Graduate Certification in
Technical Project Management
Problem
In the current business environment, many companies realize the connection between project management, productivity, and profit. Also, project management has become a familiar term in every profession, including information systems, health care, pharmaceuticals, banks, and government agencies. Faced with increased competition, many companies have applied technology in an effort to boost productivity without increasing labor costs. Unfortunately, such actions have a limited effect and organizations must resume their search for performance and profitability improvements.
Solution
The Citadel School of Engineering (CSOE) offers a graduate certificate program designed to address the professional development needs of tomorrow’s project manager, with an emphasis on technology, collaboration, and leadership. Classes are held at the Lowcountry Graduate Center, located on International Blvd. near the Charleston Airport, to provide easy access to the greatest number of busy professionals.
The TPM Program
The Technical Project Management (TPM) program is a series of four graduate courses specifically developed to comprehensibly broaden the knowledge, skills, and abilities of working professionals. Taught in a graduate college setting, the PMI® Guidebook to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®), an ANSI standard, serves as a textbook and primary template for competency development. The TPM program is designed to be the career and professional development that junior and mid-level professionals need in advancing their careers.
The Framework
The framework for development of the required competencies consists of industry-based problems and assignments as performed in individual and collaborative team situations. Students develop knowledge and performance competencies through adult learning techniques, which include industry-related case studies, individual and small team activities, and interaction with subject matter experts. To demonstrate their knowledge, potential graduates deliver a formal presentation of their Capstone Project to a board of academic and industry professionals.
Successful applicants must meet the following criteria for admission into the TPM Graduate Program:
1. Complete and return a graduate application form, along with the non-refundable application fee to The Citadel Graduate College (CGC), Bond Hall, Room 101.
2. An official transcript of the baccalaureate degree and all other undergraduate or graduate work from accredited colleges and universities.
3. Submit a one page letter of intent that provides concise, complete answers to the following questions:
a. How has your experience prepared you for the TPM graduate courses?
b. How will your knowledge, skills, and attitudes contribute to the TPM program’s learning community?
c. What do you hope to gain from TPM graduate program?
All material must be received by the CGC office to receive consideration to the TPM program. An undergraduate engineering degree is not required for admission to the program.
Classes will normally be limited to a cohort of twenty (20) students. Qualified applicants in excess of twenty (20) may be placed on a contact list for the next cohort.
What You Will Receive
Successful completion of the TPM program earns a graduate certificate representing twelve graduate credit hours. Other graduate programs may accept these courses as transfer credits and may apply their own restrictions to acceptable topics for the Capstone Project. The Capstone Project Assignment requires each student to identify an appropriate project and to develop the applicable project documents needed to manage the project to completion. In addition to the increased knowledge competencies and the TPM graduate certificate, each graduate will have the portfolio of documents and templates developed as part of their Capstone Project.
The following are descriptions of the School of Engineering graduate courses:
ENGR 650: Overview of Technical Project Management (3 and 0)
This course applies a systems engineering approach to project management and introduces the student to the entire lifecycle of technical projects as offered by Project Management Institute’s A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) and other resources. Practical assignments are combined with industry-accepted standards for the purpose of developing a logical framework for managing and leading technical build projects. The five major process groups of Initiation, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing are investigated in relationship with the nine knowledge areas of Integration, Scope, Time, Cost, Quality, Human Resources, Communication, Risk and Procurement. Professional responsibility and ethics will receive particular emphasis. Prerequisite: Fulfillment of admission requirements.
ENGR 651: Technical Project Planning and Scheduling (3 and 0)
This course explores the principles and applications of work breakdown structures (WBS); the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT); earned value management, critical chain scheduling and buffer management; definition and allocation of resources; resource leveling; and schedule compression. Course content includes realistic projects, case studies, Primavera and MS Project computer applications, along with web-based management and technology tools. Prerequisite: ENGR 650 or instructor permission.
ENGR 652: Applications of Quality Management (3 and 0)
This course investigates the principles of quality management and their application in the technical project environment. The standards, tools, techniques and deliverables as related to the development and implementation of a comprehensive quality system will be explored. Topics related to ISO 9000, lean six sigma methodology, business process improvement, and function point analysis will be addressed. Prerequisite: ENGR 650 or instructor permission.
ENGR 653: Technical Project Support and Operations (3 and 0)
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the activities necessary for the completion of a project, but not normally recognized as project activities. These activities include project plan development, negotiations, coaching and interpersonal skills, contract specifications and general conditions, bonds and insurance, and risk planning and mitigation. Prerequisite: ENGR 650 or instructor permission.
All
questions should be directed to
Dr. Keith Plemmons at
843-953-7677
or
keith.plemmons@citadel.edu