Certificate Program or M.S.L. Degree: Which Is Right for You?

Individuals who have completed their undergraduate studies often find that they lack the specialized training required to get a foothold or a leg-up in the career of their choice. That’s certainly the case in a field like government contracting, which demands a mix of domain knowledge and leadership skills not often taught at the undergraduate level.

The University of Dayton School of Law offers two different programs designed to gain entry, or advance, in the fields of government contracting and program and project management.

The first program is an advanced law degree: the Master in the Study of Law (M.S.L.) degree in government contracting.

The second program is a 12-credit certificate program covering the legal and business principles necessary to succeed in government contracting: contract law, project management, contract drafting, as well as the negotiation and leadership skills necessary to deliver on contracted obligations.

The purpose of this article is to help prospective students decide which program of study is right for them. Both programs – taught remotely, during evening hours – were designed with working professionals in mind.

M.S.L. Degree in Government Contracting

For students seeking an advanced law degree in the government contracting field, the University of Dayton School of Law offers an opportunity to earn an M.S.L. in Government Contracting. Students working toward the M.S.L. degree may elect a concentration in either Government Contracting and Procurement or Government Program Management.

The courses required to earn the M.S.L. degree are substantially greater than those required for the certification programs, but they can be completed in as little as one year by a full-time student. The M.S.L. degree law courses offered are:

• Introduction to Business Law
• Business Ethics
• Business Finance
• Contracts
• Contract Drafting
• Government Contracting
• Negotiation & Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Principles of Project Management

M.S.L. degree candidates are also required to complete a capstone project that demonstrates their ability to apply the knowledge and skills they learned at UDSL to a real-world project. The capstone course culminates in a professionally written report and senior management brief addressing all key contracting issues.

Government Contracting Certificate Programs

The University of Dayton School of Law also offers two distinct certificate programs to prepare students for work in the government contracting field: Government Contracting & Procurement and Program & Project Management.

A law degree is not required for admission to either of these certificate programs.

Required courses for the Government Contracting & Procurement certificate cover contract law fundamentals, the particulars of government contracting processes, and the theory and practice of drafting contracts for government entities. Certificate course requirements are rounded out with electives on any of the following subjects:

• Project management
• Business law
• Business ethics
• Business finance
• Negotiation and alternative dispute resolution

The 12 credit hours required to earn the Government Contracting & Procurement certificate can be completed in as little as one year.

As the name implies, required courses for the Program & Project Management certificate provide students with a thorough education on modern project management principles as well as the leadership skills necessary to successfully take a government engagement from drafting to implementation. Certificate course requirements are rounded out with electives on any of the following subjects:

• Contract law
• Government contracting
• Business law
• Business ethics
• Business finance
• Negotiation and alternative dispute resolution

The 12 credit hours required to earn the Program & Project Management certificate can be completed in as little as one year.

Which Program Is Right for You?

A government contracting certificate or a full M.S.L. degree with a government contracting specialization can be valuable options for advancing your career. However, it can be difficult to decide which program is the right one to pursue, as all programs cover largely the same subject areas, albeit with different emphases and different levels of time commitment. The right path depends on where you are on your educational journey right now, your career objectives, and the time commitment you are willing to make to pursue those objectives through higher education.

Before exploring the differences between UDSL’s certificate and M.S.L. degree programs, it’s worthwhile to consider the similarities. All UDSL courses are:

• Available to students with either a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree.
• Designed with working professionals in mind by offering remote classes – taught in real time to encourage active learning – during evening hours.
• Taught by top contracting experts with years of direct experience in the field.
• Offered in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.
• Offered multiple times each year, so students may finish the program in as little as one year.
• Eligible for generous financial aid and corporate and government tuition deferment, assistance, and reimbursement options.

An M.S.L. degree in government contracting is right for you if:

• Your current higher education level is a B.S. or B.A. degree. Post-graduate degrees such as an M.S.L., J.D., or M.B.A. will impress prospective employers.
• You want to advance in your current government career to level GS-13 positions.
• You want an advanced law degree that gives you the flexibility to concentrate in either government contracting or government project management (Note: It’s possible, with additional coursework, to earn an M.S.L. that includes both the government contracting and government project management certificates).
• You want an advanced law degree without the need to take the GMAT, GRE, or LSAT tests prior to admission.

A certificate in government contracting or project management is right for you if:

• You already have a post-graduate degree (e.g., J.D., M.B.A.) and you’re looking for specialized education in government contracting.
• You know now that you want to work in government contracting and procurement or program management.
• You’re already working in a field related to government contracting and you need or desire expertise in this area.
• You only need a refresher or a few specialized courses in government contracting or government project management.
• You believe that acquiring specialized knowledge in government contracting will position you for advancement at your current company.
• You’re not yet ready to invest the time necessary to earn an M.S.L. degree (Note: Courses completed in the certificate program can be applied to M.S.L. degree requirements if you change your mind).

Still on the fence about how to create or advance a career in government contracting? Reach out to us. We’re happy to provide additional information about admissions, coursework, or financial aid. Once we understand your individual circumstances and concerns, we’re sure we will be able to answer your questions and point you in the right direction.

Regardless of where you are on your educational journey, the University of Dayton School of Law has the right degree program for you.