COR training follows a Level I–III roadmap in both DoD and civilian agencies, building skills from basic oversight to advanced contract management.
Both DoD and civilian agencies use a roadmap of COR training at Level I, II, and III, with each level building oversight skills from basic monitoring to advanced contract management and stakeholder engagement. Graduate School USA courses align with the standards set by both the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI), ensuring CORs meet federal training and certification requirements.
This three-day course helps acquisition, financial, budget, and program professionals develop Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs) that are accurate, defensible, and FAR-compliant. Participants learn to build a fair and reasonable cost baseline that withstands audit and protest scrutiny.
Stop guessing and start estimating — build accurate, defensible, FAR-compliant Independent Government Cost Estimates in a single day.
Gain foundational knowledge and skills to perform the duties of a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) effectively.
Develop the knowledge and skills required to effectively perform the responsibilities of a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
Enhance your skills as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) by mastering acquisition planning, contract management, and performance evaluation.
Get up to speed on federal contracting procedures, responsibilities, and supervisory roles as a COR or project official.
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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Our alumni consistently commend the expertise of our instructors and the real-world relevance of our programs. Their feedback highlights how Graduate School USA training has advanced their skills, supported their agencies’ missions, and fostered long-term professional growth.
Steven Potts is very knowledgeable and can provide a lot of real world examples.
Anne S.
This was one of the better classes I have taken, thank you! The instructor was very knowledgeable and engaging with the class.
Dwayne T.
This was my first time exposed to this information, and the course made it relatively easy to learn. Class content is easy to follow and understand and the instructor is very knowledgeable.
JEFFREY TURNER
Great experience. Instructor was outstanding. Very knowledgeable.
Michelle W.
I don't need to take this class again, but I would just to absorb more knowledge from the instructor. He was a wealth of knowledge and spoke very well! Well experienced and had an exciting career to speak on that gave him endless examples to use during training. Loved this class! It's very useful to me as a COR 1.
Evie James
Instructor, Melanie Dooley, was highly knowledgeable. This course was very informative and helped prepare for successful COR duties.
Joshua E.
I enjoyed the class as it gave me more information on certain items that I have faced as a COR. The instructor, Joseph Common, was very knowledgeable about the course content and used real life examples to make things more interesting.
Kimberly S.
I absolutely gained knowledge in all phases of the contracting process. Jeff's extensive knowledge of contracting really came through, and I thoroughly enjoyed the real-life applications of his contracting experience. Great experience with the course, and Graduate School USA personnel did a great job with making the portal easy to navigate.
Brandon Pridgen
Jeff was an awesome instructor, he provided the perfect mix of learned experiences and teaching. The materials were easy to follow along with, and I enjoyed the online environment.
E. B.
The instructor was knowledgeable, engaging, and well-informed about past and current occurrences in the acquisition community. He provided realistic examples that we all could relate to.
Edna R.
Great class, I enjoyed the instructor and the class. Mr. Jeff was informative, relatable, and easy to follow.
L. W.
The information I received today has made me want to further my training and gain knowledge for my position. The instructor took the time to listen and answer. He shared situations similar to the questions I had.
Denise Young Bird
Great! Highly recommend that CORs routinely take this class to stay informed of recent updates and to refresh their knowledge of their COR duties. Jeff kept the class interesting and kept us engaged in the material.
Kimie E.
My overall experience was wonderfully informative.
Michael S.
First time taking the full (40-hr) formal training course. The material was detailed, and the class had very experienced CORs who brought valuable insight and experience to the discussion. I enjoyed the course. It is a lot of information to cover, but the general review seemed to cover all the relevant information needed to be a successful COR.
Sharlene W.
The instructor worked to ensure I had full knowledge of the subject, and the materials were easy to follow. Overall, the class was informative and helped meet my needs.
Susan M.
Highly recommend - the instructor kept us engaged the entire time! The content was very useful and will be able to use immediately back on the job.
Linda Grusak
Mr. Jeff is very professional and knowledgeable, the class is very interesting and useful for growth in your career path. Thanks, Graduate School USA, for a great experience.
Ernesto Gallo
One of the better courses I have taken recently.
Enrique W.
I was very happy with this experience. It was a good bootcamp for learning COR responsibilities before becoming one soon.
Elizabeth Y.
Our Contracting Officer's Representative Training are rated 4.8 stars by 47 students
I was very happy with this experience. It was a good bootcamp for learning COR responsibilities before becoming one soon.
One of the better courses I have taken recently.
Mr. Jeff is very professional and knowledgeable, the class is very interesting and useful for growth in your career path. Thanks, Graduate School USA, for a great experience.
Highly recommend - the instructor kept us engaged the entire time! The content was very useful and will be able to use immediately back on the job.
The instructor worked to ensure I had full knowledge of the subject, and the materials were easy to follow. Overall, the class was informative and helped meet my needs.
First time taking the full (40-hr) formal training course. The material was detailed, and the class had very experienced CORs who brought valuable insight and experience to the discussion. I enjoyed the course. It is a lot of information to cover, but the general review seemed to cover all the relevant information needed to be a successful COR.
My overall experience was wonderfully informative.
Great class, I enjoyed the instructor and the class. Mr. Jeff was informative, relatable, and easy to follow.
The information I received today has made me want to further my training and gain knowledge for my position. The instructor took the time to listen and answer. He shared situations similar to the questions I had.
Great! Highly recommend that CORs routinely take this class to stay informed of recent updates and to refresh their knowledge of their COR duties. Jeff kept the class interesting and kept us engaged in the material.
The instructor was knowledgeable, engaging, and well-informed about past and current occurrences in the acquisition community. He provided realistic examples that we all could relate to.
Jeff was an awesome instructor, he provided the perfect mix of learned experiences and teaching. The materials were easy to follow along with, and I enjoyed the online environment.
I absolutely gained knowledge in all phases of the contracting process. Jeff's extensive knowledge of contracting really came through, and I thoroughly enjoyed the real-life applications of his contracting experience. Great experience with the course, and Graduate School USA personnel did a great job with making the portal easy to navigate.
I enjoyed the class as it gave me more information on certain items that I have faced as a COR. The instructor, Joseph Common, was very knowledgeable about the course content and used real life examples to make things more interesting.
Instructor, Melanie Dooley, was highly knowledgeable. This course was very informative and helped prepare for successful COR duties.
I don't need to take this class again, but I would just to absorb more knowledge from the instructor. He was a wealth of knowledge and spoke very well! Well experienced and had an exciting career to speak on that gave him endless examples to use during training. Loved this class! It's very useful to me as a COR 1.
Steven Potts is very knowledgeable and can provide a lot of real world examples.
This was my first time exposed to this information, and the course made it relatively easy to learn. Class content is easy to follow and understand and the instructor is very knowledgeable.
This was one of the better classes I have taken, thank you! The instructor was very knowledgeable and engaging with the class.
Great experience. Instructor was outstanding. Very knowledgeable.
I liked that the class was small (only two participants). It allowed us to go at an accelerated pace and to discuss subjects specific to our agencies when desired. The instructor has extensive knowledge of the subject matter and is able to answer both common and arcane questions regarding acquisition.
Graduate School is where you rise and where your resilience deepens, and your potential expands beyond limits. It's not just a place to learn, it's where you become the most powerful, intellectual version of yourself!
Excellent content - easy to read modules and addressing important, including new information; exercises and knowledge checks very well structured. Excellent description of the roles of the CO, COR, Contractors.
The instructor was engaging and energetic. Good mix of course material with practical, real-life experience. Good use of three days.
Great intro to the basics of government contracting. This course was very helpful to me as a financial manager. The instructor had extensive knowledge, engaged the entire class, and solicited input from everyone. Overall, a good facility that was a relaxed environment for a challenging course.
Showing 25 of 30 reviews
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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.
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All times are listed in Eastern Time unless otherwise specified.
| Course, dates, and times | Price and duration | Description | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | |||
|
September 8–10
Tuesday to Thursday
9–5pm
|
$1,200
3 Days
|
Get up to speed on federal contracting procedures, responsibilities, and supervisory roles as a COR or project official. |
|
|
September 14–18
Monday to Friday
9–5pm
|
$1,900
5 Days
|
Enhance your skills as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) by mastering acquisition planning, contract management, and performance evaluation. |
|
|
September 25
Friday
9–5pm
|
$900
1 Day
|
Gain foundational knowledge and skills to perform the duties of a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) effectively. |
|
| October 2026 | |||
|
October 15
Thursday
9–5pm
|
$900
1 Day
|
Gain foundational knowledge and skills to perform the duties of a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) effectively. |
|
| November 2026 | |||
|
November 2–6
Monday to Friday
9–5pm
|
$1,900
5 Days
|
Develop the knowledge and skills required to effectively perform the responsibilities of a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). |
|
Showing 5 of 23 courses