Graduate Certificate in Project Management (Online)

Graduate Certificate in Project Management (Online)

POSTGRADUATE
Student type:
Learning mode:
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
8 months intensive part-time
Fees:

$4,080 per course (2024), FEE-HELP available*

Next intake:
13 Jan 2025
Location:
Online
Learning mode:
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
8 months intensive part-time
Fees:

$4,080 per course (2024), FEE-HELP available*

Next intake:
13 Jan 2025
Location:
Online

Please use plan code GC042O in the application system for this degree.

Equip yourself with the ability to analyse and apply complex project management theories, driving innovation and addressing industry challenges with expertise and confidence.

Decorative image.

Applications close for next intake
9 Dec 2024

Future intakes
January, March, May, July, August and October

Duration
8 months intensive, part-time^

Number of courses
4 (7 weeks each)

Program overview

Why study the Graduate Certificate in Project Management online?

The most efficient way to gain a qualification in your chosen career

Gain your certification in as little as eight months thanks to our innovative intensive learning structure.

Choose your project management pathway

Choose between the generalist project management or the IT-specific pathways.

Learn contemporary theory, principles and best practice

Our industry experts help you develop an in-depth understanding of project management practices and techniques.

Why study

Advance your career with the Graduate Certificate in Project Management, offered in both a general and an IT-focused stream.

This online, accelerated program provides a thorough grounding in project management principles and practices.

The general stream prepares you to manage projects across diverse industries, while the IT stream specialises in agile methodologies and project management techniques specific to the IT sector.

Strengthen your professional skills, stay ahead of industry trends, and open doors to further academic or career opportunities with this versatile and relevant certification.

Course outcomes

By the end of Graduate Certificate in Project Management you will be able to:

  • Analyse, synthesise and apply complex project management theory to address industry issues, and implement new directions in project management
  • Professionally communicate your ideas and strategy, justifying decision making to diverse project management and organisational stakeholders
  • Employ your knowledge of project management theory and recent industry developments to identify problems and formulate solutions that respond to the diverse needs of project stakeholders
  • Work autonomously and/or utlise effective team work skills to plan and develop specialised project management strategy appropriate to range of organisational contexts and projects

Get more information about what you will learn in each of these courses.

Why choose RMIT Online

Get a world-class education and transform your career.

Real world skills

Develop skills that have been validated by industry, while getting credentialed by a world-leading university.

Industry connected

You'll gain knowledge and practical skills from renowned industry partners who are at the forefront of their field.

Flexible delivery

Advance your career while you study. RMIT Online courses let you balance work, study and life commitments.

Supported community

Be guided by a network of industry experts and peers, and supported by our dedicated success team.

Course structure

Our Graduate Certificate in Project Management will empower you with the confidence and expertise to handle larger and more complex projects. You can tailor your learning experience by selecting either the generalist program or the IT specialisation, depending on your career goals and interests.

At RMIT Online you can choose between two different project management pathways:

Generalist plan

Subjects in the Graduate Certificate in Project Management option:
  • BUSM1269 Introduction to Project Management
  • BUSM1271 Managing Project Teams
  • BUSM1273 Project Management Techniques
  • BUSM1272 Project Design for Quality

IT specialisation plan

Subjects in the Graduate Certificate in Project Management (IT specialisation) option:
  • BUSM1269 Introduction to Project Management
  • BUSM1271 Managing Project Teams
  • BUSM1273 Project Management Techniques
  • BUSM4767 Agile Project Management

Individual course details

Course overview

This course provides an introduction to Project Management and examines the foundational principles which underpin project management practice.

You will develop your knowledge of project management techniques and of how to scope, plan and manage a project. You will also examine project management practice and the legal framework which governs the practice of project management. This course will introduce you to leadership concepts and principles, and will develop your ability to identify and manage project team dynamics.

The prime objective of this course is to build on and develop your understanding of best practice principles and practices of professional Project Management and develop your capacity to apply these in any commercial, industrial or professional context.

Learning outcomes

  • Scope, develop and manage a project utilising appropriate project management techniques
  • Apply best practice project management principles to assess the efficacy of project management practice in a workplace setting
  • Work as team member and leader to produce a project plan
  • Undertake individual research within the field of project management.

Course overview

This course examines the role the project manager plays in managing their team and will develop your knowledge of how to manage individual differences and how to foster team cohesion.

You will also explore how different managerial styles determine team structure, and develop your knowledge of how current theoretical frameworks inform team function.

This course will develop your critical understandings of the relation between team management and organisational strategic objectives and vision, and will build your understanding of project team strategies to support positive work life interaction.

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse effective project team management in relation to both your own professional practice or related experience, industry feedback and theoretical academic knowledge
  • Conduct a literature review of relevant material to support your conception of effective project team management
  • Undertake a case study analysis of an industry based project team
  • Formulate and justify a series of recommendations to improve project team function and performance
  • Analyse the relationship between project team management and organisational objectives and success.

Course overview

This course introduces the concept of project time and cost management.

This course will develop your skills in time and cost management and expand your knowledge of how to apply these skills across diverse project management projects.

You will further develop these skills by utilising specialised software.

Learning outcomes

  • Select and apply appropriate project management techniques to manage project duration and cost
  • Analyse and apply principles of cost control, cash flow planning and financial administration to ensure effective project management.
  • Control project cost and duration
  • Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on project management techniques.

Course overview

This course examines the processes of design management and documentation and how these impact on the achievement of overall project objectives.

This course will develop your understanding of the various elements which contribute to the project design process and you will build and apply your knowledge of how the project design process impacts on the ability of the project manager to deliver effective project outcomes.

The objectives of this course are to develop your ability to apply quality assurance and quality control systems to produce a quality project plan.

The course will also develop your knowledge of quality management and its role in successful project management.

Learning outcomes

  • Define and discuss quality objectives in relation to diverse industry projects
  • Apply project management strategies to address stakeholder requirements
  • Employ project life cycle and process management strategies to enhance project quality outcomes
  • Apply quality management processes to produce a management plan which is responsive to client needs.

Course overview

To be effective within the ever changing and complex IT environment project managers need to be agile throughout the different phases of the project life cycle.

Agile IT project managers are responsive, flexible, adaptive and solutions focused.

In order to ensure agile project management, project managers must also utilise specialised methodologies which draw upon established theory and best practice.

You will build your knowledge of key agile methodologies, and will analyse and critique the usability of these methodologies comparative to more traditional project management methodologies and practices.

You will further apply your specialised agile project management knowledge and skills to undertake agile project planning which replicates IT industry contexts.

Learning outcomes

  • Critically analyse agile project management methodologies
  • Critique and justify the use of agile versus traditional project management methodologies in response to diverse industry scenarios
  • Select and apply agile project management methodologies to deliver effective project management planning
  • Formulate agile project management engagement strategies which effectively respond to the diverse needs of industry stakeholders.

Get more information about what you will learn in each of these courses.

Admissions requirements

To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Project Management, you must have:

  • Successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent oversees qualification)* or
  • A minimum of 5 years professional work experience in a related industry. Applicants with professional experience at a senior level that is less than 5 years may also be considered. 

To have your professional experience considered you must include in your application:

  • A CV
  • A statement that details your experience

*If your qualification was completed more than 10 years ago you will need to provide evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the same discipline as the program for which you are seeking entry.

You must meet the University’s minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

Refer to the English requirements for postgraduate coursework programs.

Upon successful completion of this degree you may be eligible to continue your studies in the following degrees:

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT University Credit Policy.

Applicants who have completed or partially completed a similar degree at another institution (with entry criteria similar to this degree) may be granted some credits or exemptions towards this degree.

RMIT assesses each student’s prior learning and qualifications to grant credit so you can complete your online postgraduate degree sooner. Your application will be decided on a case-by-case basis. RMIT aims to grant as much credit as possible at the time of offer, so it’s important to provide as much evidence of prior study and work experience as possible with your application.

To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Project Management, you must have:

  • Successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent oversees qualification)* or
  • A minimum of 5 years professional work experience in a related industry. Applicants with professional experience at a senior level that is less than 5 years may also be considered. 

To have your professional experience considered you must include in your application:

  • A CV
  • A statement that details your experience

*If your qualification was completed more than 10 years ago you will need to provide evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the same discipline as the program for which you are seeking entry.

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).

RMIT’s Online Graduate Certificate in Project Management and Online Diploma in Project Management do not meet Australian Student Visa requirements. For an Australian student visa, you must have an on-campus place in a program of study.

Upon successful completion of this degree you may be eligible to continue your studies in the following programs:

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT University Credit Policy.

Applicants who have completed or partially completed a similar degree at another institution (with entry criteria similar to this degree) may be granted some credits or exemptions towards this degree.

RMIT assesses each student’s prior learning and qualifications to grant credit so you can complete your online postgraduate degree sooner. Your application will be decided on a case-by-case basis. RMIT aims to grant as much credit as possible at the time of offer, so it’s important to provide as much evidence of prior study and work experience as possible with your application.

Fee summary

2025 indicative fees

In 2025, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for the standard year of full-time study in the Graduate Certificate in Project Management is:

  • 2025 tuition fees are $4,320 per course
  • Total $17,280^ for 4 courses

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

^Fees typically increase each year and may change without notice. Total fees are estimates and should only be used as a guide.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to  apply for a deferral, withdrawal or refund please see deferrals and withdrawals.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

ou may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks, and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program. Find out more about calculating your actual SSAF.

FEE-HELP loans

Some students may be eligible to apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme. FEE-HELP is for eligible full-fee paying students and allows you to defer payment of your tuition fees to the Australian Tax Office up to your HELP limit.

SA-HELP loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF), through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful the Australian Government, will pay RMIT, on your behalf up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

 You only start repaying your accumulated. HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying.) 

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice. For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist. 

Visit our HELP loans page for lots of useful information about eligibility, how to apply and payment. You can apply for FEE-HELP once you have enrolled in a degree.

HELP loans are not available to international students.

Learn with industry experts

Professor Tayyab Maqsood, Program Manager, RMIT

Professor Tayyab Maqsood is an Associate Dean-Project Management at RMIT University, leading the project management discipline at RMIT, and the program manager for the Graduate Certificate in Project Management.

Student success team, RMIT Online

Our student success team are here to help you with 1:1 coaching, tips on how to successfully study online, and any questions or concerns you may have.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.