The U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) mission is to recruit, retain and honor a world-class workforce to serve the American people. OPM has entered into four academic agreements as part of its continued effort to close skills gaps, increase federal employees’ access to high-quality, affordable educational resources, and further develop and sustain the federal workforce. 

The agreements provide reduced tuition rates and/or scholarships to federal employees; some of the agreements extend the benefits to spouses and legal dependents.  The portfolio of these institutions include programs that address some of the federal Government’s mission-critical occupation skills in the areas of acquisition, human resources, financial auditing, economics, information technology with an emphasis on cybersecurity, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). These agreements take effect immediately.  

Let’s take a look:

College for America at Southern New Hampshire University

College for America is a nonprofit, workplace applicable, competency-based degree program, designed to accommodate the busy lives of working adults. College for America students can earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, online and at their own pace, from Southern New Hampshire University, a fully accredited university based in New Hampshire. Federal government employees and their family members are eligible for the program. Learn more.

Drexel University Online

Drexel University, a top-ranked, urban research university, is a pioneer in technology-enhanced education for working adults. Today, after launching its first online degree program in 1996, this transformative university offers more than 140 fully online degree and certificate programs, using the same accredited curriculum and distinguished faculty as it does on campus. Federal government employees and their immediate family members are eligible for the program. Learn more.

Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies

Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies fulfills the university’s educational mission by offering a wide range of degree programs and applied learning experiences to a broad and inclusive community of students and professionals. The educational programs found within Georgetown SCS combine theory with practice through rigorous curricula led by experts in their fields, providing opportunities for students to excel academically and professionally. Federal government employees are eligible for the program. Learn more.

University of Maryland (UMD), Robert H. Smith School of Business (Smith)

One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland in College Park, the Smith School is plugged into the business, government, nonprofit and professional networks of the Washington, D.C., area. Smith’s community of scholars and practitioners is deeply supportive of learning, equipping students with the analytical and leadership skills needed to succeed from campuses in Washington, D.C., and College Park, Rockville, and Baltimore, Maryland. Federal employees can deepen their subject matter skills with one of eight rigorous specialty master’s programs, or broaden their leadership skills with a top-ranked online, part-time, or executive MBA program. Federal Government employees and/or their spouses are eligible for the program. Learn more.