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Graduate Certificate in Project Management

Project management is one of the most sought-after skill sets in today’s fast paced business environment, as organizations continually look to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

This two- year certificate focuses on the in-demand field of project management and explores foundational standards and practice guide frameworks prescribed by the Project Management Institute (PMI). In this program students will build technical skills, business strategy knowledge, and leadership skills necessary to excel in today’s workforce.

Students will also learn how to act as socially responsible citizens in
Canadian culture and society through diverse learning approaches and perspectives. By the end of the program students will have engaged in dynamic lessons, collaborative projects, and explored real world examples that set them up with the practical knowledge needed to succeed in their careers.

May 2023 Cohort

With our growing numbers in enrolment for the Project Management Certificate, we have secured additional space.
This new Project Management site will provide students with a modern facility dedicated to teaching, learning and training in project management.

All Project Management in-person courses for students beginning their studies in May 2023 and beyond will be delivered at the Project Management site located at 5110 Creekbank Road, Mississauga, Ontario.

 

Site Map

Program Structure
Term 1

Delivery: On Campus
(3 credits)
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts as well as practical aspects of cross- cultural communication. The course involves a survey of the key concepts in cross-cultural communication, which could be applied to a wide range of communication contexts both academic and workplace. To understand culture in terms of diversity and subcultures in a global context, the course features cross-cultural communication in relation to language, culture, and discourse practices. The course utilizes a practice-oriented format to develop cross-cultural communication skills by means of presentations, analysis, and application.

Pre-requisite(s): None

Delivery: On Campus
(3 credits)
This course examines concepts and techniques widely applicable to personal life and business: individual creativity and innovation in organizations. It offers alternatives to standard models of decision making and formal critical thinking by describing imaginative ways of approaching problems. Students learn techniques of problem identification, idea generation, idea selection, and idea implementation. The course teaches problem-solving practices and varied strategies that release individual creativity and encourage innovation within organizational structures. Emphasis is placed on how creative and innovative solutions can be found to problems that are inadequately addressed by Cartesian thinking processes and the debunking of common myths held about creative individuals and organizations. Students are instructed in a variety of concepts and practical methods that they can apply to their studies, work, and personal lives.

Pre-requisite(s): None

Delivery: Online
(3 credits)
This course provides students with an introduction to the story of Turtle Island/Canada prior to and after first contact between Indigenous peoples and colonizers. Students will explore the lifeways of Indigenous peoples, periods of European colonization and conflict, ongoing migrations to Canada to the present day, and Canada’s connections to and place in the world in the 21st century.

Prerequisite(s): None.

Students learn how to effectively communicate in a business setting characterized by rapidly changing technologies and an increasingly diverse workforce. The course emphasizes oral and written communication across a number of mediums and business applications. Students develop skills in business writing and presentations; and learn how to effectively communicate in business settings including the following: delivering good and bad news, applying persuasive business writing and presentation techniques; preparing business reports; communicating for teamwork and meetings with cross-cultural considerations. In preparation for subsequent courses, students will also receive an introduction to academic writing, distinguishing the difference between academic and business writing.

Prerequisite(s): None.

Delivery: On Campus
(3 credits)
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of project management as outlined in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: PMBOK® Guide. In today’s business environment, the successful management of projects has become a core competency for organizational leaders. BUIS3603 emphasizes the need for linking the strategic plans of organizations to project selection, organizational structures, and the sociocultural and technical dimensions of projects, as well as how a project manager’s focus needs to shift at different stages of a project life cycle.

Prerequisite(s): None.

Term 2

(3 Credits)
Delivery: On Campus
This course offers students the opportunity to deepen their learning about cross-cultural interactions and understanding in their lives, their studies and their work. What does it mean to think and to work across cultures? Cross-cultural learning invites students to examine their knowledge of their own and other cultures, developing greater awareness of values and norms in their own and other cultures; they will deepen understanding and appreciation of different cultures and cultural differences, with particular attention to Indigenous cultures in Canada.

Prerequisite(s): Term 1.

(3 Credits)
Delivery: On Campus
Establishing and growing your professional community is central to succeeding in the Canadian workplace. This course will develop your existing collaboration, communication, and analytical skills in in a way that helps you build meaningful professional connections within a Canadian cultural and business context. You will learn how to leverage the most important networking platforms strategically to advance your current and future career goals. Emphasis will be placed on the design of a networking plan that will begin your lifelong professional development in Canada.

Prerequisite(s): Term 1.

(3 credits)
Delivery: Online
This course explores the interaction among individuals and organizations, and how this interaction can impact others within the organization, or the organization itself. Even in today’s technologically driven world, the effectiveness of organizations is still rooted in their ability to leverage the full potential of the people involved within their operations. Students are introduced to various topics including value systems, motivation, teams, effective communication, power and conflict, organizational culture and structure, leadership, ethics and organizational change. They emerge from the course with a better understanding of the role of people within organizations, and how their own personal strengths can contribute positively to the organizations to which they belong. Prerequisite(s): None.

Prerequisite(s): None.

(3 credits)
Delivery: Online
Introduction to international business as it relates to the functional areas of managing business operations. Focus is on how business decisions are influenced by culture, economics, and marketing. Additional emphasis is on the opportunities and problems associated with doing business in an international environment, with reference to case analyses of specific countries or regions. The principles examined are constant, although the international geography may vary according to the interests of the faculty member and students.

Prerequisite(s): None.

(3 credits)
Delivery: On Campus
The development of project teams is an essential part of project leadership and management as described in the Human Resource Management and Communication Management knowledge areas within A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: PMBOK® Guide. Whether you work on a task force, committee, development team, or other type of project team, this course will outline strategies for becoming a harmonious team member and adaptable team leader. By using stories from an assortment of projects, the course also provides multiple “real world” examples of inspired project leadership, timely project communications, and ongoing team selection, development and management; practices for improving project leadership are derived from these stories. Lastly, the factors which contribute to successful stakeholder management are also introduced.

Prerequisite(s): PMAL105.

Term 3

(3 Credits)
Delivery: On Campus
This course offers students the opportunity to learn about the values and principles of equity, diversity
and inclusion and how they must inform and guide our interactions with others.

  • “Equity” means the removal of systemic barriers and biases, to enable all individuals to have
    equal opportunities.
  • “Diversity” means differences such as race, colour, place of origin, religion, immigrant and
    newcomer status, ethnic origin, ability, sexual orientation, age and gender identity, among
    others. A diversity of perspectives and experiences is essential to successful outcomes in any
    field.
  • “Inclusion” means ensuring that all individuals are valued and respected for their contributions
    and are equally supported.

Understanding and embracing these values allow everyone to engage with and respond to local, national and global challenges. Prerequisite(s): Term 2.

(3 credits)
Delivery: On Campus
Emphasizes developing approaches in different types of organizations (e.g., not-for-profit) to deal effectively with the issues faced. Explores principles and practices of management and administration as they are adapted to: board-management-staff relations; board governance; recruiting and motivating; human resource management; accountability; organizing for and managing growth and change; analysis of an organization’s market; and organizational strategic planning.

Prerequisite(s): PMAL203 – Organizational Behaviour and Management.

(3 credits)
Delivery: Online
Students gain a basic understanding of fundamental structural legal frameworks under which firms must operate. The course begins with the basic building blocks of business law, followed by a review of legal business structures including sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, for profit, not-for-profit, and public firms. The second phase of the course examines a broad range of legal issues that could impact business operations, including intellectual property, contracts, product development, mergers and acquisitions, international trade, business disputes, bankruptcy, and reorganization.

Prerequisite(s): Term Two.

(3 credits)
Delivery: Online
This course introduces students to the theory and practice of personnel management and the significant issues that are part of the management of human resources in organizations. Students who complete this course will be able to design and implement an effective human resource management strategy. In addition, students are expected to identify specific HR management skills that they need to develop and begin the process of developing these skills.

Prerequisite(s): Term Two.

(3 credits)
Delivery: On Campus
This course will guide students through a rigorous examination of all planning processes and process interactions during the project life cycle. They will determine the elements of the project management plan that are essential, while avoiding “analysis paralysis”. Students will collaborate with others to appraise the content and format of project management plans for small, medium and large projects. They will clarify the scope, schedule, cost and resources necessary for a sample project. Students will also create plans for the management of risk, quality, human resources, communications, and procurement for one or more sample projects.

Prerequisite(s): PMAL105 – Introduction to Project Management; PMAL205 – Project Teams and Leadership

Term 4

(3 credits)
Delivery: Online
Design thinking is an interdisciplinary, creative problem-solving process used to unleash the power of innovation in a wide variety of disciplines. This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the concepts, theories, and philosophies that underpin the design thinking process. It will guide students towards practical application, equipping them with frameworks and tools to tackle, rethink, or solve problems, with a particular emphasis on real-life case studies.

Prerequisite(s): Term 3

(3 credits)
Delivery: On Campus
This course will introduce students to contemporary Information Technology systems and demonstrate how these systems are used throughout organizations. The focus is on the key components of information systems:  software, hardware, networks, people, and business processes, and how these components can be integrated and managed to create a competitive advantage. Students gain an understanding of how IT enables improvement in quality, speed, and agility. The course covers the infrastructural elements of IT systems, as well as several types of such systems including database systems, e-commerce/e-business, decision support systems, and AI. To manage vital IT projects effectively, students learn about the information system development lifecycle. Finally, issues on information security, privacy, as well as ethical and social considerations are discussed.

Prerequisite(s): Term 3

(3 credits)
Delivery: Online
In this course, students will explore, evaluate, and critique the concepts and possibilities for creating smart cities to meet social, environmental, and economic sustainability goals. This course will look at the theories, strategies, and existing frameworks of smart and sustainable city innovations that can enhance urban life now and into the future. They will look at how smart cities use digitized electronic information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT) devices and networks, urban analytics, and ‘smart governance’ to monitor, manage, and enhance urban services, improve urban livability, facilitate urban environmental sustainability, and improve the economic efficiency and productivity of cities. Combining smart city methods with public policy goals based on sustainability objectives, two primary innovations in cities—the exploding possibilities created by ICT and the ethical necessity of focusing on sustainability in city functions—are investigated. 

Pre‐requisite(s): Term 3

(3 credits)
Delivery: On Campus
Organizations want consistent results while delivering projects to meet customer and stakeholder expectations; they need to ensure that projects are delivered on time, every time – and within budget. In this course, students will learn how organizations in all sectors of the economy are chartering project management offices (PMOs) to support managers in their pursuit of excellence. Students explore PMO key concepts and are provided with the opportunity to systematically apply these concepts following a plan to set up, build, and sustain a successful PMO.  They study how to navigate important risks and challenges, assess the maturity of an existing PMO, and align the PMO to organizational strategy.  The course materials are complemented by industry case studies, hands-on exercises and class discussions. Finally, students will examine potential career paths and professional development opportunities.

 

(3 credits)
Delivery: On Campus
In this course, students will explore Agile and Predictive approaches to align with specific situations, thereby becoming more valuable team members in Agile, Traditional, and Hybrid project management frameworks. Working in teams to deliver a working solution for a major project based on a business vision, product features and user experience, students will develop a vision statement, generate user stories to produce outcomes that meet stakeholder expectations, produce project deliverables, and monitor, control, and closedown the project. They will specifically experience how Agile Project Managers/ SCRUM Masters define the various expected roles in Agile; use specific modelling techniques to determine scope/vision and user stories in Agile; manage projects using Agile/SCRUM approaches to ensure client needs are assessed, and evaluated, and documented, and adopt. Finally students will produce a working solution based on the features and user stories they have captured using Agile techniques to increase project quality and success.

Prerequisite(s): PMAL105- Introduction to Project Management; PMAL205 – Project Teams and Leadership; PMAL305- Project Planning Essentials