• Chat Now
  • Request Info Apply Now
Live Chat Now
Available
Give us a call

Send us a text

855.890.3001

855.890.3001

Your Guide to Project Management Courses at DeVry

By DeVry University

The information presented here is true and accurate as of the date of publication. DeVry’s programmatic offerings and their accreditations are subject to change. Please refer to the current academic catalog for details.

 

March 6, 2024

5 min read

 

Effective project management is crucial in any business environment, whether it’s with small projects that need to be completed efficiently, or large multi-project programs that balance organizational goals, controlling costs, and meeting the expectations of company stakeholders. If you’re curious about the various skills elements that go into project management, this guide to project management courses should be helpful.

 

In this article, we will provide details about the project management courses in DeVry’s different project management degree and certificate programs, answer some frequently asked questions about project management, and look at the projected job outlook for project managers. 

The Value of Project Management Training

Good project management can make every part of the business run more smoothly, and it’s a core skill most professionals need. With effective planning, projects can be delivered on time and within budget. But the reasons why project management is important go beyond the tracking of timelines and budgets. Good project management has the potential to yield several big-picture organizational benefits. 

A more efficient project management process helps promote clear collaboration, increases transparency and ensures accountability— improving internal communications. When projects are managed well, teams are enabled and empowered to focus on the work that matters without becoming distracted by unrelated tasks or fluctuating budgets. When project managers and their teams have a clear view of how their projects are progressing, they’re able to gain a deeper understanding of how resources are being managed, spot issues before they occur, and make smarter, data-driven decisions.

Effective project management enables teams to deliver results that impact the organization’s strategic goals in real time and clearly see how their efforts contribute to the company’s bottom line. 

Strong project management training can help you learn how to deliver these benefits, among others:
 

  • Leadership skills: Project management training helps you build the leadership skills required to identify and fix small problems before they balloon into big ones, and to help you know how to establish a clear path to success for the whole project team to follow.

  • Strategic skills: The strategic organizational and leadership skills project management courses help you develop may help you stand out amongst your peers, and are needed in across multiple industries like healthcare, financial services, technology, and engineering.

  • Streamlined execution: Poor planning can lead to unproductive busy work. Effective project management training can help you learn how to pace a project to accomplish goals and meet deadlines faster by adopting the planning, budgeting, and execution tactics, tools, and methodologies used by project management professionals. 

  • Best practices: By learning and following project management best practices, you’ll be able to work toward the end-to-end success of projects, make an effective business case for a project, create a project plan, maintain clear and consistent communication, keep a project schedule, and look out for scope creep, which are increases to the workload or tasks that weren’t in the original project brief and could upset the projected timeline.

Essential Project Management Courses

If you are preparing to pursue a career in project management, you may consider beginning your journey by enrolling in an academic degree or certificate program with coursework that is specifically geared toward helping to acquire project management skills for a business setting.

Here at DeVry, we offer a variety of programs and specializations that are designed to prepare you for embarking on your career in the field of Project Management, such as: our Bachelor’s Degree Specialization in Project Management, Graduate Certificate in Project Management, our Master’s Degree in Project Management, and our MBA with a Specialization in Project Management. 

All project management specializations and programs at DeVry are accredited by the Global Accreditation Center of Project Management Education Programs (GAC). DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management are among a limited number of U.S. universities and schools worldwide to be granted this designation. More information is available via www.pmi.org.

Some of the project management courses included in the curriculum are:
 

Undergraduate Project Management Courses

Human Resources and Communication in Projects

This course focuses on leading and building diverse teams within an organization and measuring team performance. Change and conflict management are covered as well.
 

Project Management for the Profession

Covering project management concepts, principles and domains, students will learn to apply their knowledge to documentation for stakeholders, communicating between project members, project scheduling best practices and budget and risk projection.
 

Contracts and Procurement

This course examines the process of acquiring goods and services from external vendors when needed. Procurement planning, outsourcing, supplier selection, make-or-buy analysis, contract administration and procurement closeout are among the topics covered in this course.
 

Project Risk Management

This project management course revolves around identifying, analyzing and mitigating risk. Response planning and plan implementation flesh out this course, as well as a case study assignment that requires students to work through a real-world scenario where they will identify and analyze a project’s potential risks.
 

Advanced Project Management


Students will learn how to develop an integrated project plan utilizing hybrid project management methodology. Investigating cost, schedule and minimum performance requirements concepts, as well as creating project assumptions, budgeting, quality investigation and the effects of scope changes round out this course. 
 

Graduate Project Management Courses

Managing IT Projects

This project management course is designed to help students develop skills needed to manage projects in the information technology environment. IT project management may involve hardware development, software development, network upgrades and other IT-specific initiatives. Topics in this course include fundamental project management concepts with a focus on agile methodologies and will explore documentation related to managing IT projects.
 

Project Management Systems

The course introduces students to project management principles throughout the project lifecycle from project charter development through project closing. Topics in this course include scope statements, project schedules, team communications, agile project management and program management. The effect of sociocultural factors, project leadership and contingency planning are also explored to manage projects efficiently and effectively.
 

Program Management

This course helps students learn how to plan, strategize and manage project benefits, as well as how to communicate with stakeholders on a project. Implementing governance controls is also covered. Students will explore the details of project, program and portfolio management, and how stakeholders, project team and program closure impact the program life cycle. 
 

Project Cost and Schedule Control

Examining how to control costs and manage the schedule of a project, this project management course helps students gain familiarity with budgeting, resource allocation, cost and schedule estimation, and how to use earned value management systems. Students will develop a cost and schedule control-based project management plan as a part of this course. 
 

Project Risk Management

Analyzing risk is an important part of project planning. This course explores the processes of risk management as outlined in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) which include risk planning, identification, analysis, implementation of responses and monitoring. The course includes a course project assignment in which the risk management processes are implemented in the creation of a management plan using a practical approach. 

PMP, CAPM and PMBOK is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
 

 

Contract and Procurement Management

Students will gain an understanding of the procurement cycle within a project management environment. This course covers contract and procurement strategy, vendor selection, requests for proposals (RFPs), negotiation, contract administration and study different contract types.
 

Project Management Exam Preparation

This course covers current topics in the project management field and provides a review of the project management exam content. Material taught in this course will help students to develop themselves professionally while enhancing their project management skills and knowledge. 

Project Management FAQs

Now that we’ve covered some of the coursework you’d encounter from DeVry’s project management programs, we can address some of the questions you might have regarding the projected job outlook for this career as well as explore certifications and the industries you might consider working in as a project manager.
 

What is the job market outlook for project managers?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of project management specialists to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 68,100 openings for these professionals projected each year, on average, over the decade.1 This growth is projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. BLS projections are not specific to DeVry University students or graduates and may include earners at all stages of their career and not just entry level. 

The BLS further expects particularly strong growth in computer systems design services, as more project management specialists will be needed to manage the growing volume and complexity of the IT projects required to support telework.

What are the areas of project management?

As outlined in the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), there are 8 Project Performance Domains:

1. Stakeholder: Addresses activities and functions associated with stakeholders.

2. Team: Addresses activities and functions associated with the people who are responsible for producing project deliverables that realize business outcomes.

3. Development Approach & Life Cycle: Addresses activities and functions associated with the development approach, cadence and life cycle phases of the project.

4. Planning: Addresses activities and functions associated with the initial, ongoing, and evolving organization and coordination necessary for delivering project deliverables and outcomes.

5. Project Work: Addresses activities and functions associated with establishing project processes, managing physical resources, and fostering a learning environment.

6. Delivery: Addresses activities and functions associated with delivering the scope and quality that the project was undertaken to achieve.

7. Measurement: Addresses activities and functions associated with assessing project performance and taking appropriate actions to maintain acceptable performance.

8. Uncertainty: Addresses activities and functions associated with risk and uncertainty.

PMP, CAPM and PMBOK is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

What kind of jobs can I get in project management?

The career opportunities you explore in this growing field can vary widely depending on several factors such as the level of education you pursue, the specific project management certificates you earn, or the industries you’re interested in. Because of the widely applicable skills project management training can give you, you may be able to consider pursuing roles that aren’t strictly project manager ones. As a general example, careers that graduates of our Bachelor’s Degree with a Specialization in Project Management may consider include Project Developer, Project Manager, Project Quality Manager, Project Specialist or Project Team Leader. 

What is PMP certification?

The PMP®, or Project Management Professional® certification is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and validates project management-specific skills like motivating teams through all project phases, using predictive, agile and hybrid approaches to project planning and highlighting the success of a project and its impact on an organization’s strategic goals. To obtain PMP® certification, candidates must meet eligibility requirements and pass a 180-question exam. 

Students enrolled in select courses2 in all of our project management programs receive a complimentary PMI student membership, which they can use to download a free PMBOK® Guide and other PMI resources, access project management templates and tools and get discounts on certification exam fees and other PMI benefits. DeVry University has Premier Level Authorized Training Partner (ATP) approval to provide PMP®, CAPM® and other certification exam prep courses. 

PMP, CAPM and PMBOK is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

Prepare to Pursue Your Project Management Career

If you want to learn how to lead teams and meet organizational objectives in today’s dynamic and fast-moving business world, DeVry can help you as you prepare to pursue a career in project management. We offer 100% undergraduate and graduate-level degree and certificate programs that work for your busy life and the way you choose to learn.

Our online Bachelor’s Degree Specialization in Project Management can be earned as part of our Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Bachelor’s Degree in Management, or our Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Management.

Already hold a bachelor’s degree? Our Graduate Certificate in Project Management program, offered by our Keller Graduate School of Management, can help you build essential project management skills in less time and at a lower cost than a full-length graduate degree program, helping you prepare to enter the workforce and put your skills to work sooner.

Finally, if you’re ready to advance your ambition by earning a master’s degree, Keller offers a Master’s Degree in Project Management and an MBA with a Specialization in Project Management. 

An Admissions Representative can help you determine which program fits your personal and professional goals and can provide important information about grant and scholarship options that can help make your education more affordable.3
 

1Growth projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. BLS projections are not specific to DeVry University students or graduates and may include earners at all stages of their career and not just entry level. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/project-management-specialists.htm
2For students enrolled in our Graduate Certificate in Project Management, our Master’s Degree in Project Management and our MBA with a Specialization in Project Management, a complimentary PMI student membership is provided to students enrolled in PROJ585, PROJ586, PROJ592, PROJ595, PROJ598, PROJ601. For students enrolled in our Bachelor’s Degree with a Specialization in Project Management, a complimentary PMI student membership is provided to students enrolled in PROJ330, PROJ404, PROJ410, PROJ435, PROJ420.
3Students may participate in only one DeVry University-based scholarship, grant or group tuition benefit program at a time. Those who qualify for more than one program will be presumed to accept the program with the highest reduction in by- session cost. Students who qualify for and prefer a different tuition benefit program must confirm, in writing, the alternate program in which they wish to participate prior to starting classes at DeVry. Scholarship and grant terms and eligibility conditions are subject to change. Scholarships are available to those who apply and qualify. Click here for more information.

8-Week Class Sessions

Classes Start Every 8 Weeks
Subscribe

Filter Blog Post Category

Related Posts
Request Info Apply Now Call
Classes Start Every 8 Weeks
DeVry University

In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Lisle Campus: 4225 Naperville Rd, Suite 400, Lisle, IL 60532. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online complaint system https://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process   https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.


© DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved.