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.
Fall Courses Now Available
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.
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.
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
Bryan Felber
Aerospace & Defense
Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) and Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)
Claudia Marquez Puebla
Deputy Division Chief at the United States Property & Fiscal Office of CA
Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)
Daniel A. Chalfant
President and founder of Alexander Associates LLC
Inventor of the Labor Rate Load Factors, and Census Rate Tool
Jim Loiselle
Senior Vice President of Administration of Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc.
Uses a "Servant Leadership" philosophy and "Learning by Doing" approach
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
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
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
CPIM, CPM, Sourcing Specialist at Solar Turbines
Over 25 years handling complex contracts in the commercial and defense industries
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 project 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.
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.