Our History: 1921 (USDA Graduate School) to the Present

In this period, Graduate School USA strengthened its role as a trusted training partner to the federal workforce, expanded flexible delivery options, and continued to refresh programs that align with current government standards and competencies.

2021

Announced an agreement for Graduate School USA to be acquired by American Public Education, Inc. (APEI). Continued delivering courses both in Washington, DC and live online to meet agency needs nationwide.

2022

Acquisition by APEI became effective on January 1, 2022. Scaled catalog access with live online and self-paced options to support agency training plans.

2023–2024

Expanded certificate pathways and updated auditing content to reflect the latest Government Auditing Standards. Continued growth in federal human resources, financial management, acquisition and contracting, data analytics, and leadership development.

2025

APEI completed the sale of Graduate School USA on July 25, 2025. Programs and delivery formats continued uninterrupted for federal, state, and local government customers.

Current Offerings

Core Topic Areas

Federal Human Resources: classification, staffing and placement, personnel actions, pay setting, qualifications analysis, retirement. Auditing and Fraud: performance and financial auditing, Yellow Book updates, audit evidence and documentation, fraud detection and prevention. Financial Management: federal accounting, budgeting, appropriations law, cost analysis, DoD FM topics. Acquisition and Contracting: FAC-aligned skills, COR training, digital IT acquisition (DITAP), business competencies for acquisition professionals. Leadership and Management: CLM cohort programs for GS-1 to GS-15, including Aspiring Leader, New Leader, Executive Leadership, and Executive Potential. Professional Skills and Emerging Areas: writing and communication, data analytics, IT and technology, Excel, cybersecurity, and more.

Signature Programs and Certificates

Certified Government Auditor Certificate Program and Government Audit Training Institute (GATI). Certified Federal HR Practitioner (cFHRP) and related HR certificates. Master Certificate in Federal Financial Management (multi-level pathway). Audit Leadership Certificate. Federal Acquisition and business competencies certificates, including DITAP preparation where applicable.

How We Deliver

In person in Washington, DC. Live online instructor-led training. On-demand, self-paced courses. Customized onsite and agency-specific cohorts.

Why Train With Us

National accreditation by ACCET. Small class sizes and expert government practitioners. Hundreds of courses serving more than one hundred federal agencies.