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Capella University Joins the Ranks of Select Institutions Offering a Project Management Specialization Accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC)
MINNEAPOLIS and NEWTON SQUARE, PA, November 4, 2010 – The Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Project Management at Capella University has been accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC). Capella has been previously recognized by PMI GAC for project management specializations in its Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program, Master of Science in Information Technology program, as well as its combined Bachelor/Master in Information Technology program.
Degree programs that achieve GAC accreditation must demonstrate and meet the GAC's rigorous global standards of accreditation, which include an assessment of each program's objectives and outcomes, faculty and student evaluations, onsite and online resources, annual self-evaluation, and proof of continuous improvements in the area of project management education. Seventy-one project management degree programs at 30 institutions in 11 countries are accredited by GAC. Programs at 15 other universities are in the process of accreditation. GAC accreditation ensures the quality of academic degree programs and their graduates in order to meet the standards of the rapidly growing field of project management.
"Obtaining PMI GAC accreditation is a rigorous process, and Capella University's participation makes a public statement about the deep commitment of the institution and its faculty to ongoing evaluation and continuous quality improvement," said Edwin Andrews, Ph.D., director of academic and educational programs and services at PMI. "GAC accreditation confirms that the scale and quality of an institution's project management degree program conforms to a comprehensive international standard."
Capella University's MBA with a specialization in Project Management is based on the knowledge areas established by the Project Management Institute and is designed to sharpen project management skills, including project planning, risk management, quality management, communications management, human resource management, and project procurement. Through core business courses, learners strengthen their overall business acumen in order to build the perspective needed to interact effectively with other managers to meet business goals. The capstone course, through a case study, applies skills in planning, managing, and controlling the process to complete the project on time and on budget.
"This accreditation is highly sought after and requires a team effort by dedicated and highly qualified professionals. Universities around the world are seeking this recognition, so it feels wonderful to join the ranks of those few who have actually achieved the accreditation," said Bill Reed, PhD, interim dean for the School of Business and Technology at Capella University.
Individuals who complete the Capella University GAC accredited project management specialization earn 1,500 hours of project management experience toward the requirements that are needed to sit for PMI's Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential examination. Currently, an applicant with a bachelor degree (or higher) must document 4,500 hours spent leading and directing project tasks. If the applicant documents that he or she graduated from a GAC accredited program, then only 3,000 hours of work experience need to be presented to fulfill this requirement. Additionally, individuals who complete a GAC-accredited program earn 1,500 hours of project management experience toward the requirements that are needed to sit for the PMI Program Management Professional (PgMP)® credential examination.
About Capella University
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited*, fully online university that has built its reputation by providing quality education for working adults. Nearly 80 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's, specialist, or doctoral degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, and public safety. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, public administration, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 136 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 17 certificate programs. More than 38,000 learners were enrolled as of September 30, 2010, from all 50 states and 52 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).
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* Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.
Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), www.capella.edu.
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