| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Online | Yes |
| Format | Instructor-led |
| Course Fee | $1,975 |
| CEUs | 3.5 |
| Course Availability | |
| Approximately 8 times per year | |
| Time to Complete | |
| 8 weeks | |
| Prerequisites | |
| None | |
Project Management Essentials (PME) Certificate Overview
Purdue University’s online Project Management Essentials certificate provides learners with fundamental knowledge and skills and a strong start on the path toward becoming a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)® through the Project Management Institute (PMI). It also fulfills PMI’s 35 hours of project management education requirement for taking the PMP® exam. Our learners typically are project managers in the early stages of their careers who want to perfect their skills and are considering or planning to take the PMP exam, but any professional can benefit if efficient and effective project management is among their responsibilities.
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To learn more about Purdue University’s online Project Management courses and , fill out this form. You can also email us at PMonline@purdue.edu or call us at (765) 253-6940 to speak to one of our enrollment specialists.
Course Details
The eight-week Project Management Essentials course is 100% online and instructor-led. PME instructors use an array of Purdue-developed learning tools, including award-winning videos, to engage learners in a stimulating range of activities that include:
- Directed study of the PMBOK® Guide (A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Seventh Edition)
- Viewing recorded lecture videos
- Completing workbooks that both facilitate learning and serve as a handy professional resource
- Completing four written assignments that translate directly to the workplace
- Participating in asynchronous online threaded discussion forums
- Taking self-tests and quizzes
Course Instruction
Instructors participate in online discussions and welcome the opportunity to provide assistance to interested learners on an individual basis via email or virtual appointment. The online format enables you to do your work where and when you want, but there are assignments and quizzes that must be completed by weekly deadlines. Learners typically spend five to seven hours on coursework each week.
All course materials, except the text book, are presented in Brightspace. Learners are responsible for purchasing their own PMBOK® Guide.
Who Is This Program For?
This foundational course can serve as a valuable one-off option for professionals seeking to enhance their project management skills, even if they are not planning to pursue PMP certification. Learners across many industries can use what they learn to improve project planning, enhance resource allocation, mitigate risks more effectively and increase overall project success rates.
Take this course as a bundle: The Project Management Essentials course can be completed at any point in the series. However, we strongly recommend taking it first, especially if you are newer to formal principles of project management. This course is an excellent entry point that lays the groundwork for both traditional and Agile methodologies, in alignment with content found on the PMP exam. Plus, you’ll save 10% by taking it as part of a three-course bundle.
“Purdue’s online Project Management Essentials course was developed to reflect how we conceptually teach project management. We don’t just mirror the PMBOK Guide® verbatim. We make it easier for learners to understand how to implement project management best practice into their careers and their projects.”
Susan Vaughn, PMP & PME course Instructor
Course Learning Outcomes
The online Project Management Essentials course prepares learners to advance their project management careers by putting knowledge and skills into practice. In addition to familiarizing learners with PMI’s PMBOK® Guide and basic project management concepts and terms, the course equips learners to define and apply the following:
- Basic project management concepts and terms
- Project integration management tools, techniques, and processes
- Project scope and procurement management tools, techniques, and processes
- Project time management tools, techniques, and processes
- Project cost and risk management tools, techniques, and processes
- Project stakeholder, communications, and human resource management tools, techniques, and processes
- Project quality management and change control tools, techniques, and processes
- Tools, techniques and processes to manage project performance
- Tools, techniques and processes to close a project or phase
PMP Certification: Become a Project Management Professional®
Only individuals Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does this course prepare me for PMP or PMI-ACP certification?
The Project Management Essentials course provides a solid foundation in project management principles, covering key knowledge areas required for the PMP exam. For those interested in PMI-ACP® certification, this course offers valuable context on traditional project management approaches, which is important in understanding how Agile methodologies fit into the broader project management landscape. The program also fulfills the 35 hours of project management education requirement for taking the PMP® exam.
For more information about the Project Management Institute (PMI), including specific requirements for taking the PMP or PMI-ACP exam, please visit the PMI website.
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.
Do I need prior experience to enroll in this program?
No prior experience is required to enroll in the Project Management Essentials program. It is specifically designed for beginners and early-career professionals who are either new to project management or looking to formalize their understanding of project-based work. The curriculum introduces foundational concepts, tools and terminology used in the field, following the standards set by the Project Management Institute (PMI).