IU Northwest Announces New Prep Course for Project Management Professional Certification Beginning Sept. 20

rot1The Center for Professional Development at the IU Northwest School of Business and Economics is offering a course designed to prepare business professionals for the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. A sought-after credential for those who oversee project completion, PMP certification is provided by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

The 10-week course meets on Thursdays, September 20 through December 6, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the IU Northwest campus. To register, visit iun.edu/cpd by the September 13 deadline.

“The PMP certification is an incredibly valuable benefit for employers and business professionals alike,” said Jana Szostek, director of IU Northwest’s Center of Professional Development. “Business professionals are better prepared to manage projects from start to finish and can enhance their earnings potential. Employers benefit because projects led by PMP-certified employees are more likely to be completed on time and on budget.”

Topics covered during the 10-week course include:

  • Integration management
  • Scope management
  • Schedule management
  • Cost management
  • Quality and procurement management
  • Resource management
  • Communication and stakeholder management
  • Risk management
  • Professional development

The PMP certification prerequisites are an associate degree, 7,500 hours spent leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education. For those with a bachelor’s degree, the requirements are 4,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education. The IU Northwest prep course satisfies the 35-hour project management education requirement for both types of degree holders.

About the instructor
Ken Riches brings more than 30 years of relevant expertise to the classroom. His experience includes electrical design, regulatory compliance, product development, continuous quality improvement, and project management, as well as roles in supervising project managers.

Riches is an active member of the Project Management Institute. For the last four years, he has served PMI as the Region Two Mentor, providing strategic planning facilitation and conflict resolution services to 21 PMI chapters in the North Central United States. He is also a forum leader for Renaissance Executive Forums, leads a Project Management Forum, and provides project management consulting and education services through his own company.

The Center for Professional Development (CPD) at IU Northwest’s School of Business and Economics serves the local business community by providing leadership, professional, and management development opportunities.

The CPD exists to serve the continuing education resources of local professionals and assist them in maintaining and advancing their careers. The CPD is the regional resource to help business professionals prepare for other professional certification courses, including Lean Six Sigma (LSS), Microsoft Office Specialist, QuickBooks, Certified Public Accountant, and Entrepreneurism.

For more information about IU Northwest’s School of Business and Economics programs, call 219-980-6910 or visit www.iun.edu/business.

About the School of Business and Economics
The region’s longest-running AASCB-accredited public business school, the School of Business and Economics initially earned this certification in 2004. AACSB Accreditation is widely regarded as the highest level of accreditation for business schools. Only 15 percent of business schools domestically and less than 5 percent of business schools internationally earn this prestigious certification of quality. Because of its AACSB International accreditation, the School offers its high achieving students membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Business Honor Society.