and ICE.
In addition to his teaching career, Dit founded and led Corporate and Government Consulting, a Washington, DC–based firm that specialized in leadership development, team building, strategic planning, and organizational assessments. His work has supported federal agencies, state offices, and private-sector organizations across the United States and internationally. He has coordinated national conferences, authored training manuals and guides, and published on workplace issues such as team building and preventing sexual harassment. Dit holds degrees from the University of the South, St. Paul School of Theology, and Boston University, with advanced studies in social ethics and public policy.