About this Program
Developing new biotechnology and pharmaceutical products is an extremely complex and highly regulated process. Specialized, highly trained project managers play an essential role in shepherding these valuable products through the pipeline and bringing them successfully to market.
In this four-course online certificate program, we’ll cover the product development process from start to finish. You’ll explore the key skills needed for project management within the biotech environment from a clinical, technical and regulatory perspective. Then you’ll practice applying this knowledge to the biotech and drug development life cycle. Get prepared to make an impact in this exciting, rapidly changing field.
This certificate program is jointly designed and offered by UW Professional & Continuing Education and UC San Diego Extended Studies. Each university has developed and teaches two of the four courses. When you complete the program, you’ll receive a joint UW-UCSD certificate. You have the option of earning academic credit for the UCSD courses.
▸ Related Article: In-Demand Biotech Jobs
Designed for
Professionals in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and those interested in entering these fields.
See Requirements
Admission Requirements
To apply, you must have one of the following:
- A bachelor’s degree with courses in the life sciences or related disciplines (e.g. biology, chemistry, bioengineering, bioinformatics)
- Two or more years of professional experience (business or science related) in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry
Time Commitment
Including time in class, you should expect to spend about ten hours each week on coursework.
English Proficiency
If English is not your native language, you should have advanced English skills to enroll. To see if you qualify, make sure you are at the C1 level on the CEFR self-assessment grid. To learn more, see English Language Proficiency Requirements – Noncredit Programs.
International Students
Because this offering is 100% online, no visa is required and international students are welcome to apply. For more information, see Admission Requirements for International Students.
Technology Requirements
You must have access to a computer with a high-speed internet connection. A webcam and headset with microphone are recommended.
Earning the Certificate
You earn a certificate of completion by successfully completing all required courses. For more information, see Earning the Certificate.
What You'll Learn
- Standards and processes for project management in the biotechnology field
- Critical factors for the initiation, planning and execution phases of biotech and pharmaceutical product development
- The impact of regulatory requirements on the development process
- How to handle the unique challenges of product development in a highly regulated environment
Get Hands-on Experience
- Complete a capstone project that simulates the clinical development cycle
- Develop and present a detailed project plan that can be added to your professional portfolio
- Use project management tools such as Smartsheet; free access to the software provided
prepare for pmp® certification
University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education has been reviewed and approved as a provider of project management training by the Project Management Institute (PMI)®. UWPCE has been approved by PMI to issue professional development units (PDUs) for the UW courses, which fulfill the education requirements for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
(PMI, PMP and Project Management Professional are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.)
Career Stats
84%
Alumni working in field
20%
Projected job growth for project management specialists in Washington state (2020-2030)
Top Employers
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Seagen, Illumina, Gilead Sciences, Merck
OUR ENROLLMENT COACHES ARE HERE TO HELP
Connect with an enrollment coach to learn more about this offering. Or if you need help finding the right certificate, specialization or course for you, reach out to explore your options.