Project Management Essentials
For anyone who runs projects at work, whatever their job title.
- Scope, schedule and plan
- Cost, budget and risk
- Leading the project team
- Closing out and lessons learned
What they are
A credential for what you can do
Beside its degree programs, Madison issues professional credentials. A professional credential states a level of competence in a field. It is not an academic degree, and it says so on its face.
Levels
Levels currently defined
- 01DiplomaA focused credential in one field, based on assessed knowledge and evidence of practice.
- 02Professional DiplomaA broader and more demanding credential, based on assessment, evidence and an applied piece of work.
Titles
A title before the field
- 01ExpertFor professionals with years of practice who want their competence in a field assessed and recorded.
- 02ConsultantFor experienced professionals who advise organizations and want that competence assessed and recorded.
- 03TrainerFor experienced professionals who teach or coach others at work and want that competence assessed and recorded.
- 04DiplomaFor people who want one field assessed in a focused way, on knowledge and evidence of practice.
How titles read
A title is not a degree or a license
A title is written before the field, for example “Expert in Project Management” or “Diploma in Accounting and Finance”. It states the level of competence the University assessed on its record. It is not an academic degree, not a license or permit to practice, and it does not oblige any employer or authority to accept it. No title is open yet: the requirements for each are published when it opens.
Rules
How every credential is issued
- 01A stated basisEach credential records what it was based on: tests, evidence of work, or both.
- 02Reviewed before issueNo credential is issued automatically. Each one is reviewed by the University before it is released.
- 03VerifiableEach credential carries a number, an eight-digit code and a QR code that open the University’s record.
- 04Honest wordingThe name of the credential and its nature are printed plainly. It never presents itself as a degree.
The list
Credentials in preparation
Nineteen professional credentials in five areas. None is open yet: each one opens when its course materials are in place on the learning platform, and its level and requirements are published then.
Business and ManagementFinance and AnalyticsTechnology and AIHealth Administration, Safety and QualityEducation and Training
01
Business and Management
Practical credentials for supervisors, specialists and managers who want a structured step in their field.
6 credentials
Supervisory Leadership
For supervisors who lead a team but never had formal leadership training.
- Organizing and motivating people
- Delegating and discussing performance
- Resolving conflict
- Communicating across levels
Human Resource Practice
For HR officers and line managers who make decisions about people.
- Hiring and selection
- Training and growth
- Performance and reward
- Fair, well-kept employment records
Digital Marketing and E-Commerce
For marketing and sales staff, and for owners of small businesses.
- Customers and online channels
- Content, search and social platforms
- Online selling, payment and delivery
- Measuring and improving results
Procurement and Contract Management
For buyers, contract administrators and project staff who deal with suppliers.
- Sourcing and choosing suppliers
- Tenders and bid evaluation
- Drafting and managing contracts
- Monitoring supplier performance
Supply Chain and Logistics Practice
For warehouse, transport and planning staff.
- Stock and warehouse control
- Transport and distribution
- Planning demand and supply
- Measuring service and cost
02
Finance and Analytics
For accountants, finance staff and analysts who work with figures every day.
3 credentials
Accounting and Financial Reporting
For bookkeepers, accountants and finance assistants.
- The accounting cycle and the statements
- Costing and budgets
- Reading financial statements
- Internal controls
Islamic Finance Foundations
For banking and finance staff who handle Islamic products.
- Core principles of Islamic finance
- The main contracts and their structure
- Banking and investment products
- Governance and compliance
Business Analytics Foundations
For staff who report on data and want to base decisions on it.
- Framing the business question
- Cleaning and preparing data
- Analysis and visual reporting
- Presenting findings to decision makers
03
Technology and AI
For managers and technical staff who use, protect and govern technology.
3 credentials
Artificial Intelligence for Managers
For managers and owners who decide where AI is used, without writing code themselves.
- What AI can and cannot do
- Choosing and running AI projects
- Data and privacy
- Risk, ethics and regulation
Cybersecurity Governance
For IT staff, managers and auditors responsible for protecting information.
- Information risk and controls
- Policy and staff awareness
- Planning the response to incidents
- Compliance and audit
IT Support and Service Management
For helpdesk and IT operations staff.
- Handling requests and incidents
- Network and system basics
- Service levels and documentation
- Working with users and suppliers
04
Health Administration, Safety and Quality
For non-clinical staff in health services and for people who keep workplaces safe. None of these credentials is clinical training or a license to practice.
5 credentials
Healthcare Administration Essentials
For administrators and coordinators in hospitals and clinics.
- How a health service is organized
- Patient flow and records
- Budgets and resources
- Health law and ethics in general terms
Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety
For quality officers and managers in health services.
- Methods of quality improvement
- Measuring quality and safety
- Reporting incidents and learning from them
- Building a culture of safety
Occupational Health and Safety Practice
For safety officers, supervisors and site managers.
- Hazards and risk assessment
- Safe systems of work
- Investigating incidents
- Safety training and records
Quality Management Essentials
For quality officers and operations staff.
- Quality systems and standards in general terms
- Controlling and improving processes
- Audits and corrective action
- Measuring customer satisfaction
Emergency Management Essentials
For safety, security and civil defense staff.
- Emergency planning
- Coordinating a response
- Communicating in a crisis
- Recovery and review
05
Education and Training
For teachers, trainers and the people who design learning.
2 credentials
Online Teaching and Learning
For teachers and trainers who teach online now, or soon will.
- Planning a lesson for online delivery
- Keeping learners engaged at a distance
- Assessing online
- Tools and good practice
Instructional Design Foundations
For trainers and course writers who build learning material.
- Learning outcomes and course design
- Writing lessons and activities
- Designing assessment
- Evaluating whether the learning worked