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Certificate

Project Management

One Skill set. Endless Possibilities. A Professional Certificate in Project Management offers a hands-on approach to either start or advance your project management career.

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About the Project Management Program

Start Your Project Management Journey Today!
Advance your career with UC San Diego's Project Management Professional Certificate. Our flexible program offers structured and self-directed pathways, tailored to fit your unique goals and schedule. Whether you prefer a guided approach or the freedom to learn at your own pace, we have a pathway for you.

Choose Your Path:

  • Project Management Certificate Program: Complete in 6-9 months for $4,400 (Save $500). Enroll Here
  • Project Management + Lean Six Sigma Green Belt: Finish in 9 months for $5,800 (Save $500). Enroll Here
  • Project Management + Lean Six Sigma Green & Black Belt: 12 months for $8,600 (Save $500). Enroll Here
  • Self-Directed Program: Flexible duration (6-60 months), $4,900-$8,900*. Simply scroll down to the course list and start with a foundational course.

*Note: External funding options like WIOA or Veterans’ benefits may have specific requirements. For details, visit VA Education Benefits or contact unex-veterans@ucsd.edu or unex-workforce@ucsd.edu.
In-Person, Online, Hybrid, Live Online
Format
Duration
Six to Nine Months
Cost
$4,900

Program Benefits

For those with busy schedules, our self-directed program is the perfect pay-per-course option that allows for maximum flexibility to take as many or as few courses each quarter as you prefer, so you can balance life, work, and school. To start, simply scroll down to the "Courses" section near the bottom of this page and start with a foundational course. The program can be completed in six months, but may be extended up to five years.

  • A structured approach to learning that keeps you on track to achieve your goals.
  • Online format maximizes flexibility to suit your busy schedule.
  • Earn the required education hours needed to sit for the PMP Exam or CAPM Exam.
  • Option to apply for a no-interest payment plan or pay the total upfront.

Quarter Start Dates

Fall 2024: September 23, 2024 - December 14, 2024
Winter 2025: January 2, 2025 - March 22, 2025
Spring 2025: March 24, 2025 - June 13, 2025
Summer 2025: June 19, 2025 - September 13, 2025
Fall 2025: September 22, 2025 - December 13, 2025

Every class was timely and relevant to my business unit needs. The behavioral and leadership courses were especially useful in day-to-day interactions with colleagues and friends. I recommend UC San Diego Extended Studies' Project Management program based on the diverse backgrounds and knowledge base of the instructors.

Albert D., Student
I enjoyed the flexibility the Project Management program allowed me. I could keep working, while expediting my progress by taking intensive courses and online classes at the same time. It was rewarding meeting other professionals and getting to work together on projects.
Nathaly P., Student

How to Apply

This certificate requires an application before taking any courses. There will be a $0.00 fee to apply to this program. Students will be required to pay a $95.00 fee upon acceptance to start their certificate program.

Get More Information

For detailed information, please contact our Business, Professional & Legal Programs department.

Project Management
Classroom type:
Live Online
In-Person
Online
Hybrid
Download Course List

Foundational Course - Select One

Required Courses

Completion of foundational course prior to participation in BUSA-40715 and BUSA-40970 is required.

Elective Options - 4 UNITS Required

Choose Any Elective Courses Below to Reach a Minimum of 4 Units

Process Improvement Elective Options

Earn an additional credential in Lean Six Sigma and satisfy the elective requirement for the PM program.

Process Improvement Elective Options

Earn an additional credential in Lean Six Sigma and satisfy the elective requirement for the PM program.

Free Workshops and Sessions

Veterans Education Benefits

You may use any of the following VA Education Benefits at UC San Diego Extended Studies: Visit: Veteran Benefits office or contact unex-veterans@ucsd.edu  for help with applying your benefits to this program. 

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act

UC San Diego Extended Studies is an approved training provider for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Displaced or disadvantaged workers may be eligible for federal assistance. UC San Diego Extension cannot approve students for this funding or counsel you on your eligibility. To find out what funding is available and to determine your eligibility, please contact one of the following: San Diego Workforce Partnership - workforce.org/career-centers EDD - www.edd.ca.gov Once you are approved, please email unex-workforce@ucsd.edu  to finalize your paperwork.  

International Programs

Through a collaboration between Project Management and the International Program, you can combine this certificate with a one-quarter certificate for a total of three quarters. This allows you to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain hands-on experience in a U.S. company.

For more information on applying, visit the International Programs or contact ipinfo@ucsd.edu. If you have questions about visa requirements, please reach out to the International Program.

Related Documents

FAQs

Your program advisor is your best source of information regarding course and program information. You can email your advisor at ProjectManagement@ucsd.edu.

To request an course add or drop, please contact Student Services at 858-534-3400 or email unex-reg@ucsd.edu.
Yes! Students can take this program fully online in the convenience of your home or office. Some select courses may occassionally be offered in person.
Yes, our Project Management courses may be used to earn the Project Management Institute’s Professional Development Units (PDUs). One hour of classroom instruction equals one contact hour. Most of the three unit courses provide 27 instructional hours and therefore equate to 27 PDU’s. To claim PDU’s, simply print out your UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies transcript or course history document, accessible through My Extension, and provide to PMI.
The online courses are asynchronous: they have a start and end date but all the lessons are uploaded on Canvas, our online learning management system, so you can learn at your own pace. However, please be aware that you may have weekly assignments, quizzes, or tests that are due on specific dates.
When you have paid your certificate fee and successfully completed all program requirements, you will need to request an audit by Student Services. To request an audit:
  • In your My Extension account, click on “My Courses.”
  • On the right side of the page under “My Certificates,” click on the name of the certificate.
  • On the right side of the page under “Tools,” click on “Request Certificate Audit.”
  • Complete and submit the form that appears.
Once you have formally submitted your audit request, your certificate will be mailed to the address we have on file for you within ten business days.
Two unit courses run for 6-7 weeks; three unit courses run for 9-10 weeks; four unit
courses run 10-11 weeks. For exact course dates of upcoming sections, visit the course page on our website.
Once the course is completed, the instructor has 10 business days to submit your grades. Once grades have been posted, you can view and print them from your MyExtension account.
Yes. Our programs are designed for the working professional. Classes are offered in evenings from 6:00pm-9:00pm, online, or on Saturdays to help you find a class format that meet your schedule. Most students who work full-time take one or two courses per quarter. For those who are not employed or work part-time a typical schedule includes three or four courses per quarter.
UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies has a number of financial resources to assist students. Please visit our Financial Resources page for information about staff and faculty discounts, programs for the unemployed or underemployed, private student loans and more.

If you are a veteran who served in our armed forces, you may be eligible to use your veteran education benefits to cover some or all of your program tuition. Please review our Veterans Education Benefits page for details.

Are you a member of the San Diego Chapter of the Project Management Institute? If so, you are eligible for a 20% tuition discount on select Project Management courses. To request your discount, please complete this required request form at https://forms.gle/CEAjJFENq6NNZja37
 
You may take a course for one of three options: Letter Grade, Pass/No Pass, or Not for Credit. If you are taking a course towards a certificate you must complete your courses for credit (i.e. Pass/No Pass or Letter Grade) and receive a C-/Pass or higher grade. Grades below a C-, No Pass, and Not for Credit will not count towards certificate requirements.
Instructors will post the current text requirements and recommendations on the course page on our website. Please note the textbooks requirements are subject to change every quarter and different instructors may require different books, even if they are teaching the same course in the same quarter, so be sure to check the textbook requirements for the section in which you are enrolling.
Lean and Six Sigma (LSS) are a blend of two of the most powerful process improvement tools. The methodologies provide a systematic way to improve performance efficiencies and to reduce variations in all business operations to achieve productivity and profitability gains. LSS courses develop practitioners who are prepared to apply the tools and deliver significant results.
 
We offer a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (in-class, hybrid and online), and Lean Six Sigma Green & Black Belt (in-class and online) course. There is a difference among these courses—in length, time commitment, fees, projects/course requirements; the Green and Black Belt have different learning objective and address different levels of Lean and Six Sigma. For example, the Green Belt is roughly half the time commitment of the Black Belt, but both can be completed in one quarter.

LSS participants will also receive an additional credential in addition to the Project Management certificate by completing either the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt courses. LSS coursework will to satisfy the elective unit requirements for the Project Management certificate.
 
Upon successful completion of the Project Management program, you will receive a Professional Certificate in Project Management from UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies. A Professional Certificate is defined as:
  • Representing mastery of an established body of knowledge as is necessary to succeed in a field of professional practice
  • Material presented by multiple instructors, representing multiple viewpoints and a breadth of issues and practices
  • Curriculum reflecting timely changes in the field of study; complementing prior or simultaneous degree study in the field
  • Meeting a minimum of 120 classroom instruction hours (the Project Management certificate provides 180 classroom instruction hours)
  • An award of a gold seal “full-size” certificate document upon successful completion

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies—like all other UC San Diego schools, colleges and departments—is accredited by WASC through the University. All courses and certificate programs offered by UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies have been developed and administered in accordance with Extension policy and the regulations of the Academic Senate of the University of California.

Our classes post to our website and become open for enrollment approximately two months prior to the new quarter starting. If you’d like to get an email reminder you can sign up for our newsletter(s) in My Extension, under the “Preferences” tab.
The refund deadline for courses in this program is typically 3 days after the start of the course. This allows you to enroll in a course and participate in the first class meeting to determine if the course is a good fit. Then, if needed, either you may either transfer your enrollment to a different course or submit a drop request by emailing Student Services at unex-reg@ucsd.edu. The exact refund deadline for each section is listed in the section notes on the course page in our website, and you can also find it in My Extension by clicking on “My Courses” and then the name of the course.
Curriculum is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Our program provides an overview of the PMBOK and teaches students how to best apply the various tools and techniques, in an application oriented setting. Although our courses can certainly help students to prepare for PMI’s CAPM (Certified Associate Project Management) or PMP (Project Management Professional) certification exams, the classes are not meant to be a test preparation. By taking courses you will receive the educational hours needed to be eligible to sit for PMI’s certification exams.

For information about the PMP Certification, only proctored through PMI, please visit their website: http://www.pmi.org/certification/project-management-professional-pmp.aspx
 

Advisory Board

Greta Blash, , PgMP, PMP, PMI-ACP, PMP-PBA

Facilitated Methods, Division of Blash Enterprises, Inc.

Sanjiv Erat, PhD

Associate Professor
UC San Diego, Rady School of Management

Ray Frohnhoefer, MBA, PMP, CC

PPC Group, LLC

Barbara Gunning, , MBA, PMP

Rocking Your Team

Matt Hayden

Sharp

Enas Ibrahim

AMN Healthcare

Asitha Seneviratne, , Ph.D, P.E., PMP, PSP

HNTB Corporation

Debbie Williams

BAE Systems

Samantha Yung

City of San Diego

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