The Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC) serves two fundamental purposes — to ensure the quality of academic degree programs in project management and to assist faculty and universities in the improvement of degree programs.
Academic accreditation may be conducted at the institutional level or the programmatic level. Institutional accreditation means the characteristics of an entire institution are considered during accreditation.
A specialized or programmatic accreditation body, such as the GAC, focuses on an individual program within an institution. Its primary concern is programs within academic institutions that prepare students for a specific profession or occupation, such as project management.
In the United States, specialized accreditation is closely associated with professional associations. And the concept of nongovernment, not-for-profit accrediting bodies reviewing academic programs is gaining momentum and acceptance worldwide.
Using a thorough review process, the GAC ensures the scope and quality of academic programs. As a student, you can be assured these programs meet the high standards set forth by the GAC.
The GAC confers accreditation only upon the degree programs within institutions that meet the accreditation standards defined in the GAC Handbook of Accreditation of Degree Programs in Project Management - Third Edition.
| Goals of the GAC Program |
 Promote the professionalization of project management |
| Ensure high-quality academic programs in project management |
| Provide external quality standards for program planning and improvement efforts |
| Provide recognition by PMI and GAC |
| Facilitate communication among schools and faculty |
Additionally, graduates of these programs receive 1,500 hours of project management experience toward earning their Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential.
The GAC is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA), the only unified, national voice that supports the importance of specialized and professional accreditation.
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