I think that's the route I'm going to take. Irks me to put somethng on hold that isn't finished, but that PMP cert is my primary concern at the moment.
As for what it is, it's an industry cert given by PMI (Project Managment Institute), and it stands for Project Management Professional. It's a pretty involved certification, and requires the hours of experience in a project management position listed above, a mandatory classroom session, has a 200 question test, and holds quite a bit of weight with employers (Think the impact MCSE had on a resume about five years ago).
More on the subject:
PMP: Is It The Certification Or The Knowledge That Matters Most? | NaSPA
I work in the government contracting field, so when trying to climb the ladder, anything that seperates you from the pack is a good thing. A quick search on Dice.com or monster.com for "PMP" shows the benefits of having the certification.
Thanks for the advice ORP, and I'll start checking on the core requirements for the BS in LA today.