'graduate-oriented' originates from modern English as a compound of 'graduate' and 'orient(ed)'. 'Graduate' ultimately originates from Latin, specifically the word 'graduatus' (from 'gradus'), where 'gradus' meant 'step' or 'degree'. 'Orient' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'oriens' (from 'oriri'), where 'ori-' meant 'rising' (and by extension 'east').

'Graduate' entered English via Medieval Latin/Old French forms (from Latin 'graduatus'/'gradus') and came to mean a person who has received a degree or relating to degrees; 'orient' passed from Latin 'oriens' through Old French 'orienter' into English as 'orient' meaning 'to face or direct'. The compound 'graduate-oriented' is a modern English descriptive formation combining the two elements to mean 'directed toward graduates'.

Initially 'graduate' was related to 'step' or 'degree' and 'orient' meant 'to face east' or 'to direct'; over time their combination in English came to mean 'aimed at or designed for those with a graduate degree' (i.e., graduate-level audiences or programs).