The Graduate Certificate in Project Management prepares engineers and scientists for leadership in project management in high-tech industry, research labs, construction, advanced manufacturing, and software. Project managers lead complex technical projects from start to successful completion, ensuring the work is done on time, within budget, and according to the agreed-upon scope and standards. They act as the central coordinator, connecting the project sponsor’s vision with the technical team's execution. Responsibilities include defining project scopes and project organizations, creating detailed plans for workflows, budgets, and timelines, managing resources and risks, leading the project team, and maintaining communication with all stakeholders.
The certificate covers core principles of project management for different types of projects - from construction to software - and introduces methods and tools for planning, estimating, scheduling, risk assessment, and project tracking, including approaches involving artificial intelligence. Students explore how software delivery practices (e.g., Agile and Scrum) impact general project management and are applicable for hardware, construction, and AI deployment projects.
To earn their certificate, students must complete 16 credits. This helps them apply skills quickly in their careers or pursue further education.
Portland State University stands out as a leader in project management education. Our program offers several unique advantages:
- Our curriculum aligns with industry standards, such as Project Management Institute (PMI), giving you a head start on industry certifications you may want to pursue.
- Expert Faculty: Learn from skilled professionals. They share real-world insights and research, which enrich your classroom experience.
- Hands-On Learning Opportunities: Work on real projects. This lets you use theory to solve actual problems that organizations face today.
Courses within the certificate cover essential topics such as:
- Project Planning and Scheduling: Learn how to create strong project timelines and manage resources well.
- Risk Management Strategies: Discover how to spot risks and create plans to reduce them.
- Lead diverse teams by building strong interpersonal skills for project success.
A Graduate Certificate in Project Management boosts your career options in many fields. Graduates have successfully transitioned into leadership roles such as:
- Senior Project Manager at Nike
- Project Leader at Daimler
- Project Manager at Tektronix
- Program Manager at Microsoft
- National Operations Program Manager at the US Forest Service
This certificate equips you with the project and program management skills necessary to advance into leadership positions in technology organizations. Whether you are looking to advance into first leadership roles as project manager or are ready to take on multi-project portfolios, the certificate provides the foundation you need to succeed.