The Professional Certificates in Contract Management are designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the key concepts associated with the pursuit and management of contracts. Several elective courses offered through the certificate program enables students to explore a number of these key contract management concepts at a deeper level.

Spring & Summer Courses Now Available

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Contracts are the vehicles through which all essential work is performed. Learn how to manage contracts in nearly any industry by earning your Professional Certificate in Contract Management from SDSU Global Campus.

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About the Program

San Diego has long enjoyed a strong presence of large federal contractors, including the defense industry. Our region has also experienced a rapid growth of telecommunication and biotech firms serving a wide array of commercial markets. The work brought to the area has created abundant opportunities for smaller subcontractors as well. Regardless of the specific industries that these companies serve, they all generate revenue through contracts awarded by their clients. Contracts are the vehicles through which all essential work is performed. A keen understanding of the contracting process and the ability to effectively work within it is paramount to the success of every organization.

$4,590 (Standard)
$6,386 (Advanced)

Estimated Cost

12 months (Standard)
18 months (Advanced)

Min. Completion Time

Online

Course Format

If you’re interested in working with contracts, SDSU’s Professional Certificate in Contract Management program will help you acquire the in-demand skills you need to thrive in San Diego’s robust contracting environment. The program is taught by experienced professionals who pair instruction with case studies and hands-on exercises. You’ll learn from a curriculum that’s been continuously updated with topics of interest to both federal and commercial practitioners.

The Professional Certificate in Contract Management is offered in cooperation with the San Diego Chapter of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and will help you earn the program hours you need to prepare for your CCMA, CFCM, CCCM, and CPCM Certification exams.

National Contract Management Association Logo

With about 20,000 members, the NCMA is the world’s leading resource for contract management professionals. No matter what industry you are focused on, the stage of your career, or your location, there’s an NCMA community for you to join. NCMA connects contract management professionals to help deliver valuable career tools and resources.

Meet Your Instructors

Click to view Instructors

Bryan Felber
Bryan Felber
Aerospace & Defense
Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) and Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)

Claudia Marquez Puebla
Claudia Marquez Puebla
Deputy Division Chief at the United States Property & Fiscal Office of CA
Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)

Daniel A. Chalfant
Daniel A. Chalfant
President and founder of Alexander Associates LLC
Inventor of the Labor Rate Load Factors, and Census Rate Tool

Jim Loiselle
Jim Loiselle
Senior Vice President of Administration of Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc.
Uses a "Servant Leadership" philosophy and "Learning by Doing" approach

 

Richard McCarvell
Richard McCarvell
Chief of Procurement Services at the County of San Diego
Expertise in advanced planning, strategic sourcing, and contract management best practices

Rochelle Lowe
Rochelle Lowe
Senior Manager and Small Business Liaison Officer (SBLO)
Holds an MBA and BA in Public Administration as well as a degree and certificate in Purchasing and Materials Management

Sean Behan
Sean Behan
Chief of Procurement Services
County of San Diego, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, over $2.1 Billion of public spend on goods and services each year

Stephen Hill
Stephen Hill
CPIM, CPM, Sourcing Specialist at Solar Turbines
Over 25 years handling complex contracts in the commercial and defense industries

 

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What Our Students Say

Each instructor was very seasoned in the contracts world, offering structured lessons as well as applying real-world scenarios relatable to the content being presented. The experience the instructors brought to the classroom allowed for excellent discussions in addressing potential solutions that can be applied in the real world. I’m very appreciative for these discussions and excellent presentation of valuable contract management lessons, tools, and skills.

- Heather Jaehn, Supervisor, Contracts Administration, Cobham Microelectronic Solutions

Is This Program Right for Me?

SDSU’s Professional Certificate in Contract Management program is designed for professionals currently working with contracts who want to enhance their résumé, prepare for industry exams, and take on leadership roles in the workplace. It’s also ideal for people who are working with contracts for the first time and need guidance on proper procedures and best practices.

Your classmates hold a variety of positions in all types of industries, including:

  • Contract administrators
  • Subcontractors
  • Procurement managers
  • Project managers
  • Quality assurance personnel

This program can also help you learn more about the contract management process in engineering, law, business, and other commercial enterprises.

All contract management courses are 100% online and accessible from anywhere in the world. Instructors hold classes one night a week starting at 6:00 pm Pacific Time, which makes it easier to fit the program into your busy schedule. You’ll be able to earn your Contract Management Certificate in as few as twelve months, or take up to five years to complete the program.

 

I started the SDSU Contract Management program when I worked in the nonprofit sector and wanted to grow my career. As soon as I finished (in a little over a year), I started applying for entry-level defense contractor positions and started receiving replies very quickly. I knew it was mostly due to the professional certificate I was able to highlight as a valuable resource in my resume and cover letter. Having this certificate really opened doors for me to advance my career.

- Lorisa Camaclang, Contracts Administrator, BAE Systems Inc. San Diego Ship Repair

 

Are you an SDSU Alumni Lifetime Member? If so, click here to learn more about how you can receive 20% off registration for this program.

What Can I Learn?

From procurement to proper management, our expert instructors will help you take your career in contract management to new heights. Through a series of intensive online courses, you’ll be able to earn the formal credit hours you need to prepare for your CCMA, CFCM, CCCM and CPCM Certification exams.

You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the seven core competencies recognized by the National Contract Management Association’s CMBOK, which are:

Leadership

Find out why adept leadership skills are necessary for Contract Management professionals at all levels.

Management

Discover how management competency involves setting goals to enhance both individual proficiency and organizational capability.

Guiding Principles

Learn how to look for defining principles through all phases of the contract life cycle, no matter what each unique situation throws your way.

Pre-Award

Familiarize yourself with the first phase of the contract life cycle, when buyers produce solicitations and sellers prepare offers.

Award

Let us walk you through this often-complicated phase in which the buyer and seller work together to produce a contract.

Post-Award

Dig into contract execution and completion — the contract administration process.

Learn

Continuing education ensures Contract Managers' commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.

You’ll learn more about contract management through a series of core courses that will help you:

  • Develop an understanding of contract types, effective contracting methodologies, and contract law.
  • Gain knowledge related to ethical and regulatory aspects of contracting, intellectual property, teaming, and international contracting considerations.
  • Learn how to develop proposals that will be responsive to your customer’s requirements, negotiate contracts that will contribute to your company;s success, and effectively manage contracts through completion.
  • Increase understanding related to subcontracting such as acquisition planning, solicitation development, sourcing, and cost/price analysis.

In addition to the core courses, you’ll also get the opportunity to customize your curriculum by choosing from several unique elective courses, based on your individual professional needs. Elective topics include advanced negotiation skills, financial management, cost/price analysis, ethics, FAR fundamentals, and more.

I enrolled in the Contract Management program to obtain continuing education units for my existing certifications. I’m extremely satisfied with the program – the courses are led by expert instructors who present interesting and useful information during each session. I regularly used what I learned in each class on the job soon after.

- Steve Wood, Estimator/Project Manager, A.M. Ortega Construction

Why Should You Choose Us?

Versatility

Our contract management certificate program is not just for professionals already established in the industry. Whether you’re preparing for an industry exam or you’re just beginning your journey in contract management, our program will help you prepare to work with contracts in nearly any industry.

Local Connections

San Diego is an emerging hub for contract management professionals. You learn directly from some of San Diego’s leading professionals in the federal and commercial fields. Our program gives you the opportunity to form meaningful connections with industry professionals and your fellow classmates.

Accessibility

All courses are 100% online and hold sessions one evening per week, which makes our program more accessible for today’s busy students and working professionals.

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Summer Registration Opens February 13

To earn the Professional Certificate in Contract Management, you’ll need to successfully complete six (6) core courses and four (4) elective courses. To earn the affiliated Advanced Certificate, you’ll need to take four (4) additional electives for a total of eight (8) electives.

  • You may take as many individual courses as you wish, but all requirements must be completed within five (5) years to earn the Professional Certificate.

Core Courses

Click the course names below to read the course description.

Core Courses (complete all 6) Cost Spring 24' Summer 24' Fall 24'
CM 0001 Introduction to Contract Management: Principles of the Acquisition Process
Recommended first course
$449   7/2-8/6 8/13-9/17
CM 0002 Contract Types and Effective Contracting Methodologies $449     8/22-9/26
CM 0003 Effective Negotiation Skills and Techniques $449   6/3-7/8  
CM 0004 Essential Contract Management Techniques $449 4/2-5/7 5/21-6/25  
CM 0005 Effective Proposal Writing and Communication $449     10/1-11/5
CM 0006 Legal Aspects of Contracts $449 2/20-3/26    

Dates and fees subject to change. This schedule is tentative and dates subject to change. Courses meet one night a week, 6-9pm.

Elective Courses

Elective Courses (choose 4 for basic & 8 for advanced) Cost Spring 24' Summer 24' Fall 24'
CM 0010 Teaming, Partnering and Subcontracting $449      
CM 0012 Sourcing and Cost/Price Analysis $449     9/25-10/30
CM 0013 Intellectual Property and Licensing $449   6/26-7/31 10/10-11/14
CM 0014 Ethics and Compliance $449 2/28-4/3    
CM 0016 Financial Management of Government Contracts $449 4/4-5/9    
CM 0019 Fundamentals of the FAR $449     11/12-12/17
PM 0005 Procurement $549   6/17-7/22  
PM 0015 Earned Value Management
(Asynchronous)
$449      

Dates and fees subject to change. This schedule is tentative and dates subject to change. Courses meet one night a week, 6-9pm.

Finished all the required courses?
Click the button below to receive your certificate.

Request Your Certificate

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Enroll in the program at any time, even before registering for a course. It’s free, and offers many benefits:

  • Secure your curriculum (should the requirements change in the future).
  • See upcoming courses when you log into your student account.
  • Track your progress.

Enrolling in a program doesn’t mean you’re registered for courses. You’ll still need to register and pay for each course you wish to take.

Registration Instructions

To register for courses in the Project Management program, please complete the following steps:

  1. Choose your courses in the "Courses" tab.
  2. Click on the red course links to register.
  3. Check the dates and times to ensure that you can attend all sessions of the course.
  4. Click "Add to Cart."
  5. Add more courses to your cart or click "Checkout."
  6. Log into your SDSU Global Campus Account, if you haven’t already done so.
  7. Pay for your course(s).
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Frequently Asked Questions

Does this certificate program help me prepare for NCMA exams?

Yes. This certificate program aligns to NCMA standards and provides students with the competencies and skills to be successful on any of the four NCMA Exams (CCMA, CFCM, CCCM and CPCM). Each class counts as 18 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.

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Can this certificate help me advance in my career?

Yes! Our students have found that the skills they learn in the contract management certificate program have helped them move up in their careers, either into a contract management role or another position that requires some contract management knowledge.

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How can I check my progress in the program?

You can check your progress by logging into your SDSU Global Campus student account. If you need assistance with your account, contact our Registration staff at 619-594-5152 or enrollment.global@sdsu.edu

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How is the program structured?

Our courses are fully-online and accessible from anywhere in the world, unless otherwise noted. Instructors hold classes one night per week, which makes it easier to fit the program into your busy schedule.

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What is the program format?

Classes in the Project Management Certificate program are held via live (synchronous) Zoom sessions, usually held in the evenings for students who may work or have family commitments during the day. Please click on the course descriptions for specific dates and times.

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Are textbooks required?

No textbooks are required. All materials will be provided through the program.

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How do I receive my professional certificate once I’ve finished the program?

Once you’ve completed all the program requirements, fill out and submit a certificate request form. SDSU Global Campus will verify that you’ve completed all the required courses and assignments. Once you’ve been verified, you’ll receive a digital copy of your certificate.

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I’m interested. How do I get started?

Ready to take the next step? First, enroll in the program. Then click on the Courses tab to browse our courses and register. If you have any questions about the program, our Welcome Center can help! Fill out the form at the bottom of this page to get in touch.

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Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all in-person components of this program have either been paused, rescheduled, or moved into a virtual format until further notice.

Please email recruiter.global@sdsu.edu or call (619) 594-7700 to learn how these changes affect your program. SDSU will continue to monitor the situation and follow the guidance of our local and federal health agencies.

Related Links

Request Your Certificate
Certificate Programs

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Want to Learn More?

Submit this web form and we’ll be in touch to answer all your questions and explain the next steps in the process. Or, you can reach a program recruiter by emailing recruiter.global@sdsu.edu or by calling (619) 594-7700.

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Core Courses

2023 Fall2024 Winter2024 Spring2024 Summer2024 Fall
2024 Summer
CM 0001 Introduction to Contract Management: Principles of the Acquisition Process
The entire spectrum of the contracting process (market research to contract closeout) at federal, state, commercial, and international levels will be covered. Topics include: past performance, socioeconomic programs, oral proposals, the political process, plus emerging topics. The student will learn the concepts, terminology, and essential rules of contract management. The course will furnish the student with a solid foundation for more advanced studies in contracting.
Course Date(s)
July 2 - August 6
2023 Fall
CM 0005 Effective Proposal Writing and Communication
This course will focus on writing effective proposals (cost and business volumes) and other communication topics encountered in the contracting environment. Topics will include effective solicitation review, proposal writing strategies and techniques, proposal review scenarios, and appropriate communication methods for various proposal and contractual situations. A number of case studies and hands-on exercises involving verbal and written communication scenarios will be utilized to emphasize key concepts.
Course Date(s)
September 19 - October 24
Register
Instructors
James Loiselle
2023 Fall
CM 0002 Contract Types and Effective Contracting Methodologies
Designed to provide a working knowledge of contract types, grants, and effective contracting methodologies. Students will receive an overview of the contract types most frequently used in federal contracting, including factors in the selection of contract types, applicable contract clauses, as well as the basic principles and limitations governing their use. Course topic will also cover how contracts differ from grants.
Course Date(s)
October 18 - November 29
Register
Instructors
Rochelle Lowe
2024 Spring
CM 0006 Legal Aspects of Contracts
This course focuses on those legal and regulatory aspects of the government acquisition process important to the creation and administration of contract formation, interpretation, and performance.
Course Date(s)
February 20 - March 26
Register
2024 Spring
CM 0004 Essential Contract Management Techniques
Students will follow the day-to-day management of government and commercial contracts in this course. This will include the review and execution of new contractual authorizations; coping with daily administration matters; obtaining timely and full payments; dealing with contract changes, modifications and terminations; and issuance of subcontracts.
Course Date(s)
April 2 - May 7
May 21 - June 25

Elective Courses

2023 Fall2024 Winter2024 Spring2024 Summer2024 Fall
2023 Fall
PM 0015 Earned Value Management
Learn the best-known technique for monitoring overall project performance against cost and schedule expectations. Gain a "big-picture" view of how your project is progressing and then drill down to specific problem areas.
Course Date(s)
October 17 - November 14
Register
2024 Spring
CM 0014 Ethics and Compliance
This course will discuss the practical aspects and critical requirements of compliance and ethics within any organization. Emphasis will be on compliance and ethical issues relating to contracting, project management, and the statutory and other regulatory requirements of these activities. The course will cover topics such as: creating and maintaining an ethical workplace; how to ensure compliance with laws, rules and regulations; what can go wrong, and the business implications if it does.
Course Date(s)
February 28 - April 3
Register
Instructors
Rochelle Lowe
2023 Fall
CM 0012 Sourcing and Cost/Price Analysis
The emphasis of this course is on how to maximize the use of adequate price competition in the source selection process. It includes how to remove barriers to competition and find qualified, responsible sources, at a fair and reasonable price. In the absence of competition, other price analysis methods and techniques are used to develop contract price objectives and provide a basis for negotiation. Instruction covers the application of cost analysis techniques, when it is performed, and how to analyze specific elements of a suppliers cost. Cost elements include direct material, direct labor, other direct costs, indirect costs, and profit or fee. Using case studies, students will learn about the tools and techniques involved in cost/price analysis.
Course Date(s)
August 17 - September 21
Register
2024 Spring
CM 0016 Financial Management of Government Contracts
What you need to know to establish an accounting system that can be audited for a government contract and financially manage the contract once it is awarded. This course presents an overview of government cost accounting practices, concepts and controls; government audit and contractor interface relationships, FAR cost principles, TINA, role of DCAA/DCMA, and emerging patterns of government financial policy. The course examines financial and administrative issues related to management of government contracts and funding government contracts including various types of direct and indirect costs for different forms of organizations and operations; elements of indirect rates, billing, fee recovery and final settlement; contract cost principles of allowability, advanced agreements, and disallowance of costs; cost accounting standards, rules, regulations, and contract provisions, including administration of accounting changes and noncompliance actions.
Course Date(s)
April 4 - May 9
2023 Fall
CM 0019 Fundamentals of the FAR
The objective of this course is to prepare the student to use the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to solve Federal contract management issues. The course will cover the origin of the FAR System, the organization and arrangement of the FAR, agency implementation and supplementation of the FAR, deviations from the FAR, and the incorporation of clauses and provisions. Students will learn techniques for researching, interpreting, and applying the FAR to real-world contracting scenarios. The emphasis of the course will be on the development of practical skills.
Course Date(s)
November 13 - December 18
Register
2024 Summer
CM 0013 Intellectual Property and Licensing

San Diego is a "hotbed" of high technology with heavy concentrations of biotech, telecommunication, and defense firms. Many contract managers and procurement professionals encounter intellectual property issues on a daily basis. This course will introduce students to the four areas of intellectual property; patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and how they interact with the contracting/procurement profession. One class session will specifically address the licensing of intellectual property and technology. Students in this course will be able to directly apply course information to their job or business.

Course Date(s)
June 26 - July 31
$449
Instructors
Stephen Hill
2024 Spring
CM 0010 Teaming, Partnering and Subcontracting
This course will discuss the strategic and practical aspects of partnering with other companies including the use of a variety of contractual documents to implement these relationships such as teaming agreements, joint ventures, reseller agreements and subcontracts. The applicability of each potential relationship will be addressed along with implementation practices and risks associated in both the government and commercial business sectors. Emphasis will be on strategy and planning necessary for the successful use of each technique, typical negotiation issues and approaches, and keys to successful management of such agreements once established.
Course Date(s)
January 22 - February 26
Register

Courses

2023 Fall2024 Winter2024 Spring2024 Summer2024 Fall
2024 Summer
CM 0003 Effective Negotiation Skills and Techniques
Designed to enhance knowledge of negotiations and provide negotiating experience to individuals involved in contract administration, pricing, purchasing, project management, marketing, and engineering. Classes will include a combination of lectures (covering buyer, seller, government, and commercial perspectives) and mock negotiations, seeking to reach agreement on a variety of issues.
Course Date(s)
June 3 - July 8