New graduate degree courses designed for AT&L workforce.

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) announces that it will begin offering media-rich and completely online acquisition management courses. These courses can be applied toward CSUSB's master's degree in public administration, or may be used as part of other educational programs with approval (DAU accreditation toward Level II is pending). *

The two online acquisition courses were developed to meet the needs of the AT&L workforce and boast a variety of cutting-edge media enhancements including video guest lectures, interactive learning exercises, simulations, and streaming audio and video. The two online acquisition courses are PA 618, "Government Systems Management, Acquisitioning, Contracting, and Capital Development" and PA 671, "Defense Acquisition Program Management."

PA 618 introduces the principles and concepts that underlie successful defense acquisition management, as well as major systems development and production. The course focuses on management of the acquisition process for defense systems from the development of an initial desired capability or need through design, development, production, fielding, sustainment, and disposal. Students will gain an understanding of successful acquisition as an interdisciplinary activity through contributions and applications of principles from contracting, business, management, and technical disciplines. The course also emphasizes the history, statutory, regulatory, and policy environment of defense acquisition. Numerous public and private industry case studies will illustrate the application of concepts and principles in actual acquisition programs. This course is structured, designed, and delivered to achieve Defense Acquisition University Acquisition 101 and Acquisition 201 course equivalencies for graduate students attending California State University, San Bernardino.

Major topic areas include:

* The Defense Acquisition Environment & Decision Program Management Framework

* The Joint Capabilities Integration Development System 

* Systems Engineering Management

* Contract Management

* Resource Management (Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution)

* Test and Evaluation

* Software Acquisition Management

* Production Quality and Manufacturing Management

PA 671 builds on defense acquisition program management theory presented in PA 618 and puts theory into practice by providing application skills needed in a program office or as an integrated product team (IPT) lead. This course is structured, designed, and delivered to achieve Defense Acquisition University Program Management Tools (PMT 250) course equivalency for graduate students attending California State University, San Bernardino. If completed along with PA 618, Government Systems Management, Acquisitioning, Contracting, and Capital Development, the student will have completed the DAWIA Level II Program Management Certification academic requirements.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to apply best practices for establishing effective IPTs; develop work breakdown structures (WBS); build program schedules and apply risk management principles using current industry software; apply current cost estimating processes; perform contract planning and postaward activities; and use earned value tools and techniques for program planning and control. According to the campus director of Distributed Learning, Dr. Jim Monaghan, the result is "the best in instructional design and production values. For example, the video simulations using actors achieve more than text-based approaches could ever accomplish. This use of multimedia allows us to tailor content to different learning styles, and research shows that it has a greater impact on learning."

Cal State San Bernardino's College of Extended Learning will administer and manage the two online courses, assisting participants with course registration, and other student services. Dr. Jeet Joshee, dean of the College, states that "although we are part of a state university, our goal is to work very closely with executive participants to provide the high level of service people usually associate with private institutions." Because these programs are not operated through state university funding, they will be available to any qualified person for the same cost, regardless of residency status.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino's online acquisition courses, contact Michael-Anne Barner in the College of Extended Learning: [e-mail] or call 909-537-3907.

* DAU accreditation pending; elective courses can be applied towards a Master's in Public Administration at CSUSB or may be used as a part of other educational programs with the permission of the coordinator of graduate instruction.