About this Program
Program managers play a mission-critical role in their organizations and provide essential strategic direction that directly impacts business outcomes. Great PMs have the communication and leadership skills needed to work with diverse stakeholders to blend disparate projects into an effective, unified program plan. These abilities are in high demand at large tech firms and in other major industries.
In this two-course certificate program, you’ll study material that directly aligns with the Program Management Professional (PgMP)® certification exam. You’ll develop a deep understanding of this key business role as you discover how to orchestrate all stages of a program — development, launch, life cycle, support and closure. Learn from experienced program managers and your peers as you improve your career trajectory.
▸ Related Article: How to Become a Program Manager
DESIGNED FOR
Professionals with a background in program management, project management or a related role who are looking to advance in their careers.
See Requirements
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To apply, you must have ONE of the following sets of requirements:
- A high school diploma, associate degree or the global equivalent and four years of project management experience or two years of program management experience
- A bachelor's degree and three years of project management experience or one year of program management experience
- One year of project management experience and completion of the UW Certificate in Project Management
Time Commitment
Including time in class, you should expect to spend about seven to nine hours each week on coursework.
English Proficiency
If English is not your native language, you should have at least intermediate English skills to enroll. To see if you qualify, make sure you are at the B2 level on the CEFR self-assessment grid. To learn more, see English Language Proficiency Requirements – Noncredit Programs.
International Students
Because this offering is 100% online, no visa is required and international students are welcome to apply. For more information, see Admission Requirements for International Students.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
- Access to a computer with a recent operating system and web browser
- Microsoft Office 365 (available to students free of charge through the UW Microsoft Student Advantage program)
- High-speed internet connection
- Headset and webcam (recommended)
Earning the Certificate
You earn a certificate of completion by successfully completing all required courses. For more information, see Earning the Certificate.
▸ Explore More: Want to see more options? Check out 6 programs for every stage in your project management career or find the right business management program for you.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
- How to define, realize, measure and sustain planned program benefits
- The different aspects of program governance
- The tools of stakeholder engagement
- How to manage and synchronize related projects that span roles, organizations, regions and cultures
GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
You’ll create actual deliverables, including a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis, program proposal, program charter and program objectives.
PREPARE FOR PMI® CERTIFICATION
University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education has been reviewed and approved as a provider of program management training by the Project Management Institute (PMI)®. PMI® has approved UWPCE to issue contact hours and professional development units (PDUs) for these courses, which count toward the education requirements for the Program Management Professional (PgMP)® certification.
(PMI, PgMP and Program Management Professional are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.)
APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP
You may be eligible to apply for a UW Certificate Scholarship or Rotary Scholarship to cover most of the costs of this program. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and the potential of the program to positively impact your career. For more information, see the Scholarships page.
Career Stats
94%
Alumni working in field
Sample Employers
Microsoft, Boeing, Providence, F5, Amazon, Nordstrom
22.3%
Projected job growth for managers in Washington state (2024–2034)
$159,162
Median salary for managers in Washington state (2023)
EARN DIGITAL BADGES
You can earn a digital achievement badge for successfully completing this certificate program, as well as a separate badge for each course. These badges can be shared on LinkedIn and other social media sites. Learn more about digital badges.
OUR ENROLLMENT COACHES ARE HERE TO HELP
Connect with an enrollment coach to learn more about this offering. Or if you need help finding the right certificate, specialization or course for you, reach out to explore your options.