Project Management Certificate

Earn a Valuable Credential, Gain Skills

This online graduate certificate program is designed for professionals who want to become more effective and efficient team leaders and who may be interested in preparing for the Project Management Institute (PMI ®) certification – the gold standard for project managers across industries.

Courses align with the PMI® knowledge areas, including both the Traditional and Agile Project Management approaches, and cover critical topics such as project risk management, team leadership, scheduling, cost, and budget control.

Image

If you have little to no formal project management experience, this program will give you a robust foundational education of the industry from expert instructors at a moderated pace. You’ll achieve the experience you need while you’re learning so you feel more comfortable transitioning it into the work environment.

If you are already a project manager or if you already have a PMI® certification, this program will help you improve your professional performance, providing you with the most up to date strategies, skills, techniques and taxonomy from PMI®, including both Traditional and Agile Project Management. Hours in this program may be used for Professional Development Units (PDUs) via PMI® or Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for other project management related certifications.

In comparison with a Project Management bootcamp, this online certificate program offers you the ability to prepare for a PMI® certification while learning at a comfortable pace. Our instructors understand the demands on working adults, and structure courses so you can balance your personal and professional life while learning. You’ll gain in-depth learning and hands-on experience while completing classwork and participating in engaging discussions with faculty and classmates. More than just learning the taxonomy needed to attain a PMP certification, this program will teach you how to apply knowledge to project management work you do on a team or leading a team.

Key Takeaways

• Graduate-level certificate
• 18 graduate credits / 6 courses
• Start dates: August, January, May
• Online courses, primarily delivered asynchronous, for professionals
• Regardless of your level of project management experience, you’ll benefit from our industry expert instructors and the experience your classmates bring from their own professions.
• Courses focus on the Traditional and the Agile Project Management approaches, both fulfilling requirements for the PMP certification.
• For students who already have PMI® certifications, you can update your project management skillset with the newest methodologies while earning up to 45 PDUs per course. Project Management and Leadership courses are eligible.  You may take up to two classes as a visiting student prior to applying and being accepted into the program.

Key Industry Information

Project Management skills are needed in nearly every industry, and demand for Project Managers is forecasted to increase. 

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor: Project Management Specialists.)

SCPS’ Program Offers Advantages:

• Flexible programming: with core courses offered regularly, you can stay on your desired learning journey.
• One tuition rate: you’ll pay the same tution whether you reside in Virginia or out-of-state.
• Expert Faculty who understand adult learners: learn from Faculty who are experts in their industries and are experts at teaching. They understand the demands adult learners need to juggle and structure courses so you can balance your personal and professional life while learning.
• Synchronous learning opportunities: you’ll join online classes and can ask questions, dig deeper, and learn from instructors and classmates.

Tuition and Fees

• Estimated cost: $611 per credit hour or $10,998 for the entire program. Students pay per course, per semester.
• Pay the same tuition rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
• This program is not eligible for financial aid but may be covered by your employer’s education benefits program. 
• You may take advantage of an optional, interest-free semester-based payment plan offered by the University to help spread the cost of eligible charges over monthly payment.
• Additional fees may apply, including course materials. Tuition rates are adjusted annually.

See Tuition Details

Scholarships

New and returning students in certificate or degree programs in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies are eligible to apply for the Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship Program. 

Admission Requirements & Deadlines

DEADLINE INFORMATION

• To begin in the fall (August): application must be submitted by July 1
• To begin in the spring (January): application must be submitted by November 1
• To begin in the summer (May): application must be submitted by April 1

APPLICATION INFORMATION

This is a graduate-level certificate course. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree.

To apply:

1. Complete an online application, including:
   1. Submit your unofficial transcripts. Offers of admission are not binding until official transcripts are received and verified.
   2. Application for Virginia In-State Education Privileges to establish residency.

START YOUR APPLICATION

Required Courses (5)

• Course schedules and program electives are currently under review in order to increase student options and flexibility.
• Current and prospective students may contact scpsinquiry@virginia.edu with questions related to their journey and course schedule. 

PSPM 5030 - INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Introduces students to the various aspects of the project life cycle and project management. Explores best practices and the application of these best practices for project success.

PSPM 5200 - PROJECT SCHEDULE, COST & BUDGET CONTROL

Introduces students to a variety of project scheduling and cost control techniques that are vital for a project to meet its schedule and cost goals and objectives. Concentrates on the variety of scheduling techniques (Gantt Chart, Critical Path Method, and Program Evaluation Review Technique) that can be used to guide and monitor project performance. Activities that are critical in preparing a realistic schedule are explored, discussed, and practiced. Students are then introduced to a variety of budgeting, cost estimating, and cost control techniques.

PSPM 5210 - PROJECT RISK MANAGEMENT

Introduces students to various concepts and techniques that can be used to effectively manage project risks including cost, schedule, technical, quality, managerial, and organizational.

PSPM 5230 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT: LEADERSHIP & MANAGING THE PROJECT TEAM

Analyzes the difference between leadership and management in the project management environment. Evaluates the role of the project manager as team leader, and reviews the application of various leadership and management techniques to project management.

PSPM 5290 - PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES OF AGILE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Introduces Agile Project Management as an iterative and incremental method of managing the project design and build activities for engineering, information technology, and new product or service development projects in a highly flexible and interactive manner. Provides thorough exposure to agile and lean methods, and explores differences between these methods and traditional techniques.

Elective Courses (1)

PSLP 5300 - FOUNDATIONS OF LEADERSHIP

Introduces students to various styles and theories of leadership. Through self-assessment and guided inquiry, students examine and create their own unique style of leadership. Students will develop approaches to adapt and modify leadership styles to various situations and individual personalities to influence organizational outcomes.

PSLP 5330 - COMMUNICATION & TEAM DEVELOPMENT

Prepares today's leaders for success in communication skills with diverse audiences, as well as effective team building and management. Communication topics address technical and non-technical audiences using presentations, interpersonal skills, and writing skills. Team development instruction focuses on managing teams, identifying and understanding the leadership role, the importance of shared leadership, and team decision making.  

PSPM 5005 - QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Ensuring Client Satisfaction Aims to provide project managers with the tools and processes they need to meet the quality standards imposed by their projects and customers. Student will be able to identify and address quality concerns throughout all phases of a project’s life cycle after finishing this course. Training will be delivered through lectures, case analyses, and team projects.

PSPM 5015 - STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Addresses how we stay in sync with stakeholders’ needs and respond appropriately to changing conditions to support delivering value and customer satisfaction for our projects. Designed to provide students with tools and techniques for balancing stakeholder engagement and change management.

The information contained on this web site is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements

Meet the Faculty