Offered at Cal State LA Downtown, the Certificate Program in Project Management prepares students with the skills required to effectively plan and manage projects. The program curriculum includes lectures, case studies, and hands-on exercises in accordance with the Project Management Institute's (PMI®) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®). Upon completion of the program, those who qualify will be better prepared to take the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) or Project Management Professional (PMP®) exams offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Cal State LA's program fulfills the educational requirement needed to sit for both exams. Achieving PMP certification can help distinguish students as experts in the profession of project management both domestically and abroad.
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According to Project Management Institute's (PMI) job growth report, much of the available talent is reaching retirement age. These factors are creating an extraordinarily positive job outlook for skilled project professionals. By 2027, employers will need 87.7 million individuals working in project management-oriented roles. Organizations' need for project talent has accelerated upward since 2016, with a projection of 2.2 million new project-oriented jobs each year through 2027. In the U.S., 2017 wages of project management-oriented workers in protected industries were far higher on average than wages of non-project-oriented professionals, with a median salary of $105,000.
Individuals who are either looking to enter the project management field or who already manage projects in both the public or private sectors in fields such as engineering, architecture, computer or high-tech fields, construction, or real estate development should enroll.
View the prerequisites for the PMP and CAPM Certification Exam.
Register for a Certificate in Project Management Program virtual information session.
The per-unit cost of the Certificate Program in Project Management is $300.
The total program cost of the Certificate Program in Project Management is: $1,200.
Textbooks, materials, and expenses (parking) are not included
Tuition and fees must be paid prior to the start of classes each term.
Participants are expected to purchase the following mandatory textbooks:
- The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management, 6th Edition (Fast Forward MBA Series) by Eric Verzuh (ISBN 1119700760)
- Project Management Body of Knowledge, 7th Edition
Because this is not an academic degree-seeking program, this program does not qualify for financial aid, grants, and scholarships. We do not offer installment plans but do offer private loans for the program. If you are interested in loans, please apply for a private student loan.
Cal State LA and the local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) are working together to ensure that our state has a well-trained and sustainable workforce. If you have been laid off due to poor economic conditions, company closure, or mass layoff, you may be eligible to receive free career development training.
To find out if you qualify for paid training, contact your local American Job Center (formerly One-Stop Center) to have them determine your eligibility to receive free training. Remember that you want to take classes through the College Professional and Global Education at Cal State LA. Visit CareerOneStop to find your nearest American Job Center or call 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627) for more information.
Important: You must contact your local American Job Center for application and approval first. Free enrollment in our WIB-approved programs is not available without prior written authorization.
The Certificate in Project Management Program will meet in person. The schedules are below. The instructor and participants will actively engage in weekly live discussions, activities, and lectures, and utilize Canvas, Cal State LA's learning management system. Program information including the syllabus will be emailed to registered participants a week before the program begins.
For Spring 2025 there are two program options: Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings.
To earn a certificate of completion, students must complete the two courses listed below with a grade of “C” or better for 48 seat hours.
Courses:
PMGT 7001 – Initiating and Planning a Project
(2 units /24 hours)
After an initial overview of project management and how it is the most effective means of delivering a product, service or result within time, cost, and resource constraints, you will gain a working knowledge of how projects are initiated and planned for. This includes defining and planning the triple constraints of scope, time, and cost; identifying and planning the project’s risk, as well as quality, communication, and procurement of outsourced resources and services.
PMGT 7002 – Executing, Controlling, and Closing a Project
(2 units /24 hours)
Once the project planning is complete, it is time to launch your project! This entails ensuring you identify and acquire a high-performing team and leading them to project completion. Managing risk, issues, and changes requires that you utilize methods, practices, and tools that will allow you, your team, and stakeholders to use data-driven, measurable, and quantified project status reports to make the most informed decisions. This will be accomplished by learning Earned Value Management which is considered one of the most effective methods for tracking project status and forecasting project results.
Register for the Wednesday evening program.
Register for the Saturday morning program.
The College of Professional and Global Education (PaGE) Program Office team will contact students the week the program begins to provide details including the syllabus, directions on how to access Canvas (the University's learning management system)., etc.
Classes will meet in person at Cal State LA Downtown at the listed times and dates noted in the program schedules. The instructor and participants will actively engage in discussions, and lectures, and utilize Canvas.
Note: If you encounter technical difficulties enrolling in this program, please email the College of Professional and Global Education Student Services for assistance.
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For more information about the Certificate in Project Management Certificate Program, please contact the Cal State LA Downtown Outreach and Recruitment Department: [email protected].