For professionals looking for additional education to bolster job market viability, carefully considering accreditation is one important way to make sure you get the most power out of your tuition dollars. Intuitively, we know that we typically get what we pay for in life, but with so many certificate and online degree programs available today, it is sometimes difficult to decide which is best for you and your particular situation.
Whether you are a current project manager seeking additional training, a student comparing programs, or an executive contemplating the GAC accreditation for your offerings, examining accreditation benefits offers specific strengths and viable points of comparison.
Standardization
The Project Management Institute, the major professional organization for the project management field, has set forth a set of standards that must be met for a degree or certificate program to receive their Global Accreditation Center, or GAC seal of approval. In a tough but expanding global economy, corporate hiring dollars need to stretch farther, as do tuition dollars. The GAC accreditation means that the project management training will take you farther, hold up to peer competition globally, and provide the expertise you need to stay on top of your game.
Educational programs with the GAC seal of approval adhere to the highest content standards and best practice applications; therefore, students and hiring managers alike gain added confidence when investing in these programs. For executives managing certificate and degree programs, the GAC accreditation is a selling point and builds institutional confidence.
Curriculum
Schools and individual programs that achieve this accreditation move up into an elite group of professionals and programs that provide project management curriculum to reflect 21st century best-practice management expertise. The certification puts an emphasis on the knowledge, experience, ethics, and communication necessary to be a strong business leader anywhere in the world.
Hiring professionals from accredited programs at PMI GMC accredited university, partaking in additional training in a GAC approved program, or offering GAC approved classes to current employees all make investment dollars go farther and secure the most current and respected team members. Programs that achieve certification move into a more coveted group of institutions and provide the potential to edge out the competition.
Other Benefits
Project managers who join their professional organizations and participate in on-going education display a level of dedication to the field that sets strong standards for long term contributions to the field. The Project Management Institute also offers conferences and ongoing professional networking opportunities, which is a great benefit in today’s global job market. If you are already in the field, you know about the varied certifications and professional examinations the organization endorses to secure precision in the field. In addition to professional development, chapters of PMI are active in local communities and frequently gather socially. The GAC accreditation is just one more piece of security that programs can offer students, and the PMI makes sure that the accreditation is carried out ethically and thoroughly.
Conclusion
Online certification and degree programs should complement current knowledge, professional interests, and long term goals. While many programs exist, comparing accreditation levels can narrow the choices. Enrolling in an internationally top-ranked program with PMI approval through the GAC accreditation process is the best way to make sure your tuition dollars are going to have long reaching effect. Completing a program with GAC approval — such as one at a GAC accrediated school — is a point to highlight on your résumé and translates into competence for hiring professionals weighing candidates. If you are an HR manager, offering employees additional training through a GAC approved program demonstrates your level of commitment and value to your employees and your industry competitors. While there are many programs and training opportunities out there, seeking programs with GAC accreditation will help yo
