Walden University receives PMI Accreditation

This week Paul Thomas, VP at Walden University sent an email to faculty formally announcing the PMI Accreditation of MS in Project Management. See programs accredited by PMI; http://gacpm.org/Directory-GAC-Accredited-Degree-Programs-NA.html

Although it was a grueling process, it was also enjoyable. It was grueling because of the detailed documentation of all our processes. Fortunately, Kathy Simmons the Masters in Project Management program director, led the effort and in her typical organized approach gathered all the needed information and developed the reports needed by the PMI Accreditation Team. It was enjoyable because I got to meet for three days with the Accreditation Team totally engrossed in the details for teaching project management at the master’s level.

The accreditation team from PMI was led by LuAn Picacard from the University of Alaska and included Kristine Hayes and Timothy Muth. We spent three longs days reviewing all aspects of the program including interviewing alumni, current students, industry advisors, faculty and administrators. At this stage we had the easy part; answering questions and discussing the various project management classes. The accreditation team had to also review learning goals, syllabi and all the course work for every course in the project management program. Most evening I saw them huddled up going over paperwork as I went for late dinner and back to my room to cover my classes.

The final evening we ordered in pizza and discussed the committees until late into the night. I was surprised at the atmosphere of this discussion. The accreditation team helped us understand ways in which we could improve our program. It was a collegial conversation about how the future of the project management profession and our role in preparing future project managers. I felt we were among friends whose focus was the love of project management.

The highlight of the accreditation process was the next days when the team presented their initial findings. We already know the areas we needed to improve from previous conversations so these discussions did not catch us off guard.  It was when the team shared comments made by our students about the positive impact on the program on their lives that made us all reflect on our chosen profession. It was a powerful experience and even our University President, Cynthia Baum, said it brought tears to her eyes.

The PMI Accreditation brings creditability to a degree program assuring students and employers that program meets the highest standards and prepares graduates with the knowledge they need for a successful project management career.

Russ