Find answers to your questions about Purdue’s online Project Management series below and, if we haven’t answered your particular questions, please contact a program advisor at (888) 390-0499 or via email at PMonline@purdue.edu.

Certification Exam

Do I need to take a separate certification exam after I complete any of the courses?

A certificate of achievement from Purdue University is awarded to students who successfully complete Project Management Essentials and also to those who complete the Project Management Professional (PMP)® Exam Preparation course. The second course is a strong first step on the path toward PMP certification. For more information about the Project Management Institute (PMI), including specific requirements for taking the PMP exam, please visit the PMI website.

CEUs, PDUs and Contact Hours

What are CEUs and how do I get them for the Project Management courses?

The Project Management Essentials online course is certified for 3.5 CEUs (continuing education units) and the PMP Exam Preparation online course is certified for 3.5 CEUs, both from Purdue University. If you successfully complete a course, you will have the option of filling out a form for the CEUs, and Purdue will record them in a cumulative CEU database. Some professions require that individuals earn a certain number of CEUs each year to maintain a license or to support professional development. We leave it up to each student to fill out the form and return it for CEU credit after they successfully complete each course. It does not require an additional fee. Please note that everyone who successfully completes the course receives a printed certificate of completion from Purdue University.

What are PDUs and contact hours?

PDUs are Professional Development Units and can be used only after you pass the PMP exam for professional development and to maintain your certification through PMI. They are different than both CEUs and contact hours. Contact hours represent formal project management education (including online training) and are a prerequisite for taking the PMP exam. Please visit PMI’s website for more information about specific requirements.

Course Quizzes in Brightspace

I don’t think I got full credit for a fill-in-the-blank question in one of the quizzes. What should I do?

This question comes up when a student has responded to a fill-in-the-blank question with more words than requested. When you get a fill-in-the-blank, be sure to read the context before and after the question. For instance, if the word “percent” automatically appears after the blank that you need to fill in, don’t type the word “percent” or the sign “%” because it will cause you to get the answer wrong. Just type the number that you think is the correct answer, such as 20 or twenty. Most of the fill-in-the-blank questions have been adjusted so that the first few letters of the word you need to complete are already provided.

Can I retake quizzes?

Yes, the quizzes are open one week beyond the deadline and you can take them up to three times to attain the best score. The system automatically retains the highest score from your attempts. The quiz questions refresh, so you will see a different set of questions for each attempt. The fill-in-the-blank questions are random and, as a result, are not always included by the system in every attempt.

Why can’t I see the correct answers to the quiz questions after I’m done with a quiz?

The system was intentionally designed to ensure the rigor of the course. It blocks access to printouts of quiz answers. You will, however, have access to your quiz scores.

Learning Activities

What are the various learning activities in the online Project Management Essentials course?

  • Reading the textbook, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide).
  • Watching award-winning lecture videos that cover key topics in the course material (available 24/7 throughout the eight-week course).
  • Completing workbooks for each module that facilitate your learning and provide you with a personalized reference for future professional use.
  • Completing four assignments to develop a better understanding of the key concepts in this course.
  • Participating in asynchronous online discussions (this is a required part of the course, but it is not necessary to be online at the same time as the other learners).
  • Taking online self-tests and quizzes (self-tests may be repeated and do not count toward your final grade). Quizzes are required and may be taken up to three times.
  • Participating in optional one-on-one coaching via email or through a phone appointment with your instructor.

Lecture Videos

Can I download the lecture videos?

The Project Management Essentials course lecture videos cannot be downloaded. All lecture videos are integrated in the Brightspace online environment. You can view lecture videos by clicking on corresponding links located in the weekly learning modules.

How can I view closed captions?

You can view closed captions by hovering your mouse on the right corner of the lecture video screen, clicking on the button, and choosing English.

Online Lean Six Sigma Courses

Does Purdue offer any online Lean Six Sigma courses?

Yes, we offer a variety of LSS courses for professionals with varying exposure to the discipline. Please visit Purdue Lean Six Sigma for more information. For detailed course outcome information, please visit the dedicated course pages:

Failure to Pass and Re-Enrollment Option

Why did I receive a notice that I did not pass the course?

You must earn the minimum 80% of available points in each of the courses to successfully complete the course. You also are required to turn your assignments in and complete your quizzes the week that they are due. Please check the syllabus for details about course requirements. If you are missing an assignment or a quiz when the course ends, you will not pass the course, even if you have the required minimum number of points. Please refer to the letter from your instructor for details about how to work around special circumstances that might keep you from turning in an assignment or completing a quiz within the required time frame.

What steps do I take to re-enroll?

You have many opportunities to begin Project Management courses each year. To re-enroll, simply register for the course you desire and understand that you will have to pay the full fee to retake it.

Tech Support

If the above FAQ answers do not address a specific question about accessing the course materials in Brightspace, please send an email to Purdue University Online at: projectmanagement@purdue.edu. After hours, please check with Purdue IT.

The Purdue IT Service Desk is available by phone and by email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week*.

*The Service Desk is closed during University holidays.

Please provide your full name, course title and section, and tell them this online Brightspace course is a non-credit offering through Purdue University Online after calling (765) 494-4000 and selecting option 5 for students.

Additional Support

For non-technical questions or if you need other assistance, please contact your Program Advisor at (888) 390-0499 or via email at PMonline@purdue.edu.

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Information

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