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UW Flexible Option Info Kit
Overview
Today’s employers are looking for employees who possess not only strong technical skills, but also the ability to lead and manage complex projects involving diverse teams. Validating your project management skills with a certificate from a respected educational institution enhances your value as an employee as well as a job candidate. And now, that certificate is within reach for more working adults than ever.
For the first time, the business department at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside is offering its successful Project Management Certificate in the self-paced and competency-based UW Flexible Option format. At last, you can earn the project management credential you need to get ahead—without sacrificing your commitments to work and family.
The UW Flexible Option is especially designed for motivated adult learners who want their previous schooling, work skills, and prior knowledge to apply toward degrees or certificates. The competency-based and self-paced format of the UW Flexible Option fits the schedules of returning adult learners who must balance work and family responsibilities with educational goals. Because most UW Flexible Option competencies and assessments are delivered online, students have the opportunity to learn when and where they choose.
Who Should Apply
The Project Management Certificate program is ideally suited for:
- Any professional holding a traditional undergraduate degree or at least 60 college credits who would like to gain mastery of project management
- Individuals who have at least five years of business experience, preferably at mid-level management or above or at an entrepreneurial firm
- Entrepreneurs who would like to feel more comfortable leading projects within their own organization
- Motivated, disciplined self-starters who can work independently
- Busy professionals who do not have time for a traditional face-to-face certificate program
- Anyone who desires the prestige and value of a University of Wisconsin credential
About the UW-Parkside Business Department
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside business department is dedicated to providing students with quality instruction relevant to the changing world of business. They are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International—fewer than 5 percent of business programs globally meet the rigorous standards of quality set by AACSB International. Students of the business department develop skill in the primary functional areas of business, including accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, MIS, production management, communications, business ethics, and strategic planning.
Accreditation
University of Wisconsin-Parkside is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools. The business department is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-International (AACSB).
Meet Our Faculty
Curriculum
Students will develop competencies in project management that are critical to a wide range of business, administrative, and creative roles. Competencies include:
- Project lifecycle
- Project scope analysis
- Interpersonal skills
- Work breakdown structure
- Creating and monitoring a budget
- Risk analysis
Competency Sets
PMGT 341: BASICS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
In this competency set you will learn the basics of executing and completing projects efficiently.
Analyze the fundamental concepts of project management in an organizational context.
- Describe the importance of project management in the context of various organizational cultures and strategies
- Compare and contrast project, program, and portfolio management
- Distinguish between different types of organizations and their influence on project management
Analyze the full project life cycle and appropriate project management processes, process groups, and knowledge areas.
- Analyze the interrelationship between project life cycle, process groups and knowledge areas
Create a comprehensive project plan.
- Develop a project management plan that documents the actions necessary to define, coordinate, and measure all project activities
Demonstrate the ability to work in teams, manage team members, and interact with stakeholders.
- Select appropriate communication tools and methods to communicate with identified stakeholders
Plan and monitor project budget and schedule.
- Evaluate project schedules for time of completion, resources, and costs using tools and techniques of project time management
- Plan and estimate project costs and evaluate project progress in relation to the budget using tools and techniques of project cost management
Evaluate project quality and risk using the basic tools of project risk and quality management.
- Evaluate project quality using project quality management processes and tools
- Identify, evaluate, and document project risks and opportunities given a specific scenario
Identify, develop, and manage project resources.
- Demonstrate how teams are assigned and formed, and describe the stages of team development
Describe and apply processes related to project procurement management.
- Demonstrate knowledge of processes related to the procurement of products, resources, and services from outside the project team
PMGT 342: ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT
In this competency set, you will gain understanding of the skills required to successfully manage projects from conception to completion.
Analyze the fundamental concepts of project management in an organizational context.
- Describe the importance of project management in the context of various organizational cultures and strategies
- Summarize the typical components of the project management system and the processes that are considered essential to any project
- Articulate primary and secondary stakeholders for a project management task
Demonstrate the ability to work in teams, manage team members, and interact with stakeholders.
- Select appropriate communication tools and methods to communicate with identified stakeholders
- Recognize sources of conflict when working in teams and with stakeholders
- Describe professional and personal elements for constructing an effective project management team
- Describe various leadership styles and articulate which style is most appropriate for a specific project management situation
- Describe strategies to resolve conflict
- Demonstrate ability to provide effective and timely performance feedback
Identify, develop, and manage project resources.
- Demonstrate how teams are assigned and formed, and describe the stages of team development
- Identify the elements that make up an effective project management team
Articulate the importance of ethical considerations in every aspect of a project’s operations.
- Describe processes of ethical decision-making
- Identify ethical issues in a project management scenario
PMGT 441: PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES
In this competency set you will become proficient in the skills needed to turn project management theory into practice.
Analyze the fundamental concepts of project management in an organizational context.
- Describe the importance of project management in the context of various organizational cultures and strategies
- Compare and contrast project, program, and portfolio management
- Distinguish between different types of organizations and their influence on project management
Create a comprehensive project plan.
- Develop a project management plan that documents the actions necessary to define, coordinate, and measure all project activities
Demonstrate the ability to work in teams, manage team members, and interact with stakeholders.
- Select appropriate communication tools and methods to communicate with identified stakeholders
Plan and monitor project budget and schedule.
- Evaluate project schedules for time of completion, resources, and costs using tools and techniques of project time management
- Plan and estimate project costs and evaluate project progress in relation to the budget using tools and techniques of project cost management
Evaluate project quality and risk using the basic tools of project risk and quality management.
- Identify, evaluate, and document project risks and opportunities given a specific scenario
Navigate a project’s scope, resource, and scheduling constraints.
- Demonstrate the ability to optimize schedules to maximize efficiency and to meet project deadlines
Analyze the technical and interpersonal aspects of project execution and control.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how changes to project scope may affect the projectʹs schedule, cost, and quality, and how to evaluate the impact and recommend a solution that produces the desired project product
Describe essentials of project auditing and project termination/closing.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the tools and techniques for auditing and evaluating a project
PMGT 442: PROJECT MANAGEMENT SIMULATION
In this competency set, you will practice the skills you have learned in a realistic project management simulation.
Navigate a project’s scope, resource, and scheduling constraints.
- Demonstrate ability to optimize the project schedule by allocating resources to the critical path
- Demonstrate the ability to optimize schedules to maximize efficiency and to meet project deadlines
Create a comprehensive project plan.
- Develop a project management plan that documents the actions necessary to define, coordinate, and measure all project activities
- Compare the components and interactions of the various processes of the project plan with the project management software (MS Project)
Analyze the fundamental concepts of project management in an organizational context.
- Describe a project management strategy for a new project that meets stakeholder expectations in a given organizational context
Analyze the full project life cycle, appropriate project management processes, process groups, and knowledge areas.
- Analyze each of the project phases that make up a typical project, then apply the project management processes that occur with each project phase
- Apply the project management deliverables that are produced by project managers in each project phase
Evaluate project quality and risk using the basic tools of project risk and quality management.
- Evaluate project quality using project quality management processes and tools
- Identify, evaluate, and document project risks and opportunities given a specific scenario
- Analyze core quality processes and integrate each process in a project in planning and managing projects
Define stakeholder expectations and initiate a project successfully.
- Create a project charter that describes the business needs of a project scenario
- Develop a sequence of categorized project management processes and activities that will meet stakeholder expectations
Demonstrate the ability to work in teams, manage team members, and interact with stakeholders.
- Select appropriate communication tools and methods to communicate with identified stakeholders
- Recognize sources of conflict when working in teams and with stakeholders
- Apply a problem-solving process that focuses on confronting and resovling a given problem
Plan and monitor project budget and schedule
- Identify necessary resources, labor and material resources, and estimate how many units of each are required to meet project expectations for a given project
- Apply fundamental types of time and cost-estimating approaches to manage the timeline of a given project
Describe the contextual relationship between the project and the organization that hosts the project.
- Demonstrate knowledge of key linkages between organizational and project‐level issues including decision making, motivation, and project roles
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills in procurement, supply‐chain management, finance, cost management, and other business aspects of projects
Articulate the importance of ethical considerations in every aspect of a project’s operations.
- Demonstrate knowledge of situations involving unethical project activities, and best practices for whistle blowing and ethical decision making
Describe essentials of project auditing and project termination/closing
- Demonstrate knowledge of the tools and techniques for auditing and evaluating a project and describe the processes related to project termination
Check out the complete list of competency sets offered through UW Flexible Option.
Tuition
The UW Flexible Option offers working adults a more affordable way to earn a UW degree or certificate. Instead of paying by course or by credit, you pay a flat rate for a three-month subscription period. You won’t spend valuable time or money sitting through courses you don’t need. If you already know the material, you may be able to pass assessments more quickly, and potentially accelerate your time to graduation.
During your subscription period, you are able to access learning materials, complete assessments, and receive academic support. Subscription periods begin on the second day of every month. You can choose from two subscription options, each with a different tuition, depending on the number of competency sets you wish to attempt during the subscription period. Not sure what a competency set is? Check out our sample competency set to see one for yourself.
- All-You-Can-Learn Option: Choosing this option allows you to enroll in two or more competency (skill) sets. You may enroll in as many competency sets as you can successfully master within a three-month period for a flat tuition rate of $2,250. This option is ideal for motivated learners who would like to earn their degrees or certificates more quickly.
- Single Competency Set Option: If you would like to study at a slower pace during a three-month subscription period, you may enroll in a single competency set. As with the All-You-Can-Learn Option, you must successfully demonstrate mastery of each competency in the set through a series of assessments. The tuition for this “one-set-per-subscription-period” model is $900. Note: After the tenth day of the subscription period, students who are enrolled in the Single Competency Set level are not eligible to add additional competency sets during their subscription period. Such students must wait until a subsequent subscription period to add additional competency sets.
| Subscription options | Term length | Tuition | Competency sets you can complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-You-Can-Learn | 3 months | $2,250 | 2 or more |
| Single Competency Set | 3 months | $900 | 1 |
Additional Fees: Tuition covers assessments and mentoring, but excludes the cost of books and other special materials that may be required for your program.
Admission
Ready to flex your potential and fulfill your goals and dreams? You’ve come to the right place!
If you haven’t already read our Frequently Asked Questions, please do so now to gain a better understanding of the UW Flexible Option before you apply for admission. You may apply for a start date five months in advance, but no later than one month in advance. All of your application materials must be received by us a full month in advance of your desired start date.
Guidelines and Applying for Admission
Our admission review process considers many factors when assessing your application for admission to a UW Flexible Option program. Your high school records, strength of prior college coursework, rigor of curriculum and academic readiness, test scores, grade point average, academic goals, relevant work experience, and your potential for success will all be considered. If you have not connected with one of our helpful UW Flexible Option Enrollment Advisers yet, please contact us at 1-877-895-3276 or via email at flex@uwex.edu to discuss your readiness for this program.
International students are not accepted into UW Flexible Option programs at this time.
Students New to UW Flexible Option
Once you have spoken with a UW Flexible Option Enrollment Adviser (1-877-895-3276) to determine whether this innovative education option is right for you, your next step is to formally apply. Keep in mind that when you apply to a UW Flexible Option Project Management Certificate program, you are applying to the University of Wisconsin Parkside. The requirements for admission and graduation are the same as if you were applying to a traditional on-campus or online program.
To apply for admission to a UW Flexible Option program:
- Complete the online University of Wisconsin System Application for Undergraduate Admission, found at apply.wisconsin.edu.
- Send transcripts. We require official transcripts, sent directly from your high school of graduation (beginning with grade 9) and all post-secondary institutions you have attended. If you did not graduate from high school, completion of a GED and an official copy of your scores are required. Please have your official transcripts sent either electronically via a secure credentialing service such as Parchment or Credentials or have your official transcripts mailed to:
UW Flexible Option Enrollment Team
UW-Extension – Continuing Education, Outreach & E-Learning
5602 Research Park Blvd., Suite 303
Madison, WI 53719 - Complete the Holistic Student Profile. Each student enrolling in UW Flexible Option is provided with academic guidance and coaching that is tailored to meet individual needs. To assist our team in preparing the best path for you, you are asked to complete our Holistic Student Profile. A link to this brief online survey will be provided when we receive your application.
- Complete Orientation, Part 1. After you have submitted your application, you will be sent a link to Orientation, Part 1. This required online orientation session will explain the key features of competency-based education, UW Flexible Option, what makes us different from other programs, tuition and financial aid opportunities, and next steps in the admission process.
- Be sure to review important dates to remember.
Students Returning to the UW Flexible Option
If you were previously enrolled in the UW Flexible Option and now wish to return after a period of time away, discover your next steps.
Residency Requirement
Most University of Wisconsin System campuses require students to complete a specific number of credits “in residence” to earn a degree or certificate. (“Resident credits” are credits earned with the campus granting the degree or certificate.) Transfer students are responsible for fulfilling these residency requirements.
For the UW-Parkside Project Management Certificate program offered through UW Flexible Option, a minimum of nine credits in must be completed at UW-Parkside.
Placement Tests
Placement tests are designed to measure prerequisite skills that help us place you into the correct college-level English and math competency sets.
You will be asked to take a placement test if:
- You are a new freshman student who has not previously attended college
- You are a transfer student who has not completed any college-level English and/or math courses
If you fit one of these categories but previously took placement tests for another UW campus within the last 2 years, you will not be asked to take the tests again.
During the application process for UW Flexible Option, you will be notified if a placement test is required. If you are required to take a test, an Admissions Specialist will explain the process and provide you with instructions to make arrangements. A variety of testing options are available to meet your needs.
It is important that you complete your placement tests in a timely manner—preferably as soon as possible after you learn they are required. Test results must be received by no later than the first day of the month prior to your subscription period start date. This allows your Academic Success Coach time to talk with you about the appropriate English or math level at which you should begin your studies, and ensures that you have enough time to enroll in your required competency set(s).
Still have questions about the admission process? Check out our Admission FAQ page.