Summary

Project management has emerged as the world's dominant management paradigm, with more than 1/5th of the world's GDP being spent on projects this year. Global demand for skilled project managers far outstrips dwindling supply, presenting substantial financial and human risk world-wide. Educational institutions around the world are moving to seize the opportunity this presents for their schools, faculty and students.

 

Key Points

Global impact of Projects: This year, $12 Trillion (US), 1/5th of world's GDP, will be spent on projects. (Source: World Bank.)

Skyrocketing Demand: In the next 10 years, an average of 1.2 million new project oriented jobs will need to be filled every year. (Source: Anderson Economic Group Study, 2008.)

Falling Supply: 30% of current workforce is facing retirement in next decade. (Sources: US General Accounting Office, Australian Government, Project Management Institute.)

Global Risk: If no action is taken, U.S. $4.5 trillion of the global GDP will be put at risk by 2016. (Source: Anderson Economic Group Study, 2008.)

Academic Growth: From just a few programs in 1994, there are now more than 600 PM degree programs being offered through more than 450 academic institutions worldwide. (Source: Project Management Institute Global Census, 2009.)

 

In Other Words

"Project management will be the activity that makes or breaks many global companies in this economic environment." (Source: Forbes)

"Project management is the entrepreneurial side of business." - ESC Lille (FR)

 

Next Steps

Visit the Why Teach Project Management section at PMIteach.org Download the PMI Executive Guide to Project Management Visit the Project Management Institute

Summary

There is a broad range of project management education resources available, whether an institution is developing its first project management course; growing an existing offering into a certificate or degree program; or seeking global accreditation for their project management degree program.

 

Key Points

Get started by collaborating with an academic peer. Select institutions have volunteered to offer some level of assistance to schools that complete their free registration on PMIteach.org. Click to view our exclusive mentor contact list.

Get started by partnering with a PMI Registered Education Provider (R.E.P). An R.E.P. is an independent educational organization or academic institution that, while functionally separate from PMI, has met its rigorous standards for project management education. In the last five years, more than one million people have received training from PMI's Registered Education Providers.

There are currently more than 1,000 R.E.Ps world-wide. Use one of two methods to find the R.E.P. that best meets your needs: 1: Let us post, free of charge, your Request for Proposal to our global community or 2: Find an R.E.P. using our online directory.

Get started by accessing a PMI community component. PMI's global member community is organized into "components," groups centered around a specific interest, skill or geographic region. There are dozens of international Special Interest Groups and 250 PMI Chapters in more than 180 countries. Use our online directory to find a community component that meets your needs.

Get started by learning more at academic events and conferences. In addition to hosting its own full roster of events around the world, PMI is an active participant in dozens of academic conferences, as an exhibitor, sponsor or presenter. Take a look at our 2009 schedule.

 

In Other Words

"The advice that I'd give to universities trying to launch a project management graduate program is that they have a tremendous amount of resources available to them. Those of us who are accredited are willing to share our experience and then they can draw upon the accredited institutions for a network of support and information." - University of Maryland (US)

 

Next Steps

Visit the Getting Started section at PMIteach.org Download the GAC Handbook of Accreditation Search the Registered Education Provider directory

Summary

Specialized accreditation is a well-established practice in academia, and is commonly seen in business, engineering, law and medical programs. The Project Management Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC), established by the PMI Board of Directors in 2001, is the world’s leading global accrediting body for graduate and undergraduate project management degree programs. The GAC assesses project management programs against a clearly defined and comprehensive set of independently developed quality standards. For more information, contact the GAC Accreditation Programs Administrator at gac@pmi.org or call 1-610-356-4600, ext. 5003.

 

Key Points

Census: More than 60 degree programs at close to 30 academic institutions around the world have achieved GAC accreditation. Degree programs at many other schools are on their way to achieving accreditation.

Eligible Disciplines: Currently, accredited programs can be found in schools as diverse as business, construction management, engineering and information technology.

Benefits to Institutions: Even before achieving accreditation for their programs, institutions commonly identify the accreditation process as helping to encourage and structure self-study, planning and continuous improvement. Once accredited, institutions commonly cite accreditation as providing greater visibility in the educational marketplace, greater credibility, increased competitiveness for commercial opportunities, etc.

Benefits to Others: Organizations, students and faculty routinely express appreciation for accreditation helping them make more informed decisions regarding the quality of a project management program.

Accreditation Process: The accreditation process may be completed within a year and is based on a detailed self-evaluation report prepared by the school and a thorough on-site assessment conducted by a GAC review team with expertise in both project management and education. In order to remain accredited, schools must submit detailed annual reports and updates as well as pass a comprehensive re-evaluation every seven years.

 

In Other Words

"GAC accreditation gives us the ability to say that we have been examined by outside professionals, measured by their standards and found to be in compliance with their requirements. It puts us in an elite group of world-class programs." - University of Texas at Dallas (US)

 

Next Steps

Visit the Strengthening Your Program section on PMIteach.org Read Profiles of Accredited Programs Download the GAC Handbook of Accreditation

Summary

Offering project management education, particularly within a GAC accredited program and/or as a Registered Education Provider provides a wide range of benefits.

 

Key Points

 

Next Steps

Visit the Differentiate Your Program section on PMIteach.org Visit the Registered Education Provider section on PMI.org Find out how to become a Registered Education Provider

Summary

Whether establishing an independent project management program or incorporating one into existing curricula, faculty gain unique opportunities to raise the quality of their instruction and increase research funding and publishing opportunities. As importantly, they benefit by joining a unique international community of researchers, expert practitioners and organizational leaders as they shape this rapidly evolving management science.

 

Key Points

Funding: In the last 11 years, PMI's research division has funded more than $14M in project management research at institutions around the world. Publishing: Project management research is commonly featured in top academic journals from a variety of disciplines, including the Harvard Business Review, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management and Management Science. Recognition: The PMI Professional Awards Program recognizes outstanding academic achievement in the areas of research, journal papers, project management literature and academic programs. Community: PMI research projects often encompass multiple disciplines, institutions and countries. Teams come together on PMI's secure research community site and in intensive research program working sessions where ideas are exchanged through roundtable discussions and presentations. Research: Faculty is able to draw upon the expert support of the librarians of PMI’s research library, the James R. Snyder Wisdom Center, as well as access to exclusive collections of scholarly resources.

 

In Other Words

"From a faculty perspective, the value of PMI is that its members and members of its chapters throughout the world are interested in research results. They invite me to present my research results and talk about my latest books. I have access to a large audience and I think that drives project management forward in the industry as well." - Umea University (SE)

 

Next Steps

Visit the Faculty Resources section of PMIteach.org Visit the PMI Research Center on PMI.org Visit the PMI Project Management Case Study Library

 

Summary

The most effective educational approach is founded on a combination of classroom instruction and the application of academic concepts in actual practice. PMI supports both sides of this equation, providing invaluable academic, social, financial and professional support to all student members.

 

Key Points

Academic: Students receive a free copy of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), access to a wide range of electronic and print publications and online access to PMI’s library of global standards.

Research: Students are able to draw upon the expert support of the librarians of the James R. Snyder Wisdom Center.

Financial: Qualified students are eligible for almost $100K in annual scholarships through the PMI Educational Foundation and PMI Components.

Recognition: PMI’s Professional Awards program includes two student categories, while its international research conferences contain dedicated student paper and poster opportunities.

Social: Students are able to access collaboration, leadership and mentoring opportunities through PMI components like Special Interest Groups and local PMI chapters.

Professional: Graduates of accredited degree programs earn 1,500 hours of project management experience toward earning their Project Management Professional (PMP®) credential.

Career: Career-long access to PMI’s Career Center, job boards, personalized career coaching services and proprietary member’s only career assessment and planning tools.

 

In Other Words

"PMI provides my students great opportunities which I can't. That is talking to many professionals virtually; submitting papers for the student paper competition; and scholarship is something that any student is interested in. And lastly and most importantly, a career path for them to follow." - Eastern Michigan University (US)

"A project management degree gives students the opportunity to take additional courses that an MBA would not allow them to. For example, MBA curriculum would not have courses such as project cost and risk management. The topics they learn here are essential to most real world operations." – Boston University (US)

 

Next Steps

Visit the Student Resources section at PMIteach.org Visit the PMI Educational Foundation Visit the PMI Career Development Center