Graduate Diploma of Project and Program Management

Project Management is a rapidly growing profession that is highly valued by employers regardless of their industry sector or location. The Project Management Institute reports that one-fifth of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), or $12 trillion, is spent on projects and a great demand exists for knowledgeable project managers globally.

In Queensland 31% of the economy is based on resources and infrastructure projects, with the bulk of that occurring in Central Queensland. In 2006 – 07, the capital investment in resources sector projects was over $3.68 billion. LNG project exports from Central Queensland over the next decade will be more than $66 billion. Coal project investment surpassed $78 billion in March 2011.

What am I studying?

The graduate diploma enables the project manager or director to build on the foundations of the graduate certificate and develop ‘soft’ skills in leadership and the application of governance to projects. With a strong emphasis on ethics, the graduate diploma meets the needs of partnering projects between resource infrastructure developers, government and sub-contractors.

Through the use of case studies the graduate diploma prepares the project manager for senior responsibility in any organisation. An elective option completes the graduate diploma and brings a focus for the role of project management into a wider sphere. The skills established are reinforced through emphasis on personal responsibility for self-development. Alignment with professional associations encourages participation and networking in the wider community.

Why Study at CQUniversity

CQUniversity recognises that project management professionals are the key to meeting the economic demands of Central Queensland. CQUniversity Australia is working with industries to ensure that high quality training in this field is available locally.

At CQUniversity, experienced project managers deliver this program. Our lecturers have international infrastructure and resource project experience. In the program, you will learn the use of project principles to reflect uncertainty and change; project management goals that make a difference to achieving project targets and outcomes; the application of project systems to achieve integration with clients’ needs; ethical leadership of projects that meets governance requirements; and critical analysis and judgement in different project situations.

The flexible schedule allows you to undertake courses in any order according to your needs and can be accelerated to gain your qualification faster.

Entry Requirements

To enter the Graduate Diploma of Project and Program Management you must have passed the Graduate Certificate of Project and Program Management.

Entry into the program is through the Graduate Certificate in Project and Program Management and you must be an employee or contractor of an organisation in the resources and infrastructure industry in Central Queensland.

You must also be able to demonstrate an initial working knowledge of project management terms to the criteria of the Vocational Diploma of Project Management (BSB51407) and have the capability to undertake academic postgraduate work at University.

We offer an accelerated two day induction assessment program running in Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton, that will qualify you to enter the Graduate Certificate.

You are required to attend our two-day preparatory program if:

• you have an undergraduate or postgraduate qualifi cation in any field and some understanding of project management terms; or

• you have no prior undergraduate or postgraduate qualifi cation, but have been involved in project management for a number of years and demonstrate you can undertake academic postgraduate work at university.

If you feel that you need help meeting these criteria then you are required to complete a fifteen-week term to undertake a Diploma of Project Management (BSB51407) and the academic preparatory in study and writing skills, mathematics and computing.

Career Opportunities

The focus in our program is on resources and infrastructure projects and so you will be particularly well qualified to work in Central Queensland. However, completion of one or more of the project and program management programs will enable you to work as a qualified project manager anywhere in the world.

Work Intergrated Learning

The program is designed for students working in the resources and infrastructure industry in Central Queensland, but introduces principles which are applicable to the field globally. If you are currently working in the resources and infrastructure industry in Central Queensland, we encourage integration of your work projects into the program. If you are not working in the resources and infrastructure industry in Central Queensland then please speak to our course advisors and we may be able to introduce you to a company that needs your unique skills.

Program Structure

 You are required to complete a total of six courses comprising of the three courses required in the Graduate Certificate; two project management courses below and one elective from the list below. Courses can be taken in any order. More than one course can be completed at a time.

Courses are as follows:

PROJECT MANAGEMENT ETHICAL LEADERSHIP

The goal of this course is to provide a comprehensive foundation for the student to apply the concepts of leadership in an ethical manner. This will include identifying the role of a Program Management Offi ce (PMO) and the manner in which a PMO operates within an organisational and its cultural context, and how the leader of the PMO impacts on the organisation and projects. The course will investigate the history of leadership including the influences of society, political and historical context and different ethical frames of reference.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT GOVERNANCE

This course establishes a detailed framework for project management governance through the application of standards, systems theory and how they influence and are applied within a project and program framework. The impact of systems theories and thinking upon components of governance within an organisation, project and client spheres are explored through case studies taken from different industries and situations. The role of estimating and the components of estimates for work, resources, quality, and risk are qualified in multiple ways.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT ELECTIVE TOPIC

Students undertaking this course will be able to select from one of the following courses:

ACCT20051 Accounting Information for Decision Making

ACCT20047 Strategic Cost Management

ACCT20048 Management Accounting Systems

COIS20024 Systems Management Overview

FINC20006 Organisational Finance

HRMT20007 Human Resource Management

HRMT20019 Innovation and Change

MGMT20085 Operational Analysis and Effectiveness

MGMT20112 Strategy Development and Initiatives

MGMT20124 People, Work and Organisations

Course Information

For example courses you could study as part of the Graduate Diploma of Project and Program Management program please click here.

As CQUniversity is committed to providing quality, up-to-date and relevant education, please note courses are refreshed regularly and may not be an exact indication of course availability for your study. Please call 13CQUni 13 27 86 if you have specific questions regarding course information regarding your specific application.

Residential School and Study Requirements

Some courses have one compulsory induction day and one final day at either CQUniversity Gladstone, Mackay or Rockhampton.

Professional Recognition

On enrolment in one or more of the project and program management programs, you will be eligible for membership of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Australian Institute of Project Managers (AIPM). You will also have opportunity to undertake further project management certification, such as a PMI’s PMP® and AIPM’s RegPM through the preparation that the CQUniversity program provides.