GMU Certificate Programs

Certificate Tracks in Contracting with the Federal Government through George Mason University Continuing and Professional Education

The Contracting with the Federal Government Certificate Program is offered by George Mason University in association with The Public Contracting Institute. This program is designed to help government contracting professionals better perform their jobs, grow in their careers, and succeed in the government contracting environment.

Students may take courses individually, or may qualify for a Certificate of Completion* in their chosen track.

  • Government Contracts Accounting Certificate
  • Contract Formation and Administration
  • Masters Academy in Government Contracting Certificate

*You have up to 18 months to complete a track.

  • Courses are taught by instructors with substantial experience and expertise in government contracting.
  • Courses are highly participatory and focus on the current government contracting environment as well as future trends and proposed changes.
  • All courses qualify for CEUs, CLEs (in most states), CLPs, and CPEs.
  • Courses are scheduled throughout the year at George Mason University’s Training Center in Reston, VA as well as Arlington, VA, and at PCI in DC.
Classes at George Mason University Continuing and Professional Education are available for CPE or CEU credit. If CLE credit is needed, you must request the CLE credit, along with the jurisdiction, prior to the start of the training.

NEW: George Mason University Digital Badge

3 Mason Certificate Programs – Upon Completion Earn a Digital Badge

Complete a George Mason University Certificate Program and earn a digital badge!
The GMU Digital Badge shares your education accomplishments with the world! The badge serves as a digital record, library and confirmation of all the classes you have taken with GMU CPE. Show employers, clients and colleagues your value by:

  • Validating your educational accomplishments with a trusted third party
  • Attaching the badge to your digital resume for easy access by employers
  • Including the badge in your signature to inspire confident in clients and colleagues
  • Displaying the badge on social medial to create a more impressive web presences
  • Including on employer bio page to establish expertise in the field
  • Government Contracts Administration Certificate – Now 60+ Hours Live Virtual Training

2025 at George Mason University!

 

Contracting with the Federal Government – Administration Certificate

Minimum of 60 Contact Hours. May take up to two years to complete.

Fee: $3,985

Required Courses (4)

CFG- 0400 – Government Contracting Fundamentals
4 Days, 10:00am – 3:30pm (20 Online Contact Hours)

  • February 10-13, 2025
  • May 5-8, 2025
  • August 4-7, 2025
  • November 10-13, 2025

CFG 0404 – The FAR Workshop: Practical Applications & More
3 Days, 10:00am – 2:30pm (12 Online Contact Hours)

  • January 29-31, 2025
  • May 13-15, 2025
  • September 30 – October 2, 2025

CFG 0452 – Contract Changes and Equitable Adjustments
3 Days, 10:00am – 2:30pm (12 Online Contact Hours)

  • March 25-27, 2025
  • July 22-24, 2025
  • November 18-20, 2025

CFG – 0451 – Negotiation Strategies and Techniques
4 Days, 10:00am – 1:30pm (13 Online Contact Hours)

  • March 17-20, 2025
  • July 7-10, 2025
  • December 1-4, 2025

Electives (Choose 1)

CFG – 0428 – Ethics and Compliance in Government Contracting
2 Day, 10:00am – 1:15pm (6 Online Contact Hours)

  • February 24-25, 2025
  • July 16-17, 2025

CFG – 0407 – Government Contracting Cybersecurity Compliance
2 Day, 10:00am – 1:15pm (6 Online Contact Hours)

  • February 19-20, 2025
  • June 24-25, 2025
  • September 24-25, 2025

CFG – -0406 – Subcontract Management
2 Days, 10:00am – 1:15pm (6 Online Contact Hours)

  • March 5-6, 2025
  • June 11-12, 2025
  • November 5-6, 2025

Contracting with the Federal Government – Accounting Certificate

Minimum of 60 Contact Hours. May take up to two years to complete.

Regular Fee: $3,985

Required Courses (4)

CFG – 0400 – Government Contracting Fundamentals
4 Days, 10:00am – 3:30pm (20 Online Contact Hours)

  • February 10-13, 2025
  • May 5-8, 2025
  • August 4-7, 2025
  • November 10-13, 2025

CFG – 0404 – The FAR Workshop: Practical Applications & More
3 Days, 10:00am – 2:30pm (12 Online Contact Hours)

  • May 13-15, 2025
  • September 30 – October 2, 2025

CFG – 0425 – Accounting and Auditing for Government Contractors
3 Days, 10:00am – 2:30pm (12 Online Contact Hours)

  • March 11-13, 2025
  • October 7-9, 2025

CFG – 0409 – Contract Cost Accounting Deep Dive
4 Days, 10:00am – 1:30pm (13 Online Contact Hours)

  • February 3-6, 2025
  • May 19-22, 2025
  • October 13-16, 2025

Electives (Choose 1)

CFG – 0408 – Contract Pricing and Pricing Fundamentals
2 Days, 10:00am – 1:15pm (6 Online Contact Hours)

  • June 2-3, 2025
  • October 28-29, 2025

CFG – 0405 – Contractor Purchasing Systems Review
2 Days, 10:00am – 1:15pm (6 Online Contact Hours)

  • June 4-5, 2025
  • October 22-23, 2025

CFG – 0432 – Timekeeping for Government Contractors
2 Days, 10:00am – 1:15pm (6 Online Contact Hours)

  • March 3-4, 2025
  • September 10-11, 2025

 

Masters Academy in Government Contracting Certificate

Fee: $1,795

CFG – 0601 – Masters Academy in Government Contracting
9 Days, 10:00am – 1:15pm (27 Online Contact Hours)

  • April 14-18 & 21-24, 2025
  • December 8-12 & 15-18, 2025

Other Virtual Training

CFG – 0614 – Essentials of Doing Business with the Federal Government  

To view the whole series, with descriptions, click here!

Fee: $ 1,690
11 days, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (16.5 Online Contact Hours)

  • October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4, 11, 18, 2024

October 2 – The Government as a Customer
October 9 – Statutes & Regulations that Guide the Contracting Process
October 16 – Procurement Integrity
October 23 – Conflicts of Interest
October 30 – Changes & Requests for Equitable Adjustments
November 6 – Terminations
November 13 – Administering CMMC/FISMA/NIST Requirements
November 20 – Subcontracting
December 4 – Timekeeping Issues
December 11 – Accounting Requirements
December 18 – How Things Can Go Wrong 

CFG 0613 – GovCon: Need to Know Compliance Series

Fee: $ 1,920
17 sessions, 10:30am – 12:00 pm (25.5 Online Contact Hours)
Jan 21-May 13, 2025

January 21: Corruption Issues (Fred Geldon)
January 28: Procurement Process (Fred Geldon)
February 4: International Business Issues (David Gallacher)
February 11: Supply Chain Issues (Bill Walter)
February 18: The Other Business Systems (Bill Walter)
February 25: Cost and Pricing (Bill Walter)
March 4: Accounting Systems (Bill Walter)
March 11: The Dark Side (Lou Chiarella)
March 18: Cybersecurity (Jim Goepel)
Mar 25: Interacting with Government (Margaret Cassidy)
April 1: Antitrust and Lobbying (Margaret Cassidy)
April 8: Compliance Program (Fred Geldon)
April 15: Contract Administration (Margaret Cassidy) 
April 22: Socioeconomic Issues and Schedule Contracts (Lou Chiarella)
April 29: Employment, Health and Safety (Nichole Atallah)
May 6: Safeguarding Proprietary Information (Jim Goepel)
May 13: Classified Contracting, and Privacy Issues (Adam Bartolanzo)

5 sessions, 2:00pm – 4:00pm (ET) (10 Online Contact Hours)
  • March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 2025

CFG – 0611 – Federal Grants Fundamentals

Fee: $ 895
8 sessions, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (12 Online Contact Hours)
August 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28, and September 2 and 4, 2025

August 12: Federal Grants Fundamentals: Federal Grant Performance & Compliance
August 14: Federal Grants Fundamentals: Framework of Federal Financial Assistance
August 19: Federal Grants Fundamentals: Updating Your Policies and Procedures
August 21: Federal Grants Fundamentals: Subrecipient Relationships: From First Risk Assessment Through Close Out?
August 26: Federal Grants Fundamentals: Procurement Standards
August 28: Federal Grants Fundamentals: Cost Issues Part 1
September 2: Federal Grants Fundamentals: Cost Issues Part 2
September 4: Federal Grants Fundamentals: Post-Award Noncompliance and Audit Resolution