School of Business offers faster track to Project Management credentials

The School of Business has received approval from the Project Management Institute (PMI) to offer coursework that prepares students to sit for the Certified Associate in Project Management exam (CAPM) — offering a direct pathway to one of the world’s most recognized project management credentials. 

Students enrolled in Central’s Undergraduate Certificate in Business Project Management program can now complete the required educational hours for the CAPM exam as part of their coursework. While students must still sit for PMI’s external exam to earn the credential, the integration of exam preparation into the curriculum streamlines the process and positions graduates for immediate career advancement.

According to faculty program liaison Dr. Michael Gendron, the certificate is designed to be widely accessible and is open to all students, regardless of major, allowing them to build project management expertise alongside their primary field of study.

The certificate program is structured in two tiers, enabling students to progress through key industry credentials. After completing the first course, students are eligible to sit for the CAPM exam. Those who continue through the full sequence of courses will gain the 1,000 hours of experience required to pursue the more advanced Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Students majoring in Management and Information Systems are also eligible for a $200 reimbursement toward exam fees.

Accessibility is a defining feature of the program. By structuring it as a certificate rather than a minor, the School of Business has removed barriers for non-business majors, ensuring that students across disciplines can participate.

Gendron says the program has also strengthened its curriculum by fully integrating the Project Management Body of Knowledge — PMI’s industry-standard framework — into Central’s coursework, an update that has significantly improved student preparedness for both certification exams.

The Certificate in Business Project Management provides a comprehensive foundation in both core and advanced concepts, including project management principles, programming for business applications, and agile methodologies in information technology environments. As industries increasingly rely on skilled project managers to navigate complex challenges, the program equips students with the tools to lead effectively in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.