Non-Credit Certificate Program in Project Management: Strategy Essentials
Our project management certificate is temporarily paused as we refine the program. More information coming soon!
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At a Glance
- Enrollment:
- Part-time
- Length:
- 9-36 months
- Format:
- Online
- Total PDUs:
- 84 PDUs
Lead Projects. Motivate People. Get Results.
Project management has never been more important. As projects continue to increase in volume and complexity worldwide, those skilled in project management are essential across organizational and functional boundaries. Individuals with the ability to inspire and energize teams for higher productivity, budget savings, and more innovative solutions have become indispensable.
All Leaders Need Project Management Training and Skills
At UChicago, we understand the impact of offering a unique approach to project management that combines technical expertise with soft skills. Our curriculum encompasses both traditional and Agile methodologies, reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of project management.
In addition to preparing students for the PMP certification, our Project Management: Strategy Essentials certificate program offers a broad perspective on reskilling and upskilling. You will be able to lead projects, communicate more effectively with your team, and manage budgets. We provide multifaceted training to enhance your opportunities to successfully embrace career advancement in project and team management for a variety of roles and industries.
Designed For
Whether you are a project manager, a team leader, or a professional looking to upskill with an important career component, this unique program will give you a leading edge in successful project execution, adding value to your role, and opening up new opportunities across a variety of industries.
Why Is Project Management Important?
As projects become more technologically complex and cross-functional, project management requires strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities to build trust and foster collaboration to navigate the challenges of diverse teams, tight deadlines, and budget constraints. This means increasing transparency to improve the flow of information—from updates about the latest project disruptions to important insights—across traditionally siloed and fragmented work landscapes. This highlights the need for a broad perspective on reskilling and upskilling so you can work more efficiently, improve team communication, and stay on budget.
Project work is the lifeblood of an organization
Projects often provide team members with a sense of purpose and accomplishment, particularly when completed successfully. Skilled project managers have the ability to inspire and energize teams, leading to higher productivity and more innovative solutions. Our online certificate in Project Management will get you where you want to be and add value to your job role.
Drive Successful Project Outcomes
Our online certificate program introduces you to the technical and interpersonal skills necessary to master the theory and practice of project management.
- Learn ways to better communicate with clients, vendors, and staff to lead routine and nonroutine projects at all levels, across all industries. Bring projects in on time and within budget.
- Understand the theoretical side of project management and be confident in your ability to utilize proven tools, strategies, and techniques including process/workflow management, salvaging troubled projects, and obtaining team buy-in.
- Take new knowledge and skills learned in this program back to your workplace and immediately start improving work process efficiencies and project management.
- Gain theoretical and technical knowledge, as well as leadership and soft skills, which will allow you to perform exceptionally in your current role and even open up new career opportunities.
Students in the certificate program also benefit from:
- Access to UChicago resources.
- Onboarding and advising services.
- Coaching services (instructional office hours).
- Career services.
- Instructors are PMI-certified leaders in the field.
- Extracurricular activities, events, and webinars.
- High-level networking.
- Direct learning, practice, and feedback.
- Applicable content and quick skill-building.
- Strong engagement and community-building with industry experts.
- Alumni network and job posting notices.
- Support of the Professional Development Programs Student Advisory Board.
- Alumni Scholarship program.
Run Projects, Don't Let Them Run You
When you are leading projects at any level, you know to expect the unexpected. Being able to manage an ever-changing environment is key. Knowing the processes and tools needed is paramount to staying on time and on budget while avoiding miscommunication. Companies that use project management acumen find more success with happier employees. Alleviate the chaos by building new knowledge or broadening the skills necessary to keep all types of projects running smoothly. Earn a certificate that affects the bottom line and motivates teams.
What sets our Project Management program apart:
Certification Preparation
Our program prepares you for the PMP exam while building soft skills that set you apart.
Real-World Application
Apply what you learn immediately in your current role, improving work processes and team dynamics.
Flexible Online Learning
Balance your studies with your professional and personal life through our convenient online format.
Experienced Instructors
Learn from instructors who are credentialed Project Management Professionals, certified by the Project Management Institute, and have PhDs in relevant fields.
Career Advancement
Enhance your analytical, leadership, and soft skills, making you a standout candidate in a competitive market.
Holistic Skill Development
Our courses cover both traditional and Agile methodologies, offering a balanced approach to managing change and routine tasks.
To get started, contact our advising team via email to learn more about upcoming program and course information.
Create Value in Your Work—Earn a Certificate in Project Management
While participants do not earn credit toward an undergraduate or graduate degree in this special career program, students earn 22.5 contact hours per course. Students who complete the entire program successfully are awarded credentials in Project Management: Strategy Essentials certified by the University of Chicago Professional Education. The certificate of completion and digital course badges signify achievement in a high-quality, career-related continuing education program.
Who Should Enroll?
Ideal candidates for the program
This program is tailored for professionals across diverse fields, including marketing, human resources, information technology, and more. Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills or expand your expertise, this program provides valuable insights and practical tools to help you excel in your career.
- Aspiring Project Managers: Individuals looking to start a career in project management and seeking foundational knowledge and skills.
- Team Leaders and Managers: Those who lead teams and are responsible for delivering projects, and who need to enhance their project management skills.
- IT Professionals: Tech specialists who manage or work on software development or IT projects and wish to improve their project management capabilities, especially in Agile environments.
- Consultants: Professionals who advise businesses on project management strategies and want to expand their expertise or credibility.
- Professionals in Transition: Individuals looking to pivot into a project management role or enhance their current role with project management skills.
- PMP Exam Candidates: Those aiming to take the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam and seeking a comprehensive preparatory course.
- Professionals Seeking Career Advancement: Individuals in any industry who wish to add project management skills to their portfolio to advance their careers.
- Current Project Managers: Professionals already in the field who want to formalize their skills and stay current with industry standards.
Stay Competitive with Project Management Skills
The number of project management jobs is growing at an exponential rate, and those trained with project management skills can excel in any organization or industry. Anyone who has participated in a project team knows that successful delivery is a combination of science and art for project execution to meet objectives on time and on budget. UChicago’s online certificate prepares you to embrace these challenges head-on by addressing real organizational needs, giving you knowledge that will enhance your ability to grow and contribute to any organization.
A certificate in project management can:
- Prove your skills while learning new ones.
- Increase your chances of being hired.
- Help you achieve career growth and a higher salary.
- Establish influential relationships.
- Add value to any business you work for.
Opportunities for career advancement
PMPs earn a median wage of $123,000 per year—a 32 percent increase over their noncertified colleagues.
PMI sees the value of project-based activity growing to $20 trillion in 2027, while employing 88 million people in project management roles worldwide.
PMI research has shown that poor project performance leads to an 11 percent waste in investment.
Your product or service requires work. When work is well defined and well managed people are motivated. Motivated people are happy and more productive. Projects are often major vehicles for change. Those trained in project management should strive to be an instrument of positive change.
Offered by The University of Chicago's Professional Education
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