Skip Navigation

Contract Management

Overview

UCI Division of Continuing Education’s Contract Management Certificate Program focuses on core competencies recognized by the National Contract Management Association. Coursework addresses the most up-to-date information available in the procurement and contracting fields – whether commercial, government or international. Students will develop a solid understanding of the contracting process and key elements of procurement and acquisition, including contract formation, negotiation, financial analysis and risk management. Students will also explore new business areas such as global outsourcing, international contracting, doing business with the federal government and building strategic alliances.

“I enrolled in the Contract Management Program to gain a better understanding of the various contracts that come across my desk as an office administrator. I was most impressed with the open forum discussions in the online courses and the instructors making sure to keep everyone involved with the weekly questions. I appreciated the fact that the classes weren’t just about taking an exam and passing it, as the instructors expected a bit more through the on-line postings and papers, but did not overwhelm us with an unmanageable workload.” Karen Gamarra
Program Graduate

Who Should Enroll

  • Those working in large or small organizations, government and commercial entities, or as entrepreneurs
  • Contract administrators, subcontractors, procurement managers, project managers, quality assurance personnel, and others looking to advance their career
  • Engineering, law, business, paralegal professionals and others wishing to enter this field

Career Insight

Occupational summary for Managers in the U.S. Source: Lightcast™ 2022

561,182
Annual Job Openings
(2021)
8%
Projected Growth
(2021-2031)
$209k
Salary for Highly Experienced Professionals
(Median Salary $125k)

Program Benefits

  • Gain an understanding of the contract life cycle, subcontracting, outsourcing, developing strategic alliances, negotiation, financial analysis, and implementation
  • Explore the components and processes of commercial and government contracting
  • Expand your awareness of the legal, risk, and ethical issues related to contracting and procurement
  • Understand and explain the foundational competencies and subject matter competencies of the National Contract Management Association’s (NCMA) Contract Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK), 6th Edition
  • CMS-based instruction prepares students for the CPCM certification exam.
  • Courses may qualify for employer tuition reimbursement programs

Using the Contract Management Standard™ as a Foundation:
As part of our shared commitment to our student success as they enter the workforce the Contract Management Certificate Program considers and uses NCMA’s ANSI-Approved Contract Management Standard™ as the basis of its program and course curricula and is committed to driving student success through its instruction of the phases, domains, competencies and skills that are common across the contract management profession. Through its alignment with the CMS, the Contract Management Certificate Program prepares students for NCMA’s CPCM certification which demonstrates proficiency in the CMS and is a strong steppingstone into the contract management profession.

Jeannine Ford shares how this program helped her to refresh her skills to move forward in her career.

Course Schedule

Required Courses

TitleWinterSpringSummerFall
MGMT X407.1
Principles of Business Contracts (3.00 Units)
MGMT X407.1
  Online   to be scheduled
MGMT X407.2
Financial Aspects of Business Contracts (3.00 Units)
MGMT X407.2
to be scheduled   Online  
MGMT X407.3
Contract Formation (3.00 Units)
MGMT X407.3
  Online   to be scheduled
MGMT X407.4
Contract Performance (3.00 Units)
MGMT X407.4
to be scheduled   Online  
MGMT X407.5
Contract Negotiation (3.00 Units)
MGMT X407.5
  Online   to be scheduled
MGMT X407.10
Ethics in Contracting (1.00 Unit)
MGMT X407.10
to be scheduled   Online  

Course schedules are subject to change. Individual courses may be taken without enrolling in the full program.

Receive Customized Training for your Employees
×

Academic Calendar

Event Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023 Winter 2024
Registration Begins (after 2pm PT) Jan 19 Apr 20 Jul 13 Oct 19
Courses Begin* (week of) Mar 27 Jun 20 Sep 25 Jan 8
Courses End* (week of) Jun 5 Sep 5 Dec 11 Mar 18
Administrative Holidays Mar 31, May 29 Jun 19, Jul 4, Sep 4 Nov 10, Nov 23-24, Dec 25-26, Jan 1-2 Jan 15, Feb 19

*Actual dates may vary by program.

×

Earn an Alternative Digital Credential

Successful completion of a qualifying assignment within select Contract Management course(s) offers you the opportunity to earn an Alternative Digital Credential (ADC). Also referred to as a digital badge, an ADC is a virtual record of specific skills and competencies you have acquired and provides a verifiable way for you to share your educational achievements with employers, colleagues and others via social platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Explore the criteria necessary to earn an ADC in:

Learn more about Alternative Digital Credentials and how they can help you demonstrate your commitment to professional development and distinguish yourself in a competitive job market.

*Courses completed prior to indicated dates are not eligible for a badge.

Free Events

Contract Management Career & Program Information Session

Wednesday, June 21, 2023
11:00AM - 12:00PM
ucidce.zoom.us

RSVP
Learn How To Earn Your Certificate

Earn a Certificate

Apply to become a candidate for the program: A Declaration of Candidacy is required to establish candidacy in this program. Complete the application and pay the application and candidacy fee of $125 (non-refundable). Learn more about the benefits of becoming a candidate. Candidacy is not required to enroll into individual course in a program.

A candidate in the program is awarded a certificate upon the successful completion of six (6) required courses totaling 16 units, each with a letter grade of “C” or better. All requirements must be completed within five (5) years after the student enrolls in their first course. To receive the Certified Digital Certificate after the completing all the program requirements, students must submit the Request for Certificate to initiate the certificate audit process. Students not pursuing the certificate are welcome to take as many individual courses as they wish.

Continuing Education Credit

  • Earn 28 hours of continuing education (for each 3-unit course) that may be applied toward Institute for Supply Management (ISM) CPSM recertification, CPSD recertification, C.P.M. recertification, and/or A.P.P. reaccreditation program requirements. Note: ISM does not endorse, certify or sponsor this program or its content
  • Many of our other programs qualify as CPE credit. Please call (949) 824-4598.

Transfer Credit

Students who complete the Contract Management Certificate Program are eligible to transfer credits into a graduate degree from the universities listed below:

Career Advancement Network (CAN)

We are proud to provide our certificate students and alumni with newly enhanced career services that include one-on-one coaching, technology tools, webinars and workshops, networking events, mentorship/internship opportunities, and a rich collection of free online career resources. Learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does the program cost?
  • Courses can cost $792-$483 USD depending up on the course units. Course fees are due at the time of enrollment (pricing subject to change). There is also a one-time candidacy declaration fee of $125 USD, to be paid prior to your third class. The entire program costs $4,450 USD. Please keep in mind that this cost does not include textbooks, which some of our instructors do require. Textbook information for specific courses can be found on our website on the enrollment page. You may order books from a third party vendor such as Amazon.com. If you are an international student, be sure to order your textbooks well in advance of the start date of your online course to allow time for international shipping. Prices are subject to change without notice.
  • How long will it take me to complete the entire program?
  • Most students complete two courses per quarter and are finished in one year. You can take as many simultaneous courses as you wish, but we strongly recommend starting with one or two to ensure you have the necessary time to devote to the course(s). The quarterly start and end dates are available on the Academic Calendar.
  • Do I have to apply and be accepted before I start?
  • No. Since UCI Division of Continuing Education (DCE) is the continuing education unit of the university, there are no academic requirements needed to apply for the certificate program, however, the coursework is at a post-baccalaureate level.
  • What is the “declaration of candidacy”? When do I have to complete it?
  • The declaration of candidacy can be thought of as declaring your major for the certificate program. This lets our student services know that you intend to complete the entire program, and puts you on track for the certificate when you have completed all requirements. We strongly recommend that you complete the declaration of candidacy and pay the applicable fee prior to enrolling into your third class.
  • Where can I find the course schedule? Do I have to take the classes in order?
  • The course schedule can be found above. The listed sequence of courses you will find on our website acts more as a recommendation for students with no experience in contract management. We recommend that individuals start with MGMT X407.1 Principles of Business Contracts. Also students should complete MGMT X407.3 Contract Formation before MGMT X407.4 Contract Performance.
  • Can I complete the entire program online?
  • Yes, this is a fully online program.
  • I’ve never taken an online class. How does it work?
  • All of our classes run asynchronously, meaning classes are not in “real time” and you can access the content 24 hours a day. Still, each course has a specific start and end date and students must complete assignments by the deadlines listed in the course syllabus in order to earn credit. The courses are structured week-to-week, from Monday to Sunday, and you are expected to log in multiple times during the week to keep up with class discussions and assignments.
  • I am an international student / I am located overseas – am I able to enroll?
  • Yes. As an open-enrollment program, international students are welcome in the program. As listed on our website, all certificate programs at UCI DCE (classroom and online formats) require professional-level English language proficiency in listening and note-taking, reading comprehension and vocabulary, written expression, and oral presentation. We find that students cannot truly benefit from the online program without a strong command of verbal and written English skills. More specifically, non-native English speakers interested in our certificate program should score a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (100 for the Internet-based test). You are not required to have a student visa while taking online courses from your home county.
  • Do these courses provide NCMA CPE credit?
  • Yes. The courses in this program provide continuing education units required to sit for National Contract Management Association (NCMA) exams. A 3-unit course in the UCI Contract Management program will provide 30 hours of CPE credit. For more information regarding the NCMA certification examinations, please visit the National Contract Management Association.
  • Do you offer job placement at the end of the program?
  • No. While UCI DCE does not offer placement services, our certificate certainly puts you in a good position to find employment. Additionally, the networking to be done in the class can also be invaluable. Our advisors, instructors, and a good number of our students, are current professionals in the educational consulting field, and are an excellent resource for hiring trends and opportunities.
  • Is UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education an accredited institution?
  • Yes. We are affiliated with the University of California system of schools, and are accredited through WASC. DCE programs are all approved by the respective school within UCI. For more information, please see UCI Accreditation.
  • I can’t find the answer to my question.
  • If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Legal Programs at LegalPrograms@ce.uci.edu or (949) 824-4598.

Contract Management Career and Program Information Session
Recorded 3/22/23
View Webinar

Cybersecurity, The CMMC and Contract Management: What You Need to Know
Recorded 6/7/21
View Webinar

Resources

On-site Training Available

Our Corporate Training specialists can deliver this program or customize one that fits your organization’s specific needs. Visit Corporate Training or call (949) 824-1847 for information.

English Proficiency Requirement
All certificate programs at UCI Division of Continuing Education (classroom and online formats) require professional-level English language proficiency in listening and note-taking, reading comprehension and vocabulary, written expression, and oral presentation.