Program Overview

Program Overview

The Project Management program at De Anza College is designed to equip students with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to lead projects successfully in a wide range of industries. With an increasing number of organizations adopting project-based structures to achieve business goals, project management has become a vital and highly sought-after career path. Courses

This program takes a practicum-based approach grounded in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). Students will gain experience in planning, executing, monitoring, and closing projects while developing essential professional competencies such as:

  • Team leadership and collaboration

  • Stakeholder communication

  • Risk assessment and mitigation

  • Budget and resource management

  • Scheduling and scope control

  • Quality assurance

By working on simulated and real-world projects, students learn how to manage constraints related to time, cost, and quality, while aligning project goals with broader organizational strategies. The curriculum is designed to support both new students entering the field and working professionals seeking to formalize their experience and advance into leadership roles.

Certificate and Degree Options

De Anza College offers a tiered progression pathway in Project Management that allows students to start with foundational skills and build toward advanced competencies:

✅Certificate of Achievement (20–20.5 units)

This entry-level certificate provides students with essential project management skills, including introductory coursework in project planning, scheduling, and team dynamics. Ideal for career changers, recent graduates, or professionals looking to add project management to their existing skill set.

✅Certificate of Advanced Achievement (43–43.5 units)

This certificate expands on the foundational knowledge with intermediate and advanced coursework in areas such as risk management, procurement, leadership, and agile project management. It is tailored for professionals aiming for mid-level to senior-level project roles.

✅Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree in Project Management (90 units)

The A.A. degree includes all coursework from the advanced certificate and adds general education requirements to create a well-rounded academic experience. This degree prepares students for transfer to a four-year institution or for long-term advancement within the project management profession.

Note: All certificates and degrees include clearly defined Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs). These outcomes outline the competencies students are expected to demonstrate upon program completion. For detailed PLOs and certificate requirements, click on the program links provided.

How to Find Course Descriptions

Course outlines and descriptions for Project Management classes are available through De Anza's curriculum system:

  • Visit https://deanza.edu/cis/courses.html

  • Scroll down to view the list of Computer Information Systems (CIS) courses

  • Look for course listings related to Project Management, in the CIS series

Planned Class Schedule

To help students plan their academic journey, De Anza is offering courses in Project Management on a rotating basis from:

📅 Fall 2025 through Summer 2027

The schedule is designed to support both full-time and part-time students, with a combination of online, hybrid, and in-person offerings. Please refer to the quarterly class schedule for current availability and section details.

Career Outlook

Graduates of this program are prepared for roles such as:

  • Project Coordinator

  • Project Analyst

  • Assistant Project Manager

  • Project Manager

  • Program Manager

  • Operations Manager

Industries hiring project management professionals include:

  • Information Technology (IT)

  • Healthcare

  • Construction

  • Finance and Insurance

  • Government and Public Administration

  • Marketing and Product Development

With the foundational skills gained through De Anza’s program, students will also be well-prepared to pursue industry-recognized credentials, such as the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) and Project Management Professional (PMP®) certifications.

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