Can You Earn A Purchasing Certification Without A Bachelor's Degree?

We have been getting a number of inquiries of late where purchasing professionals will say something similar to this: "Someone told me that I can't get a purchasing certification without a bachelors degree."

That is simply not true. Purchasing professionals without bachelors degrees - who represent approximately 30% of all purchasing professionals - can indeed earn a purchasing certification. Specifically, the SPSM^® Certification does not have a bachelors degree as a prerequisite.

This panic in the field has apparently been caused by a recent deadline imposed by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) who is one of the bodies (but not the only body) awarding purchasing certifications. ISM had recently imposed a deadline of December 31, 2008 to register for their C.P.M. certification, which is "transitioning into a recertification-only status" (i.e., if you didn't register for the exam by that date, you won't have the opportunity to earn the C.P.M.).

Other than the C.P.M., ISM does not offer a certification available to purchasing professionals without bachelors degrees. That doesn't mean that you cannot be certified, simply that you need to earn your certification from a source other than ISM.

So if you are a purchasing professional without a bachelors degree and want to be certified - or if you are a purchasing leader interested in the many benefits of having a certified team which may be comprised of individuals both with and without bachelors degrees - it is advisable to evaluate the SPSM^® Certification as a step towards workplace success.

To Your Career,
Charles Dominick, SPSM
President & Chief Procurement Officer
Next Level Purchasing, Inc.
Struggling To Have A Rewarding Purchasing Career?
Earn Your SPSM^® Certification Online At
http://www.NextLevelPurchasing.com