APPEL In-Depth Courses

The Academy's training curriculum enables NASA's technical workforce to develop NASA-specific expertise and capability in project management and systems engineering. In addition to the Core curriculum, APPEL offers a wide variety of in-depth courses, which are highly interactive, featuring case study analyses, group discussions, individual exercises and simulations.

Click the following buttons to jump to courses offered in each domain.

 

Curriculum Resources

• Attendance: Students are not limited to attending courses at their home NASA Center.
• Course Descriptions: Click each title below for a course description.
• Schedule and Registration
• Download Course Catalog (PDF)
• Accreditation: The APPEL curriculum has achieved a reputation for excellence within academia and leading professional associations throughout the world.
• Questions? Contact your Center Training Representative
• NODIS Library (NASA Directives)
• NASA Civil Servants: SATERN Individual Development Plan (IDP)

 

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Program/Project Management

Gain NASA-specific knowledge expertise in program and project management through courses aligned with NASA and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements for project management.

• Project Management Essentials

Learn the requisite essentials to develop effective project plans, provide comprehensive performance assessments, and implement effective review processes and strategies.

SATERN Descriptor	Course Title		Days
APPEL-APP	APPEL – Assessing Project Performance		2
APPEL-LCP	APPEL – Leading Complex Projects		3
APPEL-eLCP	Distance learning version of the above offering		3
APPEL-ODM	APPEL – Orbital Debris Mitigation and Reentry Risk Management		2
APPEL-PBSOW	APPEL – Performance-Based Statement of Work		2
APPEL-PMP	APPEL – Passing the Project Management Professional Exam		3.5
APPEL-PPAC	APPEL – Project Planning Analysis and Control		5
APPEL-ePPAC	Distance learning version of the above offering		5
APPEL-STPS	APPEL-– Strategic Thinking for Project Success		3

• Schedule and Cost Management

Learn about the tools and techniques needed to effectively schedule projects and manage their costs and associated risks.

SATERN Descriptor	Course Title		Days
APPEL-PAW	APPEL – Project Acquisition Workshop		2.5
APPEL-RM I	APPEL – Risk Management I		1
APPEL-RM II	APPEL – Risk Management II		2
APPEL-SCC	APPEL – Scheduling and Cost Control		4
APPEL-eSCC	Distance learning version of the above offering		4

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Earned Value Management (EVM)

Through courses developed and taught by experienced NASA EVM practitioners, learn how EVM—a dynamic project management methodology—measures and assesses performance during the execution of a project by integrating technical scope with schedule and cost objectives.

SATERN Descriptor	Course Title		Days
APPEL-AEVM	APPEL – Advanced Earned Value Management		2
APPEL-UEVM	APPEL – Understanding Earned Value Management		1
	Control Account Manager (CAM)		Online Discussion
	Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS)		Online Training Course
	Integrated Baseline Review (IBR)		Online Training Module
	Scheduling Virtual Learning Lab		Online Training Course

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Systems Engineering

"Thanks to APPEL I now know how to develop system models/use case scenarios and system requirements from our stakeholder's (customer's) need."

Gain a fundamental understanding of systems engineering processes, tools, activities, and deliverables; systems management and leadership; and cross-functional interfaces with other disciplines, such as behavioral dynamics and human ethics. Courses are designed for experience-driven leadership development to prepare the next generation of NASA technical leaders and managers.

The Academy also supports the professional development of systems engineers through a career development program and research studies. Learn more about the Systems Engineering Leadership Development Program.

• Systems Engineering Essentials

Build knowledge and expertise in systems engineering processes, activities, deliverables, and cross-functional interfaces with other disciplines.

SATERN Descriptor	Course Title		Days
APPEL-CESA	APPEL – Concept Exploration and System Architecting		4.5
APPEL-DA	APPEL – Decision Analysis		2
APPEL-FSE	APPEL – Fundamentals of Systems Engineering		5
APPEL-LPSE	APPEL – Lifecycle, Processes and Systems Engineering		3
APPEL-REQ	APPEL – Requirements Development and Management		3
APPEL-REQ-T	APPEL – Requirements Development and Management - Team		3
APPEL-SEMP	APPEL – Developing and Implementing a Systems Engineering Management Plan		2
APPEL-SSVV	APPEL – Space System Verification and Validation		3
APPEL-TPDMO	APPEL – Transition, Product Delivery and Mission Operations		4

• Integrated Space Missions Design and Analysis

Build knowledge and expertise in space mission analysis, design and operations through hands-on class exercises and simulated laboratory sessions.

SATERN Descriptor	Course Title		Days
APPEL-HSMD	APPEL – Human Spaceflight and Mission Design		3
APPEL-MMSD	APPEL – Mars Mission and System Design Lab		4
APPEL-SLTS	APPEL – Space Launch and Transportation System		3
APPEL-SMSDO	APPEL – Science Missions and Systems: Design and Operations		3
APPEL-SMSDO-LAB	APPEL – Science Mission and Systems: Design and Operations Lab		4

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Engineering

Strengthen fundamental skills necessary for NASA-specific work via education beyond typical analytics and specialized subsystems. Through engineering essentials, critical thinking, historical lessons, and space systems coursework, learners acquire innovative, everyday skills, along with a deeper appreciation for the significance of their contributions to NASA.

• Engineering Essentials

Obtain a foundational understanding of the engineering and scientific bases of NASA missions, including the basics of topics most likely not covered in a NASA engineer's undergraduate education, such as space sciences; planetary geology; design for manufacturing and assembly; green technology and sustainability; aeronautics; and orbital debris mitigation.

SATERN Descriptor	Course Title		Days
APPEL-ASTRO	APPEL – Essentials of Astronomy for NASA Engineers		3
APPEL-DMA*	APPEL – Design for Manufacturability and Assembly		3
APPEL-EMM	APPEL – Earth, Moon and Mars		3
APPEL-GREEN	APPEL – Introduction to Green Engineering		3
APPEL-I-AERO	APPEL – Introduction to Aeronautics		4
APPEL-ISF	APPEL – Introduction to Sustainable Facilities		3
APPEL-ODM	APPEL – Orbital Debris Mitigation and Reentry Risk Management		2

• Critical, Innovative Thinking and Historical Lessons Learned

By using resources unique to NASA, learn to evaluate lessons learned from NASA missions, improve engineering decision-making skills, adopt innovative ways of thinking, and appreciate the agency's 50+ year history.

SATERN Descriptor	Course Title		Days
APPEL-CREATE	APPEL – Creativity and Innovation		3
APPEL-MSN	APPEL – NASA Missions: Engineering Exploration		3
APPEL-PP	APPEL – Planetary Protection: Policies and Practices		3
APPEL-SAGE*	APPEL – Seven Axioms of Good Engineering		3
APPEL-MSF:LL	APPEL – Mission Success First: Lessons Learned		2

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Communications and Leadership

Learn how to internalize the skills that facilitate open and continuous communications with technical team colleagues, develop personal leadership qualities, and improve negotiation skills.

SATERN Descriptor	Course Title		Days
APPEL-CC	APPEL – Crucial Conversations		2
APPEL-CTI	APPEL – Communicating Technical Issues		2
APPEL-NG	APPEL – Negotiations		2
APPEL-PM-LAB	APPEL – Project Management Leadership Lab		4.5
APPEL-TL	APPEL – Team Leadership		2.5
APPEL-TM	APPEL – Team Membership		2
APPEL-TW	APPEL – Technical Writing for the NASA Engineer		1
APPEL-eTW	Distance learning version of the above offering		1

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Mission & Safety

The following is a listing of courses pertaining to NASA Health and Safety, or NASA Missions.

SATERN Descriptor	Course Title		Days
APPEL-HMTA	Health and Medical Technical Authority Awareness Training		1

* Denotes courses recommended for graduate-level credit by the American Council on Education.