Project Management   |   Information Systems

Certificate in Project Management

Aspen University's Certificate Program in Project Management presents systematic approaches, and provides the practical tools and skills for planning, organizing, regulating, and leading projects to successful completion.

"Aspen's project management curriculum has been one of our crowning achievements within the company, with great feedback from employees on all aspects of the program."
Dan Tobin, Former Dean, Getronics Virtual University
(formerly Wang Global Virtual University)

Each participant produces a project plan as part of the course requirements. Participants are encouraged to use projects they are currently working on in their professional life to complete their course requirements.

The three courses required for a Project Management Certificate are:

Project Management Essentials
Project Management Organization Framework
Project Management Integration Framework

See: Program Calendar and Cost

Upon completion of the program, you will be able to:

As a Project Management Institute (PMI) Certified Education Provider, Aspen's Project Management Program is approved by the PMI (www.pmi.org) and prepares the student to take the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification exam, if desired. The PMP® credential is the project management profession's most recognized and respected certification credential. Individuals must qualify to sit for the PMP® Certification examination.

Registered PMPs must accrue a minimum of sixty Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years to maintain certification status. Each course in the PM Certificate program qualifys for 45 PDUs. PMPs may also take other Aspen courses to fulfill their Professional Development Unit (PDU) requirements.

Back to Top

Course Descriptions:

Project Management Essentials (PME) introduces students to the fundamental elements of effective project management. It provides students with the opportunity to apply these elements using exercises and examples based on real-time projects. The required tools and techniques used to plan, measure, and control projects and the methods used to organize and manage projects are also discussed.

Course Competencies:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the fundamental concepts of project management and provide an in-depth analysis of the role of a project manager in successfully managing a project
  
• Explain the tools and techniques used to plan, measure and control small-scale, large-scale, and concurrent projects based on Project Management Institute (PMI) standards
  
• Describe the primary methods used to organize and manage projects
  
• Build skills for controlling, scheduling, and delivering successful projects on time
  
• Apply learning to the planning of a sample project or a real business project.
  

Back to top

Course Competencies:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental concepts of scope, time management, human resource planning, and project communications
  
• Build skills for project strategic planning, initiating, controlling, and change
  
• Describe and use the tools and techniques used to effectively manage the organizational and operational aspects of project management based on the PMI standards
  
• Explain project initiation concepts including product description, strategic planning, and project selection criteria
  
• Explain project management leadership, project staffing, staff acquisition and evaluation, and other human resource considerations
  
• Explain the concepts of work breakdown structure, activity-duration estimation, various diagramming methodologies, and other time management tools
  
• Demonstrate the tools and techniques for effective communication and information management within the scope of project management
  
• Apply learning to planning of real business projects.
  

Back to top

Course Competencies:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the concepts of project integration, project cost, quality, procurement, and risk management
  
• Present principles of project plan development, execution, and overall change control
  
• Build skills in resource planning, cost estimating, budgeting, and cost containment
  
• Describe and use the tools and techniques used to effectively manage the procurement process within the project management framework, including procurement and solicitation planning, solicitation, source selection, contract administration, and contract close out
  
• Describe risk management issues including risk identification, qualification, response development, and control
  
• Apply learning to planning of real business projects.
  

Back to top

Total Program Cost (Three courses):

Online Interactive Schedule: 2003

Back to top

Certificate in Information Systems

For students who wish to engage in focused study of information systems without pursuing a degree, Aspen offers a Certificate Program in Information Systems. This program introduces core technologies associated with technical analysis, design, development, implementation, and management of information systems. Students examine innovative technologies and develop an information management and eBusiness strategy.

Five courses are required for the Information Systems Certificate:

Management of Information Systems
Information Systems Strategic Planning
Emerging Technologies
eBusiness
Intranets

See: Program Calendar

Back to top

Course Descriptions:

545-Emerging Technologies
Through this course, students explore state-of-the-art and emerging technologies in information processing. The class includes a survey of recent advances in software development, hardware, and computer networking strategies.

685-eBusiness
The Internet and related technologies pose enormous opportunities for developing new business models and significant threats to existing models. Information Professionals must be prepared to recognize opportunities and overcome challenges posed by the electronic economy. This course defines the core elements of developing an eBusiness strategy, including branding, competitive analysis, technology assessment, business method models, and preparing for emerging trends. Course assignments involve extensive case studies and online research using the latest e-tools. Students collaborate to create a prototype eBusiness venture.

Back to top

Online Interactive Schedule: 2003

Project Management Certificate
Get practical experience and learn the skills you need to successfully manage projects from planning to completion and subsequent evaluation. Study systematic approaches to planning, organizing, regulating, and leading projects.

Information Systems Certificate
Learn the innovative technologies associated with technical analysis, design, development, implementation, and management of information systems. Develop an information management and eBusiness strategy.