Certificate Program in Project Management
Effective project management involves meeting deadlines, staying within budget, coordinating diverse groups of people and tasks, solving problems and achieving results. The Project Management Certificate Program is designed to give professionals the tools needed to successfully manage any type of project - regardless of scope or industry. Whether you manage multiple information technology projects or a single public relations campaign, this program enables you to manage your projects more efficiently and effectively. All instructors are working professionals and experts in their fields who bring real world application of project management to their classes.
Based upon the industry standard, Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®), developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI®) at www.pmi.org, the curriculum covers in-depth the essential elements of initiating and completing a successful project, including the development of interpersonal skills to conduct work in the team environment inherent to modern projects. UC Davis Extension's project management courses meet the educational requirements for the PMP® Certificate Examination.
Program objectives
- Prepare for the Project Management Institute's Project Management Professional Certification Examination
- Understand the fundamental concepts and theory of project management
- Analyze projects for cost, time, scope, risk and quality
- Understand how to utilize the control elements common to all projects you manage for maximum results
- Apply quality management methods to effectively organize staff and lead a successful project team
Who will benefit
- People who want to take the Project Management Institute's Project Management Professional (PMP ®) Certification Examination
- Professionals planning, managing and controlling projects within an organization
- Anyone interested in a career in project management
- Those interested in learning the latest project management tools and methodologies
- Managers who need to fine tune and formalize their project management skills
- Anyone managing multiple tasks
Requirements to earn the certificate
Candidates for the certificate must successfully complete a total of 18 units of coursework with grades of "C" or better. Introduction to Project Management and Project Integration and Scope Management are prerequisites for all other core courses in this program, and Advanced Project Management Topics is the final core course to be taken. Tuition for the entire Project Management Certificate Program is approximately $5,600, depending on when you enroll. The certificate application fee ($45), textbooks and parking are not included in the tuition fee. Please call (530) 757-8895 for more information.
| UNITS | F | W | SP | SU | ||
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| REQUIRED COURSES | Introduction to Project Management | 1.5 | 
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| Project Integration and Scope Management | 2 |
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| Project Time and Cost Management | 3 |
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| Project Quality Management | 2.5 |
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| Project Communications and Human Resource Management | 3 |
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| Project Risk Management | 1.5 |
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| Project Procurement Management | 2 |
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| Advanced Project Management Topics | 2.5 |
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Online Learning format
Classroom and Online Learning formats |
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Required Courses
Introduction to Project Management
1.5 quarter units academic credit, X455.23. 15 PDU Hours
Being
an effective project leader requires a clear understanding of the
essential
elements of the project management framework and processes. Using the
Project
Management Institute’s A Guide to the
Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®
Guide),
learn the basic characteristics of projects and project management,
with
emphasis on the five process groups of initiating, planning, executing,
controlling and closing.
Sections of this course open for enrollment:
- Introduction to Project Management
starts January 5, 2009
Project Integration and Scope Management
2 quarter units academic credit, X455.24. 20 PDU Hours
Successful project outcomes depend on an effective project management plan, development and execution, as well as adherence to a scope management process. They also need to begin with the proper integration of related project elements across project process groups and knowledge areas.
Building on your knowledge of the
project management framework and processes, explore in depth the
processes and
activities required to define and coordinate the projects within the
project
process groups, particularly where individual processes interact, and
when
competing objectives and alternatives require trade-offs. Examine the
processes
that ensure all the work, and only the work, required for successful
project
completion, is included within the scope of your projects.
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Project Management.
Sections of this course open for enrollment:
- Project Integration and Scope Management starts October 21
Project Time and Cost Management
3 quarter units academic credit, X455.25. 30 PDU Hours
For many projects, on time and within budget seem to be mutually exclusive factors. Learn to plan and achieve both at the same time. Examine time management processes such as activity breakdown, estimation, sequencing and scheduling. Gain a better understanding of Gantt charts as well as network diagrams and critical paths to learn how they can help you manage time better.
Explore how
to improve your margins by analyzing resource planning, cost
estimation, cost
control systems, project budgeting and basic accounting principles to
ensure
financial success. Learn about earned value, variance analysis and
resource
constraints. Practice all of these useful techniques in the classroom
then
apply them in your workplace the next day.
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Project Management, Project Integration and Scope Management.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Project Quality Management
2.5 quarter units academic credit, X455.26. 25 PDU Hours
Enhance your ability to monitor projects so they meet their intended goals. Examine the critical components of project quality: planning, control, assurance and improvement. Learn about the business and technical aspects of project quality management, including determining what assets and resources you need to launch a new program or revitalize existing ones.
Explore quality management processes such as identifying customer requirements, cost-benefit analysis, benchmarking, cause and effect diagrams, flowcharting, control charts, Pareto diagrams and quality audits. Acquire hands-on experience with some of these methods.
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Project Management, Project Integration and Scope Management.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Project Communications and Human Resource Management
3 quarter units academic credit, X455.16. 30 PDU Hours
Effective project managers must possess strong skills in organizational planning, leadership, team building, communication, performance coaching and staff management. Examine how to use human resources to achieve project goals, how to analyze and manage stakeholders, and how to design the right project organization structure to obtain the most out of your resources.
Learn to
establish clear project roles and responsibilities, create rules of
engagement,
and exercise influence within the existing power structure using
appropriate
leadership styles. Gain expertise to meet the challenges of managing
matrix
teams as well as the more complex virtual team. Examine processes that
ensure
timely and appropriate generation, collection, dissemination and
storage of project
information.
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Project Management, Project Integration and Scope Management.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Project Risk Management
1.5 quarter units academic credit, X455.27. 15 PDU Hours
When it comes to managing projects, smart managers prepare for both the best and worst case scenarios. Risk management is the process of identifying, analyzing and responding to project risk. It includes maximizing the probability and consequences of positive events and minimizing the probability and consequences of adverse events to project objectives. Learn how to approach and plan the risk management activities for your projects by developing the knowledge to determine what risks might affect a project and to perform quality analyses for risk.
Examine how to measure the probability and consequences of risk, and
develop procedures and techniques to enhance opportunities and reduce
threats
from risk. Learn also how to monitor residual risk.
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Project Management, Project Integration and Scope Management.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Project Procurement Management
2 quarter units academic credit, X455.22. 20 PDU Hours
A key concern of project managers is to identify and acquire the necessary goods and services to implement and complete project plans. Successful project managers must, therefore, know how to administer contracts. Develop hands-on experience with the procurement process, learning to procure goods and services for your projects and gaining the ability to administer contracts for the entire life cycle of your project.
Emphasis is on the PMBOK®Guide six-step procurement process: plan purchases and acquisitions, plan contracting, request seller responses, selecting sellers, contract administration and contract closure.
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Project Management, Project Integration and Scope Management.
This course is not currently scheduled.
Advanced Project Management Topics
2.5 quarter units academic credit, X455.28. 25 PDU Hours
If you’re already a good project manager, but strive to be better, explore project management within the framework of more complex project environments. By building upon and extending the concepts and knowledge you already have, learn to successfully manage more challenging projects, and to achieve reliability and repeatability in project results.
Prerequisites:
Project Communications and Human Resource Management, Project Procurement Management, Project Time and Cost Management, Project Quality Management, Project Risk Management, Introduction to Project Management, Project Integration and Scope Management.
Sections of this course open for enrollment:
- Advanced Project Management Topics starts January 5, 2009
Free info Sessions
Attend a Project Management Certificate Program Information Session to learn more about this program.
For More Information
Download a Project Management Certificate Program brochure for a list of current quarter courses and enrollment information. 
(337KB)
This program is approved by:
testimonials
"UC Davis Extension's Online Project Management Certificate Program is very convenient and has helped me and my team develop our project management skill set, methods and tools. The instructors are responsive and provide valuable guidance as well as facilitate online class participation exercises. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in obtaining this certificate."
Kristina Rodriguez, director, National PNM Support, Health Net, Inc.
"What did I need to do to improve my management skills? My research ended with UC Davis Extension's Certificate Program in Project Management. Each module covers the five PMBOK process areas and nine knowledge areas in depth, but in a simple, careful and understandable way. The instructors' vast experiences were invaluable. This program was worth every penny I invested."
Visvanathan Palanisamy, EA Consulting, Inc.
"Using local government and private sector practitioners with many years of practical experience in project management, UC Davis Extension provided me with pragmatic skills, tools and techniques. These courses have helped me play a role in the design, development and operation of meaningful change in state government."
Lawrence H. Cook, project planning analyst
"After just one class in this program, my management and operational skills improved. Later PMP certification will allow me to complete my goals of obtaining an MBA and further advancement with the U.S. NAVY and as a government contractor after active duty. I am currently stationed in Japan and needed an online educational program that was available from the ship and on land. The UC Davis Extension distance learning program in Project Management has been easy to use even with the ship's slow-speed Internet connection."
Lt. Bryan Weatherup, U.S. Navy
"The UC Davis Project Management Certification Program helped me excel in my career as a project manager. I was able to learn practical skills from very competent instructors. I highly recommend this program."
Christine Henry, power system operator, Western Area Power Administration, U.S. Department of Energy
