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Course/Module Descriptions

Currently accepting applications Apply now >> Program starts: Autumn, winter and spring quarters Program location: Autumn-start: Online Winter- and spring-start: Hybrid (Online, plus Bellevue meetings) Sign up to receive e-mail updates >> Contact a program representative >>

The following course information pertains to the online format. For details about the classroom learning format, see Project Management. For a comparison of the formats, see Choose Classroom or Online Learning Format.

Participants start this cohort-based program together, study project development phases in teams using a case study, and complete the certificate program in nine and a half months. They follow an outline course guide and schedule for each course, read three required textbooks, join online discussions, submit individual or team assignments to the instructor via fax or the internet, and present their team's final deliverables before they complete the program.

There is a choice of an autumn-start entirely online web-based program, or a winter-start and spring-start hybrid web-based program augmented by six Saturday face-to-face sessions where students meet their instructors and classmates. The latter choice is ideal for people living in the Northwest region. All courses begin on a Saturday.

Module 1: What is Project Management?

Module 1: $599; 3 CEUs. Instructors: Mori (Autumn and Spring Quarters); Sweeney (Winter Quarter). View the course introduction

An overview of, and introduction to, project management. You evaluate project management processes in your organization, propose a project for a case-study, form and meet your team, and develop an initial copy of your team project POS (Project Overview Statement). Topics:

• What is a project?
• What is project management?
• Project management skills
• Team organization and ground rules

Module 2: Project Planning I: Scope, Risk and Scheduling

Module 2: $879; 4 CEUs. Instructors: Croswhite (Autumn and Spring Quarters); Hirsch (Winter Quarter). View the course introduction

You gain experience in defining the scope for a project and developing a complete project overview statement. You also learn the process of developing a work breakdown structure (WBS) and the fundamentals of scheduling, including the development of a Gantt chart and a project network. Finally, you learn to plan for managing risks. Topics:

• Scope definition
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Estimating activity duration and resource requirements
• Constructing the project network
• Scheduling fundamentals
• Risk assessment

Module 3: Project Planning II: Cost Estimating and Cost Budgeting

Module 3: $599; 2 CEUs. Instructors: Larson (Autumn and Spring Quarters); Markgraf (Winter Quarter). View the course introduction

You learn the budgeting process after you describe inputs to cost estimating and how they are used. You also learn to use a work breakdown structure (WBS) to estimate costs, use top-down, parametric and bottom-up beginning line techniques for cost estimating, and develop a baseline budget for the project, using cost estimates you create. Topics:

• Cost estimating fundamentals
• Cost budgeting

Module 4: Project Organization and Team Process

Module 4: $599; 2 CEUs. Instructors: Ellis (Autumn and Spring Quarters); Sharkey (Winter Quarter). View the course introduction

Focuses on the people skills necessary to get your job done. You develop communications management plans, learn how to write the project proposal, discuss strategies for negotiating with functional managers, identify selection criteria for project staff, and conduct effective selection interviews. You also identify appropriate team building activities, motivate team members, and manage conflict between team members. Topics:

• Writing the project proposal
• Staffing and organizing the project team
• Team processes and communications

Module 5: Implementation and Closeout

Module 5: $879; 3 CEUs. Instructor: Stephens (Autumn and Spring Quarters); Schuelein (Winter Quarter). View the course introduction

Follows the steps to control and keep track of your project to ensure its successful closure on time and within budget using appropriate tools. You develop a plan for managing scope, and change and identify variances that require action. You also identify procurement needs, and develop the contract management plan all the way to settlement of contracts. Covers project closeout processes from gathering final information and documentation to training and release of resources. Topics:

• Procurement and contract management
• Monitoring and controlling
• Managing changes to the project
• Closing the project

Important Dates for Online Learning
	Autumn Quarter 2008 (online) One week break between modules		Winter Quarter 2009 (online plus) 6 Saturday FTF sessions on Jan. 10, Feb. 14, Apr. 25, May 30, July 11 and Sept. 12		Spring Quarter 2009 (online plus) 6 Saturday FTF sessions on Mar. 28, May 2, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 26 and Dec. 5
Application Due Date	Aug. 7, 2008		Dec. 2, 2008		Feb. 19, 2009
Module 1 (3 lessons; 3 CEUs)	Sept. 13-Nov. 2 7 weeks		Jan. 10-Feb. 14 5 weeks		Mar. 28-May 2 5 weeks
Module 2 (5 lessons; 4 CEUs)	Nov. 8-Jan. 25 11 weeks (break Dec. 22-28)		Feb. 14-April 25 10 weeks		May 2-July 18 11 weeks (break July 1-7)
Module 3 (2 lessons; 2 CEUs)	Jan. 31-March 1 4 weeks		April 25-May 30 5 weeks (break May 23-29)		July 18-Aug. 15 4 weeks
Module 4 (4 lessons; 2 CEUs)	March 7-April 19 6 weeks		May 30-July 11 6 weeks		Aug. 15-Sept. 26 6 weeks
Module 5 (4 lessons; 3 CEUs)	April 25-June 28 9 weeks		July 11-Sept. 12 9 weeks		Sept. 26-Dec. 5 10 weeks (break Nov. 25-Dec. 1)