Home > Continuing Professional Education
Continuing Professional Education Course Descriptions
The Continuing Professional Education course descriptions are listed alphabetically by course prefix, then numerically by course number.
All courses are available in a customized format for groups of six or more. If there are topics you are interested in that are not on this list, please contact Dr. Bernadette Racicot at 610-725-5228 or bmr12@psu.edu for Business and Management courses or Jay Polakoff at 610-648-3346 or jep20@psu.edu for IT related courses.
For questions regarding the courses below e-mail gvskills@psu.edu, or call 610-648-3281.
BUSAD 5517: Leading Teams
Students don't need to be formal team leaders to benefit from this course. The leadership responsibilities covered include: deciding when to use teams, types of teams, crafting a team charter, assessing team effectiveness, roles and responsibilities, facilitating effective team meetings, basic group dynamics, and creating alignment with organizational goals.
BUSAD 5518: Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam Preparation
Covers all areas of the Project Management Institute's (PMI®) Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide): Integration, Scope, Time, Cost, Quality, Human Resources, Communications, Procurement, and Risk. Covers PMI's Project Management
BUSAD 5520: Leading Change in Organizations
Leading an organization through change is a critical competency of leadership. Topic areas include developing blueprints for organizational change, systems thinking, whole-scale change, communicating plans, and measuring performance against bottom line results.
BUSAD 5526: Developing Personal Leadership
The key to successful leadership starts with the leader and their ability to unlock the leadership potential from within and demonstrate behaviors that others will want to follow. Students will study the characteristics and competencies of high performing leaders and assess their existing skills compared to those of effective leaders
BUSAD 5538: Project Initiation and Planning
Introduction to project management – the role of the project manager, project communications, and project leadership as well as the planning process including objectives, scope, and success criteria. The first of four courses required for the Certificate in Project Management.
BUSAD 5539: Project Scheduling and Integration
The Work Breakdown Structure, Project Schedule, PERT/GANTT/CPM methods, and Project Integration. The second of four courses required for the Certificate in Project Management. Prerequisite: Project Initiation and Planning.
BUSAD 5540: Project Costing and Control
Continues the Project Cycle and introduces selection criteria, procurement, cost estimating, and control mechanisms. The third of four courses required for the Certificate in Project Management. Prerequisite: Project Initiation and Planning, and Project Scheduling and Integration.
BUSAD 5541: Project Risk and Change Management
The fourth of four required courses introduces risk and change management, team conflicts, quality, ethics, and closeout. Prerequisite: Project Initiation and Planning, Project Scheduling and Integration, and Project Costing and Control
BUSAD 5579: Agile Project Management with Scrum
Agile Project Management with Scrum introduces participants to the framework and theories of Ken Schwaber’s work on successfully implementing complex and partially defined software development projects. Ken Schwaber, along with Jeff Sutherland, was the original creator of Scrum, and his work provides the basis for the course..
BUSAD 5588: Engaging & Leading Individual Contributors (Replaces BUSAD 5507–Supervision: Leading for Productivity; students who have taken BUSAD 5507 should not register for this course)
If you are ready to lead but it seems that no one is ready to follow, learn the art of engaging individuals. This course covers such effective fundamental skills as identifying and using appropriate leadership styles; communicating effectively; managing performance; motivating and coaching employees; managing conflict; and fostering accountability through effective meetings.
BUSAD 5593: Certified ScrumMaster
A two-day program to allow participants to receive their ScrumMaster certification prior to the April 1 launch of the new exam requirement. This hands-on certification course is appropriate for all software team members, including project managers, team leads, development managers, product managers, architects, developers, and testers, as well as executives like CIOs and CTOs. It will include multiple simulations, exercises, and role plays.
BUSAD 5604A: Strategic Planning
This course will explore the key components of strategic planning design including: tools and techniques to develop strategy, critical thinking and decision-making, assessing organizational risk in forming strategy, identifying and acting on strategic opportunities, leading a strategy-driven team, and developing effective communication techniques to foster workforce engagement and alignment with strategy.
BUSAD 5701: Decision Making
An introduction to the decision making process as it relates to business management and other workplace issues, students will participate in group exercises designed to enhance their decision making analytical skills while utilizing actual business case studies. Course materials are presented in a manner consistent with business decision practices used by some of the most respected companies and business leaders in the world. A basic understanding of probability and statistical analysis is preferred but not required.
CN ED 5005A: Graduate Management Admissions Test Review (GMAT)
Intensive review and confidence-building sessions in preparation for taking the GMAT. Analysis of types of material covered in the GMAT's Computer Adaptive Text (CAT) format. Exercises include sample questions and specific strategies for improving results. (See individual math and verbal descriptions below for more detail.)
CN ED 5005B: GMAT Math
Review of selected topics in geometry, arithmetic, algebra, word problems, descriptive statistics probability, and combinatorics. Intensive review and confidence-building sessions in preparation for the GMAT. Review of types of material covered in the test and the GMAT's Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) format. In the last session, students take a paper-pencil timed practice test which they grade themselves.
CN ED 5005C: GMAT Verbal
Sentence corrections, critical reasoning, reading comprehension, and issue and argument writing assignments. Exercises include sample questions and specific strategies for improving results. Intensive review and confidence-building sessions in preparation for the GMAT. Review of he types of material covered in the test and the GMAT's Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) format. In the last session, students take a paper-pencil timed practice test which they grade themselves. Prerequisites: none.
CSE 5200: Introduction to C# (sharp)
Introduction to C#, an object-oriented language for writing Microsoft .NET Framework applications including the .NET Framework, understanding the C# language and syntax, an introduction to Object-Oriented Design and Programming for C#, Windows Forms, and debugging and deploying C# applications. Prerequisites: Experience with a programming language is required.
CSE 5212: .NET Web Services and ADO.NET Applications
Development of Web Services hosted in the Microsoft .NET platform and the ADO.NET model including underlying technologies involved in Web Service communication, managed providers, understanding and using DataSets, and accessing XML through ADO.NET. Prerequisites: ASP.NET, and VB.NET or C#.
CSE 6579: Microsoft Project - Introduction
Introduction to Microsoft Project including basic and task-specific functions, utilization of PERT/Gant, resource management, and calendar work schedule manipulation as well as customized Microsoft Project views and menus. Prerequisites: Familiarity with Windows.
CSE 6601: Building the Data Warehouse
This is a practical issues course that provides the student with real-world insights into data warehousing. Emphasis is placed upon the concepts, issues, and processes associated with building a data warehouse. Topics covered include concepts and definitions, differences from classic database systems, database design, system architecture, and system operation.
Prerequisite: Knowledge of database structure and SQL.
CSE 6963: Visual Basic.NET
This course will demonstrate productivity features developers need to rapidly create enterprise-critical web applications. Using Visual Basic.NET and the .NET platform, students will learn how to use VB.NET for developing windows and web-based applications, using both ADO.NET and XML web services for data access. Knowledge of any structured programming language, such as C or C++ is required. Experience with Visual Basic or any GUI is helpful but not required.
CSE 6985: JSP
The Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) is a set of coordinated specifications and practices that together enable solutions for developing, deploying, and managing multitier server-centric applications. Emphasis is on front-end applications with labs using the open-source Tomcat servlet engine and the Struts framework to study Web Tier concepts, Servlets, JSPs, Taglibs, the Struts model/view/controller framework and an overview of WebServices. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of Java programming and basic knowledge of XML. Successful completion of Java II.
CSE 6994: ASP.NET
Introduction to building applications using Microsoft ASP.NET and the .NET Framework including use of ASP.NET and Web Forms, Server Controls, Classes, modules, features of VB.NET that apply to ASP.NET, and how ASP and VBScript features map to ASP.NET and VB.NET. Prerequisites: Working knowledge of VB.NET and XML.NET or C# (Sharp).
CSE 7011: Java Programming Level 2
A continuation of Java Programming Level I, providing a more in-depth look at Java language and introducing advanced Java concepts including advanced multithreading, the Java event model, advanced graphics, and exception handling techniques, I/O streams and networking, object serialization, and advanced AWT concepts. Prerequisite: Java Programming Level I.
CSE 7012: Java Programming Level 3
The Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) is a set of coordinated specifications and practices that together enable solutions for developing, deploying, and managing multi-tier server-centric applications. Emphasis is on business-logic processing including Java Transaction API (JTA), Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI), Java Connector Architecture (JCA), Java Message Service (JMS), and the various flavors of Enterprise Java Beans (EJB). Lab environment, using the open-source JBoss application server. Prerequisite: Java Programming Level 2.
CSE 7013: Java Programming Level 1
Java programming including Object Oriented programming and details of the Java language – interfaces, packages, applets, and exceptions. Intended for high-level language programmers seeking instruction in Object-Oriented concepts and Java programming. Prerequisite: Experience with programming in a high level language such as C or C++.
CSE 7025: Database Design and Modeling Introduction
Relational Database Systems, analysis techniques, modeling, and design including the use of Universal Modeling Language (UML), Structured Query Language (SQL), and Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD) to build database applications. Normalization, data warehousing, and XML in Web and database systems, programming, and data mining. A database project is designed in ORACLE, DB2, SQL-SERVER or MySQL, which may be used in successive SQL and PL/SQL courses.
CSE 7026: Structured Query Language (SQL)
Structured Query Language (SQL) features, functions, and application including how SQL is used with a variety of Relational Database Management Systems and programming languages. TransAct SQL and imbedded SQL are also examined on a variety of platforms including ORACLE, DB2, SQL-SERVER, or MySQL. Database manipulation and SQL Programming are examined in a project which may be used in the team project in the PL/SQL course that follows. Prerequisite: Database Design and Modeling or instructor approval.
CSE 7027: ORACLE PL/SQL Programming Introduction
Functionality of Oracle databases for developers and DBAs through PL/SQL language, commands, and constructs. Oracle constraints, table setup, normalization, and Structured Query Language (SQL), programming for Functions, Programs, and Triggers, and application through a team database project. Students should be familiar with database design and creation. Prerequisite: Structured Query Language (SQL) or instructor approval.
INSYS 5104: Tools for E-Learning Development
This course will teach students how to develop a self-paced e-learning course. Students will learn how to manipulate graphic images, create animations, record and edit audio, create software and soft skills simulations, and develop quiz and test questions. Students will work hands-on with the following tools: Adobe Captivate, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Flash, and Sony Sound Forge.
SWENG 5103: Object-Oriented Methodologies, Introduction
An introduction to Joint Application Development Session (JAD) and Agile Modeling (AM) with Sprint to bring together business people (users) and IT (Information Technology) professionals to improve product quality. Business Process Management (BPM) using Visio and MS Word Requirement Templates. The final project uses a predefined case study and is valuable to those involved in requirements gathering and mapping the workflow and lifecycle of IT projects. Prerequisite: SWENG 5131 - Assessing Users' Needs or basic knowledge of the role of a business analyst or liaisons between end users and developers.
SWENG 5104: Unified Modeling Language (UML)
UML is a modeling language utilizing a series of diagrams to document the business process that fall into 4 categories including Use Case and Dynamic Structure Diagrams, and offer software developers and business analysts a picture of end users' expectations for a simple program or an enterprise-wide application. Introduction to Data Modeling with Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD) using Visio to create Use Cases, Class Diagrams, and Sequence Diagrams for a predefined case study. Prerequisite: Object Oriented Methodologies.
SWENG 5105: IT Change Management and Quality Assurance
Change Management Process and dealing with project scope creep, plus the methodologies for managing new requirements and conducting effective Quality Assurance Reviews. Visio Professional 2003 is used to create Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams that reflect requirements changes for a predetermined case study. Prerequisite: Unified Modeling Language (UML).
SWENG 5131: Assessing Users' Needs
Focuses on the user requirements gathering stage of product development and provides a variety of techniques, many of which may be new to usability professionals. Students will learn how to prepare for and conduct the activity for each technique and also how to analyze and present the data in a practical and hands-on manner. Each method presented provides different information about the user and their requirements (e.g. function requirements, information architecture, task flows). The techniques can be used together to form a complete picture of the users' requirements or they can be used separately to address specific product questions. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of requirements gathering.
SWENG 5133: Information Security
An introduction to the field of information security. Students will study the need for security, legal and ethical issues, risk management, planning for security, security technology, cryptograph, physical security, continuity planning, staffing the security function, identity theft, laptop security, and Sarbanes Oxley. There will be real life examples and class exercises to enhance the learning process.
SWENG 5135: AJAX with ASP .NET Web Development
This course covers the fundamentals of developing rich Internet applications using AJAX (asynchronous XML and JavaScript). Emphasis will be placed on understanding how the technology works. Students will have the opportunity to develop small applications. ASP.NET will be stressed on the server side.
SWENG 5137: Extract, Transform and Load Concepts (ETL)
The essential skills required to generate reports using SQL server reporting services will be covered in this course. Concepts include programming reports and scripts, advanced report design, managing reports using report manager, high level strategies for business support systems, deployment strategies to handle hardware, software, software and platform considerations, licensing issues and scaling options. Prerequisite: Building the Data Warehouse.
SWENG 5138: Data Warehouse Reporting
Students will be introduced to the concepts and design considerations needed to implement reports using SQL server reporting services. The student will develop reports based upon data warehouse structures and present these reports to the class. Prerequisite: Extract Transform and Load Concepts.
SWENG 5139: SDLC Data Warehouse (System Development Life Cycle)
This course addresses unique management challenges, and provides a comprehensive roadmap for managing every aspect of data warehouse design, development, and implementation. The instructor will present critical success factors, pitfalls to avoid, and offer proven solutions that will enable the students to put a successful data warehouse project into place. Prerequisite: Data Warehouse Reporting.