Project Management
Build the skills. Earn the credential. Lead with confidence
About the Project Management Program
Advance your career with the Professional Certificate in Project Management. Our PMBOK-aligned curriculum bridges theory with practice through real-world case studies. Whether starting out, advancing, or pivoting industries, this program delivers the leadership skills and PDU education hours to lead projects in any field.
Your UC San Diego Professional Certificate
Upon completing all program requirements, you receive an official Professional Certificate in Project Management from UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, recognized by employers nationwide and accredited by WASC.
Who Should Enroll
From entry-level to executive, this program builds the project leadership skills needed to lead projects and advance in any field. Choose from fully online, live online (via Zoom), or in-person courses with evening and weekend options designed for working professionals.
New to Project Management
No experience needed. Build a strong foundation from day one.
Career Changer
Pivot into PM with a recognized UC San Diego credential.
PMP or CAPM Candidate
Earn the education hours required to sit for your PMP or CAPM exam.
Mid-Career Professional
Move into leadership and take on higher-value projects.
Industry Professional
Tech, healthcare, finance — formalize the skills you already use.
Manager or Team Lead
Lead projects and people with structured tools and confidence.
Why Students choose us
There are many ways to study project management. Here is what makes the UC San Diego experience genuinely different.
01
Class Experience
Small Classes. Real Conversations.
Our instructors are senior practitioners actively working in the field — bringing current, real-world experience into every session. Courses are intentionally kept small so you can engage directly with your instructor and learn alongside working professionals from diverse industries. You are in live, interactive sessions where your real-world questions get real answers.
Felixble formats - include direct instructor access02
Risk-Free Start
Try the First Class Before You Commit
Enroll in your first course and attend the first class meeting. If it is not the right fit, you may drop and receive a full refund — no questions asked. Experience the program before you are fully committed. No other local university offers this level of flexibility.
Full refund available within 3 days of course start03
Built for Every Industry
Project Management Skills For Any Role
This curriculum is designed to be immediately applicable regardless of your industry or role. Whether you work in technology, healthcare, government, construction, finance, or any other sector, the tools, frameworks, and leadership skills you develop here translate directly to the projects you manage every day.
ENROLLMENT AND QUARTER DATES
Courses are offered every quarter. Begin in any quarter. Most working professionals take one to two courses per quarter and complete the certificate in as few as nine months.
Have Questions?
We are here to help.
Our team is available to answer questions about courses, enrollment, prerequisites, and funding options.
Tara Amin
Program Manager, Project Management
Project Management
Foundational Course - Select One
Required Courses
Completion of foundational course prior to participation in BUSA-40715 and BUSA-40970 is 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.
Student Resources & Benefits
Veterans Education Benefits
The Project Management Certificate program is approved for Veterans' funding. Eligible students may apply VA Education Benefits through UC San Diego Extended Studies.
For assistance with applying your benefits to this program, please visit the Veteran Benefits office or contact us at unex-veterans@ucsd.edu.
Workforce Funding Assistance
UC San Diego Extended Studies is proud to be an approved training provider for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). If you're a displaced or disadvantaged worker, you may qualify for federal assistance to help fund your education. To explore available funding and determine your eligibility, please reach out to one of the following:
- San Diego Workforce Partnership - workforce.org/career-centers
- EDD - www.edd.ca.gov
Once you're approved, we're here to help finalize your paperwork, email unex-workforce@ucsd.edu, and we’ll guide you through the next steps.
International Programs
International students are welcome to enhance their academic experience by enrolling in Project Management courses at UC San Diego Extended Studies.
For application details and eligibility requirements, please visit the International Programs website or contact ipinfo@ucsd.edu. For questions related to visa requirements or program options, the International Programs team is available to provide guidance and support.
UC San Diego Staff
UC San Diego employees, faculty, and their spouses or domestic partners are eligible for a 10% discount on most UC San Diego Extended Studies courses, including professional development, career training, and personal enrichment programs. For full details on this discount, visit the UC San Diego Blink – Extended Studies Discount page.
Employees may also access additional educational benefits through the university’s Educational Benefits (EdBen) system, which supports funding learning opportunities. When submitting a request, select “Extended Studies Course” and indicate whether department funds will be used.
For general information on education benefits and eligibility, visit the UC San Diego Blink Education Benefits page or contact Staff Learning and Development.
Course Waivers and Transfers
Students may request to transfer coursework completed outside of UC San Diego Extended Studies, substitute a course taken within Extended Studies, waive a prerequisite course based on professional experience, or request an extension to the 21-quarter time limit for completing the certificate.
To submit a request or access the appropriate forms, or if you’d like to review the steps and confirm whether a course can be transferred or waived based on your experience, please contact Tara Amin, Program Manager, at projectmanagement@ucsd.edu.
Visit The Virtual Career Hub Today To Unlock Your Benefits!
FAQs
For information about the PMP Certification, only proctored through PMI, please visit their website: http://www.pmi.org/certification/project-management-professional-pmp.aspx
- 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.
When registering, students may choose between a Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass option. As long as a student receives a passing score (70% or higher), they will earn the same certificate of completion and any related documents, regardless of the grading method selected.
If you're pursuing employer reimbursement, we recommend checking with your company to confirm whether a Letter Grade is required for reimbursement eligibility.
Students can update their grading option via their MyExtension student portal anytime before 12:00 a.m. on the final class meeting.
Advisory Board
Sanjiv Erat, PhD
Jarazet Altamirano
Alexander Hempton, LSSBB
Paul Morris, MPA, PMP
Angela North, PMP, LSSGB, MBA
Sorayda Santos, Ed.D, PMP
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