Delivery
Online
Project Management Essentials Certificate
Program Overview
Online Project Management Certificate Program at UNC Charlotte
Advance your career with UNC Charlotte’s online Project Management Certificate, designed for professionals who want practical, real-world training aligned with PMI® standards. Whether you are new to project management or preparing for the PMP® or CAPM® exam, this flexible certificate program builds the essential skills employers demand.
Delivered fully online with optional live ActiveFlex sessions, this program provides structured, university-level training without requiring prior experience or a formal application. Simply register and get started.
Online 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 online 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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“The Project Management Certificate program at UNC Charlotte helped me 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 online 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, students complete five required online project management courses. Most professionals finish the program in less than six months, though you may take up to 12 months to complete all requirements. A minimum passing grade of 70% is required in each course.
These courses align with the Project Management Institute’s (PMI®) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) and help fulfill the education hours needed to pursue the PMP® or CAPM® certification exams.
Required Project Management Courses
Important: Project Management Fundamentals (PJM121) must be completed before enrolling in any other course.
This foundational online course introduces core project management principles, terminology, and methodologies.
This course focuses on leadership strategies, team development, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement to ensure project success.
This course emphasizes practical scheduling tools and techniques used across industries.
This course teaches how to monitor performance, manage risks, and apply continuous improvement practices.
This course explores managing digital projects, agile approaches, and hybrid frameworks.
Project Management Job Outlook and Salary in North Carolina
The Project Management Institute (PMI) forecasts a possible global talent gap of up to 30 million project professionals by 2035. PMI states, “This isn’t just a workforce challenge, it’s also a massive opportunity.”
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 Choose UNC Charlotte’s Online Project Management Essentials Certificate?
- 100% Online with Flexible Learning Options
Complete five required courses in a self-paced format with optional live instruction for interactive practice and discussion. - Meets PMP® & CAPM® Education Requirements
This certificate satisfies the formal project management education hours needed to qualify for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® exams. - Designed for Working Professionals
Apply what you learn immediately in your current role while gaining universal project management terminology and best practices. - Taught by PMP-Certified Experts
Learn from experienced instructors who bring real-world project leadership experience across industries. - Earn Professional Development Credits
Courses offer CEU, CPE, and PDU credits to support your ongoing professional growth.
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.
In as little as 6–12 months, you will build a foundation in:
- Project initiation and scope development
- Scheduling and lifecycle planning
- Cost and risk management
- Quality assurance and performance improvement
- Project leadership and stakeholder communication
- Digital 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 an educational program that 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.
Who should enroll in this Project Management Certificate?
- Professionals new to project management
- Team leads managing cross-functional projects
- Professionals preparing for the PMP® or CAPM® exam
- Career changers entering project-based roles
- Charlotte-area professionals seeking local university credentials