Business professionals may benefit from online certification in project management

Business professionals may benefit from online certification in project management

Many major companies are hiring professionals to perform business process management (BPM) services, which entail planning, implementing change and evaluating performance in organizations. In fact, the number of large companies spending over $1 million on BPM projects has increased by 6 percent in the last year, according to the 2010 BPM Partners Annual Survey.

In order to prepare more people for careers in this field, the University of San Francisco (USF) created the first online BPM certificate program. Coursework is designed to show students how department-focused initiatives can become solutions to companywide issues.

"BPM is the most effective and sustainable method to directly reduce cost, errors and cycle times, and ultimately improve your bottom line," said USF instructor Dean Walsh, professor of one of the new BPM certificate program courses. "In these challenging economic times it's never been more important to control cost and increase return on investment."

USF's graduate certificate in BPM is an online program that seeks to cover all phases of the field, including key optimization tactics, critical documents and tools, process-based organizations as well as vital links to business strategy. In as few as eight weeks, students can master key tools and strategies that are necessary for optimum business results.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals with advanced degrees or certifications have increased job prospects and lower rates of unemployment than those who have less education.

By Mark Danson