If you are highly detail-oriented and are looking to advance into a potentially lucrative career, then you might consider earning a contract management degree.
Contract negotiation, creation, and management are key aspects in commercial business as well as within governmental organizations. With the skills covered in this degree path, you may be able to fill this crucial role in commercial or governmental sectors.
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Earning this bachelors degree online might also provide you the flexibility to learn at your own pace.
Online Acquisition and Contract Management Degrees
In an online acquisition and contract management degree program, students will learn the skills needed to oversee every aspect of contract creation processes.
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You may dive deep into contract law and the process of developing a contract as well as the standards contracts must meet in order to be enforceable. You may also learn what to do in the event of a breach of contract, and you’ll study the ethics behind contract creation and enforcement.
Other topics students may encounter include:
- Economics
- Accounting
- Contract management software
- Organizational behavior
Because contract management involves many leadership aspects, you may also take several project management courses. Along this vein, programs often include several courses involving soft skills, such as the art of negotiation, strategic communication, and communicating contract terms. You may also take courses on financial risk and financial and bidding management to prepare you for acquisitions.
In addition, many contract management degree programs offer concentrations, most often letting students specialize in commercial or government contract management. The skills learned in this degree path can help prepare students to become contract managers in the public or private sectors or even in the government.
Some graduates go on to apply their skills as administrative services managers, purchasing managers, cost estimators, logisticians, and more.
Acquisitions and Contract Management Careers & Salaries
A contract management bachelors degree path is designed to prepare graduates to enter the contract management field, either for the commercial or government sector.
Because contracts and acquisitions are key components of all businesses, graduates may find career opportunities in a variety of fields. In the private or commercial sector, graduates may act as contract managers who oversee all steps of the contract creation process, from negotiation to management.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median wages for positions related to acquisitions and contract management.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Purchasing Managers | $131,350 |
| Human Resources Managers | $130,000 |
| Administrative Services Managers | $103,330 |
| Facilities Managers | $99,030 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $95,080 |
| Labor Relations Specialists | $82,010 |
| Logisticians | $77,520 |
| Cost Estimators | $71,200 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,780 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $67,620 |
Salaries can vary depending on the type of contract management position, the organization you’re working for, and your location.
Because of the analytical and management skills gained in this degree program, career opportunities may also extend to titles like administrative services manager. Graduates may also choose to pursue positions as logisticians or procurement managers as well as cost estimators or claims adjusters.
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If graduates choose a government contract focus, they may go on to manage contracts and procurement for federal organizations.
Contract Management Bachelors Curriculum & Courses
While bachelor degree in acquisition and contract management programs can have varying curriculums, many of their courses cover similar concepts. Classes you may take include:
- Ethics of Acquisition and Contract Management: This course overviews ethical issues involved in contract entering and enforcement.
- The Art of Negotiation: This course focuses on critical skills necessary in negotiating contract terms between parties, such as conflict resolution.
- Contract Law: This course offers an in-depth overview of contracts, including their formation, the enforcement of promises, contract terms, and breaching contracts.
- Soft Skills: This course focuses on the development of soft skills needed for effective negotiation, such as communication, calendar management, and strategic planning.
- Legal Contract Preparation: This course examines the required steps in creating an enforceable contract as well as the standards contracts must meet.
- Organizational Behavior: This course focuses on the functions of organizations and how those functions contribute to an overall organizational behavior.
- Introduction to Project Management: This course focuses on the fundamentals of project management, from initial development to implementation.
- Contract Management Data Analysis: This course focuses on the use of data analytics in order to analyze and extract contract information.
- Using a Contract Management System: This course reveals how to utilize a contract management system in order to track and manage contracts through their various stages.
- Communicating Contract Terms with Stakeholders, Partners, and Team Members: This course overviews the communication skills necessary in order to communicate contract terms with all interested and invested parties.
Other courses, depending on your concentration, may cover topics like cost and price analysis, government contract law, and financial risk assessment.
How to Know If a Contract Management Degree Is Right for Me
Procurement and contract management careers require a specific set of skills. Determining what these are and whether your personality aligns with them may help you decide whether to pursue this degree path.
Contract management involves:
- High level of organization
- High attention to detail
- Effective communication skills
- Comfortability in interpersonal contact
A career in contract management is also fast paced. It may require working in offices with some travel as well as learning and managing different contract management programs.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements can differ depending on your school, but here are a few of the most common ones for undergraduate admissions:
- Completed undergraduate application
- High school transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores (only some schools require them)
- Minimum GPA (depending on your school)
A growing number of colleges no longer require SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admissions, so it’s helpful to check with your prospective schools to see if they are needed.
Accreditation
Regional accreditation is a type of quality assurance that a college or university meets certain professional education standards.
Determining whether your potential school or university is accredited is an important step to take before applying. The accreditation status of your school could affect your ability to receive financial aid, and some employers also prefer degrees from accredited institutions.
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You can verify a school’s accreditation status by visiting the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s website and searching their online database of schools.
Contract Management Licensure and Certifications
While not required, earning certification or licensure help you increase your marketability as well as your earning potential.
Certification organizations for contract management include:
- Federal Acquisitions Institute (FAI): This organization offers certifications—including the FAC-C certification—for graduates desiring to manage contracts for the government.
- National Contract Managers Association (NCMA): This organization offers certifications for both federal contract managing and commercial contract managing.
Requirements for certification typically include holding a bachelors degree, having two years of work experience, and earning 80 to120 hours of continuing professional education.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Many students pursuing bachelor’s in contracting degrees find that they need financial assistance to do so. Fortunately, there are several forms of aid to consider.
One option is federal aid, which can come in the form of federal loans and grants. To determine your eligibility for government aid, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These loans and grants may also be available at the state level, depending on where you live and where your school is located. You can also see if you’re eligible for private grants and scholarships from various institutions.
If you’re currently employed, your employer may also be a resource. Many companies offer programs that are designed to fund employee education. You can talk to your HR department to learn more.
What Is a Degree in Contract Management?
A degree in contract management is designed to help students develop the skills needed to create and manage contracts for businesses and organizations.
These skills include contract negotiation, acquisitions, enforceable contract standards, contract management and data analysis systems, contract law, project management, and more. This curriculum is aimed toward preparing graduates to create legal documents between parties as well as oversee the creation, usage, storage, accuracy, and security of these legal documents.
What Can I Do with a Degree in Acquisition and Contract Management?
Bachelors degrees in contract management may help graduates qualify for positions as contract managers for businesses or even the federal government.
Contract managers are responsible for the creation of contracts between two or more parties during acquisitions or other types of transactions. They may also approve contract terms, approve budgets, and ensure parties adhere to procurement legislation.
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Graduates with this degree may also choose to specialize in government contract management. They may also consider careers as procurement managers or logisticians.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor Degree in Contracting Online?
Traditionally, if you follow a standard 16 week semester and attend full-time, it takes about 4 years to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Some online programs, though, may offer an accelerated track. This may look like enrolling in an 8 week semester and staying continuously enrolled year-round, including during the summer. This type of schedule may allow you to finish in less time. Of course, if you enroll part-time for any reason, it may take you longer to complete your degree.
Is a Bachelors in Contract Management Degree Worth It?
Yes, a bachelors in contract management degree is worth it for many students. Contract negotiation and development are crucial aspects of both commercial businesses and government organizations. Plus, the skills covered in this program could prepare graduates not only for contract management positions but also for other administrative and business positions.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of administrative services and facilities managers is forecasted to grow 7% over the next ten years. Purchasing managers and logisticians are expected to see 4% and 28% job growth, respectively.
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Contract Management Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
American Public University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Government Contracting and Acquisition. Potential courses include Acquisition Business Management, Project Management for Business Analysts, and Joint Contingency Contracting. Classes meet online and are typically 8 to 16 weeks long. Up to 90 of the 120 required credits may be transferred into the program.
American Public University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Athens State University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Acquisition and Contract Management. Graduates may pursue careers as acquisition specialists, acquisition analysts, or contracting specialists. The curriculum covers topics like business communications, purchasing goods and services, pricing, contract negotiations, and contract law.
Athens State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Colorado Technical University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Project Management. Potential courses include Data Driven Statistics, Managing Organizational Change, and Contracts and Procurement. The curriculum consists of 180 credits. The program admits incoming students in the summer, fall, and winter terms.
Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Norwich University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Available concentrations include Accounting, Cyber Security Management, Financial Services, Human Resources, Marketing, Procurement and Contract Management, or Supply Chain Management. On average, the program can be completed in 18 months. Classes meet 100% online.
Norwich University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Strayer University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Acquisition and Contract Management. This program is designed for those pursuing business roles requiring contract and purchasing acumen. Classes meet online and are 11 weeks long. Up to 28 credits may be transferred into the program.
Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Trident University International offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with several concentrations, including Contract Management, Human Resource Management, Project Management, and Logistics. The curriculum consists of 120 credits. On average, the required coursework can be completed in 4 years with full-time study.
Trident University International is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of the Potomac offers an online Bachelor of Science in Government Contract Management. Additional concentrations in subjects like accounting, marketing, and international business are available. Up to 84 of the 120 required credits may be transferred from outside institutions.
The University of the Potomac is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Getting Your Bachelor’s Degree in Contract Management Online
Getting your bachelor’s degree in contract management online could be a more flexible and convenient way to earn your degree while maintaining other life responsibilities. You might consider this degree path if you’re interested in developing your analytical and communication skills in order to negotiate and create ideal contracts.
The skills gained in a contract management bachelors degree program could apply to a wide variety of lucrative career opportunities. This degree path may also be particularly rewarding if you thrive on details and want to play a key role in business.
You can start exploring online contract management degrees from accredited schools today to find the program that’s right for you.
