Algonquin College Project Management Course Details: A Comprehensive Overview
Project management is a discipline experiencing a surge in demand within the global economy. Algonquin College offers comprehensive project management courses designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in this dynamic field. This article provides a detailed overview of the project management courses offered at Algonquin College, covering program highlights, curriculum details, admission requirements, and career prospects.
Project Management Programs at Algonquin College
Algonquin College provides a range of project management programs, including a Project Management Essentials Certificate and a one-year Project Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate. These programs are designed to cater to different levels of experience and career aspirations.
Project Management Essentials Certificate
This introductory certificate program provides a solid foundation in project management principles and best practices. It is designed as an entry point to the Project Management Essentials Certificate program, offering a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles.
Project Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate
The one-year Project Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in project management. It is a highly sought-after discipline that applies technical, leadership, and business strategy skills to plan and execute projects effectively and efficiently. The program focuses on transforming leadership qualities into a career.
Curriculum and Key Learning Outcomes
The project management curriculum at Algonquin College is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the project lifecycle and its related processes. Through applied learning activities, students learn skills and strategies for moving through the project lifecycle phases. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including:
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- Project Strategy and Selection: Understanding how to align projects with organizational goals and select the most appropriate projects to pursue.
- Scheduling: Developing and controlling project plans and schedules at various levels in an organization.
- Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks.
- Quality Assurance: Ensuring that project deliverables meet the required quality standards.
- Performance Measurement: Tracking and evaluating project performance against established metrics.
- Audit and Closure: Conducting project audits and ensuring proper project closure.
- Management Activities and Human Resources: Developing a critical understanding of management activities and human resources.
- Project Risks and Quality: Learning to manage project risks and ensure quality.
- Project Scheduling and Supporting Software: Mastering project scheduling techniques and utilizing supporting software.
- Contracting and Procurement: Understanding the principles of contracting and procurement in project management.
- Tools, Techniques, Principles and Performance Domains: Developing a critical understanding of tools, techniques, principles and performance domains according to A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)®.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- List standard project attributes and describe the project lifecycle.
- Describe current approaches, techniques, and systems for managing projects.
- Demonstrate the ability to participate effectively in planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating projects.
- Provide evidence of effective oral and written communication skills and appropriate interpersonal skills.
- Articulate the benefits of using standard project management techniques.
- Develop and control plans and schedules at various levels in an organization.
- Use information technology and software applications to support project management functions.
- Create, interpret, and manipulate typical project management technical documentation.
- Demonstrate critical-thinking skills in project management.
- Show leadership, professional ethics, and environmental sensitivity in the context of project management.
- Manage the scope, cost, schedule, and quality of a project, and create and adapt plans in response to external and internal issues.
- Align projects to organizations' strategic plans and provide business justifications throughout the project lifecycle.
- Define project goals, constraints, deliverables, performance criteria, control needs, and resource requirements in consultation with stakeholders.
- Interact with teams and stakeholders in a professional manner, respecting differences, to support a collaborative project environment.
- Use technology tools for communication, collaboration, information management, and decision support.
- Promote operational effectiveness and sound project management practices by applying communication and leadership strategies.
- Apply appropriate legal and ethical standards in the management of projects.
- Adapt project management strategies to project selection, resource management, contract administration, and operations management in a variety of economic sectors.
- Enhance communication in organizations and outline the role of leadership, culture, and policy differences impacting projects.
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment, and environmental stewardship.
Hands-on Experience and Work-Integrated Learning
Algonquin College emphasizes hands-on learning and provides students with opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. Students work through the curriculum to develop a project management plan that can be applied to real-life situations.
Co-operative Education (Co-op) Option
Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term. Co-op allows students to integrate their classroom learning with a real-world experience through paid work terms. Two academic terms prior to the cooperative education work term, students are required to actively participate in and successfully complete the self-directed co-op course, readiness activities, and workshops. Students must actively conduct a guided, self-directed job search and are responsible for securing approved program-related paid co-op employment. Students compete for co-op positions alongside students from Algonquin College and other Canadian and international colleges and universities. Algonquin College's Co-op Department provides assistance in developing co-op job opportunities and guides the overall process but does not guarantee that a student will obtain employment in a co-op work term. Co-op students may be required to relocate to take part in the co-op employment opportunities available in their industry and must cover all associated expenses; e.g., travel, work permits, visa applications, accommodation, and all other incurred expenses. Co-op work terms are typically 14 weeks in duration and are completed during a term when students are not taking courses. International students enrolled in a co-op program are required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to have a valid Co-op/Internship Work Permit prior to commencing their work term.
Please note that places in the co-op work term are subject to availability and academic eligibility. Please note admission to the co-op program does not guarantee a co-op placement.
Work Integrated Learning
Students gain hands-on project experience via a work-integrated learning opportunity, which serves as a vehicle for incorporating and applying skills obtained during the academic studies and providing an opportunity to handle real-life situations.
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Admission Requirements
Admission requirements vary depending on the specific project management program.
Project Management Essentials Certificate
- Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing, for which a fee will be charged.
- English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent).
- English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band; OR
- TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT) Overall 80, with a minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20; OR
- Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 110, minimum of 110 in Literacy and no score below 95.
Project Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate
- Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, or Degree or equivalent.
- Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
- English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band OR
- TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22; OR
- Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.
Registration Information
Applications are available online. Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.
If you would like to take courses individually or start the program part-time, you are not required to apply to the program. You can register for up to three courses per term by clicking on the course title and selecting "Register Online". Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.
Sections 841, 842, and 843 require you to register in the month prior to the course start date.
Academic Planner
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students with the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore essential that all part-time students declare their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under 'Part-time Students' on the left-hand toolbar.
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As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements, when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms, the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed).
Fees and Additional Costs
Fees are subject to change. Fees for part-time programs are charged on a course-by-course basis and are published on each individual course page. For questions related to fees, please call the Registrar's Office at 613-727-0002. A graduation fee is charged when the application is submitted. After your credential application has been approved, you will be invited to Convocation.
Books and supplies cost approximately $1100, plus the purchase/supply of your own laptop.
MS Project Software
Project Management Scheduling Software (MGT5084) requires the use of MS Project 2019. Students are responsible for acquiring this software. MS Project requires a Windows operating system.
Project Management Institute (PMI) Membership
In order to access required professional standards and resources for the program of study, you are required to become members of the Project Management Institute (PMI)® for a fee of $32 (USD). For additional professional development and networking opportunities, you are highly encouraged to become members of the local PMI® chapter for a cost of $5 (USD).
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in five of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the project management programs at Algonquin College may find employment as project management practitioners in a wide range of national, international, profit, and non-profit organizations. They may pursue careers as:
- Assistant or Junior Project Managers
- Project Administrators
- Project Control Officers
- Project Coordinators
- Project Managers
- Project Schedulers
- Project Team Leaders
- Directors in Public and Private Sectors
Algonquin College as a PMI Authorized Training Partner
Algonquin College is an Authorized Training Partner of the Project Management Institute (PMI)®. Algonquin College has been reviewed and approved as a provider of project management training by the PMI. Our facilitators are Project Management Professional (PMP) credential holders. Algonquin College is also a Registered Education Provider (REP) with the Project Management Institute (PMI)® and is approved by the PMI® to issue Professional Development Units (PDUs) for its training programs.
Importance of PMBOK® Guide
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) is the Project Management Institute’s flagship publication and is a fundamental resource for effective project management in any industry. It is recommended that students purchase the Project Management Institute’s A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) Seventh Edition. Project management practitioners need to understand the established industry norms, methods, and practices for managing all stages of the project lifecycle and its related processes.
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