Powering Your Project Management Career with PDUs/CEUs: What They Are and Why They Matter

As an experienced project manager, I wanted to take some time today to explore an essential component of our profession – Professional Development Units (PDUs) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Perhaps you're already familiar with the terms, or perhaps they are a new concept for you. Either way, it's my goal to shed light on what PDUs are, why they're vital for your project management career, and how they help maintain your Project Management Institute (PMI) certification. The path to being a great project manager or Agilist does not end at certification. We are expected to continue our growth into further certification paths and also continue our growth by taking a deeper dive into our respective fields and the environments our clients and employers are working with to be competitive in our field. Trust me when I tell you with the current layoff climate that there are no shortages when it comes to professionals in our field with Master's Degrees and multiple certifications. I am not going to sugarcoat it. You have to be competitive. Those that don't will be relegated to low-rate, entry-level roles or will not see an enthusiastic response from potential employers at all. So let's take a dive into PDUs and CEUs and how they can benefit your career.

What are PDUs?

Professional Development Units (PDUs) are units used by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to measure and quantify professional services and activities related to project management. PDUs are an integral part of the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program of PMI and are a practical way to demonstrate your ongoing professional development.

Why are PDUs important?

1. Career Advancement: PDUs provide a tangible measure of your commitment to professional growth. By obtaining these units, you demonstrate your dedication to maintaining up-to-date knowledge and enhancing your skills in the evolving field of project management.
2. Professional Recognition: Earning PDUs helps you stand out in your profession. It not only proves that you are up-to-date with industry standards and methodologies, but it also shows that you have the drive and determination to continually advance your skill set.
3. Peer Networking: The pursuit of PDUs often involves activities such as attending seminars, workshops, or webinars, which offer excellent opportunities for networking with other professionals in the field.

How do PDUs help retain PMI certification?

PMI requires that certified professionals earn a certain number of PDUs every three years to maintain their certification. This is part of PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program. The required number varies depending on the certification:

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), and Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) credentials each require 60 PDUs every three years.
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) requires 15 PDUs every three years.
• PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP), and PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) require 30 PDUs every three years.

The purpose of this is to ensure that certified professionals are continually learning and applying new knowledge, thereby remaining relevant and effective in their roles.

Ways to Obtain PDUs

There are several ways to earn PDUs:

1. Education: You can earn PDUs by learning—taking courses, attending webinars, or even self-directed learning. The education category is divided into three areas: Technical Project Management, Leadership, and Strategic and Business Management.
2. Giving Back: This involves contributing your skills and knowledge to the profession. It could be through creating content, giving presentations, mentoring others, or volunteering.
3. Organization Meetings: Participating in network meetings, keynote sessions, or educational sessions organized by PMI can earn you PDUs.
4. Online or Digital Media: Numerous online resources, like PMI’s webinars or ProjectManagement.com, provide a wealth of resources that can be used to earn PDUs.
5. Reading and Informal Learning: You can also earn PDUs by reading relevant books, articles, or whitepapers, or by participating in informal learning events, like discussing with a mentor or coach.

Earning PDUs is more than a requirement; it's a journey of continuous learning and professional growth. Whether it's through education, volunteering, or networking, earning PDUs allows you to keep up with the evolving nature of Project Management career paths.

Continuous learning is an undeniable cornerstone of any successful career, but it becomes especially paramount when we delve into dynamic fields such as project management. In this article, I want to focus on Continuing Education Units (CEUs), their importance, and how platforms like LinkedIn Learning contribute to your professional growth by providing PMI-approved training that offers Professional Development Units (PDUs)/CEUs.

What are CEUs?

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are a measure used in continuing education programs to assist professionals in maintaining their license or certification in their field. The primary purpose of CEUs is to provide a permanent record of the educational accomplishments of an individual who has completed significant non-credit educational and career enhancement activities.

Just like PDUs, one CEU is equivalent to ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible, qualified direction and instruction. CEUs are vital because they:

1. Facilitate Professional Development: CEUs represent a commitment to career advancement and the acquisition of new skills and knowledge. Earning CEUs shows your determination to stay updated with industry changes and trends.
2. Enable Certification Maintenance: For certain professional certifications, earning a specific number of CEUs within a set period is required to maintain the certification. This ensures that certified professionals stay current in their field.

How Can You Use CEUs?

CEUs can be leveraged for professional growth in several ways:

1. Certification Renewal: Many organizations require certified professionals to earn a certain number of CEUs to renew their certification. This promotes ongoing learning and ensures professionals maintain their competency.
2. Career Advancement: CEUs can often be used to demonstrate your commitment to learning and development, which can be advantageous during performance reviews or when seeking promotions.
3. Lifelong Learning: The pursuit of CEUs fosters a culture of lifelong learning, helping you stay abreast of new developments and trends in your industry.

LinkedIn Learning and PMI-Approved Training

Now let's explore how platforms like LinkedIn Learning facilitate the acquisition of these valuable CEUs. LinkedIn Learning, an online educational platform that offers video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills, also provides PMI-approved training courses.

Completing these courses can earn you PDUs/CEUs, which you can record for maintaining your PMI certification. LinkedIn Learning offers a wide array of project management courses that align with PMI's talent triangle: Technical, Leadership, and Strategic and Business Management. Therefore, you have the flexibility to choose courses that not only help you earn PDUs/CEUs but also cater to your specific learning objectives and career goals.

Here’s how to use LinkedIn Learning for earning PDUs/CEUs:

1. Choose a Course: Browse through the list of PMI-approved courses and choose the one that aligns with your learning objectives.
2. Complete the Course: Watch the course videos, engage with the course material, and complete any associated quizzes or assignments.
3. Earn Your PDUs/CEUs: After successfully completing the course, you will receive a certificate of completion, which includes the number of PDUs/CEUs earned. You can then report these to PMI or the relevant certification body.

Do colleges accept PDUs and CEUs if I want to further my education?

This is a hack many experienced college students learn from great campus counselors on how to graduate sooner. Purdue for example told me to take classes on Alison and submit them, however, they had to be in alignment with my lesson plan and I would have to write a paper explaining my knowledge. So let's dive deeper into how you can hack your college education if you are currently in or thinking about going back to University.

The acceptance of Professional Development Units (PDUs) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by colleges and universities largely depends on the individual institution's policies. PDUs and CEUs are widely recognized across professional fields for maintaining and renewing certain certifications. However, their acceptance for college or university credit is less standardized.

Some higher education institutions may accept PDUs or CEUs as transfer credits towards a degree, particularly in related programs such as a Master's in Project Management or related certification(s). However, it's often on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to limitations.

Also, it's important to note that PDUs and CEUs are typically considered non-academic credits, so even if a school does accept them, they might be applied toward elective or non-major coursework or considered as evidence of professional development. Be careful of all of the posh colleges that are running "non-accredited" boot camps or programs. They are very expensive and you may walk away with an ivy league piece of paper, however, it does not mean much in terms of your education/career. Spend your money wisely and opt for accredited certification paths.

If you're interested in using your PDUs or CEUs toward a college degree, the best course of action is to directly contact the admissions or academic affairs office of the college or university you're interested in. They can provide the most accurate information regarding their policies on the acceptance of PDUs or CEUs. It's crucial to understand these policies before you make any decisions regarding your academic path.

In summary, CEUs, just like PDUs, represent your dedication to professional growth and your commitment to maintaining your competencies. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning have made it incredibly easy for professionals to keep learning and growing, thereby ensuring you stay at the top of your game. So go ahead and leverage these accredited opportunities to fuel your journey of lifelong learning and professional development!