New Leader Program
This is a six-month program designed to prepare employees at the GS-7 to GS-11 levels for management and leadership positions.
About the NLP
The New Leader Program is a six-month program designed to prepare employees at GS-7 - GS-11 for management and leadership positions. The 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.
Program Objectives
- Build the confidence to set and meet personal and professional goals
- Expand one's professional network
- Broaden experience through structured developmental work
- Practice leadership competencies through experiential learning activities
Who it is for
Employees at GS-7 - GS-11 or equivalent. The grade range is guidance, and readiness for the next level of responsibility matters more than the number. The program is for you if:
- You want the tools and knowledge to enhance your leadership capabilities
- You want to become more visible to the leadership in your organization
- You would benefit from building and enhancing a personal career network
- You want to connect with leaders who will share how they built their own competencies
Cohorts and dates
Six months, of which 2 weeks are in session.
- Week 1January 25 - 29, 2027
- Week 2April 12 - 16, 2027
- Week 3July 20 - 22, 2027
Runs May 10, 2027 to Nov 17, 2027. Ask us about the NLP.
Runs Aug 16, 2027 to Mar 1, 2028. Ask us about the NLP.
Ask us to confirm the next cohort, or ask about running the program as a private cohort for a single agency.
What participants do
These are the completion requirements.
Personal Development Action Plan
Built from the results of Graduate School USA’s Leadership Effectiveness Inventory, a 360 assessment. The plan outlines assignments and activities to address leadership competencies.
Developmental assignment
One four-week assignment giving exposure to different leadership and managerial experiences.
Shadowing assignment
Three days shadowing a federal manager or executive at least two grades above the participant.
Management interviews
Interviews with career federal employees at least two grades above the participant.
Leadership content reviews
Reading and reviewing leadership content aligned with the competencies being developed.
Team project
Teams deliver a final presentation to the cohort during graduation week.
Team leader report
Everyone serves as a team leader and writes a reflection on the experience.
Organization perspective overview
An analysis of the participant’s own agency: what it does, how it works, and how their role aligns to it.
Program impact paper
A reflection on the six months: achievements, lessons learned, benefit to the organization, and what comes next.
How the program is built
Assessments
The Leadership Effectiveness Inventory, a 360° instrument answered by supervisors, peers and direct reports. Results guide both the participant’s objectives and the course. Other assessments are used to form teams and build conflict strategies.
Experiential learning
Participants explore and implement team-building methods, apply conflict management strategies, and build external awareness through a team project.
Individual development
The Leadership Development Plan, the developmental assignment, the shadowing and the interviews: the two thirds of the program that happen outside a classroom.
What comes out of it
For the participant
- A personal development action plan grounded in a real 360° feedback report
- Cultivated skill in the key leadership competencies
- Greater exposure within the organization
- Perspective from seasoned managers and executives
- Communication and leadership skill built through team work
For the organization
- New leaders developed for management and leadership positions
- Exposure to new ideas brought back from other organizations
- A strong leadership bench
How to apply
Tuition is $4,175 and covers all materials. Most participants are funded by their agency on an SF-182.
Check the requirements
Read the program requirements above and confirm the grade range fits.
Get your agency’s approval
Your supervisor, and your training coordinator if you have one. Check whether your agency runs its own internal competitive process for these seats, because many do.
Register for the session
Choose the cohort you want and register.
Attach the funding document
A completed SF-182 or equivalent. If your agency is paying by government purchase card, give the name, email and phone number of the person responsible for payment instead. The application cannot be submitted without one or the other.
Confirmation
You will receive a confirmation on submission.
Enroll in the NLP at graduateschool.edu
Withdrawals and substitutions more than 14 days before the start are free, a cancellation inside 14 days carries a $1,000 processing fee, and once orientation begins the tuition is non-refundable. Full enrollment and refund policy.
Questions, call (202) 314-3580 or send us a note. Graduate School USA holds GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract 47QRAA24D004K, so a contracting office can order under FAR Subpart 8.4 without an open-market procurement.
Interested in the New Leader Program?
Tell us who you are putting forward and roughly when. We will come back with the next intake, what the application needs, and whether a private cohort makes more sense.