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Online Certificate in Purchasing: Purchasing Education & Training

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The Online Purchasing Program

Program Overview

Purchasing plays a vital role in every organization, serving the procurement function through which goods and services are acquired to support and align with business objectives. For professionals looking to strengthen their expertise in the field, the online Purchasing Certificate Program at 好色先生, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) offers a solid foundation in the principles and practices of purchasing and procurement, with exposure to emerging processes and technologies.听

Taught by leading professionals in the field, participants develop the skills needed to manage acquisitions, evaluate supplier performance, and navigate contract details with confidence. They also gain insights into both private industry and government purchasing, offering a well-rounded perspective of the field. The curriculum is aligned with industry standards, drawing on the Institute for Supply Management鈥檚 (ISM) Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) Body of Knowledge and the Association for Supply Chain Management鈥檚 (ASCM) CSCP Learning System. This ensures participants gain practical, job-ready skills while building a strong foundation for professional certification opportunities.听

The program consists of five (5) extension credit courses that guide participants from core purchasing principles to advanced applications. Topics include: cost-price analysis, negotiation, public sector procurement, legal and regulatory considerations, specifications and standardization, supplier performance management, supplier relationship management, material requirements planning, ethical practices, supplier partnerships, total quality procurement, logistics and key performance indicators. The use of case studies, instructor knowledge and real-world exercises accompanied by hands-on training are embedded throughout the coursework, ensuring that participants leave with practical skills that can be applied immediately on the job. By completing the program, professionals are well-equipped to advance their careers in purchasing, procurement, contracts, and supply chain management.听

What You Will Learn

Participants gain a broad understanding of both foundational and advanced purchasing concepts, including:听

• Core Purchasing Principles 鈥� Explore requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for bids, and overall purchasing processes
• Supplier Performance 鈥� Learn how to evaluate, measure, and improve supplier relationships through Supplier Performance Management (SPM) and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
• Contracts and Agreements 鈥� Understand key contract elements, terms, and best practices for protecting organizational interests
• Government vs. Private Purchasing 鈥� Examine regulatory requirements and the differences between public and private sector practices
• Purchasing in Context 鈥� Understanding how purchasing supports manufacturing, services, supply chain, and overall organizational operations, including the use of tools like Material Requirements Planning (MRP), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

Who Should Attend

• Career Changers or Entry-Level Professionals 鈥� Those seeking to start a career in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain
• Early Career Purchasing Staff 鈥� Employees already assisting with purchasing who want to enhance their expertise and advance in the field
• Administrative and Support Staff 鈥� Administrative assistants or other support professionals with purchasing-related duties seeking to advance into higher-level purchasing role
• Professionals in Related Fields 鈥� Finance, accounting, or operations professionals seeking a deeper understanding of organizational purchasing processes
• Professionals Pursuing Industry Certifications 鈥� Individuals seeking professional certifications from the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) [formerly known as Association for Production and Inventory Control (APICS)], Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Courses at a Glance

The Purchasing Certificate Program consists of five courses, each offering three units of extension credit, for a total of 15 extension credit units.听

Each course runs for 13 weeks. and students must take the Foundation Course first (PRX 200) before taking the remaining PRX courses. PIX 351 does not contain prerequisites and may be completed at any time.听听

• PRX 200 | Purchasing Fundamentals (Foundational Course) 鈥� Examine the core elements of purchasing, current business trends, and methods for evaluating goods and services, with real-world case studies
• PRX 310 | Cost-Price Analysis and Negotiation 鈥� Develop skills to analyze cost and price relationships and apply negotiation strategies for effective contracts
• PRX 330 | Public Sector Procurement 鈥� Explore the legal and regulatory requirements unique to government procurement and compare them to private-sector practices
• PRX 340 | Advanced Purchasing Concepts 鈥� Apply advanced purchasing concepts, including specifications, supply, logistics, quality procurement, and ethical considerations, through case studies
• PIX 351 | Supply Chain Fundamentals 鈥� Gain an overview of supply chain management and its role in organizational strategy and operations

Learning Outcomes

By completing the Purchasing Certificate Program, participants will:听

• Master core purchasing and procurement processes for both private and public sectors听
• Evaluate supplier performance and manage supplier relationships effectively (SPM/SRM)听
• Navigate contracts, legal considerations, and regulatory requirements with confidence听
• Analyze costs and prices, negotiate effectively, and ensure quality and value in purchasing decisions听
• Understand supply chain planning, material requirements, and production management听
• Apply ethical and social responsibility principles in procurement decisions
• Develop practical skills, including supplier financial analysis, supply segmentation, and strategies to optimize purchasing operations听

Career Benefits

Those who successfully complete the program gain valuable skills to succeed in a high-demand profession, including:听

• Marketable expertise in purchasing and procurement听
• Career opportunities as a Purchasing Agent, Procurement Specialist, or Buyer听
• Ability to make informed, structured purchasing decisions for any organization听
• Opportunities to advance into management and leadership positions within procurement and supply chain management听
• Access to careers in industries such as aerospace, electronics, military, healthcare, and retail听

The CSUDH Purchasing Certificate starts you on your career path in the field of purchasing. Later on, this can lead to advanced certifications such as Certified Transformation for Supply Chain (CTSC), Certified Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Associate Professional in Supply Management (APSM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), Certified Professional Public Official (CPPO), NIGP 鈥� Certified Procurement Professional (CPP), and Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Certification (CIPS).

I really enjoyed all my classes. You're a great instructor. I haven't taken a class in 30 years and you gave me the self-confidence to go and finish my degree, which is really hard at my age. I cannot thank you enough. 鈥擠iane Tompkins, Torrance, CA, Northrop Grumman Employee

Purchasing Certificate Requirements and Time to Completion

This 5-course certificate program can be completed in as little as 1.5 years. No application is required for entering the certificate program. To earn the certificate, you must complete the five courses offered with a grade of "C" or better. The certificate must be completed within three years once the student has started the program. Upon successful completion students may request to receive the certificate.听

Processing time for the certificate is approximately 4鈥�6 weeks from the date of submission. Students completing the program will receive a university-issued printed certificate, a digital certificate link, and verified digital badges that highlight the specific skills and competencies gained through the program, which can be shared on LinkedIn for employers to see.听

Program Delivery/Modality

Courses are offered online, year-round on a trimester schedule.听听

These courses are taught fully online (asynchronous) with no campus attendance required, making it convenient for people who live or work anywhere. With asynchronous courses, you don't need to be logged in at the same time as the rest of the class. The instructors post weekly guided content with required learning assignments with due dates on our Learning Management System (LMS). These courses are NOT self-paced and do require participation.听

Lecture Live Stream Broadcast Schedule:听
Weekdays (see course schedule for specific day of the week related to the course), 6:30鈥�9:30pm PST (recorded lectures may be viewed later on the Learning Management System)听

Total Program Cost

• Program Cost:听$3,225
• Books: materials additional
• Parking: $0 (online program)

Each course in the certificate program costs $645. The total cost of the Purchasing Certificate is approximately $3,225 (plus textbook ~$140鈥�$380 total).

Fees subject to change. Payment is due at the time of registration.听

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