Project Management Essentials Certificate
The Project Management Essentials Certificate offered through UNC Charlotte Online equips individuals with essential project management skills and best practices. This program is ideal for those with little to no experience in project management or without formal training.
We all work on projects…however we often tackle our projects differently. This can cause unintended inefficiencies and challenges when connecting with other people and teams who you need to move projects along. This is the biggest reason why most projects either end up over budget, delayed or are not completed at all.
The good news is there are best practices for working on projects that can allow you to finish your projects faster and with better results.
Whether you are currently a project manager looking to improve your skills, a member of a project team or a professional in another field who wishes to transition into a more formal project management role, this program will provide you with the skills you need to accelerate your career and successfully manage project details.
Why Choose The Project Management Essentials Certificate at Charlotte?
- No experience required and open enrollment: No formal application process or prerequisites required—just registration.
- Online Courses: All courses are offered online and are self-led with individual feedback from experienced instructors.
- Multiple Offerings: Courses are available multiple times throughout the year.
- Live Sessions: Optional live online ActiveFlex sessions for real-time interaction and practice.
- Expert Instructors: Courses are designed and facilitated by PMP-certified instructors with real-world experience.
- Professional Development Credits: Courses carry CEU, CPE, or PDU credits.
Job Outlook for Project Managers
According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), project management jobs in project-oriented industries in the US alone will grow from 6.7 million jobs in 2017 to 8.8 million jobs in 2027, a 31% increase. PMI states, “Now is the time for professionals and job-seekers to build project management skills, as demand for these skills outstrips supply.”
Lightcast shows a medium advertised salary of $104,200 for project management jobs in the Charlotte region which include the Project Management Professional Certification (PMP)® as a qualification.
Our certificate program can be a stepping stone to earning the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® or PMP® as many of the participants who complete our program decide to sit for either of the PMI exams. If you are interested in taking the CAPM® or PMP® exams in the future, we recommend you also consider taking an exam prep course before attempting to take the exam. While CAPM® and PMP® certifications are widely respected, they are not required for many project management jobs.
UNC Charlotte Project Management Alumni Work Here
- Red Ventures
- Bank of America
- Verizon Communications
- Atrium Health
- Duke Energy
- Pratt & Miller Engineering
UNC Charlotte Project Management Alumni Top Skills
- Project Management
- Business Process Improvement
- Continuous Improvement Process
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- PMI Methodology
UNC Charlotte Project Management Alumni Work In These Occupations
- Project Management Specialists
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Financial Managers
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Management Analysts
Certificate Requirements
To earn the Project Management Essentials Certificate, you must complete five courses, which can be done in less than six months. A passing grade of at least 70% on all assignments is required.
Required Courses
- Project Management Fundamentals
- Project Leadership and Communication
- Project Planning and Scheduling
- Improving Project Quality
- Digital Project Management
Note: Project Management Fundamentals must be taken before any other courses.
Course Details
Project Management Fundamentals
This foundational course covers the essential principles of project management.
Project Leadership and Communication
Focuses on effective leadership and communication strategies in project management.
Project Planning and Scheduling
Teaches detailed planning and scheduling techniques to ensure project success.
Improving Project Quality
Provides methods and practices to enhance project quality and outcomes.
Digital Project Management
Covers the unique aspects of managing digital projects.
Program Benefits
- Skill Enhancement: Gain practical project management skills applicable across various industries.
- Career Advancement: The certificate meets the education requirements for the CAPM® and PMP® exams.
- Flexible Learning: Complete the program at your own pace with support from experienced instructors.
Additional Information
What is Project Management?
Project Management Institute (PMI®) defines Project Management as, “The application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities in order to meet or exceed stakeholders’ needs and expectations from a project.” Project Management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives.
Is Project Management the Career for You?
If you are considering a career in project management, here are some questions to consider:
- Do you prefer thinking about the bigger picture rather than specializing in a particular discipline? Project Managers build a bigger picture perspective while identifying key obstacles to be overcome to reach designated milestones.
- Do you enjoy facilitating the decision-making process and helping to define options by pulling together information from many groups working on a project? Project Managers help to coordinate the tasks of a project so that teams work more effectively and efficiently. While Project Managers take part in the decision making, they are typically not the decision makers.
- Do you like to serve as a highly visible, primary representative of a project? Project Managers need good communication, interpersonal, and diplomatic skills, as well as the ability the manage people without oftentimes having any direct authority.
- A project manager’s success is usually measured by how efficiently a project moves forward, the quality of execution, and how well the team functions together.
Is there an order I need to take the courses?
Students are required to take Project Management Fundamentals (PJM121) before taking any of the other courses in the project management certificate.
After completing Project Management Fundamentals, students may take the remaining courses in any order they choose.
How did we choose and develop our project management course topics?
Each course topic was chosen to provide a deeper understanding of a specific aspect of project management. All courses are designed for individuals who have little to no experience in project management or who have experience working on projects but have not had formal training in project management best practices.
All courses are based on the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). The curriculum will empower you with the skills necessary to tackle the challenges facing your projects.
Get in touch
Connect with an Enrollment Specialist today to learn more about this program. Submit your information on this page or set up a time to talk. We’d be glad to help.
Emily Graumann
Enrollment Specialist