https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Subscribe to GovPro
    • Manage GovPro Subscription
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
acc.com

Procurement


Article

Management Certificate in Public Procurement – CSU San Bernardino

Management Certificate in Public Procurement – CSU San Bernardino

Darin Matthews explains the benefits of the Management Certificate in Public Procurement from California State University, San Bernardino
  • Written by Darin Matthews
  • 6th March 2017

More colleges are offering programs in procurement and supply chain management than ever before. Some are stand along programs, often housed in the business school, while others are concentrations within a general business degree. While many excellent programs exist, there are relatively few that focus on public sector procurement. 

California State University (CSU) at San Bernardino offers a Management Certificate in Public Procurement (MCPP), which I would like to commend. It is a relatively new program launched by Dr. Alexandru Roman, a name that is very recognizable within NIGP circles. He is a 2016 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award and the editor of the Journal of Public Procurement.

The MCPP program is delivered completely online and is comprised of five rigorous courses offered throughout the academic year. To obtain the certificate, students must first qualify for the program and then successfully complete the following courses:

Fundamentals of Public Procurement is an introductory course that offers an overview of the public procurement profession, both in practice and theory. Everything from the history of procurement to common terminology is covered.

Public Procurement Process, Ethics and Law identifies the key legal and ethical framework those in the profession must operate within. Students are provided with valuable reminders of unethical procurement practices, as the course stresses the high level of responsibility that comes with being a public procurement professional.

Project Management in Public Procurement is a highly relevant course that discusses what most in the profession would readily admit to: public procurement professionals manage many projects and routinely utilize project management skills.

Best Value Analysis and Negotiation acknowledges that public procurement most often focuses on the best value, not simply the lowest cost. Through case studies and lectures, this course provides invaluable tools such as negotiation techniques and conflict resolution skills.

Contract Formulation and Administration stresses the importance of post award activities for the procurement professional. Best practices in scope development and contract administration are covered, along with techniques for ensuring contractual performance.

While it is not a college degree, nor is it a traditional certification (CPPB, CPPO), the MCPP does offer a robust curriculum. It is tailored to public procurement and can prove to be an excellent credential for those who pursue it.

In past columns I have championed the need for education within public procurement. Whether it is a professional development seminar through NIGP, a degree completion program at a local university, or a certificate program like MCPP, there are many avenues to enhance our knowledge.

Numerous studies identify the advantages of education and certification. According to a 2015 survey by the Institute for Supply Management, procurement and supply chain professionals with a degree can increase their earning potential by 20 percent, and a professional certification can increase it by seven percent. In the same year, NIGP reported that 85 percent of public employers financially support education and tuition for their employees. These are very encouraging numbers!

Continuing education is absolutely an investment in yourself and your profession.

 

Darin Matthews, FNIGP, CPPO, CPSM, is the director of procurement for the University of California, Santa Cruz. He has extensive management experience, speaks throughout the world on procurement issues, and has published several books and articles on supply chain management. Contact Matthews at darin@ucsc.edu​.

 

Tags: Procurement Article

Related


  • Will digital transformation of city procurement hold up beyond the pandemic?
    Now is the time for procurement to re-evaluate the free or co-opted tools that enabled service delivery when the pandemic first began and invest in the digital tools that will help streamline RFP evaluation, foster stakeholder collaboration, and maintain compliance during the pandemic and beyond
  • The issue of POs
    A very common term in our field is PO, and by that we mean a purchase order. If we take a look at the official definition from the NIGP Dictionary of Procurement Terms we see the following: A purchaser’s written document to a vendor formalizing all the terms and conditions of a proposed transaction, such […]
  • Heroic: Massachusetts’ procurement response to the pandemic crisis
    Perhaps the most important lesson that a purchasing professional can learn from the Massachusetts experience is that leadership is about celebrating your teammates’ successes rather than your own
  • Demonstrating the value of procurement: A call to action
    Today’s public sector agencies are facing fiscal constraints unlike anything experienced in decades. As a result, agencies are taking a hard look at how taxpayer-generated funds are allocated across the organization and examining the value derived from every organizational unit. The current economic reality is both an opportunity and a call to action to demonstrate […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Certification, your pathway to success
  • Air purifiers can improve indoor air quality as buildings re-open
  • If there were ever a time for procurement to be more strategic, it’s now
  • Resilience matters: The pandemic and procurement

White papers


How a unified HR system helps one public safety organization manage crews, payroll, and more in a single platform

7th January 2021

Your Roadmap to COVID-19 Funding

18th December 2020

The One Where Everyone Wins: A Mutually Beneficial Contracting Method

10th December 2020
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

The latest episode The Young Leaders Podcast focuses on Cyril Jefferson. Cyril is the youngest African American to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Hillsboro, Oregon is pioneering a new #renewableenergy generation technology through a partnership with… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

The impact of the #COVID19 pandemic on #telework was swift and profound. Now, the big question is whether – and to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Get ready for the can't-miss webinar on how to kickstart your efficiency improvement plan with Luke Anderson of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Among all states headed into the 2020 general election, which ones have voting populations that are the most demogr… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in our readership survey to help us shape future content so that we c… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

See how cities different approaches to distribute masks in their communities >> spr.ly/6010GAPLa

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

While #facialrecognition is a powerful tool that can improve law enforcement efficiency, that doesn’t necessarily t… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X