Contract Specialist Courses and Training: Online Programs
Get info about online certificate and degree programs related to contracts, including contract management programs. Discover some of the course topics you'd study in these programs. Find out how to tailor your training to prepare you for a contract specialist position.
What You Need to Know
Most contract specialists hold at least a bachelor's degree. No specific degree is required, but it is recommended that students focus on business courses, including law, finance, contracts, marketing, purchasing and economics. A few schools offer graduate programs in contract management or administration.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Classes</b></td><td> Supplier relations, cost and price analysis, government contract law, contract performance and formation</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online</b></td><td> Master of Science in Contract Management or Government Contracts; undergraduate and graduate certificates in contract management</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification</b></td><td> NCMA issues national certification for Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM), Certified Commercial Contract Manager (CCCM) and Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM)</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhatOnlineProgramsAreOffered">What Online Programs Are Offered?</h3><p>Although online options specifically for contract specialists are limited, you can find a Master of Science in Contract Management or Government Contracts, as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates in contract management. Master's degree programs prepare you for employment in leadership roles within public, private and military divisions. You also learn about constitutional and regulatory conditions and how to apply them to the job.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreCertificateProgramsLike">What Are Certificate Programs Like?</h3><p>In addition to gaining continuing education credit, certificate programs prepare you to negotiate contracts through real-life examples. You'll examine how to deal with problems you may encounter in the field, as well as the different types of legal contracts and procurements. Undergraduate certificate programs are ideal for entry-level workers while graduate certificate programs are more suitable for professionals who already have a significant amount of experience in contract management.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTopicsWillIStudy">What Topics Will I Study?</h3><p>In online contract specialist classes, you may study the legal ramifications of government contracts. You may also learn how the government may be responsible for unauthorized acts made by those it employs and how that affects purchase contracts. A majority of your courses will focus on business topics, including these areas of interest:
</p><ul><li>Financial reporting
</li><li>Accounting
</li><li>Finance
</li><li>Project management
</li><li>Business ethics
</li><li>Federal procurement
</li><li>Logistics
</li><li>Contract administration
</li><li>Negotiating of contracts
</li><li>Cost analysis
</li><li>Contract law
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatSchoolsOfferContractSpecialistProgramsOnline">What Schools Offer Contract Specialist Programs Online?</h3><p>Contract specialist programs are available at 4-year universities. Some of your school options include the following:
</p><ul><li>The George Washington University
</li><li>University of Virginia
</li><li>Saint Louis University
</li><li>The University of California, Irvine
</li><li>Florida Institute of Technology
</li><li>Bellevue University</li></ul>