Microsoft Project Management Preparation Certificate

Oakton’s Microsoft Project Management Preparation Certificate is perfect for organized, analytical thinkers who want to sharpen their planning and leadership skills.

Following the pathway, you can prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam in as little as one semester. Holding a PMP is a valuable credential for boosting income potential and increasing job opportunities in project management.

In the program, you’ll learn the core principles of project management as defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Courses focus on developing real-world skills through team-based exercises and state-of-the-art project management software. Our experienced instructors guide you through the concepts essential for PMP exam preparation.

Oakton’s flexible program allows you to balance your studies with work and life commitments. This certificate is a wise investment for those pursuing roles in the business sector, from IT and construction to finance and healthcare.

Join Oakton’s Microsoft Project Management Preparation Certificate program to build a solid and rewarding career.

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What's Next?

We are glad you are considering attending Oakton College. No matter where you are in your decision-making process, we are here to help you with your next steps. Whether you're ready to apply now, need information on paying for college or have questions and want to contact someone, we're here to help.

A professor teaches class at Oakton College.

Take Career Assessment

Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.

99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.

To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.

We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.

Learn more about your options for paying for your education

An Oakton College student smiles while using a computer.
As your community college, we serve students from various backgrounds. We aim to make the application process as easy and as clear as possible for everyone.

We can help you get started on a degree or certificate. Applying to Oakton is fast and easy.

Your first step before you begin your studies is filling out an admission application and completing your enrollment process.

Get Started at Oakton
Oakton College students celebrate graduating in full regalia.

Meet Your Faculty and Experts

Oakton's professors and lecturers are experts in their fields with advanced degrees and years of real-world experience.

In addition to classroom learning, students receive support from our panel of expert advisors.

Ragaa Abdallah, Chair
Professor and Chair, Computer Technologies and Information Systems
B.S. The American University in Cairo
rabdalla@oakton.edu
847.635.1969
Office: 2618, Des Plaines

Reza Dai
Professor of Electronics, Local Area Networks and Mathematics
B.S.E.E. Oregon State University
M.S. Oregon State University
M.S. Purdue University
M.S.E. Purdue University
rdai@oakton.edu
847.376.7778
Office: P111, Skokie

Doris Gronseth, Coordinator, Computer Applications for Business
Distinguished Professor of Computer Technologies and Information Systems
B.A. Lewis University
M.B.A. Lewis University
M.A. Webster University
dgronset@oakton.edu
847.376.7055
Office: 2751, Des Plaines

Clarence Sistrunk
Associate Professor
BPS Roosevelt University
M.S. Ed. Chicago State University
csistrun@oakton.edu
847.376.7649
Office: P220, Skokie

Meet our part time faculty

Floyd Aylin
Lecturer
A.A. Oakton College
B.S. San Jose State University
M.S. San Jose State University
faylin@oakton.edu
224.595.1943
Office: B206, Skokie

David Baysingar
Lecturer
dbaysing@oakton.edu
Maine Township High Schools

Johannes Beer
Lecturer
jbeer@oakton.edu
Maine Township High Schools

Arun Bhandari
Lecturer
B.S. DePaul University
M.S. DePaul University
abhandar@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Ikram Bokhari
Lecturer
Telecommunications Certificate  DePaul University
A.S.  Queensborough Community College
B.S.M.E.  Pratt Institute
M.B.A.  Illinois Institute of Technology
ibokhari@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Marc Buslik
Lecturer
buslik@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Ross Capaccio
Lecturer
B.A. Northeastern Illinois University
M.A. Northeastern Illinois University
rcapacci@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Isabela Ciuca
Lecturer
lciuca@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Joanne Delaney
Lecturer
B.S. Mundelein College
M.S. DePaul University
J.D. DePaul University
jdelaney@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Will Greenwald
Lecturer
wgreenwa@oakton.edu
Maine Township High Schools

Ogar Haji
Lecturer
ohaji@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Pamela Kouris
Lecturer
pkouris@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Terry Lange
Lecturer
tlange@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Mary Morrissey
Lecturer
B.A. Northeastern Illinois University
M.B.A. University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business
mmkuehn@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

James Papademas
Lecturer
jpapadem@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Katherine Papademas
Lecturer
B.S. University of Illinois, Chicago
M.S. University of Illinois, Chicago
M.S. Roosevelt University
J.D. John Marshall Law School
kpapadem@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Luke Papademas
Lecturer
M.S. Illinois Institute of Technology
M.I.S.M. Keller Graduate School of Management
M.S. Roosevelt University
lpapadem@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Derek Pasnick
Lecturer
A.A. Oakton College
B.A. Loyola University Chicago
M.A. Loyola University Chicago
M.S.I.S.M. Loyola University Chicago
dpasnick@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Sandip Patel
Lecturer
sandipp@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Robert Pielet
Lecturer
B.B.A University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
M.A Loyola University of Chicago
M.B.A. Lake Forest Graduate School of Management
rlpielet@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Elizabeth Ardolino, PhD, PMP
Founder
Global Project Management Services

Nick Boulamatsis
Network Analyst II
National Futures Association

Marc Buslik
Captain
Chicago Police Department
Patrol Division

Raj Chahal
Salesforce Platform Systems Analyst/ Lead Developer
Allstate Insurance

Isabela Ciuca
Business Information Developer
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Bryan Gilley
Director, Technology
Emergency Nurses Association

Renee Kozimor
Director, Software and User Services
Oakton College

Chris Oehlerking
UOP

Derek Pasnick
Resident Consultant
Nutanix

Mahendra Patel
Packaging Corporation of America

Robert Pielet
Your PC Help Desk

Andy Pozdol
Developer
a360inc

Art Shipulin
CTO
Steersman Company

Rose Wagner
Sr. Business Analyst & Software Developer
Oakton College

Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

  • General Programmer Track
  • Mobile Programmer Track
  • Web Developer Track

  • CIS131: Web Page Development (HTML and CSS)
  • CIS171: Advanced Web Page Development

A student may earn credit for CIS101 through the CLEP exam. Contact the testing center in Des Plaines to set up a time to take the exam. No other CIS proficiency tests are available. A student may earn credit based on knowledge gained on the job or personally; this is called experiential learning. Contact the CIS program coordinator, John Stryker, at 847.635.1969 to discuss this further.

Students can register for a course without taking the prerequisite course. The student is expected to have the equivalent knowledge of the prerequisite course on the first day of class. The instructor may assign a project or ask the students to take an exam covering the material from the prerequisite course on the first day of class and you would need to be successful in this activity. It is strongly recommended that the student talk to the CIS program coordinator, John Stryker, 847.635.1969 before the class begins. The student's knowledge will be evaluated, and a recommendation will be made.

Depending on your work experience, you may be able to substitute an advanced course for a required lower-level course. For example, if you have strong knowledge of the Windows Operating System (CIS116), you could substitute the CIS118 - Introduction to the Linux Operating System course in its place. Another example is that the student can take an advanced programming language in place of an introductory programming language. Students may also take EGL 111 or EGL 212 in place of CIS205. Call the CIS coordinator, John Stryker at 847.635.1969, to make a substitution determination.

In working towards any degree or certificate, students must earn the number of credits for that degree or certificate. This can be done by taking the required courses, substituting courses or earning Oakton credit for life experience.

Courses are offered days, nights and weekends on both the Des Plaines and Skokie campuses. Some classes are offered in person only, online only and some are hybrid classes (the class has an online component and limited face-to-face meetings).

Contact John Stryker at 847.635.1969 or jstryker@oakton.edu. Other arrangements can be made such as setting up the course as an independent study or substituting a course for the required course.

Many of the CIS courses transfer to other schools. Some satisfy a requirement and others can be used as electives. CIS101 and CIS103 typically transfer. Many of the programming language courses transfer. Contact Academic Advising or the school you are transferring to for further information on transferring Oakton credits.

  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Northern Illinois University
  • National-Louis University
  • DePaul University
  • DeVry University
  • Northeastern Illinois University

  • CIS180-Introduction to Visual Basic .NET Programming and CAB140-Database Applications Using Access can be taken concurrently.
  • Complete CAB140-Database Applications using Access before taking CIS210-Visual Basic .NET Programming for Files and Databases.
  • CIS101–Introduction to Information Systems and CIS103-Computer Software and Concepts can be taken concurrently.
  • CIS131-Web Page Development and CAB140-Database Applications Using Access can be taken concurrently.

Consider taking the following courses in the same semester:

  • CAB135-Electronic Spreadsheeting Using Excel.
  • CAB140-Database Applications Using Access.
  • CIS116-Introduction to the MS-Windows Operating System.
  • ELT130-Microcomputer Hardware Systems.


Consider taking the following courses in the same semester, as these classes are typically offered as 8-week courses and can be taken back to back:

  • CIS118-Linux Operating System and CIS218-Advanced Linux Operating System.
  • CIS143-Introduction to SQL and CIS145-Database Fundamentals I.
  • CIS245-Database Fundamentals II and CIS247-Performance Tuning (these are offered Spring semester only).