Clark School of Engineering's Graduate Program Receives
Project Management Accreditation: UM's engineering school
becomes first to secure accreditation from PMI®

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2006
CONTACT: Paul A. Easterling
(301) 405-3017
peaster@umd.edu

COLLEGE PARK, MD.—The University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering, one of the premier engineering schools in the U.S., has earned accreditation for three of its graduate degree programs from the Project Management Institute (PMI®) and the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management (GAC). The first engineering school to be so accredited, the Clark School is also one of only three accredited schools in the U.S., and the sixth worldwide.

Project management is fast becoming an increasingly essential engineering skill as employers seek engineers who can consistently bring complex projects to fruition. Accreditation of its courses by PMI means that in the same way employers trust the engineering skills of Clark School graduates, they can put equal faith in their project management abilities.

"The scope, depth and quality of the programs at the A. James Clark School are certainly impressive," said Mike Price, director of education programs at PMI. "And as the first PMI GAC accredited programs within a college of engineering, they are leading the way in incorporating the project management discipline into the engineering curriculum."

The programs included in the accreditation are the Master of Science in Civil Engineering, the Master of Engineering in Project Management, and the Doctorate of Philosophy in Civil Engineering. These programs are part of the Clark School's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, which also delivers a full array of highly regarded undergraduate engineering programs accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering & Technology (ABET).

Accreditation also covers the school's new online Master of Engineering program in Project Management, which allows students from around the world to experience the same high level of education and training experienced by full-time on-campus students.

"Modern management in the global technology economy focuses largely on projects," said John Cable, R.A., PMP, director of the Clark School's project management program. "Our programs reflect the reality that engineers need project management skills as much as they need engineering knowledge. With that in mind, PMI's accreditation is a great endorsement of our efforts to develop PM proficiency in our students."

Accreditation by PMI is achieved through a rigorous screening process that begins with a thorough self-study of an institution’s project management program, followed by a report the school submits to the PMI GAC. If that report is approved, a team of professionals conducts a site visit, and in turn submits a final recommendation to the GAC.

Designed by engineers for engineers, project management education at the Clark School is geared towards the constantly evolving needs of the engineering community. Learn more about the project management programs at http://www.pm.umd.edu.