Turn strong GS 11 to GS 13 performers into leaders of people
Nine months, four one-week sessions, a 360-degree assessment, a six-week developmental assignment, and a mentor. Themed on the one Executive Core Qualification every mid-level leader is measured by.
Trusted across the federal government
Agency seals reflect organizations Graduate School USA has trained. They do not imply endorsement by, or affiliation with, any federal agency.
ELP: the leading people rung of the continuum
The Executive Leadership Program develops federal employees at the GS 11 to GS 13 levels under the theme Leading People, which remains one of OPM's five Executive Core Qualifications. It is the middle rung of the CLM continuum and the point where most careers either turn toward leadership or stall.
What the 9 months actually contain
Every program is competency-based and cohort-based. Participants stay in their jobs, apply what they learn as they go, and finish with a portfolio of real work rather than a certificate alone.
Four one-week sessions over nine months
Nineteen days of live, project-based instruction, delivered live online, Monday to Friday.
Session I: Self-Discovery and the Making of a Team
Orientation, an alumni panel, team building, emotional intelligence, 21st century leadership, and building a leadership plan.
Session II: Skill Building
Conflict resolution, leading strategic change, coaching, and leading through clear communication.
Session III: Leading at the Next Level
Establishing yourself as an influential leader, presentation skills, critical thinking, and project preparation.
Session IV: Celebrating Success
Team project presentations, leadership styles follow-up, reflections, and the graduation ceremony.
Leadership Effectiveness Inventory (LEI)
A 360-degree assessment completed by supervisors, peers, and direct reports. Results shape the participant's Leadership Development Plan.
A mentor, secured at the start
Participants retain a mentor for the length of the program.
Six-week developmental assignment
Exposure to different leadership and managerial settings, plus a three-day shadowing assignment with a manager or executive at the GS-13 to SES level.
Three executive interviews and two content reviews
Structured interviews with senior executives, plus reviews drawn from a curated leadership content list.
Eight hours of community service
A program requirement, to demonstrate a commitment to serve the public.
What your employee brings back
Graduates return with work product and relationships, not just a completion record.
A Leadership Development Plan grounded in 360-degree feedback
A completed six-week developmental assignment and a three-day executive shadow
A team project presented to the cohort
A verified digital certificate and 13.6 CEUs
A mentor relationship and a cross-agency network
What graduates say
Every quote below is verbatim from a Graduate School USA program page.
The ELP exceeded my expectations. Each session and deliverable provided me with critical lessons, and I now have a better sense of who I want to be as a leader.
This program helped bring out qualities that had gone dormant, which have now been reactivated so that I can be the absolute best person, best man, and best leader that I can be.
My agency benefits from this program by having an employee with sharpened leadership skills, honed by constructive feedback, motivated to give back, particularly to future generations.
ELP was one of the best training and development experiences I've had in my government career. My mentor told me to use it like a golden ticket and seek out experiences that I'm interested in. I interviewed high-level executives, shadowed interesting people, and went on an eight-week long developmental assignment to put my leadership skills to practice.
I have been with the Government for 3.5 years and graduated from ELP in June 2011. I recently interviewed and was promoted to a 14. The self-analysis of my strengths and weaknesses and the skill set I developed during ELP has been invaluable to me.
The developmental assignments and details were the most valuable of all program requirements, as was the shadowing assignment. Very practical learning experience and opportunities to learn new skills.
Through carefully curated competency-based activities that built upon each other, I was able to expand my knowledge, gain practical experience, develop a network of contemporaries, and learn to increase my impact as a mid-level leader.
It pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, think more strategically, and reflect on my leadership style in real-world situations. The program strengthened my confidence, communication skills, and commitment to continuous growth as a leader.
I no longer see leadership as a position to attain, but as a mindset to practice daily, a mindset rooted in accountability, empathy, and purposeful action.
I'm so glad that I joined the ELP. The course challenged me like I have never been challenged before. It made me a much better leader and I have learned so much that I can share with my agency and others.
The Executive Leadership Program has helped me to invest in myself and prioritize my professional development, so that I can continue to influence and mentor others around me.
The class presented surprising and unexpected challenges that led to rich takeaways. Well designed for working professionals.
Who should attend
GS 11 to GS 13 or equivalent. Applicants apply with supervisor and training coordinator approval.
Mid-level employees ready to move from doing the work to leading the people who do it
Supervisors who were promoted on technical strength and now need the people side
Staff building toward GS-14 and beyond who need a portfolio, not just a resume
Anyone who needs to build confidence and a deeper understanding of their role in the organization
Cohorts, tuition, and how to enroll
Tuition covers all materials and is due before the class starts. An installment plan is available. Agencies typically fund enrollment with an SF-182 or a government purchase card.
September 14, 2026
Delivered live online, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm Eastern. Contact CLM to confirm the current cohort calendar and remaining seats.
Ask about this cohort$5,975
Covers all materials. An installment plan is available, beginning with a 10 percent non-refundable deposit.
Ask about funding13.6 CEUs
A verified digital certificate of completion from Graduate School USA, an ACCET-accredited institution.
Ask about the credentialVetted procurement, right from the GSA Schedule
Graduate School USA is a GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract holder, allowing federal agencies and other qualifying organizations to confidently purchase our services.
- GSA MAS contract 47QRAA24D004K, SINs 611430 (professional training) and 541611 (management/administrative consulting)
- Held as American Public Training LLC d/b/a Graduate School USA; UEI LA83MCFN1ST3; CAGE 99AA0
- We work with your training office on the paperwork, whether a Schedule order, purchase order, or an SF-182.
A century of developing the federal workforce
Graduate School USA was established by the Secretary of Agriculture in 1921. In 1995 the Office of Personnel Management transferred eight of its training centers to the school, and the Center for Leadership and Management was created. CLM has trained more than 10,000 emerging federal leaders since.
- Founded 1921 as the USDA Graduate School; 500,000+ government employees trained across 125+ agencies
- ACCET-accredited (ACCET is a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor)
- Center for Leadership and Management runs ECQ-aligned executive development, including the Executive Potential Program since 1995
- 200+ federally experienced subject-matter experts across 400+ courses and certificates
- Available on an active GSA MAS Schedule (SINs 611430 and 541611)
Questions agencies ask
The answers training officers and program directors ask for most, in one place.
Does the participant keep working during the program?
Who secures the developmental assignment?
How do we pay for it?
Can you run a cohort just for our agency?
How does my agency buy training from Graduate School USA?
Can courses be tailored to our agency?
Can training be delivered virtually or in person?
Talk to the Center for Leadership and Management
Tell us the levels you need to develop, how many people, and your timeline. We will map them to the right program and cohort, and answer questions about funding and the SF-182.