Certifications & Related Programs

What is DAWIA?

The Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act was passed into law by Congress in November of 1990. The Act requires the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (AT&L) to have established education and training standards, requirements, and courses for the civilian and military acquisition workforce.

The DAU courses required to meet education and training standards are commonly referred to as being "DAWIA curricula." Similarly, the Acquisition Career Field Certifications that are awarded upon meeting such stands is often referred to as "DAWIA Certification."

How do I determine the DAWIA Certification requirements?

The designated DoD acquisition positions are currently grouped into 14 acquisition career fields. Each career field is divided into 3 certification levels for purposes of establishing standards and qualifications:

Level I – Basic or Entry Level
Level II – Intermediate or Journeyman Level
Level III – Advanced or Senior Level

You may determine the certification requirements for each field and each certification level by accessing the Certification & Core Development Guides available within the DAU iCatalog.

How do I receive my certification once I've completed the requirements outlined for my career field?

Certifying is the responsibility of each service and DoD Agency to administer. Each service as well as the other DoD Agencies have web based systems to facilitate certificate. To learn more, visit your agencies site by selecting the appropriate link below or contact your Acquisition Training Office directly:

Army
Navy/Marine Corps

Air Force

4th Estate

What is the purpose of the Core Plus Development Guides?

The Core Plus Development Guides are intended to assist employees and their supervisors in preparing an IDP by identifying training, education, and experience beyond certification requirements that may be beneficial to career development or performance in a particular type of assignment.

I work for a non-DoD federal agency. Can I be certified by completing the DAWIA curricula?

No – DAWIA certifications are only available to DoD employees, military and (APF) civilians assigned to an acquisition coded position as well as select military officers whose career development will include assignment to acquisition coded positions. However, there are Federal Acquisition Certifications available through the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI). Please visit their website for related information.

I am a DoD contractor. Can I be certified by completing the DAWIA curricula?

No – As DAWIA only applies to the DoD AT&L workforce, DAU is not aware of any source to certify contractors or other personnel employed by private sector firms. We recommend that contractors put a package together with all the pertinent information related to completed training and to use this package to demonstrate that qualification criteria have been met. In the event that you obtain a federal position, training completed as a contractor may then be turned in to receive credit towards DAWIA certification.

Where can I find additional information regarding DAWIA Certification requirements?

The Certification & Core Development Guides available within the DAU iCatalog contains information regarding certification requirements, facts, checklists, and "not so frequently asked questions".

Non-DoD Certification Information

Receiving College Credit for DAU Training

Do I automatically receive college credit for completing DAU courses?

No – DAU does not measure courses in traditional “credit hours.” Instead, DAU assigns either Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and/or Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) to most classes. However, certain DAU courses that meet qualifying standards (e.g. "contact hour" requirements) may be approved for American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations to aid in the transfer to external institutions.

Note: Colleges are not required to accept these as transfer credits.

You may obtain current CEU, CLP, and approved ACE credit information from the course description page within the iCatalog. Similarly, you may identify the point values awarded to any historical courses that you've completed through DAU by viewing your Unofficial Transcript.

Is there a list of pre-approved courses that meet the ACE college credit recommendation?

Yes – You may access the ACE Credit website to view a list of DAU courses and request an ACE transcript.

Note: Some courses are bundled in order to meet the ACE credit recommendation criteria. In such cases, ACE point values may not be presented for the individual courses on your DAU Transcript. However, the ACE website will provide information on how you may obtain an "ACE Transcript" to aid in the transfer of credit.

What are Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are handled by non-DoD organizations such as (but not exclusively by) the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), and have broad applicability across public and private sector academia. For example, IACET authorizes educational providers to award the IACET CEU and DAU happens to be one of those institutions. Please click here for more information.

What are Continuous Learning Points (CLPs)?

Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) are points awarded for successful completion of Continuous Learning activities and are required for members of the Defense Acquisition Workforce (DAW). Generally speaking, 10 CLPs translates to 1 CEU, and 1 CLP translates to 1 "contact hour" (or "sit time" involved with course participation). DAW members are required to meet the goal of 40 CLPs each year or the mandatory requirement of 80 CLPs within two years. For more information about CLP policies click here.

Does DAU partner with other universities?

Yes – DAU has several strategic partnerships with other institutions. DAU students may search our interactive database for partners in their area offering credits for DAU courses. This allows students to obtain necessary degrees for career advancement at institutions near their home station. Prospective partners can search the database for current DAU partners with which they have already worked.

Alternate Means of Receiving Credit

Can I receive DAU credit for courses completed at other Institutions/Universities?

Yes – The certification programs supported by DAU are unique to the DoD and based on both the student meeting training standards and educational and experience standards. To support the transfer of students between programs or acquisition career fields as well as students who have engaged in educational/training courses from other institutions or organizations, DAU's policy dictates that DAU course credit earned is applicable to any certification program that requires the same course and to accept DAU course credit earned without any further student assessment. This may be accomplished through any of the two following options:

Equivalency Program:
Several training providers offer courses deemed equivalent to DAU curriculum courses, and these courses can be used to meet certification requirements. For further information, please Click Here.

Fulfillment Program:
Through an assessment of the student's past training and experience (regardless of the course), DoD components may approve a fulfillment request from the student. Such approval certifies that the student possesses the knowledge, skills and abilities that would otherwise have been gained by attending the DAU course. For more information, please Click Here.

Since the authority to validate a Defense Acquisition workforce member's training has been delegated to the DoD agencies and components, you may consult your Acquisition Training Office (ATO) for further assistance with the assessment and transfer process.

Does the DAU Equivalency/Fulfillment Program apply to everyone?

No – These programs are specifically designed to aid in satisfying DAWIA certification requirements. As DAWIA only applies to DoD Acquisition personnel, DAU is unable to extend equivalency/fulfillment options to contractors and non-DoD federal personnel.

International Acquisition Certificate

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Certifications & Related Programs