Who We Are
An independent, nonprofit educational institution based in Washington, DC, Graduate School USA offers workforce training and services across the U.S. and around the world. We are a leading provider of professional development and training courses for the federal government and the private sector, serving organizations and individuals with programs designed to support organizational missions, career and occupational development, and the personal ambitions of adult learners.
Graduate School USA Mission and Goals
What We Offer
- Government training and professional development
- Continuing professional education
- Customized training and solutions
- Distance education
- Leadership training
- Career development
- Evening and weekend programs (in the Washington, DC area) for personal and professional enrichment
Our History
The first U.S. organization founded with the mission of providing continuing education to federal employees, we opened our doors in October 1921 as the USDA Graduate School. We were established by the Secretary of Agriculture with the express purpose of offering professional development courses for USDA scientists, most of whom had graduate degrees—hence the term “Graduate School.” From the beginning, our focus was on developing individuals and making government more efficient and effective.
In the years after World War I, more organizations began to recognize the value of workforce development and by 1935 School enrollment had expanded beyond the USDA to other agencies. Since then, we have grown to serve an audience that includes state and local governments, the private sector, and individuals in our local community.
Shortly before our 90th anniversary, the School moved from our parent agency to become an independent, nonprofit organization known as Graduate School USA. We also acquired most of the assets of Southeastern University, enhancing our portfolio through the creation of academic and community workforce development programs designed to prepare local residents for fast-growing careers and further professional development.
Today, we are still dedicated to helping government become more efficient and effective, and to supporting working adults as they achieve occupational success and personal growth. Whether we’re helping public sector professionals do their jobs more effectively, or helping members of the community better position themselves to enter the workforce or move ahead in their careers, our mission remains consistent.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Continuing Educations Units provide a nationally recognized permanent record of your lifelong learning experiences. In addition, the CEUs you earn in our training courses may be used to satisfy some of the requirements for our certificates of accomplishment. You receive one CEU for every 10 hours of participation in our courses (excluding lunch and breaks). Completing our CEU/CPE registration form enables us to track and maintain your record of accumulated CEUs throughout your career, regardless of where you work.