Why the Credential was Developed

• We identified a state-wide workforce need
• In addition to other requirements, a student must earn at least 36 hours of instruction to sit for the Project Management exam offered through the Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Most institutions that offer the credits offer them face-to-face; we knew that offering this course in an online, self-paced format would be an excellent option for some learners
• By earning the Project Management Certificate, students fulfill the instructional requirement for the PMI exam
• Opportunities for certified project managers are available across the professional spectrum, from white-collar jobs in tech to blue-collar industries such as construction
• As a historically American Indian university, diversity, equity, and inclusion is part of our DNA

How the Credential was Developed

• To develop the content, we hired a professor from the School of Business specializing in International Business, utilizing our studio to create engaging video lectures
• Internally, the provost approved the development and deployment
• We also got approval from the PMI, which ensures that individuals earning our certificate can sit for the exam
• Quality was a primary consideration throughout the development of the credential – The Office of Online Learning strongly emphasizes sound instructional design, and program quality was considered throughout the design process

The Targeted Learners

• Our targeted learner is anyone interested in obtaining a Certificate in Project Management
• We advertise the program on all social media platforms and our website
• The program is offered through the Canvas Learning Management System. Students have access to 24-hour technical support via chat or phone.
• The Division of Information Technology provides technical support to ensure students have the necessary resources to succeed

Lessons Learned

• We gained valuable knowledge about what it takes to prepare a professor to record a lecture to accommodate virtual deliveries.
• Currently, we are contacting the students via email to award their certificates, which is not ideal. We are implementing a program called Badgr which provides a repository for displaying badges and includes a public page for learners to showcase badges and a transcript. This system allows students to share and showcase their accomplishments with others easily.