Online Degrees in Contract Management

Contract Management Degrees

Contract management or contract administration involves managing the contracts a business or organization makes with its customers, employees, partners and vendors. If you choose to work in this field, you may find yourself negotiating terms and conditions of any contracts made, as well as ensuring compliance. The skills you'll learn from a contract management degree or certificate program will allow you to assess contract performance, ensure all contracts made are legal and cost-effective, and reduce any risk of your organization's violating any regulations governing the particular types of contracts involved.

Most contract management programs are offered at the certificate level, and may be completed in as little as 8 weeks. These are typically graduate certificates, however, meaning that you will need to have earned a bachelor's degree to enroll in the program. Certain contract management programs will be combined with the study of procurement, which involves the study of how to acquire goods and services at the best price from the best sources making use of such methods as cost-benefit analysis.

Upon completion of a contract management program, you should be prepared to earn certification from the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). Certification available includes Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) and Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM).