UCLA Extension Project Management Program: An Overview
The UCLA Extension offers comprehensive project management programs designed for professionals seeking to enhance their skills and advance their careers. These programs cater to both traditional project management methodologies and agile approaches, providing a robust foundation for success in today's dynamic work environment. Fall enrollment is currently open and will close on September 28th, so prospective students are encouraged to apply soon.
Project Management Certificate Program
The Project Management Certificate program at UCLA Extension provides in-depth training on project management skills, tools, and techniques. This program is structured around six rigorous courses, each spanning 11 weeks of lectures. The curriculum covers a wide range of essential project management topics, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to manage projects effectively and efficiently.
Core Curriculum
The program outline encompasses the following key areas:
Project Management Framework: Students gain a comprehensive overview of the project management framework, including the project life cycle and the various project management knowledge areas.
Project Management Processes: The curriculum delves into the critical project management processes, covering initiation, planning, execution, control, and closure.
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
Project Planning: This module focuses on the essential elements of project planning, including scope management, schedule management, cost management, resource management, and quality management.
Project Execution: Students learn how to effectively monitor and control project execution, manage risks, and handle changes.
Project Control: This section covers project performance measurement, variance analysis, and corrective action strategies.
Project Closure: The final module focuses on project documentation, evaluation, and the importance of capturing lessons learned.
Course Structure and Assessment
The 10-week courses are offered in both in-person and online formats. In-person classes are typically held on Tuesdays from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, while online courses offer flexibility with no set meeting times. Assessment methods include quizzes, exams, case studies, and projects, with criteria based on accuracy, completeness, clarity, and originality.
Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA
Experienced Faculty and Unique Approaches
The courses are taught by experienced project managers who bring real-world expertise to the classroom. The program utilizes a hands-on approach, providing students with practical experience in applying project management principles. A key focus of the program is preparing students for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Project Management Certificate program can pursue a variety of career paths, including:
- Project Manager
- Program Manager
- Portfolio Manager
The demand for project managers is high across various industries, making this a valuable program for career advancement.
Program Benefits
Students who complete the course will be able to:
- Manage projects effectively and efficiently
- Prepare for the PMP® exam
- Advance their careers in project management
Project Management with Concentration in Lean Six Sigma
This specialized program is designed for professionals in operations, manufacturing, and supply chain management who are seeking to implement Lean Six Sigma methodologies for improved processes and outcomes. The curriculum focuses on project management process improvements, emphasizing efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors
Curriculum
The Project Management with Concentration in Lean Six Sigma program consists of eight required courses and one elective course. It is recommended that students take the Capstone course last to apply all learned concepts into a final project.
Key Skills
Students will gain practical skills in:
- Process mapping
- Root cause analysis
- Statistical process control
These skills enable them to identify and eliminate inefficiencies, reduce defects, and enhance overall performance.
Project Management with Concentration in Agile
For those looking to enhance traditional project management practices with Agile approaches, UCLA Extension offers the Project Management with Concentration in Agile program. This nine-course certificate program provides training on how to apply the principles of the iterative Agile approach to project management for effectiveness and value.
Target Audience
The curriculum is designed for professionals in software development, IT, marketing, or product management seeking to improve their project management skills and deliver value to customers using Agile methodologies.
Curriculum
Similar to the Lean Six Sigma program, the Agile program consists of eight required courses and one elective course. The Capstone course is recommended to be taken last, allowing students to integrate all learned concepts into a final project.
PMP® Exam Preparation Course
UCLA Extension offers a dedicated PMP® Exam Preparation course designed to provide a concentrated and structured review of the key project domains and required knowledge to pass the exam. This course is beneficial for those pursuing PMP® or CAPM® certification by PMI®.
Course Features
- Exam-specific hints and tricks for passing the exam
- Opportunity to practice with hundreds of PMI®-provided quiz questions
- Guidance on how to optimize the write-up on the work-experience, which PMI® will require you to document in their application process
Prerequisites
There is no prerequisite for enrolling in the PMP® course. However, for those not familiar with the project management framework and agile approaches, it is highly recommended to experience the in-depth training of the 6-course certificate program by UCLA Extension followed by the Exam Prep course. Students who first complete the certificate are more prepared and better equipped to master the exam concepts.
Educational Fulfillment Requirement
All courses in the certificate in Project Management and the PMP® Exam Preparation course are authorized by PMI® to grant 35 Hours of Project Management Training, fulfilling the educational requirement for the PMP® or CAPM® application. PMI® had also been referring to this as PDUs (Professional Develop Units).
Work Experience Fulfillment Requirement
PMI® also requires 36 months of work experience leading projects within the past eight years. This is independent of the educational component of 35 Hours of Training. The UCLA Extension courses cannot count toward this work experience requirement.
General Information
Enrollment and Application
Fall enrollment is open and closes on September 28th. An application form is required to establish candidacy in any of these programs. Once logged into the student portal, applicants can select “My Applications” from the left side menu to return to their application. On the Certificate Application page, instructions are provided to guide applicants through the process. All courses in these programs are open enrollment, and each class is paid for individually, unless otherwise noted.
Financial Aid and Disclosures
The Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. This information includes program costs, occupations that the program prepares students to enter, occupational profiles, on-time completion rate, and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program.
Additional Resources
UCLA Extension provides a free online information session that is available for the entire quarter to review at your own pace. This session offers details on the courses, instructors, staff, and testimonials from past students. It also includes videos of instructors presenting on careers in project management.
tags: #ucla #extension #project #management #program #overview
