Delivery
Online
Project Management Essentials Certificate
Program Overview
Accelerate Your Career With a Project Management Essentials Certificate from UNC Charlotte
Whether you are new to project management or looking to enhance your skills in this field, this program is designed for you. You don’t need any prior experience or formal application – just register and get started. Taught by PMP-certified professionals with real-world experience, our courses also offer CEU, CPE, or PDU credits for your professional development.
Project Management Certificate Highlights
- Take the five required project management self-guided courses online with optional ActiveFlex sessions
- Gain the core skills and knowledge a project manager needs to be effective and efficient
- Learn universal project management terminology
- Gain skills that are applicable immediately in the workplace
This Project Management Essentials certificate, awarded through UNC Charlotte’s School of Professional Studies, meets the project management education requirements to qualify to take the Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® exam.
Program Contact
Enrollment Team
School of Professional Studies
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“I highly recommend the Project Management Essentials Certificate program at UNC Charlotte to any professional seeking to build their skill set and prepare for the PMP® Exam. From ease of registration to convenient and well-outfitted training facilities, from the highly experienced and qualified instructors to the available and professional coordinators and support staff, this program is the complete package. UNC Charlotte has put together a training program of the highest quality and has made this alumnus proud!”
Vic Morrison ’11, Senior Staff Engineer, NEG Glass Fiber
We all work on projects, and the Project Management Essentials Certificate is designed to help you tackle them more efficiently. Often, we approach our projects differently, which can cause unintended inefficiencies and challenges when connecting with other people and teams needed to move projects along. This is the biggest reason why most projects either end up over budget, delayed, or 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.
Course Details
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
Note: Project Management Fundamentals must be taken before any other courses.
This foundational course covers the essential principles of project management.
Focuses on effective leadership and communication strategies in project management.
Teaches detailed planning and scheduling techniques to ensure project success.
Provides methods and practices to enhance project quality and outcomes.
Covers the unique aspects of managing digital projects.
Outlook
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.
Our 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
- Management Analysts
- Project Management Specialists
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Financial Managers
- Medical and Health Services Managers
Why UNC 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.
Program Cost
$3,804 for bundle or $895 per course
3-5 years project management experience
Available Add-On Courses
These add-on courses open for registration once enough interest is gathered. Fill out the contact form ('Request Information') at the top of the page, stay tuned for updates and be the first to know when registration becomes available.
Learn more about best practices for planning and management of project cost planning.
Gain a better understanding in the many aspects of risk assessment, including risk management planning and risk qualitative and quantitative analysis.
How a Project Management Certificate can boost your career, no matter what field you’re in
Project management is one of the most in-demand careers today. Even better news, that demand is expected to grow exponentially within the next few years, according to the Project Management Institute. That’s clear proof that adding a project management certificate to your resume will not only get you through a prospective employer’s door, but once inside, they’ll want to keep you there for a good, long while.
More FAQs
What is Project Management?
According to the Project Management Institute (PMI®), project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet or exceed stakeholder expectations. It involves planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to achieve specific project goals and objectives efficiently.
Is Project Management the right career for you?
Project management is a good fit for professionals who enjoy organization, communication, and problem-solving. Project managers coordinate people, budgets, and schedules to deliver projects successfully. They are valued for their leadership, collaboration, and ability to keep complex projects on track.
Do I need prior experience to start?
No previous project management experience is required. The certificate is designed for professionals new to project management or for those who have worked on projects but have not received formal training in project management best practices.
What topics or courses are included?
The program follows PMI’s A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) and covers project initiation and planning, scope and schedule management, cost control, risk and quality management, leadership and stakeholder communication, and agile and hybrid project management methods.
Is there a specific order to take the courses?
Yes. Students must first complete Project Management Fundamentals (PJM121) before taking any other courses in the program. After that, courses may be taken in any order.
How were the course topics chosen?
Course topics were developed by UNC Charlotte instructors and reviewed by industry professionals to ensure alignment with PMI standards. Each course provides a deeper understanding of essential project management principles and practices.
Does this certificate prepare me for PMI certifications such as the PMP® or CAPM®
Yes. Completing the Project Management Certificate provides foundational knowledge and contact hours that help you prepare for PMI certification exams like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) or the Project Management Professional (PMP®). The certificate itself is not a PMI certification but supports your eligibility and exam readiness.
What career opportunities can this certificate lead to?
Graduates are prepared for roles such as Project Coordinator, Project Manager, Program Analyst, or Team Lead in industries including construction, healthcare, IT, finance, and education, where demand for certified project managers continues to grow.
Is the program offered online or in-person?
The Project Management Certificate is offered in a blended online format that combines synchronous (live) and asynchronous (self-paced) learning. Students participate in scheduled live sessions for interactive discussions and complete additional coursework independently between sessions, providing flexibility while maintaining engagement with instructors and peers.