Graduate Certificate in Government Contracting

Program Description

The graduate certificate in government contracting program is designed for contracting practitioners with several years of organizational experience working with the tools and knowledge in contracting and acquisitions management. The program emphasizes both theory and practice allowing students to learn the underlying principles and use of the current tools in the field.

The curriculum requires 18 credit hours of specialized courses in contracting, acquisitions management, pricing, negotiations, and procurement law. These government contracting certificate courses are equivalent to certain Defense Acquisition University (DAU) courses and can be used to meet the educational certification requirements of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). Specifically, the 18 credit hours required for the graduate certificate in government contracting must include the following courses:

Course Descriptions

PROC 5000 Procurement and Acquisitions Management (3)

This course is an overview of acquisitions and materials management. Students examine the functional roles of those individuals having responsibility in this area. The course includes discussion of acquisition law, operations management, pricing, negotiations, and logistics.

PROC 5830 Pricing (3)

The student reviews the competitive and financial environment related to price proposals utilizing the techniques of cost and price analysis, life-cycle costing, return on investment, and cost-benefit analysis.

PROC 5840 Negotiations (3)

The course involves scope, strategies, and objectives related to negotiated acquisitions. The preparation, conduct, and documentation of the negotiation process are included.

PROC 5860 Government Contracting (3)

Students will examine contracting, focusing on complex, non-commercial acquisitions. Through lecture, case study, exercises, and other action teaming activities, students will be challenged to accept their roles as business advisors and to apply ethical principles and sound judgments to resolve contracting issues. Prerequisite: PROC 5000 or an equivalent introductory course in procurement and acquisitions management.

PROC 5870 Pricing and Contract Integration (3)

This course reinforces pricing skills taught in the basic Pricing and Negotiation course and further develops skills in pricing, cost analysis, and managing contract issues. Integrated Program Teams (ITPs) are established to resolve simulated case studies. Each ITP is required to demonstrate its ability to recognize, resolve, and provide advice on pricing issues. Students will appropriately use price and cost analysis in developing pre-negotiation objectives so that a fair and reasonable cost or price position can be supported. Prerequisite: PROC 5830 or an equivalent basic pricing course, and a general understanding of the government acquisitions process.

PROC 5890 Government Procurement Law (3)

The law and legal processes associated with government procurement are explored. An overview of government procurement and acquisitions management is presented, with particular attention given to the legal framework in which these activities must take place.