Explore team dynamics, project leadership and negotiations as you build best practices for project management, including planning, stakeholder engagement, managing complexity and more.
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Program description
Project management is an in-demand field, and the best project managers have the latest knowledge and training to ensure their projects unfold smoothly.
The Graduate Certificate in Project Management program helps you build project management skills and best practices. The course topics cover the most important information you'll need to join or advance in this field.
Over six months, you’ll explore team dynamics, stakeholder relations, project leadership and negotiations.
Topics like risk, time and cost management help you learn to keep projects on track. Topics like stakeholder engagement, change leadership and collaboration help you learn to keep everyone on board.
Finally, learning to effectively estimate, plan, schedule and resource projects, gives you the tools you’ll need to further even the most complex projects—and to further your career.
You can build from here
You can complete this program as a specialization option for the MBA in Executive Management, and Master of Global Management (MGM) programs.
If you have already completed this program, you can transfer all credits towards Royal Roads MBA, MGM, MA in Tourism Management, and MA in Interdisciplinary Studies programs. The tuition will be adjusted accordingly.
You can also use this program to build towards the Graduate Diploma in Project Management and Organizational Leadership.
Connect with our enrolment advisors to find out how you can use the credits you earn in this program towards a Master's program at Royal Roads.
Earn project management credentials
Students who complete this program will receive the educational hours required to apply for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® designation.
Active Project Management Professionals (PMP)® can earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) toward maintenance of PMP® credential upon completion of this program.
RRU is an Authorized Training Provider (ATP) for the Project Management Institute®
Focus on one thing at a time
You can take any two of the courses from the Graduate Certificate in Project Management through our selection of General Studies course options. You can transfer credit from these courses to certificates, diplomas and degree programs later if you decide to take your studies further.
Program outcomes
Once you have completed this program, you'll have project management skills that can be applied across industries and sectors.
Program delivery
Complete your program in six months in a blended, consisting of primarily online learning and an on-campus residency or fully online format.
Choose the program option that best meets your personal and professional needs:
- The fall intake is offered in a blended format and includes one on-campus and one virtual residency
- The winter is offered in an online format and it includes two virtual residencies.
Online learning
Online courses consist of assigned readings, synchronous or asynchronous lectures, interactive discussions, and individual and team assignments.
You’re expected to meet deadlines and contribute meaningfully to your class. Your contributions are a big part of everyone’s learning.
You’ll take one online course at a time. The first is two weeks online and leads to your first on-campus or virtual residency. The next two courses are delivered online for nine weeks.
Each online course requires approximately 15 hours of work per week.
You'll start your program with a non-credit, but required, course about academic integrity.
Residencies
This blended offer included one five-day on-campus residency and the online offer has one five-day virtual residency. Both program options include one three-day virtual residency at the very end.
Residencies are intensive and immersive whether on-campus or virtual. Many students say this time together is the highlight of their program.
During your residency, you can expect to:
- attend classes full-time (e.g., Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- complete homework and individual and team assignments outside of class hours
Courses
Faculty
Transfer agreements
Refine results
Admission to this program is assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all aspects of the applicant's work and life experience, volunteer and community activities, practical experience, related training, and formal education.
Standard admission
- Completion of either an undergraduate four-year (or comparable) degree or a graduate degree in a related field from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- Normally, at least two years of relevant full-time work experience.
Flexible admission
- To be considered for flexible admission, applicants would normally require at least five years of extensive, relevant work experience and some post-secondary education.
English language proficiency
- If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.
All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:
Application form
In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.
Missed your application deadline? While we can’t make any guarantees, we may be able to accommodate late applications if there's still space and enough time to process. If you're interested in an intake that is now closed to applications, apply for the next available intake and email Admissions with your preferred start date. Make sure you’re prepared to submit your program's required documents right away. We can't make an admissions decision without them.
Official transcripts
In accordance with RRU's admissions policy and practices, applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, though exceptions may apply for some Graduate Certificate in Project Management applicants as outlined below:
- All applicants must declare all post-secondary studies (courses, programs, transfer credit, etc.) in their application.
- As part of the application process, applicants anticipating acceptance by standard admission will be required to provide an official transcript for the highest level, most relevant and/or most recent degree credential(s). Whenever possible, applicants are also encouraged to provide unofficial (or official) transcripts from all other institutions currently or previously attended. Additional documents may be requested at any time during the application process. Additionally, upon acceptance Admissions will determine which, if any, additional transcripts or documents will be required, and these requirements may be noted as a condition of admission.
- As part of the application process, applicants anticipating consideration under flexible admission must submit all official transcripts for all institutions currently or previously attended.
In all cases, applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts. Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.
Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.
All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.
Personal statement
The personal statement should be approximately one page in length and should outline your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. The statement should address the topic of how the Graduate Certificate in Project Management will contribute to your future career. Relate this to who you are, what you feel you will gain from the program, and the strengths you feel you could bring to the program.
Two reference letters
These documents can be written in a variety of formats. In essence, we expect the letters of reference to confirm that you are a suitable candidate for the program, why s/he feels you will succeed in the program, and describe how the program will benefit you. The context in which the referee has come to know you should also be mentioned (professional, academic, personal, volunteer, etc).
Detailed résumé
Your detailed résumé should include the following:
- Education: List all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
- Work experience: Please include name of organization, length of service and a brief description of duties.
- Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties. List positions you have held in this service.
- Information technology training and experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
- Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
- Other relevant information: Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.
If applicable:
- Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
- Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
- An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
- Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.
For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.