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The Graduate Certificate in Public Procurement is a four-course sequence intended for professionals working in the public and private sector whose duties include procurement and contract management and who seek to improve their knowledge and competencies in this vital area. This includes individuals working in public and private organizations who are participants and stakeholders in procurement and contract management by public sector organizations.

The online certificate program admits students each fall and is structured such that working professionals can take the four required evening courses over the course of one calendar year. Students seeking this certificate do not need to be full-time graduate students in a master’s program, but rather can be working professionals seeking to enhance their skills.

The program is intended for working professionals who already have a bachelor’s degree.

Program Structure

This program comprises four three-credit courses, each of which will position the student be a competent and knowledgeable participant and stakeholder in their entity's procurement and contract management function.

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours
PPA 8843 Introduction to Public Procurement 3
PPA 8853 Contract Formation in Public Procurement 3
PPA 8863 Contract Administration in Public Procurement 3
PPA 8873 Legal, Ethical, and Socially Responsible Aspects of Public Procurement 3
  Total Hours: 12

Admissions Process

The Public Procurement Certificate program offers admission only to the fall semester.

Graduate Admissions

  1. Submit an online application. You will choose Certificate/Public Procurement as your program of interest and Online Education as your campus.
  2. One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
  3. One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
    • Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      P.O. Box G
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
    • Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      175 President Circle
      116 Allen Hall
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
  4. Pay $60 non-refundable application processing fee

PLEASE NOTE

In general, students who are not admitted into a degree program are not eligible for student financial aid funds. For more information please visit Student Financial Aid to see if you will be eligible or not while taking courses for the Public Procurement Certificate.

Courses

PPA 8843 Introduction to Public Procurement
Three hours lecture. This course provides a bridge between the theory and practice associated with public sector procurement in this ever-evolving field.


PPA 8853 Contract Formation in Public Procurement
Three hours lecture. This course provides insight into how public sector contracts should be planned and formed.


PPA 8863 Contract Administration in Public Procurement
Three hours lecture. This course addresses the actions that must be taken following the award of a contract.


PPA 8873 Legal, Ethical, and Socially Responsible Aspects of Public Procurement
Three hours lecture. This course surveys the law and ethics that apply to public sector procurement in the United States.

Academic Advising

After gaining admission to the university, you must contact your assigned advisor to determine the courses most appropriate to take. Before the upcoming semester, your advisor will send an email to your MSU email account, making course recommendations based on your program of study.

Mississippi State University uses email as its official means of communication with all MSU students. Please check your MSU email account (NetID@msstate.edu) daily. Information on setting up your MSU email can be found at the link for student services.

Sawsan Abutabenjeh Headshot

Sawsan Abutabenjeh

Department of Political Science and Public Administration

  • Associate Professor

Contact Information

Photo of Lily Hudson

Lily Hudson

Online Education

  • Coordinator
Sawsan Abutabenjeh Headshot

Sawsan Abutabenjeh

Department of Political Science and Public Administration

  • Associate Professor