Available via Distance Learning only.
Units: 36
Courses: 12
Tuition: $3,600
Enroll by printable enrollment form
Project management is at the core of everything that’s done in engineering, architecture, and construction. Yet most project managers have never had the advantage of an advanced, professional project management education. Most learn on the job and from ongoing continuing education. Without formal education, gaps in project management knowledge and lack of in-depth understanding can cost time and money and sometimes have disastrous results.
You can earn the degree entirely through distance learning, completely self paced. You can start and finish on your own schedule. This is a textbook-based professional education program. Students are responsible for purchasing textbooks. Book prices range from $20 to $80, average cost $40. There are no additional fees.
Financial aid is available to licensed design professionals, LEED APs, SFIA graduates, and those who have worked in project management positions for over two years.
Courses
PMGT 301
Principles and Best Practices
3 units
To “manage” means to set goals and objectives, quantify them, assign resources, oversee logistics, monitor progress, and anticipate and correct problems. It’s something of an art, but it’s also a science, with principles and proven practices that the best managers have honed over many years. Textbook: The Principles of Project Management, by Meri Williams
PMGT 302
Project Planning, Budgeting, and Scheduling
3 units
Every aspect of a project has a budget and a cost estimate. Time and cost must be monitored diligently — and this is where most project managers drop the ball. Once they see problems are brewing, it’s usually too late to rectify them. This course shows how to start off on top of a project and stay there. Textbook: Project Management Accounting: Budgeting, Tracking, and Reporting Costs and Profitability, by Kevin R. Callahan, Gary S. Stetz, and Lynne M. Brooks
PMGT 303
Effective Project Scheduling
3 units
The budget and project schedules are intertwined, and a lapse in one impacts the other. Like budgets, projects go off schedule for lots of reasons — often unexpected ones. Here are the reasons and experts’ methods for avoiding them. Textbook: Project Management for Business and Engineering, Principles and Practice, by John M. Nicholas
PMGT 304
Personnel Management: Hiring, Delegation, Supervision
3 units
One wrong person, or a lapse in monitoring key people can destroy a project budget, derail the schedule, and bring down the whole project. This course covers the basics and the most sophisticated methods of human resource management. Textbook: Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, by David A. DeCenzo
PMGT 305
Design Process Management
3 units
Design process is rarely taught systematically, and it’s extremely hard to learn during the distractions of actually running a job. This course lays out the most effective methods ever invented for monitoring and mastering the project management process. Textbook: Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management, by Scott Berkun
PMGT 306
Problem Prevention and Quality Control
3 units
Project failures and building failures are epidemic for only a few common reasons. Once you understand the basic causes of trouble in the office and on the jobsite, you can identify and stop them in their tracks. Textbook: Identifying and Managing Project Risk: Essential Tools for Failure-Proofing Your Project,
by Tom Kendrick
PMGT 307
Communications and Problem Solving
3 units
Project managers must collaborate with others, to solve problems and implement solutions. Some people have a natural talent for creativity and collaboration, but most people need the best guidance possible for learning these vital skills. Here’s how to bring out the best in yourself and the people with whom you work. Textbooks: Conceptual Blockbusting: A Guide to Better Ideas, by James L. Adams and Project Management Case Studies, by Harold Kerzner, Ph.D.
PMGT 308
Time Management
3 units
Meetings, interruptions, and a steady stream of calls, e-mails, and faxes have made time management increasingly difficult. But there are many strategies, tactics, and tricks to keep your time and your work under control. All the best ones, clearly summarized in this course, are ready to put to work during your day-to-day work. Textbooks: Time Management on the Job, Guidelines (architecture publishing affiliate of SFIA). Softcover; spiral bound. $40 plus shipping/handling. SFIA/Guidelines: 1 800 634 7779. and Total Time Management, Guidelines (architecture publishing affiliate of SFIA). Softcover; spiral bound. $40 plus shipping/handling. SFIA/Guidelines: 1 800 634 7779.
Four Elective Courses
Please choose four elective courses that best serve your special interests or career needs. Choose any four from this list of seven courses, or you are welcome to propose your own Independent Study course.
PMGT 309
Advanced Project Planning, Budgeting, and Scheduling
3 units
Textbook: Project Management for Design Professionals, by William Ramroth or Preparing for Project Management: A Guide for the New Architectural or Engineering Project Manager in Private Practice, by David J. Williams
PMGT 310
Green Project Management
3 units
Textbook: Contractors’ Guide to Green Building Construction, by Thomas E. Glavinich and Associated General Contractors
PMGT 311
International Project Management
3 units
Textbook: Global Project Management Handbook: Planning, Organizing and Controlling International Projects, by David L. Cleland and Roland Gareis
PMGT 312
Regulations, Quality Control, and Life Safety
3 units
Textbook: Liability Management and Prevention, Guidelines (architecture publishing affiliate of SFIA). Softcover; spiral bound. $40 plus shipping/handling. SFIA/Guidelines: 1 800 634 7779. or Causes and Prevention of Building Failures, Guidelines (architecture publishing affiliate of SFIA). Softcover; spiral bound. $40 plus shipping/handling. SFIA/Guidelines: 1 800 634 7779.
PMGT 313
Real Estate Development
3 units
Textbook: Architects’ Guide to Real Estate Development, Guidelines (architecture publishing affiliate of SFIA). Softcover; spiral bound. $40 plus shipping/handling. SFIA/Guidelines: 1 800 634 7779.
PMGT 314
Leadership
3 units
Textbook: Leading Project Teams: An Introduction to the Basics of Project Management and Project Team Leadership, by Anthony T. Cobb
PMGT 315
Construction Management
3 units
Textbooks: Errors & Omissions in Working Drawings, Guidelines (architecture publishing affiliate of SFIA). Softcover; spiral bound. $40 plus shipping/handling. SFIA/Guidelines: 1 800 634 7779. and Construction Project Management: A Practical Guide to Field Construction Management, by S. Keoki Sears, Glenn A. Sears, and Richard H. Clough or Total Construction Project Management, by George J. Ritz
