Program Design & Management...

Being the best you can be!  Qualifications that exceed all others!

• The Program Design and Management (PDM) Credential is a formal recognition of your professional development and commitment to continuous learning. Pursuing an PDM Credential allows you to further your knowledge and skills on a convenient, flexible schedule of your own design. The Program Design and Management (PDM) Credential develops a new type of executive leadership for ERSEA. Students in the PDM Credential will be engaged in studies, activities and skill building that fosters courageous leadership that will demonstrate program management and responsible leadership to address and resolve issues that have impacted the Head Start, families and communities of Head Start programs.
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• Students in the PDM Credential program enhance the management skills needed to function effectively within a Head Start program. Students focus on leadership and management and the human side of an Head Start. This program emphasizes emerging management theory, techniques, and practices, and incorporates feedback and key competencies from senior Head Start management, program-design experts, and university academic professionals. The PDM Credential program develops management skills in defining program problems, assessing information, considering alternatives, and choosing the best solutions. Graduates attain the skill sets necessary to evaluate and manage the challenges facing contemporary Head Starts. The PDM Credential program consists of 15 credit hours.
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• Our professional credential programs run throughout the year and are typically twelve weeks weeks in duration. The credentials are offered in four areas of concentration, providing management with the opportunity to tailor their education plans to meet their own specific interests and program goals. To qualify for an PDM Credential, participants must complete one exam—within their chosen credential track—within a 12 week period. Our open enrollment, credential development programs are offered in four areas of concentration or tracks, which address the program needs and goals of agencies around the US: Program Governance, Strategy Planning & Data Management, Program Monitoring and Self-Assessment; and Management and Leadership (ML).

• The program provides a basic academic foundation and professional development for disabilities staff. An important professional credential or license offers Head Start disabilities workers an opportunity to advance their careers and serve children and families more effectively. A license is a "collegiate diploma". It is a post-secondary academic process of establishing the qualifications of professionals working in Disabilities Services.

• Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:

1.	Increase effectiveness and efficiency as a program manager in a program environment
2.	Analyze program, project, and assignments within a program
3.	Explore the program life cycle and identify success factors at each step in the process
4.	Evaluate the relationship between program requirements and overall success criteria
5.	Implement various program management tools and techniques
6.	Apply effective leadership strategies for program management
7.	Maintain continuous alignment of program scope with strategic objectives
8.	Analyze differences between program and project risks

• Each program is 12-36 weeks in length, the courses are offered in pairs, or "blocks," designed to complement each other. In these programs, emphasis alternates 2 day courses or online classes, reading and online discussion and a work project to reinforce the practices and principles learned in the courses.

• HS University offers the following credential/license programs to enrolled students.

	PDM Administrator Credential
	PDM Supervisor Credential
	PDM Management License

• Application Deadline

  The deadline for Fall #1 session is September.  Classes begins every 6 weeks.

• Why do I need a credential/license?
• Being a credential/license Program Design & Management professional makes all the difference.  Disabilities workers who want recognition for their professional achievement and who want to unlock new career paths come to HS University for their credentials.

• What is an Program Design & Management credential/license?
• Obtaining a Program Design & Management credential/license is the next progression in a Program Manager professional career.  Beyond the educational degree, a professional credential/license denotes professional commitment and achievement and represents a "plus" feature of certifying knowledge and experience that meets or exceeds excellence in fiscal services at the national level.  Professional Program Management workers agree to a critical review process that includes evaluation of the candidate's educational preparation, practice experience and peer review of observable skills and abilities.
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• Why obtain a credential/license?
• Having a Program Design & Management Credential/License means you:

1. --Become a part of the most widely recognized work organization in the nation

1. --Are recognized as having in-depth knowledge, proven work experience, leadership capacity, competence and dedication to the management work profession
2. --Agree to a critical review process that strives to measure adherence to a Code of Ethics, Standards of Continuing Education and in-depth practicum in the area of nutrition service specialized management practices
3. --Help Head Start programs develop a high quality, leadership skills within their program and develop systems and methodologies to ensure excellence in service.