SUNY Empire State College’s MBA programs,
through its advanced graduate certificate
in project management, has again been
recognized as a Registered Education Provider
by the Project Management Institute.
As an R.E.P., the college’s graduate
certificate meets PMI’s quality criteria for
course content, instructor qualification and
instructional design.
The 12-credit graduate certificate comprises
four online courses and may be earned
as an individual credential or incorporated
into a related master’s degree for those meeting
the program admission requirements.
Merodie A. Hancock, president of the
college, said a globally recognized project
management certification “demonstrates to
employers that SUNY Empire’s MBA graduates,
and those who have completed the
graduate certificate, have the competencies
and knowledge to effectively drive and lead
business and project team success.”
“With the growing need for project leaders
across all employment sectors, including
not-for-profit and government, the advanced
certificate in project management appeals
to a broad range of students and fits into a
number of master’s degree programs,” said
Tai Arnold, dean of the college’s School for
Graduate Studies.
“As I look at the job market, project managers,
especially those who are certified,
have a bright future,” said Warren Montgomery,
a student who completed the certificate.
“I have worked in a number of organizations
as a project manager, and frequently as a
program manager, but I had only taken an
introductory course to project management
as part of my MBA.
“I enrolled in SUNY Empire’s project
management certificate program to help
develop my skills, and keep my ‘saw’ sharp.
I also plan to take the PMI’s project management
professional certification exam and the
graduate certificate in project management
will help me prepare for the exam.”
The advanced graduate certificate in project
management meets the strict PMI standards
and criteria reflecting current skills,
knowledge and best practices, said Alan
Belasen, professor and chair of the School
for Graduate Studies Business, Management
and Leadership Programs. It ensures that
the curriculum is continuously updated and
current, “which means our graduates are
able to meet the needs of employers in the
global marketplace.”
According to a PMI survey, nearly 75
percent of executives believe their company’s
performance could improve if their
employees gained certain key skills. PMI
emphasizes that project management, one
of the key skills identified in the survey,
can enhance individuals’ marketability and
provide them with the flexibility to move
across projects, organizations, industries
and geography.
PMI further states that project managers
are in demand around the world and an
average of 1.2 million project management
positions will need to be filled each year for
the next decade.
PMI is a nonprofit professional membership
association for the project, program and
portfolio management profession serving
more than 2.9 million professionals through
global advocacy, collaboration, education
and research.