Master of Science in Contract Management - Curriculum 835 (DL)
Program Officer
Madeleine Fuentes, LCDR, USN
Code GB, Ingersoll Hall, Room 220
(831) 656-7793, DSN 756-7793
madeleine.fuentes1@nps.edu
Academic Associate
CDR Michael Schilling, Military Lecturer
Code GB, Ingersoll Hall, Room 332
(831) 656-6300, DSN 756-6300
michael.schilling@nps.edu
Program Director
Christina Hart, Ph.D.
Code GB, Ingersoll Hall, Room 334
(831) 656-6269 DSN 756-6269
cchart@nps.edu
Brief Overview
The Master of Science in Contract Management (MSCM) degree provides an advanced education in the concepts, methodologies and analytical techniques necessary for successful management of acquisition and contracting within complex organizations. The MSCM degree is a 24-month, part-time distance learning program open to active duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel, active duty military personnel from other Services, federal employees, international students and defense contractor personnel. The program contributes to Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification in the Contract Management career field. Additionally, the curriculum is aligned with the competencies established in the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Contract Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK) and the Contract Management Standard (CMS). The curriculum supports preparation for the NCMA professional certification examinations including the Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM) and the Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM).
Competencies: Our graduates will be effective contract managers.
Requirements for Entry
Candidates for the program must have achieved a baccalaureate degree with a minimum undergraduate quality point rating (QPR) of 2.20 and completion of at least one semester of college algebra or trigonometry is considered to be the minimum mathematical preparation. Applicants without previous contracting experience are eligible for admission.
Convenes
Summer
Program Length
Eight quarters with two courses per quarter
Degree
The Master of Science in Contract Management degree requires:
- Completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate-level courses, at least 12 that are at the 4000 level. (Credit hour requirement does not include 3 hours assigned for the Joint Applied Project.)
- Completion of an acceptable Capstone Applied Project, with at least one advisor from the Department of Defense Management.
Subspecialty
1306P
Typical Course of Study: Curriculum 835
Quarter 1
| MN3301 | Acquisition of Defense Systems | | 4 | 0 |
| MN3303 | Principles of Acquisition and Contract Management | | 4 | 0 |
Quarter 2
| MN3070 | Fundamentals of Cost Benefit Analysis | | 4 | 0 |
| MN3315 | Acquisition Management and Contract Administration | | 4 | 0 |
Quarter 3
| MN3156 | Financial and Managerial Accounting | | 4 | 0 |
| MN4474 | Organizational Analysis | | 3 | 1 |
Quarter 4
| MN3320 | Contract Cost and Price Analysis | | 3 | 0 |
| MN3321 | Federal Contract Negotiations | | 3 | 0 |
Quarter 5
| MN3172 | Resourcing National Security: Policy and Process | | 3 | 0 |
| MN3312 | Government Contracts Law | | 4 | 0 |
Quarter 6
| MN4105 | Strategic Management | | 3 | 0 |
| MN4044 | Defense-Focused Managerial Inquiry and Innovation Lab | | 3 | 2 |
Quarter 7
| MN4311 | Contracting for Services | | 3 | 0 |
| MN4090 | Capstone Applied Project | | 0 | 6 |
Quarter 8
| MN4371 | Acquisition and Contracting Policy | | 4 | 0 |
| MN4090 | Capstone Applied Project | | 0 | 6 |
Educational Skills Requirements (ESR)
1. Advanced Management Concepts - The graduate will have the ability to apply advanced management theory and techniques to problems in both the public and private sectors. This includes policy formulation and execution, strategic planning, resource allocation, federal fiscal policy, computer-based information and decision support systems, and complex managerial situations requiring comprehensive integrated approaches. The graduate will have the ability to apply state-of-the-art management concepts and practices to problem solving and decision-making responsibilities as middle and senior managers.
2. Acquisition and Contracting Principles - The graduate will have an understanding of and will be able to apply the principles and fundamentals of acquisition and contracting within the federal government including knowledge of the acquisition laws and regulations, particularly the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS); the unique legal principles applied in government contract law and the Uniform Commercial Code; and the application of sound business principles and practices to Defense contracting problems. Further, the graduate will be able to apply innovative and creative approaches not only to resolve difficult acquisition and contracting issues but to significantly influence the legal and regulatory structure within which acquisition decision making occurs. Finally, the graduate will have the ability to conceptualize, develop and execute strategic business alliances and relationships necessary to the successful acquisition of goods and services.
3. Contracting Process - The graduate will understand the theory of and have the ability to manage the field contracting, contingency contracting, supplies and services contracting system acquisition and contract administration processes. This involves a knowledge of the defense system life cycle processes, including requirements determination, funding, contracting, ownership, and disposal; an ability to evaluate military requirements, specifications, and bids and proposals; an ability to utilize the sealed bid, competitive proposals and simplified acquisition methodologies; a comprehensive knowledge of all contract types and their application in Defense application; an ability to conduct cost and price analyses; and an ability to negotiate various contracting actions including new procurement, contract changes and modifications, claims, equitable adjustment settlements, and noncompliance issues.
4. Acquisition and Contracting Policy - The graduate will have an ability to formulate and execute acquisition policies, strategies, plans and procedures; a knowledge of the legislative process and an ability to research and analyze acquisition legislation; and a knowledge of the government organization for acquisition, including Congress, the General Accounting Office , the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, the federal and military contracting offices, the Boards of Contract Appeals, and the court system.
5. Business Theory and Practices - The graduate will have an understanding of the business philosophy, concepts, practices and methodologies of the commercial industrial base (both domestic and global) and the ability to apply these to the federal government acquisition environment.
6. Defense Financial Management and Budgeting - The graduate will have an ability to apply sound financial management theories, principles and practices to defense acquisition and contracting issues, including fiscal and monetary policy.
7. Production and Quality Management - The graduate will have an understanding of principles and fundamentals of Production and Quality Management, with particular emphasis on the Procuring Contracting Officer’s and Administrative Contracting Officer’s roles and relationships with industry and the Government Program Manager.
8. Analysis and Application - The graduate will demonstrate an ability to apply acquisition, contracting and management principles in dealing with the significant issues encountered in managing the contracting process in one of the following areas: (1) major weapon systems acquisition (2) research and development, (3) field procurement, and (4) facilities contracting.
9. Ethics and Standards of Conduct - The graduate will have an ability to manage and provide leadership in the ethical considerations of military acquisition, including the provisions of procurement integrity, and to appropriately apply Defense acquisition standards of conduct.
10. Acquisition Workforce - The graduate will satisfy all training requirements of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) contracting certification.
11. Analysis, Problem Solving and Critical Thinking - The graduate will demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research and analysis, and proficiency in presenting the results in writing and orally by means of a thesis and a command–oriented briefing appropriate to this curriculum.