Background
The USDA Graduate school was established in 1921 by the Secretary of Agriculture. The mission of the program is to improve the performance of the government and to provide opportunities for individual lifelong learning through education, training and related services. The Graduate school became an independent organization in February 2009. The USDA Graduate school is widely attended, with over 200,000 students each year. They offer almost 900 different courses, including 300 evening and weekend courses.
Accreditation
The Graduate School has received accreditation by the Council on Occupational Education and they have started to offer degree programs. Currently they do offer 3 degree programs.
- Associate of Applied Science in Accounting
- Medical Laboratory Technician Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree
They also have several certificate programs available. The certificate programs cover a wide range of subjects, including Accounting, Graphic Arts, Environmental Studies, Landscape Design, IT related courses and Paralegal studies.
Mission
The primary function of the Graduate school is to provide training programs that meet the needs of both governmental and non-governmental continuing education programs. However they are also well known for their exceptional foreign language programs, most offered during the evenings and weekends. There is also a ‘global arm’ of the school that provides training programs across the world. The school also has a Center for Leadership and Management which provides a host of leadership and management training programs.
Growth
In 2009, the school acquired most of the assets from Southeastern University. This acquisition has greatly enhanced the offerings of the school and allows them to continue with their mission to provide excellent education programs.
Locations
The Graduate school has 8 permanent locations across the US, with locations in the following cities:
- USDA Graduate School at Atlanta
- USDA Graduate School at Chicago
- USDA Graduate School at Dallas
- USDA Graduate School at Denver
- USDA Graduate School at Honolulu
- USDA Graduate School at Philadelphia
- USDA Graduate School at San Francisco
- USDA Graduate School at Washington, D.C.
The Graduate School is continually improving their programs by changing and expanding their offerings to meet the needs of their clients. These changes benefit today’s leaders and students as they continue to provide exceptional educational opportunities. Plus the added flexibility that the school provides through customized training programs. The school has an amazing track record by providing educational services to nearly every federal agency, providing education to more than 120 countries for more than 85 years. The USDA Graduate school history is a history to be proud of.
Recommended Reading
- medical assistant certification
- medical laboratory technician
- What is a medical assistant?
- Graduate School Distance Learning Options
- What exactly is Graduate School?

