Norwich University's MBA project management concentration receives prestigious accreditation

NORTHFIELD, Vt., Jan. 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Master of Business Administration, Project Management concentration (MBA-PM) at Norwich University's College of Graduate and Continuing Studies was accredited by the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC) in December 2014.

Degree programs that achieve GAC accreditation must demonstrate and meet the GAC's rigorous global standards of accreditation, which include an assessment of each program's objectives and outcomes, faculty and student evaluations, onsite and online resources, annual self-evaluation and proof of continuous improvements in the area of project management education. Ninety-five project management degree programs at 47 institutions in thirteen countries are accredited by GAC. Programs at twelve other universities are in the process of accreditation. GAC accreditation ensures the quality of academic degree programs and their graduates in order to meet the standards of the rapidly growing field of project management.

Norwich's MBA Project Management concentration centers on helping students prepare for the ever-changing project/program environment and hone their skills in key project management knowledge areas including project planning; scope, risk, and cost management; and project procurement. Students enter the concentration after completing a series of MBA foundational courses in strategic resources management, finance and marketing and operations. To date, nearly 100 MBA students have graduated from Norwich's project management concentration, with another 27 students anticipated to graduate in 2015.

"This accreditation is a great achievement for Norwich University," said William Clements, dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies. "With it comes an immediate applicability for our students to further enhance their Norwich educational opportunities, whether through pursuing industry certification or connecting with PMI's wide array of professional resources. Moreover, it exemplifies our commitment to help them attain the skills necessary to become effective project managers in a variety of fields."

About Norwich University

Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. Norwich is one of our nation's six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu

Norwich University's College of Graduate and Continuing Studies (CGCS) builds upon the institution's 196 year academic heritage with innovative online programs. CGCS offers master's degrees in a variety of areas; bachelor's degree completion programs; a certificate in teaching and learning and continuing education opportunities. The programs are recognized throughout the industry for their rigor, small class size, high student satisfaction and retention. online.norwich.edu

About Project Management Institute (PMI)

Project Management Institute is the world's leading not-for-profit professional membership association for the project, program and portfolio management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI delivers value for more than 2.9 million professionals working in nearly every country in the world through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research. PMI advances careers, improves organizational success and further matures the profession of project management through its globally recognized standards, certifications, resources, tools academic research, publications, professional development courses, and networking opportunities. As part of the PMI family, Human Systems International (HSI) provides organizational assessment and benchmarking services to leading businesses and government, while ProjectManagement.com and ProjectsAtWork.com create online global communities that deliver more resources, better tools, larger networks and broader perspectives.

Visit us at www.PMI.org, www.facebook.com/PMInstitute and on Twitter @PMInstitute.

About the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC)

Established by the PMI Board of Directors in 2001, the Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC) is a specialized accrediting body that assures the quality of project management degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels.