Accredited professional development programs designed for government employees at all career levels. Select in-person training in Washington, DC or live online courses taught by experienced instructors.
Gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities classifiers need to do their work successfully. The focus of this course is on helping participants develop competence in applying various classification standards. It also provides participants with exposure to other topics important to federal classification programs, such as writing position descriptions and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
This course provides federal HR professionals with a foundational understanding of federal staffing and placement laws, regulations, and processes, from recruitment through merit promotion and in-service placement.
Learn to accurately prepare, process, and approve federal personnel actions using the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions, including SF-52 and SF-50 forms.
This course teaches HR practitioners how to evaluate federal job applicants by applying OPM's Qualifications Standards, including eligibility, minimum qualifications, and specialized experience requirements.
This bootcamp provides HR practitioners with the knowledge to advise employees on federal benefits, including health insurance, retirement systems, and the Thrift Savings Plan.
This course provides federal personnel with the knowledge to set and administer pay for General Schedule (GS) employees, covering a wide range of pay-setting rules and scenarios.
The New Leader Program (NLP) is a six-month program designed to prepare employees at the GS 7-11 levels for management and leadership positions. The program theme is "Leading Self." The program objectives are to give motivated individuals the confidence and training they need to set and meet personal and professional goals, expand their network, and broaden their experience.
The Executive Potential Program (EPP) is a 12-month competency-based leadership development program that provides training and developmental experiences for high-potential executives at the GS 13-15 levels or equivalent.
Develop essential leadership skills to resolve conflict and build stronger, more effective teams.
Build foundational supervisory skills aligned with OPM’s Federal Supervisory Training Framework, focusing on leadership, communication, and conflict management.
Prepare to lead teams through change by understanding reactions, navigating resistance, and using a structured six-step approach to support adaptation and growth.
Build leadership skills to guide teams through change, foster collaboration, and drive results. Best suited for federal professionals stepping into leadership roles.
Master AI technologies for business, marketing, design, data analytics, and more in this cutting-edge certificate program. In this program, you'll learn how to optimize Excel workflows, create stunning video content, create captivating graphics, analyze data efficiently, boost workplace productivity, and more with the power of generative AI.
Learn Python, SQL, automation, and machine learning to become a Data Scientist. Gain Python programming, data analysis, SQL querying, and predictive modeling skills. Perfect for beginners, this program prepares you for entry-level data science and Python engineering roles. Unlock high-paying job opportunities in the field of data science.
Transform your skills with ChatGPT in this hands-on program. Gain practical skills to leverage AI for many of your daily tasks, transforming how you work across communication (email, meetings, and chat), writing, data analysis, decision-making, and more. You'll start by learning prompt engineering with ChatGPT, then advance to customizing workflows, using advanced research tools, and exploring voice and image capabilities with ChatGPT’s latest features.
As AI tools become more common in government environments, knowing how to communicate clearly and responsibly with AI systems is an essential skill. This course equips participants with foundational prompt engineering techniques that help improve productivity, enhance clarity, and reduce risk when using AI to support government work.
Use AI tools to analyze, draft, refine, and verify federal position classification work while applying human judgment, ethical safeguards, and OPM compliance standards throughout the process.
Learn how to incorporate AI in your marketing strategy with this in-depth course. Explore how to use AI-driven tools to help your SEO, SEM, social media marketing, analytics tracking, paid advertising, and more.
Learn to correctly interpret and apply federal appropriations law to the use of appropriated funds, using the GAO Red Book as the authoritative text.
Gain a foundational understanding of the federal budget process, including budget preparation, appropriation types, and performance measurement.
Build a strong foundation in federal accounting by mastering key concepts, financial management practices, and reporting standards.
Master the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) for temporary duty (TDY) travel, including allowances, reimbursements, and compliance for Department of Defense personnel.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of financial management principles, federal budgeting, and performance measurement.
Students will review current budget execution policy and guidance published in OMB’s Circular A-11; learn about the principles of purpose, time, and amount that govern how federal agencies can properly use appropriated funds, ensuring compliance with legal and budgetary constraints; and the relationship between performance plans/goals and operating budgets.
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.
Gain a foundational understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and its application in federal procurement processes.
Learn how to execute streamlined procurement actions within federal simplified acquisition thresholds, including micro‑purchases and GSA schedules.
Gain foundational project and program management abilities aligned with PMI and FAC P/PM Level I competencies.
Master the essentials of managing contracts post‑award, including monitoring performance, resolving issues, and ensuring compliance.
Explore the role of management analysts and gain foundational skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and presenting findings effectively.
Learn practical techniques to collect reliable primary data through observations, interviews, and surveys.
Learn structured analytical methods for decision-making, problem-solving, process modeling, and performance measurement in the federal workplace.
Master data analytics with hands-on training in Power BI, Excel, and SQL. You'll work on real-world projects to create dashboards, analyze data, and gain insights, preparing you for roles in business intelligence. No prior experience is required.
Become proficient in Microsoft Excel and go from beginner to pro with this hands-on bootcamp. Learn functions, Pivot Tables, macros, and time-saving techniques to conquer all the key skills needed to excel in Excel.
Unlock the power of Python for data-driven decision-making as you master Python programming fundamentals and dive into data analysis. Acquire essential skills to clean and manipulate data, create insightful visualizations, and perform statistical analysis, all through hands-on projects with real-world datasets.
Prepare for the PMP® certification exam with PMI-authorized training, expert instruction, and comprehensive exam preparation tools.
Build essential project management skills through hands-on training in planning, execution, and communication.
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.
Build a solid foundation in standardized project management using PMI’s PMBOK Guide. Learn to plan, oversee, and close projects using practical tools and core performance domains.
Develop essential leadership skills to effectively guide project teams, navigate challenges, and enhance communication.
A practical overview of how artificial intelligence can be utilized to positively impact project management success by demystifying artificial intelligence and providing practical steps for incorporating AI into project processes.
This course introduces new government auditors to the fundamentals of performance auditing, including standards, evidence collection, and reporting.
Enhance your audit effectiveness by mastering proven interviewing techniques through hands-on exercises and role-playing scenarios.
Build a strong foundation in performance auditing by mastering the principles, methodologies, and techniques outlined in Government Auditing Standards.
Develop the skills to write professional, clear, and compliant audit documents that align with Government Auditing Standards.
Master the skills to develop and present audit findings that effectively communicate results and support audit objectives.
Enhance your skills in managing and executing complex performance audits through hands-on case studies and advanced techniques.
The instructor was very knowledgeable and patient with our learning. Great instructor. Hope to see him again.
The instructor was engaging. I liked the format of working through a case while going through the audit phases. Particularly nice to have different perspectives in the class and in the groups with people from different agencies.
Engaging, interactive, fun, passionate, and knowledgeable instructor.
Class was informative! Great instructor! The instructor was very skilled in the subject matter and taught many of these skills to the students.
Fun, engaging, clearly intelligent, and knowledgeable instructor.
Ms. Coachman-Steward was very interactive with all of us. She walked us through the steps if we needed additional help. I feel comfortable going through quals for positions.
Ms. Thurston was very engaging and knowledgeable. It was a delight to be in class with her.
Amazing instructor, great class, and extremely knowledgeable.
Overall, the Qualification Analysis course is an outstanding professional development asset. It provides HR specialists and hiring managers with the precise tactical knowledge required to navigate federal qualification standards confidently, ensuring that agencies can attract and place the highest quality talent to meet their mission requirements. Ms. Thuston is like a tall glass of sweet tea on a hot afternoon— exactly what you need to clear your head. She took all the OPM rules and made them make sense, showing us how to pick the best of the best for the team.
This class is a great introduction to leadership. Even when you think you are not a leader, chances are you probably are and just don't know it yet.
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 was friendly, in charge, and very knowledgeable about the material. Kept the class alive; wasn't bored once and had my attention the entire time.
Awesome class! I will encourage others to take it. :) It covered everything about the class title, and it provided me with some skills to use in my day-to-day interactions.
I think more people should take it! Loved meeting everyone and seeing things from different perspectives. Loved the instructor's positive approach and encouragement.
The instructor was enthusiastic about the course material and made learning more enjoyable.
Great course, learned a lot. Great instructor, very engaging.
The instructor’s approachable demeanor significantly reduced my anxiety regarding the subject matter.
5 out of 5, would recommend! Memorable experience, great flow and delivery of information.
I thoroughly enjoyed this class, and I look forward to taking more in the future. Mrs. Thurston was phenomenal and one of the best Graduate School USA instructors I've had thus far. She was very encouraging and engaging, and she has such an upbeat and fun personality. She kept the energy up even through difficult material. I felt comfortable asking questions and having open discussions about things that were new or confusing.
The class was very eye-opening. It brought to light the areas that were being neglected and made me aware of what needed to be addressed in the workplace.
I love Mrs. T! She is extremely thorough.
Very good class that anyone involved in staffing should take. The instructor was clear and helpful. The materials provided were clear and easy to follow along with the instructor.
The instructor was enjoyable and kept the class engaged.
I think this should be a required class for any senior leader responsible for leading an organization or component within an organization. She is very knowledgeable about the overall financial management process. She provided relevant life examples that were relevant to the content we were covering.
This was a very informative class that provided relevant tips for how to craft AI prompts in order to get useful information and as a kickstart for projects or initiatives. The instructor was responsive, knowledgeable, and professional, and kept the class engaging. This is a good starter class for using AI and will help to build a foundation for further AI usage.
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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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