Date of Award

9-1994

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Carl R. Templin, PhD

Second Advisor

T. Scott Graham, PhD

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to assess the usefulness of graduate education to contracting professionals as perceived by graduates and their supervisors. Based on a list of 22 skills used by contracting professionals, graduates and their supervisors were surveyed to determine to what extent graduates possess these skills, developed these skills in their graduate degree program, and use these skills in the performance of their jobs. Air Force Institute of Technology Contracting Management Graduates since 1988 and contracting professionals with masters degrees within the Air Force Materiel Command were identified for this study. As a result of this study, the researchers found that AFIT Contracting Management Graduates developed technical skills in their degree program to a greater extent than graduates with other types of degrees. Even though there were differences in the development of skills between different degree types, the researchers found few differences in the possession and use of skills among graduates. Graduates rated their possession of skills higher than their development of those skills in their graduate degree program. Therefore, the researchers conclude that graduates must have supplemented their development of these skills through avenues other than graduate education.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GCM-LAS-94S-9

DTIC Accession Number

ADA285030

Comments

Co-authored thesis.

The authors' Vita pages are omitted.

Presented to the Faculty of the School of Logistics and Acquisition Management of the Air Force Institute of Technology.

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