certificate or individual courses...management are 8.4 ceus. all certificate requirements must be...
TRANSCRIPT
Earn this certificate and you'll be ready to design, plan and execute
successful events and meetings of various types and sizes. Taught
by professionals, this is a comprehensive certificate program in
higher education that provides classroom and online training based
on industry certificate requirements. Emphasis is on the
management competencies required for a successful career as an
event and meeting professional.
This professional certificate can be completed in classroom, online
or in a blended format which combines online and in class courses.
Event Management is An Ideal Program for You If You Are...
- Starting a new career as an event or meeting planner
- In the industry and interested in enhancing your skills
- Not in the industry, but charged with planning and facilitating
meetings and events for your company or organization, profit or
nonprofit
- A volunteer or in charge of volunteers for special event
activities
Six Reasons to Earn Your Certificate Now!
1. Validate your experiences
2. Stay fresh with continuing education
3. Fulfill personal goals
4. Create your own pathway
5. Work effectively
6. Learn trends from leading edge professionals
updated 03/2018
Certificate or Individual Courses
The Professional Certificate in Event Management program is
designed to be flexible and meet the different needs of individuals
interested in professional development and career enhancement.
You can take individual courses to learn more in a specific area or
you can complete the certificate requirements and earn a
Professional Certificate in Event Management.
Certificate Requirements
To attain a Professional Certificate in Event Management from The
George Washington University School of Business, students must
successfully achieve the following:
1. Complete and pass the following four Core Courses worth 1.2
CEUs each (4.8 total CEUs overall). The core courses are offered
as a five day Event Management Core Skills Institute on campus
four times a year. In addition, core courses can be taken as
individual classes online.
501 Best Practices in Event Management
502 Event Coordination
503 Event Marketing
504 Risk Management: Financial, Legal and Ethical Safeguards
2. Complete and pass Elective Courses totaling 3.6 CEUs. Elective
Courses are either worth 1.2 CEUs for two-day classes or 0.6
CEUs for one-day classes. All online courses are 1.2 CEUs.
See Course Description for a full listing of electives.
3. Complete a minimum of 100 hours of event management
practicum experience.
4. Prepare and submit an event portfolio.
*The total CEUs required for the Professional Certificate in Event
Management are 8.4 CEUs. All certificate requirements must be completed
within two years of enrollment in the first course. Upon successful completion
of the 8.4 CEUs, portfolio, and practicum hours, students receive a
Professional Certificate in Event Management from The George Washington
University School of Business.
Cost:
Event Management Institute (4.8 CEUs) $1995
On-campus 2-day session (1.2 CEUs) $550
On-campus 1-day session (0.6 CEUs) $295
Online courses (1.2 CEUs) $450
The total Professional Certificate in Event Management program investment is approximately $3,800.
Financial Aid
Because the Professional Certificate in Event Management program
is a non-degree program, federally funded student loan programs are
not generally available, and the program is not eligible for deferment
of such loans.
Attend an Information Session Join us:
January 3, 2018
February 7, 2018
April 4, 2018
June 6, 2018
September 5, 2018
November 7, 2018
Information sessions are held on The George Washington
University Foggy Bottom campus, beginning at 7:00pm.
Registration is required and registration links are available on our
website. Please contact us at [email protected] with any
questions.
Registration
To register for the Professional Certificate in Event Management
program, individuals must have completed the equivalent of a high
school diploma. International students not fluent in English must have a
TOEFL PBT score of 600 or a TOEFL CBT score of 100.
To register for the Professional Certificate in Event Management
program courses, you must complete the process online. The first step
involves completing the Program Application Form online. If you have
questions or need help with registration, please contact us at
[email protected] or call us at (202) 994-9708.
If your company is paying for your classes and you would like to send
a check, please email us at [email protected] or call us at (202)
994-9708.
On-Campus Courses
Core courses and most elective courses are offered during the year as 2-day
weekday sessions or 2-day weekend sessions. Weekday classes are
scheduled from 9.00am - 4.00pm on concurrent days. Weekend classes are
scheduled on Friday evenings from 5.30pm-9.00pm and Saturday from
9.00am-4.00pm. A mastery quiz is completed at the end of each class.
There are three special 1-day courses. These courses are offered on-campus
only and earn students 0.6 CEUs.
Event Management Core Skills Institute
The George Washington Event Management Core Skills Institute is
offered as a weeklong, on-campus session. This Institute condenses all
four core courses (501, 502, 503 and 504) into a five-day intensive and
interactive session (4.8 CEUs). The cost is only $1,995.00, $205 less than
taking the four classes separately! If you have already taken one or more
of the core courses, we can give you an additional $550 off the cost of the
institute (please email us at [email protected] to register if you qualify
for this discount). We offer a Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter institute
each year.
Upcoming Sessions:
March 9-11 & March 17-18, 2018 (2 consecutive weekend sessions)
June 11-15, 2018 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm)
August 13-17, 2018 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm)
December 10-14, 2018 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm)
Online Courses
You can start the online courses at any time, making it a convenient option
to enhance your career and/or to complete the certificate program. Once
you start an online course, you have 3 months from the end of the month
you enroll in the class to complete it. Once you register, you will receive a
confirmation with complete directions on how to attend an online class with
GWU Event Management Certificate Program. A mastery quiz is
completed at the end of each online class. Each online course is 1.2 CEUs
and costs $450 per course.
Course registration links are available on the program website.
PROGRAM POLICIES
1. Extension & Reinstatement Policy
The Professional Certificate in Event Management must be completed
within two years. From the day you take your first class, you have two
years (24 months) to complete your courses, Practicum, and Portfolio. If
for some reason during the two year period you need an extension, you
can request an extension by emailing a letter of explanation to
[email protected]. The Event Management program staff will review
your request and determine if the extension request will be granted.
You can only receive a one year extension. Once an extension is
approved, you will receive a link to register for the extension. There is a
$15 charge to register for an extension.
2. Refund Policy
lf you cannot attend an on campus course as planned, you may transfer
into a future course or receive a course credit as long as you let us know 5
business days prior to the first day of class. If you contact us less than 5
business days in advance, you are entitled to a course credit valued at
50% of the course fee. If you contact us on the day of the first class or
after the class has occurred, you are not entitled to a course credit or
transfer of any kind.
Credits may be applied toward the cost of any future course within the
next year from date of issue. The Event Management Certificate Program
credits are active for one year from the date of the class.
Refunds are given only if we cancel a course, although you will be
encouraged to transfer into a future course so you can complete your
required course work. We will not issue refunds for courses which have
been postponed due to inclement weather or other circumstances beyond
our control. Refunds are processed within thirty days of the approval of
the refund request.
Please note online courses are non-refundable.
3. Financial Obligation
All financial obligations to The George Washington University must be
met to receive a certificate.
Practicum
Certificate candidates must complete a total of 100 practicum hours for
graduation. You may begin earning practicum hours after you have
completed your first course.
Portfolio and Practicum hours must be separate. This means hours used
for your practicum cannot be from the same event you are doing for your
portfolio. The portfolio project can be part of your current job. Also, we
request that students NOT use their regular/current jobs as hours for the
practicum. This is because we want students to experience more than one
facet of event planning and management to get a more rounded view of
the discipline.
If you "work" more than 25 hours at the same location/ organization, you
must submit a letter of reference from that organization along with the
Practicum Summary Form. You are allowed to acquire all 100 hours with
one organization. We do not encourage this practice as we would like to
see you experience a variety volunteer opportunities.
It is usually not difficult to achieve 100 practicum hours. Check with your
local convention center to see what events are in coming to the center.
Consider making a list of cause related organizations such as the
American Cancer Society or the Humane Society. Visit their websites for
upcoming events and contact them about volunteering. Yelp.com lists
volunteer opportunities by zip code.
Practicum hours are considered field hours. The experiences should help
you gain a more thorough perspective of the industry.
For Practicum specific questions email Kristi Long at [email protected]
Portfolio
Your Portfolio is documentation of an actual event which you have
planned from beginning to end. You must show an understanding of the
research, design, planning, coordination and evaluation processes
including administration, marketing, legal, ethical, and risk management
issues.
The event may be a part of your current job but you MUST play a lead or
significant role in the planning and coordination of the entire event. Only
events that have occurred after you enrolled in the event management
program qualify. For example, if you planned a wedding in June 2017 and
started the program in November 2017, the wedding cannot be used as
your portfolio.
Your event should be of the size and breadth that allows for key elements
of the portfolio such as a budget, vendor contracts, a floor plan, timeline
and production schedule. A dinner party for friends will not qualify for a
portfolio. Examples of approved portfolio events include: change of
command ceremonies, anniversary parties, weddings, bridal showers,
fashion show, and fundraiser.
The total portfolio, excluding Table of Contents and Portfolio Affirmation
and Release Form may not exceed 65 pages. Portfolio grading is based on
a possible total of 150 points. You must earn 75% (or 113 points) to pass.
If you score less than 75%/113 points, you will have an opportunity to re-
submit your portfolio with corrections. Portfolios must be re-submitted
within two weeks of receipt of the returned portfolio.
Please note, it is highly recommended you schedule a meeting with an
Event Management Certificate Program counselor at the beginning of
your course work and when getting ready to work on your Portfolio.
Portfolio and Practicum hours should be separate. This means hours used
for your practicum cannot be from the same event you are doing for your
portfolio if the portfolio is part of your current job. Also, we request that
students NOT use their regular/current jobs as hours for the practicum.
This is because we want students to experience more than one facet of
event planning and management to get a more rounded view of the
discipline.
For Portfolio specific questions email Kristi Long at [email protected]
Schedule of Online Courses - 2018
Online Core Courses (1.2 CEUs per course)
501 Best Practices in Event Management
502 Event Coordination
503 Event Marketing
504 Risk Management: Financial, Legal, and Ethical Safeguards
Online Electives (1.2 CEUs per course)
505 Meetings and Conferences
506 Corporate Event Management
507 Sport Event Marketing and Management
508 Starting, Growing, and Managing an Event Business
510 Government Event Strategies
512 Catering Design and Coordination
513 Exposition/Trade Show Planning, Management, and Marketing
514 Wedding Planning, Coordination, and Consulting Workshop
517 Event Fundraising and Sponsorship
545 Protocol for Event Managers
Schedule of On Campus Courses- 2018 (subject to change)
On-campus Core Courses
Event Management Core Skills Institute (4.8 CEUs per course) $1995
March 9-11 & March 17-18, 2018 (2 consecutive weekend sessions)
June 11-15, 2018 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm)
August 13-17, 2018 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm)
December 10-14, 2018 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm)
On-campus Electives:
2-day session (1.2 CEUs per course) $550 per course
506 Corporate Event Management – Feb 9-10 & Oct 26-27, 2018
508 Starting, Growing & Managing an Event Business - Sep 28-29, 2018
512 Catering Design and Coordination – April 27-28, 2018
514 Wedding Planning - March 23-24, 2018
517 Event Fundraising and Sponsorship – March 13-14 & Dec 7-8, 2018
545 Protocol for Event Managers- Sep 14-15, 2018
546 Event Entertainment and Production – February 23-24, 2018
1-day session (0.6 CEUs per course) $295 per course
505 Meeting and Conferences- May 12 & October 6, 2018
550 Understanding Negotiation Strategy & Contracts - March 10 &
October 22, 2018
551 Making the Most of Social Media – May 19 & November 3, 2018
552 Budgeting for Event Planners – May 1 & November 5, 2018
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Core Courses
501 Best Practices in Event Management (1.2 CEUs)
This course addresses major trends and successful business practices in
Event Management to provide the knowledge and tools to improve your
effectiveness and organizational competencies as an event manager.
Learn to:
- Structure and manage an event planning schedule to improve
profitability
- Conduct comprehensive needs assessments and feasibility studies
- Identify and prioritize event goals and objectives
- Identify potential challenges to a successful event
- Choose appropriate solutions by using efficient planning scenarios
- Conduct mid- and post-event evaluations
- Create and present proposals and agreements that are
advantageous to all parties of an event
- Appreciate the rewards of being in the Event Management profession
502 Event Coordination (1.2 CEUs)
This course covers the nuts and bolts of successfully coordinating a
professional event.
Learn how to:
- Develop creative elements including decor and entertainment
and properly sequence them at events
- Develop and implement a site plan and conduct a thorough site
inspection
- Understand the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), permit
requirements and labor union issues and their impact on event
coordination
- Analyze and implement professional registration, admission
procedures, security, and protocol.
COURSE DESCRIPTION CONTINUED: Core Courses
503 Event Marketing (1.2 CEUs)
This course examines how to use events to promote products, services and
causes, and how to promote events themselves.
Learn how to:
- Identify and develop a promotional strategy, including the
event proposal, invitations, advertising, publicity, contests,
promotional merchandise, sales promotions, packaging, and
even personal appearances
- Distinguish the relative strengths of print, electronic, & other
advertising mediums
- Analyze, establish and implement a public relations strategy using
video and audio news releases, as well as many other new tools
- Incorporate electronic media
- Formulate an effective event sponsorship program
- Conduct market research prior to the event
- Create a comprehensive marketing/sales measurement
504 Risk Management: Financial, Legal, & Ethical Safeguards (1.2
CEUs)
This course thoroughly and systematically analyzes potential threats to
your events. As the final core course, this practical approach to risk
management ensures that you understand and use every possible
safeguard to produce safe and successful events.
Learn how to: - Identify different methods for managing risk
- Understand how to prepare a crisis management plan
- Understand the key components of event contracts
- Comply with health , safety, and security regulations
- Conduct a thorough risk assessment for every event
- Understand the duty of care owed to attendees and identify liability
issues arising from injury or loss of property
- Understand and comply with copyright, trademark, and
service mark protection requirements
* Please note it is recommended that students take Core Courses in the
above order if you are pursuing the Professional Certificate in Event
Management. Elective courses may be taken before all core courses are
completed. However we do recommend that student take Best Practices in
Event Management before taking any electives. Courses can be taken onsite
or online. These recommendations do not apply if you are only taking one
or a few courses for career enhancement.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses
505 Meetings and Conferences (0.6 CEUs on-campus and 1.2 CEUs
online)
Virtually every organization, from trade associations to government
agencies, regularly holds large and small meetings. This course provides
the basic tools to successfully plan and manage local, national and
international meetings and conferences. Course information covers the
basic competencies tested in the ILEA Certified Special Events
Professional (CSEP) and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
examinations.
Learn how to:
- Conduct thorough pre-event planning
- Identify an appropriate site and perform comprehensive site
inspections
- Develop, analyze and project a budget
- Comply with legal requirements, including those specified by the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other key laws
- Recruit and train volunteers and staff for maximum performance
- Evaluate the effectiveness of an event
506 Corporate Event Management (1.2 CEUs)
Review the most successful techniques for managing trade shows, sales
promotion events, staff meetings and other corporate events. Learn how to
stay within a budget, yet produce events with creative flair.
Learn how to:
- Integrate corporate events within the overall communication strategy
of the company
- Assess, inspect, and/or design sites for corporate events
- Orchestrate large national and international events as well as small
corporate meetings
- Use events to bolster corporate morale
- Design and effectively manage major corporate hallmark
events, such as anniversaries and ground -breaking
ceremonies
- Negotiate to get the best return on investment (ROI) for your
organization
- Reduce event costs and document the savings for your annual review
- Demonstrate the added value of your corporate events as a means of
receiving an increased budget and other support in the future
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses
507 Sport Event Marketing and Management (1.2 CEUs) Online
Only
Sport events are fast growing fields that require professional management
skills. This course covers promoting and managing large and small
sporting events, covering everything from event logistics to sponsorship
to successful marketing.
Learn how to:
- Identify key sport event stakeholders: athletes, participants, sponsors,
spectators, and media partners
- Develop, execute, and evaluate a sponsorship program
- Develop logistics and operational plans for all levels of sport events
to mitigate risks and maximize success
- Understand the role that volunteers play and develop strategies for
recruiting, training, managing, and recognizing them
- Plan admission procedures for sport events
- Work with officials and sanctioning bodies to ensure compliance with
protocol, traditions, and regulations
- Design, plan, manage, and evaluate awards ceremonies
508 Starting, Growing, and Managing an Event Business (1.2 CEUs)
This course covers the practical skills needed to launch, operate, and grow a
successful special events business. Learn how to develop a business plan,
manage finances, market, and approach special events as a profit-making
business. Case studies will cover everything from start -up capital to
managing employees.
Learn to:
- Discover the five forces that drive profitability
- Apply the best practices of successful companies in event management
- Develop an effective marketing strategy for new clients and to
serve existing accounts
- Identify sources of financing
- Perform market research
- Avoid cash -flow problems that are the downfall of many profitable
businesses
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses
510 Government Event Strategies (1.2 CEUs) Online Only
This course covers planning and managing events, from groundbreaking
ceremonies to parades to presidential inaugurations. Learn how to stage events
that are creative, yet meet the historical, cultural, and political considerations
unique to keepers of the public trust.
Participants learn how to:
- Identify important social or political settings
- Identify the major stakeholders
- Establish a process for making decisions and creating lines of authority
- Establish financial procedures and ensure compliance with laws and
regulations
- Determine whether fundraising or sponsorship is needed
- Identify the key figures and develop plans for effectively integrating these
VlPs
- Assess the need for volunteers and effectively recruit, coordinate, and
reward volunteers
- Develop major events to mark municipal anniversaries and other
significant celebrations
512 Catering Design and Coordination (1.2 CEUs)
Step behind the scenes and meet the people who make a successful catering
operation work. Understand the catering industry and learn to work with
catering professionals to improve quality, while reducing costs.
Learn how to:
- Conduct a food and beverage needs assessment
- Identify professional catering resources
- Specify the menu, level of service (including number of staff), and other
important elements
- Coordinate Kosher, Muslim, and special-request meal functions
- Incorporate unusual linens, napkin folds, and other creative elements
- Understand the basic health department requirements for food and
beverage service
- Recognize and implement liquor liability safeguards
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses
513 Exposition/Trade Show Planning, Management, and Marketing
(1.2 CEUs) Online Only
This course helps you understand the growing role of expositions and
trade shows in the marketing and sales process, both in the United States
and internationally. It provides practical information for designing and
managing projects from a trade show exhibit to planning and coordinating
an entire exposition.
You will learn to:
- Use research to target the exhibit or exposition to primary and secondary
markets
- Identify resources, including designers and general service contractors
- Negotiate successful vendor contracts
- Develop a thorough and comprehensive marketing strategy and measure
results
- Incorporate promotional activities that enhance marketing efforts
- Prepare sales and exhibitor communications
- Use commercial sponsorship to decrease operating expense
514 Wedding Planning, Coordination, and Consulting Workshop
(1.2 CEUs)
A wedding planner is a professional who assists with the design,
planning and management of a client's wedding. Weddings are
significant events in people's lives and as such, couples are often willing
to spend considerable amount of money to ensure that their weddings are
well organized. Wedding planners are often used by couples who work
long hours and have little spare time available for sourcing and
managing wedding venues and wedding suppliers.
Learn how to:
- Start and manage a successful wedding planning business
- Incorporate the latest trends in wedding design and coordination to build
your business
- Market for continuous growth
- Create a wedding planning timeline
- Learn how to make wedding planning financially successful
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses
517 Event Fundraising and Sponsorship (1.2 CEUs)
Many organizations rely on event fundraising and sponsorship to reach their
objectives each year. This course will explore the growing area of sponsorship
in the fundraising arena.
Learn how to:
- Identify why donors give
- Develop strategies for a successful fundraising event
- Develop events such as silent auctions and raffles
- Systemize the fundraising event for annual recurrence
- Conduct a comprehensive sponsorship needs-assessment and feasibility
study
- Identify qualified prospective sponsors
- Create attractive sponsorship proposals
- Develop an effective and realistic financial plan for increasing
sponsorship revenue
- Develop an easy system for monitoring and improving event sponsorship
services
545 Protocol for Event Managers (1.2 CEUs)
Virtually every organization, from corporation to government agency, sponsors
meetings and events that include VIPs and dignitaries. This course is designed
to provide international protocol and will equip them with the basic tools needed
to successfully manage the protocol requirements associated with local, national
and international meetings and conferences. You will learn to:
- Understand the rules and traditions of protocol
- Identify resources to answer protocol questions
- Prepare a protocol plan
- Gain confidence in making decisions about event protocol issues
- Advise colleagues in correct etiquette and protocol
- Make your guests feel welcome and respected
- Avoid errors in protocol that may result in disputes, insults,
embarrassment or distractions
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses
546 Event Entertainment and Production (1.2 CEUs) Students will examine professional meeting and event management and will
study industry best practices as the foundation for the five phases of research,
design, planning, coordination, and evaluation. Learn how to:
- Recognize that entertainment represents a large economy
- Identify job opportunities in the event entertainment and production fields
- Develop and know how to carry out a plan through strategic preparation for
event production and entertainment
- Observe the effects of the plan, by viewing actual Contract and Rider
requirements
- Familiarize themselves with various tools for measurement of Return On
Event Entertainment
- Know the differences between agents, managers and entertainment
companies and how they interact with headline entertainment
- Create a crises mitigation plan
- Familiarize themselves with the legalities of music licensing
Course Purpose:
Students will comprehend event entertainment and production as a complex
integrative process requiring effective strategic planning and analysis, business
management and meeting operations skills.
550 Understanding Negotiation Strategy and Contracts (0.6 CEUs) on-
campus only
Understanding and negotiating contracts are highly critical event and meeting
management skills. Each meeting, convention, or special event might require
multiple contracts with venues, caterers, and other suppliers (i.e., audio-visual,
floral, housing and production) and therefore multiple negotiation strategies.
This one-day course will focus on negotiation strategy and tactics leading to an
acceptable agreement. In addition, the course will highlight provisions which
should be in every contract as well as providing an understanding of the
meaning of common provisions as well as clauses that hold potential risk. By
taking this class you will learn how contracts are economic based but human
controlled.
Learn to:
- Prepare for the negotiation phase and set key "take-away" priorities
- Set objectives and pre-determine acceptable outcomes
- Evaluate provisions which should be included in all contracts
- Assess potential liabilities and risk when reviewing contracts
- Build trust and get to a win-win position
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses
551 Making the Most of Social Media (1.2 CEUs) on-campus only
Social media is not the easiest to manage but an essential and important
event marketing strategy with tools that will drive attendance, define and
engage your high value target audience and build brand recognition after the
event is over. The event planner needs to know how to effectively design
content that promotes the brand's message and invites an attendee into the
event experience. This workshop will provide you with insight, examples
and an interactive day to support your event social media marketing efforts.
Agenda:
Social Media Platforms (An Overview)
Social Media Planning (Content Marketing Schedule)
Implementing Your Plan (Dashboards & Planners)
Tracking Your Results (Simple Analytics)
Prerequisite: Attendees must be on social media to participate. You do not
have to “live" on social media but you need to have some participation and
basic skills.
552 Budgeting for Event Planners (0.6 CEUs) on-campus only
Budgeting for a conference or special event can seem daunting. Defining
revenue sources, anticipating fixed expense line items and calculating
variable expenses is at best time consuming and at worst can put you in a
financial dark hole. If you have struggled with budget preparation and want
to learn how to streamline the process, this is the class for you.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to outline a budget in three steps
- Practice creating 3 types of budgets
- Define categories of revenue and expenses
- Identify the value proposition of good budgeting
Whether you have never created a budget or need help in refining your
budgeting skills, this course promises new competency while engaging in
an interactive day of learning.