Villanova University First in Market to Incorporate New PMBOK® Guide - Fourth Edition Into Online Project Management Programs

Updated Courses Feature Latest Project Management Standards and Cutting-Edge Technology, With New Graphics, Animations, Videos and Case Studies

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) January 8, 2009

Further bolstering its reputation as the worldwide leader in project management education, Villanova University is making history by offering the first online programs to cover the new Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide - Fourth Edition) from the Project Management Institute (PMI®). The university's redesigned courses give project managers a competitive edge in today's uncertain economy, enabling them to get a head start in mastering the updated industry standards that will be featured on the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification exam starting in July 2009.

Villanova's Master Certificate in Applied Project Management and Master Certificate in IS/IT Project Management impart the knowledge and credentials project managers need to get ahead in today's demanding business environment. All program participants will come away with enhanced skills and expanded expertise, while those seeking industry certification will benefit from new test-prep questions designed to help them pass the PMP® and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) exams. In addition, students can earn professional development units (PDUs) required to maintain certification with Villanova's Advanced Master Certificate in Applied Project Management and Advanced Master Certificate in IS/IT Project Management.

Led by acclaimed project management experts, Villanova's comprehensive master certificate programs empower professionals with best practices and proven techniques they can apply immediately on the job. This emphasis on practical application is a hallmark of the university's 100% online classes, which include Six Sigma and Lean, Contract Management, Business Analysis, IS Security, Leadership and other in-demand disciplines.

"Beyond updating our courses to incorporate the latest PMBOK® standards, we've implemented a number of improvements based on feedback from current and past students," said Wayne Brantley, Senior Director of Professional Education for Villanova University Online and a member of the university's online project management faculty. "We've added more than 600 new graphics, animations and videos to increase comprehension and retention, along with new animated exercises and case studies to demonstrate and gauge learning progress. We've also welcomed several highly accomplished new faculty members, who bring new perspectives and diverse industry experience to our courses. Finally, we've developed new and improved workbooks with updated glossaries, exercises and more, which will serve as a valuable reference tool now and in the future."

Registration is now open for the redesigned Master Certificate in Applied Project Management and Master Certificate in IS/IT Project Management programs. Classes begin February 1, 2009, and are expected to fill quickly. Multi-course master certificate savings are available, and U.S. military servicemembers and government employees are eligible for additional savings. For more information, call 800-571-4938 or visit http://www.VillanovaU.com.

About Villanova University
Founded in 1842, Villanova University is the worldwide leader in professional education online. A traditional, accredited university located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, it has more than 94,000 alumni, NCAA Division I athletic teams, unparalleled academic and technical support, and an outstanding faculty - over 90% of whom hold the highest degrees in their field. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Villanova University #1 in the "Best Universities - Master's, North Region" category for more than a decade.

About University Alliance Online
The University Alliance (UA) facilitates the promotion and online delivery of associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation's leading traditional universities and institutions. Powered by UA's technology and support services, our university partners have surpassed 300,000 online enrollments -- making UA the largest facilitator of e-learning in the country. University Alliance partners include Villanova University, the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, Tulane University's Freeman School of Business, Thunderbird School of Global Management, the University of San Francisco, the University of South Florida, Florida Institute of Technology, The University of Scranton, Dominican University and Jacksonville University.

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