Overview
**This course runs from March 10th - April 20th, 2025, and is now open. Register soon as space is limited!
This course is part of a program developed by UCI Division of Continuing Education and is delivered by PowerED™ by Athabasca University. It features a streamlined curriculum that has been developed with feedback from industry veterans and an expert advisory team.
Managing multiple projects presents different and additional challenges when compared with the management of a single project. This advanced hands-on course builds on the project managers’ previously acquired knowledge and skills in the areas of scope, time, cost, risk, human resources, leadership, and team building through a combination of videos, discussions, and team-based learning exercises.
This capstone course lets you put into practice the project process groups and knowledge areas that are outlined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide (PMBOK® Guide) and expands it to those required to manage multiple projects.
You will explore scheduling techniques to balance resource utilization with project risks and desired responsiveness that lead to a schedule that ensures optimal stakeholder satisfaction. The basics of Portfolio Management, Program Management, and Scrum of Scrum Agile project management techniques are also covered. Assignments in this course are group projects which will allow you to draw on the work experience and industry diversity of the entire class.
This is the final course in the Project Management Certificate and will utilize the project assignments you completed in Project Launch, Project Planning, and Project Execution if you have previously taken theses courses.
Weekly Discussion Schedule
Join your instructor virtually every Tuesday at 6:00 PM MT for the duration of the course. You will review the topics and assignment on Tuesday and follow-up during "office hours" on Thursday which is reserved for Q&A. Attendance at virtual sessions is highly recommended for this course - as the majority of your grade relies on group work and contributions - due to the interactive nature of this course.
Just as a successful face-to-face class thrives on engaging discussion and participation, so does an online and remote class. The success of this course relies on building a strong, respectful course community. This is achieved through regular participation and attendance at the live remote meetings. Each of you brings valuable insights and experience and your contributions are critical to the success of this course.
Course Material
All course materials such as readings, templates, and examples are provided and are incorporated within the learning modules. You will download the necessary materials as you progress through the modules.
Required Textbook: Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme, Hybrid 8th Edition.
Optional Textbook: The 6th or 7th edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), Project Management Institute, Newtown Square, PA, 2017. PMI offers this publication for free to members. For more information about membership benefits, please visit PMI at www.pmi.org.
Claim Your Badge
Upon completion of Project Practicum with Multiple Projects, a digital badge is available.
Make sure to request your badge from PowerED™ and share with your network the verified skills and competencies you achieved by completing this course.
How It Works
Course Length
6 weeks
Effort
4-6 hours per week
Delivery
Online
Instruction
Instructor-led
Cost
$1210
This is the fourth and final course in the PowerED™ Project Management Certificate.
- Create a stakeholder map for at least two projects with at least five stakeholders per project
- Create a master Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to level three for at least two projects
- Create a resource utilization plan with multiple project team members working on different projects
- Create and maintain a master project schedule for the two projects in which at least 3 resources are constrained across each of the two projects
- Create a master communication plan
- Create a master risk register
- Create a project lessons learned or release retrospective summary
Dr. Alma Miller
Dr. Miller is an enthusiastic entrepreneur, speaker, DevOps thought leader, and educator with over 15 years of experience in the IT industry. She obtained a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from Catholic University, a Masters in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University, a Masters in Technical Management from Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctorate in Engineering from George Washington University.
She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Agile Certified Professional (PMI-ACP). She has several Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) certifications ranging from Advanced Scrum Master (ASM), Product Owner/Product Manager (PO/PM), and Release Train Engineer (RTE).
Dr. Miller started her consulting company, AC Miller Consulting, in 2013. She provides services to government and commercial clients across multiple industries helping with ITIL and DevOps transformations. Dr. Miller speaks at industry conferences and events and is a contributing author to www.ThinkHDI.com, a platform for data center and IT professionals. She is the co-creator of the BVE Summit, a conference for entrepreneurs and business owners. Feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn.
- Individuals in any discipline who work on projects in either the public or private sector
- Individuals preparing to pursue career opportunities in the area of project management
Course FAQs
Does this course have prerequisites?
This course does not have a required prerequisite.
Is this an instructor-led course?
This course is coached by an instructor and includes virtual lectures, videos, online discussions, and some group work. You will have access to the instructor during designated “office hours” which are outlined in each course.
How much study time will I need to spend?
Each course is six weeks in length. You will be spending approximately four to six hours of time per week on content. There are weekly assignments and deadlines but material may be accessed and completed at any time of day. You can complete all of the courses within 8 months to earn your certificate.
Are there tests or quizzes involved?
There will be graded discussions, assignments, group work, and quizzes within each course to ensure you understand the content.
Can I take only one course or do I have to register for the certificate?
You can register for just one course, however, each course builds on assignments completed in previous courses. We highly recommend you take each of the previous courses in the suggested sequence in order to maximize your project management knowledge and skills.
Do I have to take the courses in the order displayed on the website?
If possible, you should adhere to the course schedule because the coursework builds on previous assignments. If you must take a break from studies, you can register in your next course in the upcoming offering. Future courses are scheduled at regular intervals.
Do I have to be online at a certain time of day?
No, you do not have to be online at a specific time. There are weekly assignments and deadlines but you can complete the coursework at the times and places that fits your schedule.
How long will I have access to my courses?
You will have access to all courses in the certificate for 2 months post completion. All Course videos, additional readings, and supplemental videos are available to download.
What will I receive after I complete all of my courses?
You will receive a digital certificate of completion that is downloadable and printable. Digital badges are also awarded for specific achievements throughout the certificate.
What is the refund policy?
No refunds will be issued for the course. Refunds may be considered under exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Please contact powered@athabascau.ca for more information.
What are the computer requirements for this course?
You should have access to a Mac, PC, or tablet with an Internet connection, with Safari, Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Firefox as a browser. Here is a link that outlines browser support:
https://documentation.brightspace.com/EN/brightspace/requirements/all/browser_support.htm
For virtual sessions:
- Speakers/headphones
- Web camera and microphone
Learners that want to use their smart phone to access the courses can also download the D2L Pulse App for free to access the course available on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.d2l.brightspace.student.android&hl=en_CA
Or the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/brightspace-pulse/id1001688546
Who do I contact if I need help?
If your questions are course related, you can contact the course coach – contact information provided within the course environment. If you are having issues accessing the course or advancing through the course, you can contact powered@athabascau.ca. We are here to help!