U of U Professional Education Debuts New Project Management Program

Professional Education at the University of Utah announced that beginning in February 2013 it will roll out one of the nation's most comprehensive project management training programs. With offerings for every stage of a project manager's career, this new program targets both seasoned managers and those looking to shift careers.

The new U of U program will include five certificates - including an all-online Applied Project Management Certificate - which are designed to be completed by working professionals in just a few months. Others certificates include: Project Management Fundamentals, Master Certificate in Project Management, Advanced Project Management, and Strategic Project and Program Management.

"Project management presents a unique career opportunity," said Anne O'Brien, director of Professional Education at the U. "It's one of a few professions where you don't need a graduate degree, but can still earn six figures. Plus, these skills are becoming essential in almost every industry, so project managers can easily switch industries."

Applicable across numerous fields - from construction to software development, marketing to green energy and healthcare - project managers pull in an average base salary of $105,000. Although the field is so new that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't yet classify project management as an occupation, a survey of online job postings by Wanted Analytics showed a 51 percent increase in demand for project managers over the past two years, and the Anderson Economic Group estimates that an average of 1.2 million project management positions will need to be filled each year for at least the next four years.

"Project Management is one of the fastest growing professions in the world, and as such, certified Project Managers are some of the most sought after professionals in the world," said Shelley Gabriel, education outreach manager for Professional Education at the U.

Beginning in early February, the U of U will roll out six project management certificate programs - from project management fundamentals through advanced training with both in-class and online options, including two tracks in the increasingly popular Agile management method - involving a combined total of over 50 individual class offerings.

According to a recent Project Management Institute report, 71 percent of project managers reported increases in compensation in 2011. Those earning the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential reported an additional salary increase of 16 percent.

"It's a time in the profession when just a little bit of training goes a long way," O'Brien added.

To register for a project management program or for more information, visit proed.utah.edu/project, or call 801-585-1780.