Project Management Professional (PMP®) Roadmap

Find a path that works for you.

The UCLA Extension certificate in Project Management and the course on PMP® Exam Preparation both offer paths to the PMP® or CAPM® certification by PMI®. Discover which academic path works best for you.

6-Courses

The certificate in Project Management offers in-depth training on project management skills, tools, and techniques over six rigorous courses, each including 11 weeks of lectures. After completing the program, students planning to pursue the PMP® certification by Project Management Institute (PMI)® may optionally include our PMP® Exam Prep course.

1-Course

The single course on PMP® Exam Preparation includes intensive curriculum on project management and agile approaches over four days, with 8 hours of lecture each day.

Which one should I take? Do I need both?

For those not familiar with the project management framework and agile approaches, we highly recommend experiencing the in-depth training of the 6-course certificate program by UCLA Extension followed by the Exam Prep course. Students who first complete the certificate are more prepared and better equipped to master the exam concepts.

For those experienced with project management tools, techniques, and agile approaches, may not need the in-depth training of the core concepts taught in our 6-course program. Students can take our PMP® Exam Prep course by itself for exam preparation.

PMP® Exam Eligibility Requirements

For those applying for the PMP® exam, PMI® requires two separate pieces of information for eligibility during the application process. There are both educational and work experience fulfillment requirements.

If you are not interested in taking the exam, the information below is irrelevant to you.

Educational Fulfillment
35 Hours of Project Management Training

All of our courses in the certificate in Project Management and the PMP® Exam Preparation course are authorized by PMI® to grant 35 Hours of Project Management Training. By taking our courses, you will have proof of fulfilling this requirement. PMI® had also been referring to this as PDUs (Professional Develop Units).

Work Experience Fulfillment
36 Months of Project Management Experience

PMI® also requires 36 months of work experience leading projects within the past eight years. This is independent of the educational component of 35 Hours of Training. Our courses cannot count toward your work. However, in our PMP® Exam Prep course, the instructor provides guidance on how to optimize your write-up in this section to help you qualify your application towards this requirement.

Roadmap Summary – PMP® or CAPM® Certification

UCLA Extension Project Management Certificate

Complete 6-course (11-weeks each course on a quarterly basis)

5 required courses
1 elective course

This is an in-depth educational program to give you comprehensive knowledge in Project Management

Each course qualifies for the 35 Hours of Project Management Training - for new PMP® applicants
Or, 35 PDU’s to maintain existing PMP® Certification

Program Details

UCLA Extension PMP® Exam Prep Course

Attend the review course over 4 full days on consecutive Saturdays

This is a single course with concentrated topics in an intensive format to prepare you for the PMP® or CAPM® exam

This course has no prerequisites, although it is highly recommended to complete the UCLA Extension Certificate program first

This course also qualifies for the 35 Hours of Project Management Training for new PMP® applicants
Or, 35 PDU’s to maintain an existing PMP® Certification

Course Details

PMI® PMP® or CAPM® Certification

Apply to take the PMP® or CAPM® Certification exam on PMI®’s website

Step One:

1. Fulfill Education Requirements

35 hours of Project Management Training for PMP® or CAPM® Application

2. Fulfill Experience Requirements

4,500 hours for PMP® applicants, 1,500 hours for CAPM® applicants

Refer to the PMI® website for further details

Step Two:

1. Take the Exam

Pass a 180-question, 230-minute multiple choice exam - for PMP®
Or, 150-question, 180-minute multiple choice exam - for CAPM®

Maintain PMP® or CPM® Certification

Maintain 60 hours of professional development units every 3 years

Engage in continuous professional development to stay current and keep your certification active
You can take any of our Project Management courses to earn the 35 Hours of Project Management Training required
For details and to claim your PDU’s, refer to the PMI®’s website

UCLA Extension is a Premier Authorized Training Partner (ATP) and is approved by PMI® to issue professional development units (PDUs).
See All UCLA Extension Project Management Courses and Programs