DAU Equivalency Program

Webster University is proud to announce a partnership with Defense Acquisition University (DAU). Effective with the 2020–2021 Graduate Catalog, students who complete the Graduate Government Contracting certificate will be eligible for DAU Level I and Level II Contracting Certification. Upon successful completion of the Webster University Government Contracting Certificate (18 credit hours) students can provide the certificate to the agency they are working with to satisfy the educational requirement for Level I and Level II certification.

Since the authority to validate The Defense Acquisition workforce member's equivalent training has been delegated to the DoD agencies and components. Defense Acquisition workforce members desiring to have equivalent training entered into their acquisition training records must consult with their acquisition career management office for process guidance. For more information visit: https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/faq_catalog.aspx

DAU Certification

DAU does NOT certify anyone except DAU employees assigned to acquisition coded positions.

Certification is not automatic when completing DAU courses. Certifying is the responsibility of each service and DoD agency to administer. Each service (Army Navy/Marine Corps and Air Force) as well as the other DoD Agencies (4th Estate) have web-based systems to facilitate certification.

A certification does not substitute for a course prerequisite requirement.

Certifications issued by federal (non-DoD) organizations such as the Federal Acquisition Certifications (FAC) and certifications issued by the Department of Homeland Security are not accepted within DoD although the component parts may be transferable and applied to a DoD certification.

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Transfer Credit Equivalency

In accordance with the DAU Directive 708, Webster University has been formally recognized by the President, Defense Acquisition University, as having established an equivalency program that identifies alternatives for Defense Acquisition Workforce members to attain required training.

The graduate certificate program aims to create contracting workforce leaders who can communicate effectively, think critically and strategically in order to manage and lead change effectively. Possessing these skills will allow individuals to manage where they are now, while readying themselves for a future in contracting and acquisition career fields.

Students will learn how to successfully use the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to develop acquisition strategies, substantiate contracting decisions, develop business advisory skills, evaluate proposals and award a variety of contract types, as well as manage and close out contracts.

This certification is aligned to the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) and Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements for core training requirements.

DAU/Webster University students will enroll in the following courses:

Pre-approved Webster University Transfer Credit DAU Course Title & Course Number
GCON 5000 Fundamentals of Government Contracting (3 hours) Equivalent for CON 091 and CON 100
GCON 5100 Government Contracting Life Cycle (3 hours) Equivalent for CON 121, CON 124, CON 127
GCON 5300 Business Decisions for Government Contracting (3 hours) Equivalent for CON 170 and CON 270
GCON 5500 Decision Making in Government Contracting (3 hours) Equivalent for CON 200 and CON 216
GCON 5700 Sources Selection and Administration of Government Contracts (3 hours) Equivalent for CON 280
GCON 5900 Negotiation and Administration of Contracts (3 hours) Equivalent for CON 290

List of agencies that require DAWIA, Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act, Level I and Level II certificates.

Goals for the Graduate Certificate in Government Contracting

Webster University's Government Contracting (GCON) Certificate is aimed at working professionals, military members and veterans, college graduates and current government employees interested in entering the competitive government contracting (GS-1102) positions. Students learn how to successfully use the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to develop acquisition strategies, substantiate contracting decisions, develop business advisory skills, evaluate proposals and awards, and manage and close out contracts.

The GCON certificate is designed to prepare professionals who seek to enter the field of government contracting as Contract Specialists and Contracting Officers. The GCON certificate includes all the required core training necessary to attain Certification as a federal government Contracting Professional at Level 2. The certificate program includes six courses, which encompass the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) equivalent courses for Level 1 (091, CON 100, CON 121, 124, 127, and CON 170) and Level 2 (CON 200, CON 216, CON 280, and CON 290). The certification is aligned to the Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) and Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements for core training requirements.

The FAC-C program is for contracting professionals in the Federal Government performing contracting and procurement activities and functions. The purpose of this program is to establish general education, training, and experience requirements for those contracting professionals. The program applies to all executive agencies, except the Department of Defense (DoD). DoD uses the DAWIA training and experience requirements for certification. While training requirements for the program are closely aligned with the DAWIA training requirements, they are not identical. The FAC-C is recognized by all federal civilian agencies as evidence that an employee meets core requirements to perform contracting functions.

The primary emphasis of the GCON certificate program is to provide both technical and leadership competencies in the acquisition/contracting career field, creating contracting leaders who are agile, understand themselves and others, think critically and strategically to get results, communicate effectively, and are able to manage and lead change. Possessing these skills will allow individuals to manage where they are now, while readying themselves for the future.

If a student is needing a Webster University transcript, please contact the Webster University's Registrar Office.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Academic Advising at 1-800-982-3847 or advising@webster.edu or Dr. Joe Roberts, at joeroberts@webster.edu.

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