The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) is an academic institution dedicated to providing training and continuing education courses to Department of Defense (DoD) personnel in the United States. These professionals are usually assigned to the Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics division of the Department of Defense (AT&L). Although the university’s main campus is in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, distance learning courses are offered online.
The Defense Acquisition University is dedicated to teaching America’s military personnel and civilian professionals involved in defense operations, with four goals in mind: training, continuous learning, mission assistance, and knowledge sharing. There are 14 career fields covered in training, as well as three levels of certification. Business, cost estimating, and financial management; software acquisition management; and systems planning, research, development, and engineering are all possible career paths. Years of experience and course completion correspond to certification levels.
Training for rapid deployment is also available. Military personnel are frequently called upon to serve immediately and on short notice. New initiatives are introduced on a regular basis, and policy changes can occur at any time. Employees of the Department of Defense receive training like this to prepare them for any situation.
Defense professionals can take courses whenever and wherever they want through the Continuous Learning Center. Every two years, DAU employees must earn at least 80 continuous learning points. Defense Acquisition University students can choose from 236 different learning modules to help them earn these points.
This academic institution offers not only for-credit courses, but also assistance with business and military endeavors. The goal of mission assistance is to provide the right people with the right products at the right time. The DAU ensures that acquisition groups are well-equipped to tackle a variety of problems by completing over 150 consulting projects each year.
Facilitated web-based problem solving is possible with the help of specialized computer software. This is a crucial skill for the DAU workforce, as members are constantly faced with challenges that require teamwork. The collaborative problem-solving workshops assist students in assessing problems, considering alternative solutions, and implementing new programs more effectively.
At the Defense Acquisition University, knowledge sharing includes specific methods to assist students. The majority of the university’s knowledge sharing assets are housed in the Defense Acquisition Portal and the Acquisition Community Connection. The university’s resources also teach students about acquisition best practices.
Although the Defense Acquisition University’s main headquarters are in Virginia, it has four other locations. Huntsville, Alabama, San Diego, California, Maryland, and Kettering, Ohio are among the locations. Furthermore, the DAU has a large presence in the United States thanks to its partnerships with over 130 colleges and universities.