FAQ'S

1. Are you accredited? What other approvals do you have?

Adults who wish to pursue outside degree programs should verify with their college or university which credits will transfer before registering for courses at the Graduate School.

Graduate School USA is licensed by the D.C. Education Licensure Commission.

For information on other approvals and affiliations, visit our Accreditation and Approvals page.

2. I'm in private industry. Would your courses be of benefit to me?

Yes. While most of the Graduate School USA human resource development, financial management, and management sciences courses are structured to meet the workforce needs of federal government agencies and government contractors, you may find them useful for gaining knowledge of federal government rules and requirements.

Our communication, computer skills, leadership development, and supervisory/management courses may also be appropriate for you.

3. How do I find a course?

All of our courses are listed in our online course catalog. You can search by location, keyword, title, course code, or training type. If you can’t find the course you are looking for, please call the Customer Relations Center at (888) 744-GRAD, and we’ll help you find what you’re looking for.

4. Can I buy the course materials without taking the course?

Unless otherwise available commercially, materials for Graduate School courses cannot be purchased without taking the course.

5. What are the class hours?

Class hours may vary; please check your confirmation email for exact class times.

In general, most daytime courses are conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, except for most CPE-designated courses, which run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.

6. How can I bring a course or program to my agency?

The Graduate School can bring our courses and programs to your agency for groups of five participants or more. For more information, please contact our Business Development team at [email protected] or 800-787-9074 for assistance with your specific needs, or read more about our customized services.

7. Where do I find a list of all classes being held in a specific city?

At this time, all of Graduate School USA classes are online. We offer virtual instructor-led and self-paced online courses that deliver the same high-quality training experience that we are known for in the classroom. 

To see a full list of our virtual classes, please click here.

8. I did not receive a registration confirmation. How do I confirm that I’m registered for a course?

To confirm that you are registered for a course, please contact the Customer Relations Center at (888) 744-GRAD.

9. Do you have any guidance on participant attendance during a training session?

Courses are conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for most CPE designated courses, which run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants are expected to complete the entire course and should make their travel arrangements accordingly. Failure to attend the entire course may result in your not receiving a certificate of completion for the course.

10. Is there a customer satisfaction guarantee policy?

Yes, we have always guaranteed the quality of our courses and services and are proud that over two million participants have completed the courses we have conducted since 1921. Our courses and the other services we offer consistently receive high ratings for being well delivered, relevant and timely. If you are not satisfied that we have met the stated objectives of the course or services performed, just contact us to tell us why. We will either give you a refund or apply the amount toward the fee for another Graduate School course or service.

11. As a participant with a special accommodations need (ADA), how do I request this service?

Graduate School USA fully complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The Special Accommodations Coordinator in the Office of the Registrar manages a variety of support services for students with disabilities and/or special requirements.

Services are coordinated to fit the individual needs of the student and may include sign language interpreters, Braille, electronic format (large print, Word or PDF), computer-aided real-time translation (CART) services, notetaking services, testing accommodations, and use of assistive technology. Academic advising, priority registration, and referral information are also available. Students requesting services are responsible for providing current documentation from a qualified professional verifying the disability and its impact on academic performance. New students are encouraged to contact the Special Accommodations Coordinator in the Office of the Registrar at least one month prior to registration.

Students requiring assistance and accommodation should complete the Special Accommodation Request form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar. The Special Accommodations Coordinator may be reached at (202) 314-3654 or [email protected].

You must be officially enrolled in a class to initiate any ADA accommodations request. Please plan ahead to contact the Registrar’s Office at least four weeks before the course or program begins to discuss your specific needs and arrangements.

To request accommodations online, find the course and session for which you are registered in our online course catalog. Visit the course catalog and select the session for which you are registering:

1. Click "Register/Inquire"
2. Click "Submit ADA Requirements"

12. How do I request a transcript?

Graduate School USA does not fax or email official transcript copies. Unofficial copies of transcripts may be emailed or faxed for free. Official transcripts (affixed with the Graduate School Seal) are $5.00 each. Rush transcripts, processed in two business days are $15.00 each. All may be obtained by submitting a completed, signed Transcript Request Form with payment to: 

Attn: Office of the Registrar
Graduate School USA
600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Suite 330
Washington, DC 20025-2520

13. I’m a former Southeastern University student. Where can I get a copy of my transcript or more information?

In August 2009, Southeastern University (Washington, DC) closed its doors. Graduate School USA has custody of all SEU students’ academic and financial records. Please visit our Southeastern University Information page for more information on transcript requests, enrollment/education verifications, degree verifications, and duplicate diploma requests.

1. Who can take classes at Graduate School USA?

Undergraduate students are required to be twenty-one (21) years of age or older and meet at least one of the following admission standards:

All applicants must submit an admission application with required non-refundable application fee.
 

Admission of Home-Schooled Students:
The Graduate School welcomes home-schooled students to apply for undergraduate admission. Home-schooled applicants with an official GED must submit the following:

If a home-schooled student does not have an official GED score, then under the student eligibility provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act the applicant must provide verification of completion of high school, and may do so through:

Home-schooled students who earn diplomas through regionally accredited schools are considered for admission under the School’s standard admissions policies based on GPA.

1. Non-credit Courses:
   For non-credit courses, Graduate School USA has an open enrollment admissions policy and does not require an admission application or fee. These courses are open to anyone at least 18 years of age, regardless of educational background or place of employment. Some courses have prerequisites included with the course description. For these courses, participants are responsible for meeting the required prerequisites or having the appropriate prior experience. Please note that our leadership development programs require special application packages. The Graduate School is an equal opportunity provider and employer. We make every practical effort to ensure that our programs are accessible to physically challenged participants and participants with special needs. We must receive your payment or payment information before we can process a registration application.

Credit Program Admissions:

• Home school transcripts with letter of completion;
• Transcripts from regionally accredited home school program with certification of completion and proof that the home school program is registered or recognized by its own state department of education; or,
• Written verification from appropriate school district that the student has met requirements for a high school diploma in his/her home state.

1. The following admission requirements apply to the admission of students who intend to enroll in courses for academic credit.
   • Earned a high school diploma with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above on a 4.0 scale
   • Possess a General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
   • Undergraduate application with required non-refundable application fee;
   • Official GED scores; and,
   • Official transcripts if the applicant has taken courses through a secondary or post-secondary institution.

2. I did not receive a registration confirmation. How do I confirm that I’m registered for a course?

To confirm that you are registered for a course, please contact the Customer Relations Center at (888) 744-GRAD.

3. How do I find a course?

All of our courses are listed in our online course catalog. You can search by location, keyword, title, course code, or training type. If you can’t find the course you are looking for, please call the Customer Relations Center at (888) 744-GRAD, and we’ll help you find what you’re looking for.

4. Where do I find a list of all classes being held in a specific city?

At this time, all of Graduate School USA classes are online. We offer virtual instructor-led and self-paced online courses that deliver the same high-quality training experience that we are known for in the classroom. 

To see a full list of our virtual classes, please click here.

5. What are the class hours?

Class hours may vary; please check your confirmation email for exact class times.

In general, most daytime courses are conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST., except for most CPE-designated courses, which run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.

6. As a participant with a special accommodations need (ADA), how do I request this service?

Graduate School USA fully complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The Special Accommodations Coordinator in the Office of the Registrar manages a variety of support services for students with disabilities and/or special requirements.

Services are coordinated to fit the individual needs of the student and may include sign language interpreters, Braille, electronic format (large print, Word or PDF), computer-aided real-time translation (CART) services, notetaking services, testing accommodations, and use of assistive technology. Academic advising, priority registration, and referral information are also available. Students requesting services are responsible for providing current documentation from a qualified professional verifying the disability and its impact on academic performance. New students are encouraged to contact the Special Accommodations Coordinator in the Office of the Registrar at least one month prior to registration.

Students requiring assistance and accommodation should complete the Special Accommodation Request form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar. The Special Accommodations Coordinator may be reached at (202) 314-3412 or [email protected].

You must be officially enrolled in a class to initiate any ADA accommodations request. Please plan ahead to contact the Registrar’s Office at least four weeks before the course or program begins to discuss your specific needs and arrangements.

To request accommodations online, find the course and session for which you are registered in our online course catalog. Visit the course catalog and select the session for which you are registering:

1. Click "Register/Inquire"
2. Click "Submit ADA Requirements"

7. Do you have any guidance on participant attendance during a training session?

Courses are conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for most CPE designated courses, which run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants are expected to complete the entire course and should make their travel arrangements accordingly. Failure to attend the entire course may result in your not receiving a certificate of completion for the course.

8. Will I receive a certificate of course completion if I miss class time?

Courses are conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for most CPE designated courses, which run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants are expected to complete the entire course and should make their travel arrangements accordingly. Failure to attend the entire course may result in your not receiving a certificate of completion for the course.

9. Do you offer online training options?

Yes, we do! Graduate School USA offers live, self-paced, and blended (hybrid) online products and learning options for both organizations and individuals. Course descriptions indicate whether your chosen class is offered online, and you can also search our catalog by course delivery type.

1. I am interested in a certificate program. Where do I start?

To Apply

Applying for a certificate program is easy. There is no admission or selection process for our certificate programs; all of our participants are invited to apply. You may apply online or you may print the application and mail it to:

Graduate School USA
Office of the Registrar
600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 180
Washington, DC 20024-2520

Or fax it to us at: (202) 479-2501

After You Apply

Begin the certificate program by reviewing the specifically designed requirements and electives. Choose one of the courses in the required or electives list to help you plan your schedule. The course description, prerequisites, location, and schedule dates will appear, along with the tuition and number of units.

Complete the courses in any order you wish, provided that one course is not a prerequisite for another. A prerequisite course provides a foundation for another course. You may enroll if you have already completed the prerequisite.

2. I have already completed some courses in my selected program from another institution. Will Graduate School USA accept that course work toward a certificate program?

Graduate School USA will accept previous course work completed if the course work is equivalent to the course(s) in the Graduate School USA certificate program in content, length, and units awarded. Previous course work requests are submitted for consideration with the required documentation — completion certificate and course description, or a copy of the official transcript.

The percentage of courses that must be taken at Graduate School USA varies from program to program. Up to one-third of the total courses required to complete a certificate program may be accepted. If you have a question about your certificate program or about the acceptability of other course work, contact the Registrar at [email protected], or call (202) 314-3544.

3. Will I be able to use any of my previous course work completed at Graduate School USA?

Yes, as long as the required and elective courses are included in the certificate program and previous course work completed is current. For example, if regulations have changed, then you will be required to repeat affected courses.

4. May I substitute work experience for a course in the certificate program?

At this time, Graduate School USA does not have a prior-learning assessment program which assesses work or life learning for the purpose of course substitution.

5. May I substitute another course for a course in the certificate program?

A course substitution may alter the nature of the program and its learning outcomes. Therefore, Graduate School USA does not permit course substitutions in certificate programs.

1. How can I bring a course or program to my agency?

The Graduate School can bring our courses and programs to your agency for groups of five participants or more. For more information, please e-mail us at or find the course you would like brought on-site in our online course catalog and fill out the on-site request form located on the course description page. We can also customize any of our courses. Read more about our Customized Services.

2. How can I do business with Graduate School USA?

Graduate School USA’s products and services are available through:

• GSA Federal Supply Service Schedules 874 (MOBIS) – government-wide contracts
• The Government Employees Training Act (5 U.S.C. 41) and Executive Order 11348

Small Purchase Acquisition regulation allows an agency to make purchases non-competitively when price is under $2,500 using a government purchase card. Please check with your agency Contracting professionals. Graduate School USA responds to competitive solicitations (RFPs, RFQs, RFBs, RFIs, etc.).

3. Are you on the GSA General Schedule? Where can I find the School’s published price listing for the GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract?

Graduate School USA is approved under the following categories of the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule 874, Mission Oriented Business Integrated Services (MOBIS): 874.1 Consulting Services and 874.4 Training Services. Our contract number is GS-10F-0228P.

4. Can I carry over funds from one fiscal year to the next to pay for Graduate School USA training?

The requirements for the use of end-of-year funds are provided in the Federal Acquisition Regulation Section 52-216-22 (1997). As outlined by the Comptroller General Decision B-238940, “Proper Fiscal Year Appropriation to Charge for Expenses Relating to Nonseverable Training Course (February 25, 1991)", training is an appropriate use for these end-of-year funds.
 

The Comptroller General allows current-year funds to pay for a current year need even if it is "delivered" (completed) in the following fiscal year. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your agency’s training needs and the steps necessary to take advantage of the procurement flexibility provided through CG Decision B-238940. Please contact our Business Development team at [email protected] or (800) 787-9074.

5. How quickly can you respond to a request for training at your location?

Our Business Development staff responds to Training at Your Location requests within 24-48 hours. Staff will work with training managers to identify organizational needs, appropriate solutions and scope the project.

If training requires significant customization or new development, Graduate School staff would develop a project timetable typically within a week. Off-the-shelf courses can begin delivery within two to three weeks of the contract, depending on instructor availability. You may contact Business Development staff at [email protected].

6. Can Graduate School USA tailor classes or develop new courses for us?

Of course. Almost all of the courses in our curriculum can be tailored to meet your agency or organization’s unique needs and situation. But we’re also happy to develop new courses for you. For more information, please contact [email protected].

7. If I’m contracting to bring a course to my location, can I request a specific instructor?

We are happy to accommodate your request for a specific instructor, subject to his or her availability.

8. Can you tailor a self-paced course to meet an agency’s specific needs?

Yes we can! Contact us at [email protected] for more information

9. Can you include my agency’s regulations when conducting a course at my location?

We will be happy to customize delivery to include your agency’s rules and regulations. Our instructors have vast experience working with many different organizations and are willing to modify delivery to accommodate special requests. There may be some additional costs if extensive course modifications are necessary.

10. How do I register more than one person?

Our website supports online multiple registrations via credit card payments for those needing to register many employees for one or more courses. After you select the first desired class, just choose YES when asked "Do you want to process registrations for others?" and then follow the instructions to register multiple participants. You will receive a credit card receipt of your transactions and the enrollees will get email confirmations notifying them of their registration.

Any multiple registrations via Purchase Order payment methods can also be faxed in to us at (866) 221-6761. If you ever need assistance with multiple registrations, please call us at (888) 744-GRAD and our staff will be happy to help you.

11. How do I establish a prepayment account so that I can simply request a course whenever an employee needs one?

Contact our Business Development team at [email protected] to discuss establishing a deferred account with us. Once funds are deposited with the School we can issue an account number, which becomes the funding reference on registrations for all courses (classroom or distance).

12. The Basic Position Classification Course is 10 days long. Is it possible to bring this course to my agency in a five-day format?

Yes, it is possible to reduce the length of the course, but not without sacrificing some elements. The two-week version of the course permits participants to develop skills and confidence in applying many different standards and guides.

A shortened course reduces the range of topics covered and the skill-building activities and may add some additional costs if extensive course modifications are necessary.

13. I am a supervisor in an agency that is exempt from Title 5; are any of your courses appropriate for me?

Yes. Many of our courses may be of value to you. Nearly all agencies that are exempt from Title 5 are still covered by the Merit System Principles and Prohibited Personnel Practices.

Our Human Resources for Supervisors and Managers course is focused around the MSPs and PPPs, so it is very relevant to you as a supervisor.