Defense Acquisition University (DAU)

The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) is the Department of Defense's institutional provider of acquisition, technology, and logistics education, training, and performance support to the DoD acquisition workforce and their industry and international partners.

What is DAU?

DAU provides mandatory training required for career-field certification of DoD civilian and military acquisition personnel. Members of the acquisition workforce, including contracting officers, program managers, systems engineers, logisticians, and test and evaluation specialists, must complete specific DAU courses to meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification requirements for their career field and level (I, II, or III). DAU courses are delivered through resident instruction at its campuses and satellite sites, as well as online through DAU's digital learning campus (daulearning.dau.edu). In recent years, DAU has shifted heavily toward online learning and experiential approaches, replacing the older DAWIA individual course requirements with a continuous learning model. DAU also serves as a research and knowledge center, publishing acquisition best practices, lessons learned, and reference resources that both government and industry professionals use. Contractors who support program offices or work closely with DoD acquisition personnel benefit from understanding DAU training frameworks because they shape how government program managers and contracting officers approach their work.

Why DAU matters for government contractors

DAU training shapes the professional mindset and procedural expectations of DoD acquisition officials. Contractors working in defense program offices often interact with personnel who have completed DAU courses on earned value management, systems engineering, contract management, and risk. Understanding the frameworks DAU teaches helps contractors communicate more effectively with their government customers and anticipate the documentation and reporting standards those customers expect.

Example

A defense contractor's program manager assigned to support a major Army acquisition program completes several DAU continuous learning modules voluntarily to better understand the government program office's decision-making framework. The investment pays off when the manager's familiarity with earned value management reporting and integrated program schedule expectations enables clearer communication with the government program manager during monthly reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DAU training available to contractors?

Some DAU resources, particularly online continuous learning modules and reference publications, are available to industry professionals. However, resident DAU courses and formal DAWIA certification programs are primarily for DoD government personnel, not contractors. Contractors access acquisition education through commercial providers, NCMA, and professional associations.

What is DAWIA and how does it relate to DAU?

The Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) establishes the mandatory training and certification requirements for DoD acquisition personnel. DAU is the institution designated to develop and deliver the training that fulfills DAWIA requirements. DAWIA sets the "what"; DAU provides the "how."

Has DAU changed its certification model recently?

Yes. DoD substantially revised the DAWIA framework in recent years, replacing the traditional tiered course-completion model with a continuous learning and credentialing approach that emphasizes ongoing skill development over one-time certification events. DAU's curriculum is updated regularly to reflect current acquisition policy and practices.

What career fields does DAU cover?

DAU covers a wide range of defense acquisition career fields including contracting, program management, systems engineering, test and evaluation, logistics and sustainment, business and financial management, information technology, and production, quality, and manufacturing.