Course

Project Management for International Development - SIS

Oct 9, 2025 - Feb 19, 2026

$1,900 Enroll

Full course description

Early Bird Pricing:

$200 off until August 31st, use promo code SISPMIDEB

 

Project Management for International Development (PMID) 
Professional Certificate Program (Non-Credit)

Dates: October 9th, 2025 to February 19th, 2026
(Winter break from November 27th to January 8th)

Course Overview 

This advanced certification is designed for practitioners already engaged in international development projects who seek to enhance their project leadership, planning, and delivery skills in complex, dynamic environments. The program equips participants with an integrated toolkit of traditional (predictive) and agile methodologies tailored for development contexts. Emphasis is placed on practical application, strategic alignment, and adaptive management. 

Shape 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of the program, participants will be able to: 

  • Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across diverse operational settings 
     

  • Align project design and execution with stakeholder priorities and development outcomes 
     

  • Apply adaptive and evidence-informed approaches to project delivery 
     

  • Promote continuous learning and team accountability across the project lifecycle 

  • Utilize structured and agile tools to enhance responsiveness, innovation, and value creation 

 

Core Modules (5) 

  1. Project Environment 
    Analyze the strategic and institutional context of development projects. Apply project governance and stakeholder frameworks to real-world settings. 
     
     

  1. Project Onboarding 
    Launch projects effectively through structured team alignment, beneficiary engagement, and co-creation of purpose-driven project charters. 
     
     

  1. Predictive Planning 
    Apply robust tools to define scope, schedule, budget, risk, and procurement strategies. Use WBS, Gantt charts, Risk Matrices, and budget tracking tools to ensure project control. 
     
     

  1. Agile and Adaptive Planning 
    Integrate agile practices to improve responsiveness and flexibility. Use Kanban, sprints, and user-centered design to co-develop solutions and iterate under uncertainty. 
     
     

  1. Project Delivery 
    Execute and monitor projects with a focus on impact, accountability, and sustainability. Apply MEAL approaches to drive learning and course correction.

 

Methodology 

  • Synchronous online workshops and asynchronous content
     

  • Applied simulation: Work on a comprehensive, end-to-end project scenario grounded in real-world challenges 
     

  • Interactive practice: Peer exchange, coaching, and collaborative design sessions

 

Core Competencies 

  • Strategic Team Leadership → Mobilize teams and align shared commitments through structured collaboration 

  • Results-Oriented Design → Anchor planning in user needs, adaptive logic, and value-driven priorities 
     

  • Execution & Oversight → Manage scope, resources, and risks with rigor and flexibility 
     

  • Adaptive Delivery → Respond to uncertainty with agile tools and iterative learning 
     

  • Organizational Learning → Build systems that enable continuous feedback, reflection, and improvement

 

For questions, you can write to partnerships@american.edu.

 

Certification 

PMID Professional Certificate 
Awarded upon successful completion of all assignments and the final online exam, participants will receive a digital credential developed by the Social Project Institute and American University Faculty. The School of International Service at American University recognizes this credential for project professionals in international development.

 

Policies and Processes

Refunds:

The following is the refund policy for courses registered through our Professional and Lifelong Learning Portal (https://american.catalog.instructure.com/).

Learners will be eligible for a refund (minus any non-refundable fees) if they drop a course and request a refund no later than the date the course starts as per the dates in Canvas and/or Canvas Catalog platforms. If a learner registered for a course after the start date, they will be ineligible for a refund.

Learners registered for on-demand courses without a start date will be eligible for a refund if the course is dropped and a refund is requested within 24 hours of registration and when there is no record of page views or participation in the Canvas Platform.

Refund requests will be denied if requested after a course’s start date, 24 hours after registration in the case of on-demand courses without a start date, or when there is a record of page views or participation in the canvas Platform.

Payments and fees:

For payments with credit cards, debit cards or bank accounts, the tuition cost includes a non-refundable 4% administrative fee. In case an eligible refund is requested, the net funds returned will be the tuition minus 4%. 

Notice about AU Non-Credit Courses:

Non-credit courses are not recorded in American University transcripts. No credit is earned from these courses and grades are not posted. Learners enrolled in Non-Credit courses will not receive an AU ID or have access to services and or facilities reserved for AU students. Access to the AU library system will be available to all members of the greater Washington DC area through visitor services. See the link for more information https://www.american.edu/library/services/visitors.cfm