Business, Law Schools Launch Government Contracts Degree Program

The program is one of few of its kind in the world.

July 30, 2012

GW banner: The George Washington University, Washington, DC

George Washington University has launched a new master’s program that combines a core business curriculum with the study of government procurement law, or the rules controlling how the federal government contracts with private parties and monitors the performance of its contracts.

The Master of Science in Government Contracts (MSGC) degree is geared toward working professionals in both the public and private sectors, and is meant to give them the knowledge and skills they need to work in a position related to federal acquisition. The program is one of few of its kind in the world.

“In a society as law-based as the United States, legal education can no longer be confined only to those who plan to be lawyers," said GW Law Dean Paul Schiff Berman. “The Master of Science in Government Contracts degree explodes the model by allowing government and business professionals to access at GW both the nation’s leading government procurement law program and the outstanding core business curriculum. Together this combination literally transforms the educational landscape in this large and diverse field that is crucial to the nation's economy.”

GW School of Business Dean Doug Guthrie called the degree a “natural fit” for the university—and one that students will greatly benefit from.

“Our new interdisciplinary degree is a great opportunity for rising business executives to gain expertise from the Law School’s already established government procurement program, while becoming familiar with the business principles behind government contracting,” Dr. Guthrie said.

The GW Law School has been a leader in government contracts and procurement law for more than 50 years, said Law School Associate Dean for Government Procurement Law Daniel Gordon.

“With this innovative new program, and through our collaboration with the GW School of Business, we look forward to making our outstanding procurement law program and faculty available to business professionals from all segments of the federal acquisition arena,” Mr. Gordon said.