Project Management

Advanced Post-Baccalaureate Credit Certificate Program

Dr. Jeffrey K. Pinto, Professor of Management
Sam and Irene Black School of Business
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
5091 Station Road
Erie, PA 16563-1400
Fax: 814-898-6223
E-mail: jkp4@psu.edu

Project management is increasingly used by organizations to enhance operations, expand markets and opportunities, and streamline and make the internal organization more efficient. The curriculum of this certificate emphasizes all aspects of project management theory and practice. Instructional methods include problem-based learning as well as a combination of face-to-face and Web-based interaction. Students complete eight courses (24 credits) in which they are required to apply course concepts to project management situations. The key themes of the curriculum include: planning, cost, and value management; project control; human issues in project management; strategic issues in project management; and commercial and procurement law as it relates to project management. Delivery via the World Campus allows working business professionals geographically dispersed throughout North America to complete the program without relocating or traveling to campus on a regular basis.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for this certificate program must have been previously admitted to degree status for the Master of Project Management (M P M) program. Admission to the M P M is granted only to candidates who demonstrate high promise of success for graduate work. All applicants must have received, from an accredited institution, a baccalaureate degree earned under residence and credit conditions that are deemed substantially equivalent to those currently required by Penn State. Admission decisions are based on undergraduate grade-point average, Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, a personal essay, and letters of recommendation or nomination from the applicant's employing organization.

An applicant's GMAT score plus undergraduate grade-point average (multiplied by 200) must total at least 1,000 in order to meet minimum requirements for admission to the M P M program. Either the applicant's cumulative undergraduate grade-point average or the junior/senior grade point average can be used for this calculation. For example: 2.5 (grade-point average) x 200 = 500 + 500 (GMAT score) = 1,000. A minimum GMAT score of 400 is required.

Program course work emphasizes application of course concepts to actual project management opportunities and problems. Therefore, students who currently are, or previously were, employed as project managers or project team members will derive the greatest benefit from the program.

All applicants must provide evidence of sufficient current or previous work experience that will enable them to successfully complete course assignments requiring the application of course concepts to real project management situations. This evidence may be provided either in the form of three letters of recommendation from individuals who know the applicant in a professional capacity or through nomination to participate in the program by an appropriate official within the applicant's employing organization. Those who write letters of recommendation or submit nominations on behalf of the candidate will be asked to attest to the nominee's suitability for the program of study considering factors such as the applicant's length of employment, level and areas of work responsibility, personal qualities, career goals, maturity of purpose, and program requirements to apply course concepts to work-related issues. Applicants are encouraged to consult with the program chair concerning the suitability of their work experiences in relationship to program requirements.

Applicants whose first language is not English or who have not received baccalaureate or master's degrees from an institution in which the language of instruction is English, must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). International students must have a score of 550 (paper-based exam) or 213 (computer-based exam) on the TOEFL.

All students must be computer literate and have ready and reliable access to a computer and the Internet. They must know how to use word-processing software, log onto an Internet provider, and use e-mail. Additionally, M P M students will use Microsoft Office in their course work that will require that they have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. Access to fax facilities may be needed as an additional form of communications between student and instructor, or between students.

COURSES

MANAGEMENT (MANGT)
510. Project Management (3)
515. Cost and Value Management (3)
520. Planning and Resource Management (3)
525. Commercial and Procurement (3)
531. Organizations (3)
535. Interpersonal and Group Behavior (3)
540. Strategy: Corporate, Business and Project (3)
575. Management of Projects (3)
596. Individual Studies (1-9)
597. Special Topics (1-9)

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

MANAGEMENT (MANGT) course list

Effective Date: Spring Semester 2004
Expiration Date: Spring Semester 2009

The University reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations listed here and to determine whether a student has satisfactorily met its requirements for admission or graduation, and to reject any applicant for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant's qualifications to pursue higher education. Nothing in this material should be considered a guarantee that completion of a program and graduation from the University will result in employment.

This electronic Graduate Bulletin is a version of the official bulletin of The Pennsylvania State University. It is suggested that users refer to this electronic bulletin when seeking the latest information about the University's academic programs and courses. Printed versions of the Bulletin are also official copies of the programs, courses, and policies in effect at the time of printing.

Last Revised by the Department: Spring Semester 2004

Blue Sheet #: 32-06-487

Review Date: 4/13/04