Project Management Certificate Overview

Project Management Institute Authorized Training Partner Badge

Develop the skills to lead projects with confidence and achieve measurable results across industries. Gain practical expertise in project planning and scheduling and managing costs and risks, while learning from experienced professionals to successfully drive projects from start to finish. 

  • Four courses, seven weeks each
  • Three-hour live Zoom class, one evening a week, 84 hours total
  • Seven months to complete the certificate

"Project management is hard, but learning from excellent teachers made all the difference. What we learned on Thursday night, I applied at work on Friday, boosting my confidence every week." 

— Project management student

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Whether you aspire to have a project management role, are new to the field, or have experience as a project manager, this program is designed to help you successfully guide projects to completion in a wide variety of fields, including marketing, financial services, information technology, government, construction, engineering, research and development, facilities management, manufacturing, corporate planning and more. 

A digital badge will be awarded upon completion of the four required courses. Badges can be digitally displayed anywhere to recognize attaining a new level of knowledge. 

Credly badge that says "Penn State Great Valley Project Management Professional Development Certificate"

The Pennsylvania State University is a Project Management Institute (PMI)® Authorized Training Partner (A.T.P.), committed to enhancing the ongoing professional development of both current and future PMI Members, PMI-certified Project Management Professionals (PMP®), and other project management stakeholders. We also offer Project Management Supplemental topics.

Sequential Project Management Courses and Professional Development Units

The program is a structured sequence of courses that MUST be taken in order and CANNOT be taken concurrently. Each project management course is approved by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to receive one Professional Development Unit (PDU) for each contact hour (21 PDUs per course). 

PDUs are required to apply to and take the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam. Upon completion of the certificate program, you will have earned 84 educational PDUs you can put towards achieving the PMP credential through the Project Management Institute.

Continuing Education Units

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded based on a standard of one unit per ten (10) hours of classroom contact.

Note: The University reserves the right to cancel courses due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. 

Customized Programs

Companies and organizations can have this program conducted at Penn State Great Valley or elsewhere. Program content can be customized to meet the needs of the company. Call 610-648-3273 for information.

PMI, the Registered Education Provider logo, and PMP are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

Project Management Certificate FAQs

Absolutely. This program is designed for both new and experienced project management professionals. 

The curriculum introduces and reviews the core principles, processes, and terminology that every project manager, or those working with project managers, should understand. Participants learn about the full project lifecycle, including project initiation, planning, budgeting, and risk management.

Novice and experienced project managers are surprised by how much they gain from revisiting project management fundamentals. This program provides professionals at all skill levels with a strong foundation for success. 

This certificate offers more than just a credential. It offers a deeper understanding of project management, useful skills, opportunities to discuss real projects, and meaningful connections with other professionals in the field. 

Unlike self-paced programs where students work in isolation, this course provides opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and deeper exploration of real-world challenges. Our students apply project management concepts in practical, meaningful ways while learning alongside experienced professionals. 

 

Yes. The courses are designed to be taken in sequence. Throughout the program, you will work with a team on a project that develops from one course to the next. To ensure a consistent learning experience, participants progress through the program with the same team.  

The program consists of four courses completed over approximately seven months. Classes meet one night per week, and the schedule is designed to avoid major holidays whenever possible. 

No. You do not need to pay for the entire program up front. 

We offer a pay-as-you-go option that allows you to register and pay for each course individually. If your employer offers tuition reimbursement, requires invoicing, or has other payment requirements, we can work with you and your organization to accommodate those needs.

We understand unexpected events can arise. If you need to miss a class, you should inform the instructor and your project team as soon as possible. Because much of the program involves teamwork and collaboration, it is important to coordinate with your team and develop a plan to stay current with course assignments and activities. 

The two programs serve different purposes:

  • The Project Management Certificate Program provides a comprehensive foundation in how to manage a project from beginning to end. The program is valuable for both experienced professionals and those newer to project management who want to strengthen their skills and improve project outcomes. While the certificate provides a strong foundation in project management, it does not specifically focus on preparing participants to pass the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification exam. 
  • The Project Management Professional (PMP®) Exam Prep Course is designed specifically to help eligible professionals prepare for the PMP® certification exam administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). This course focuses on exam preparation and PMP® certification readiness using PMI-developed training materials. 
  • Once you’ve completed the Project Management Certificate program, we offer a discount if you continue to the PMP Exam Prep Course within two years. 

Possibly. The Project Management Certificate Program satisfies the education requirement for PMP® certification by providing the required number of project management training hours. 

Depending on your high school or college education level, the Project Management Institute (PMI) requires you to have not only the required project management training hours, but also a certain number of months of experience leading projects before you may apply for PMP certification, study for and take the PMP exam. We encourage you to review the PMP certification exam eligibility requirements on PMI’s website. 

If you are seeking focused preparation for the PMP® certification exam, you may wish to consider the PMP Exam Prep Course, which uses PMI-developed training materials and which is specifically designed to help participants prepare for the exam.