American Academy of Project Management

Anyone able to tell me anything about this organisation in the States?

http://www.projectmanagementcertification.org/

It appears to be simply a certificate mill with no valid accreditation.

Appreciate your feedback

Brad

 

In the states there are many industry-specific certifications like this. They are not for college credit, but industry recognition. Usually they are run by industry trade groups and are especially prevalent in Accounting, Business, Logistics and Project Management. They are in no way mills but they are not accredited as learning institutions. They are usually made up of members of the organizations and advisory boards that determine the requirments for certification. Some require accredited degrees along with examinations and/or documented work experience to even be eligible to apply and test for certification.

In the purchasing profession, I have found a bachelors degree, work experience and a CPM certification is often more desireable than a general MBA. It shows knowledge specific to the field.

These groups (including the one you referenced) are also valuable resources for aquiring continuing education credits that are often necessary to renew or maintain licensures and certifications.

Hope that sheds some light. In fairness there are probably many that are not worth a dime and are copycats of existing organizations.

This link is a good explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_certification

Best,
Mike

 

The only seriously recognized organization for certifying project managers is the Project Management Institute (PMI). PMI sets the standards for certification, offers the application and examination process, awards its designations, and certifies project management training providers.

This ain't that.

(Disclosure: I have been a Project Management Professional--PMP--since 2006.)

 

Oh, by the way, my CPM certification is ACE approved and got me 9 upper level credits at TESC which I used towards my bachelors degree.

Rich's post above is right on.

Regarding the link above, the #1 organization is the Project Management Institute www.pmi.org which offers the PMP certification. That seems to be the most recognized certification in the field. American Academy may be legitimate, but their certifications will not be as valid or recognized as the PMP cert. from PMI (at least in the States). Oddly, there are others who are ACE approved for college credit but neither PMI or AAPM appear to be.

Bear in mind also, that there are these types of groups all over the world. One certification may be more respected regionally than another. Sometimes a few job searches on Monster or your local site using the certification title will show how many employers are referencing the credential in their search for employees. If no one is interested in it, it's likely not worth pursuing.

 

IN the US there are TWO internationally recognized project management organizations. The PMI of course, but also the American Society for the Advancement of Project Management (www.asapm.org) which is part of the International Project Managment Association (http://www.ipma.ch/). The ASAPM & IPMA are more widely recognized in multi-national companies and outside of the IY arena.

 

Aapm

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I suspected that AAPM was too good to be true. I can't believe that people actually fall for this type of organisation.

I will look into PMI.

Has anyone heard of Prince2 which seems to be a UK qualification


cheers

Brad

 

Its easy:

http://www.uofa.edu/accreditation.asp?sec=accreditation

If you visit web site of University of Atlanta ( New DETC accredited school) they list and even offer AAPM certs.

I think associations in USA are not regulated .

 

My husband is taking a course now.

My husband is taking a Project Management course (while he is unemployed)through Rutgers. I asked him (he has been doing project Management for a while) and he said PMI is the 1st tier certification. Once he finishes the course he plans on taking their 4 hour exam for certiiification. He has worked world wide and says this is the most recognized.