Acquisition and Contract Administration Online Certificate
Investigate public sector procurement in both theory and practice.
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Request InfoAcquisition and Contract Administration Certificate Overview
The University of West Florida’s Acquisition and Contract Administration Certificate prepares you to enter positions in public acquisition management, with coursework that can create additional opportunities for career professionals. The curriculum acquaints you with contracting from pre-award to contract close-out, providing both practical and theoretical knowledge to create a solid foundation for a rewarding career in government contracting, nonprofits or with civilian contractors who engage in public sector contracts.
In your coursework, you will study the entire public contracting life cycle, including planning, solicitation, selection, negotiation, award, post-award administration and close-out. Your classes will also examine the underlying legal and theoretical basis of public purchasing, considering the place and importance of acquisitions within the larger government structure. Through individual work products and team-based interactions, you and your classmates will apply your knowledge to real-world circumstances. Ultimately, your ability to see a contracting situation from various perspectives will be invaluable, because you will achieve outcomes that are fair to all parties with the best value for your client.
The Acquisition and Contract Administration Certificate is one of two certificate options included in the MSA in Public Administration program. Graduate non-degree seeking students may also opt to complete the certificate independently. Students selecting this path who later enroll in the degree program may be able to apply the credits to the degree.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Graduate Non-degree seeking students
- Students new to procurement and contracting
- Those already working in acquisition and contract administration who seek career advancement
You Will Be Able To:
- Work with expert faculty to choose topics of interest for class assignments
- Apply classroom material in real-life scenarios
- Generate a more thoughtful, considered approach to contracting and procurement decisions
Program Resources
- Download the Acquisition and Contract Administration Academic Learning Plan: MSA-Acquisition-Contract-Administration-ALP (PDF)
- View the Acquisition and Contract Administration Curriculum Map: MSA-Acquisitions-and-Contract-Administration-CMGR (PDF)
Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.
Courses and Requirements
- PAD 5635 - Government Contract Law
3.0 Credit Hours
Government Contract Law
Examination of government contract law and ethics including major provisions of the federal Procurement Integrity Act and general federal acquisition contract principles. Authority of contracting officers, delegation of contracting officer authority, and impact of delegation. Procedures for formation of government contracts and contract protest, government property fundamentals, government contract funding and fiscal matters, labor, social, economic, environmental concerns and fraud are explored. Legal aspects of inspection, acceptance, delivery, warranties, changes, terminations and contract disputes are also examined.
- PAD 5855 - Contract Planning and Formulation
3.0 Credit Hours
Contract Planning and Formulation
Provides an overview of the role of acquisitions/procurement in government and the nonprofit sector, highlighting foundational concepts of Federal procurement as outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and other sources, and purchasing systems at other levels of government. A survey of government contracting policies and procedures from acquisition planning through solicitation of government contracts; emphasizes the importance of the statement of work and development of the solicitation.
- PAD 5862 - Contract Award and Administration
3.0 Credit Hours
Contract Award and Administration
Examines government contracting policies and procedures from pre-award evaluation and negotiation to post-award contract administration activities and contract close-out. Includes cost-price analysis needed to prepare or evaluate and analyze cost proposals and costs incurred in federal government contracts, and methods utilized by the federal government to establish estimates of fair and competitive prices for goods and services.
- PAD 5635 - Government Contract Law
Courses are offered in the Summer and Fall semesters. There are no certificate courses offered in the Spring semester.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into the University of West Florida’s online Acquisition and Contract Administration Certificate program, you must be admitted into the University as a graduate non-degree seeking student.
How to Apply
To begin a certificate program, interested students need to fill out a Graduate Non-degree Seeking Application. Once accepted as a graduate non-degree seeking student, students should contact the CEPS Advising Center and speak to an advisor about course availability and scheduling. Then, complete the online Graduate Certificate Declaration Form on MyUWF.
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our graduate admissions team at gradadmissions@uwf.edu. If you are a current UWF student, please reach out to the department academic advisor.
Costs & Financial Aid
Component | Cost | Total* |
---|---|---|
In-state Tuition | $384.60 per credit hour | $3,461.40 |
Out-of-State Tuition | $1,044.24 per credit hour | $9,398.16 |
90% Out-of-State Tuition Waiver | $478.83 per credit hour | $4,309.47 |
Tuition waivers cover up to 90 percent of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees.
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes up to two semesters to complete, depending on course availability.
Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
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Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition
Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. For more information and to verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar.
Military Students
UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
With an Acquisition and Contract Administration Certificate, you can work in an acquisition position or pursue career advancement.
* Salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale.
Contract Specialists
Contract specialists negotiate between employers and clients to secure the best deal for both parties. They must know which legislative and regulatory issues impact each contract, and be prepared to adjust contracts as necessary. These employees make an average yearly salary of $60,767. Job outlook is expected to decrease 6 percent through 2028, because most reporting contract specialists are at the mid-career level.
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
Purchasing agents, or procurement agents, make purchases for their clients. They must shop around for the best prices, solicit proposals from vendors, compare and contrast options and maintain records of all transactions. Procurement-focused employees make a median annual salary of $67,600 in 2018, and job outlook is expected to decline 6 percent through 2028.
Contract Negotiators
Contract negotiators are employed by many companies and organizations in order to communicate with stakeholders and determine the terms of contracts for various purposes including sales, distribution and employment. These employees need outstanding communication skills. They make an average annual salary of $70,491.
Purchasing Managers
Purchasing Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. In 2020, these employees made a median annual salary of $72,270.