The Top 10 Project Management Certificate Programs of 2021
Are you looking to get into project management in 2021? We have compiled a list of the best training courses in project management. They can earn you a certificate and help you prepare for your PMP exam. Read below to learn more about the best online project management certificate programs.
Why You Should Learn Project Management
You should learn project management because you will acquire the necessary tools and skills to direct a project from the beginning to the end. Following through a project’s lifecycle is not as easy as many think. You need to have the proper knowledge and essential skills to cover all aspects of the planning process.
Project managers are hired for their ability to ensure the quality of processes, products, or services. Through project management, you will learn how to maximize the resources available to you. You will be able to use financial or human resources to achieve your goals.
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Project management will not only help you develop leadership skills but also excellent teamwork skills. Generally, projects require more than one person to be successfully completed. Studying project management will teach you to collaborate with others to make your plan work.
Top 10 Online Project Management Certificate Programs
Starting a successful career in project management will require you to attend one of the best project management certificate programs. These online project management courses can bring you from beginner to expert.
Below are our picks for the top 10 online management certificate courses.
Alison
Cost: Free
Duration: 10 to 15 hours
Alison designed a Free Online Diploma in Project Management to help you become a project manager. The course covers the basics of project management. You will easily see a project from start to finish. The PMP practice exam will test you on cost management, quality management, and Pareto diagrams.
Brain Sensei
Cost: $499.99
Duration: 6 months
If you are looking for an exceptional platform to prepare for your PMP or CAPM exams, this might be what you need. For the online PMP Exam Prep course, you will complete 35 hours of live instruction. If you’re hoping for CAPM certification, Brain Sensei’s CAPM Prep Course offers 23 hours of live instruction.
Brain Sensei is popular among professionals because of its creative learning approach. The curriculum uses stories, movies, books, and video games to help learners grasp different concepts. The school also offers a 100 percent refund guarantee if you fail the exam.
Colorado State University
Cost: $3,395
Duration: 16 weeks
Colorado State University offers a highly interactive program for project managers, business analysts, and project coordinators. Colorado State designed this program to help professionals attain enough points for Project Management Professional (PMP) exam eligibility.
As part of the curriculum, you will learn project management language and processes, the responsibilities of a project manager, and project lifecycle phases. The entire curriculum is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (6th edition). The university designed the program to be fast-paced and affordable for working professionals.
Cornell University
Cost: $2,730
Duration: 3 months
Cornell University’s Project Management Certificate program helps professionals attain 50 education hours for the PMP certification. You will acquire the foundational knowledge to work in any setting. It’s a great course to learn Agile project management approaches and how to assess and mitigate risk.
The instructor-led course is purely online and only accommodates 35 students per session. This means that you can get a more personalized education. If you want an interactive online project management certificate, this program is a great choice.
Coursera
Cost: $2,980
Duration: 6 months
The six-month Coursera Project Management Certificate program is a great choice for any project manager. You will attain 12 units of continuing education and a professional certificate from the University of California. You’ll get to learn the planning, execution, and application of project management tools.
Grey Campus
Cost: $100
Duration: 6 months
GreyCampus is registered by the Project Management Institute as an education provider for project management professionals. The PMP Certification Training course curriculum is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (6th edition). You will learn how to plan and implement a project from scratch.
You will get access to curated practice questions, PMI study materials, and tests to help you develop the right perspective. The most significant advantage of studying at Grey Campus is access to instructors trained and approved by PMI.
Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies
Cost: $6,965
Duration: 2 years
Georgetown University designed the Certificate in Project Management to give professionals theoretical and real-world approaches to managing projects. It will help you learn the core principles, best practices, and essential skills to become a successful and certified project manager.
The Project Management Institute reviewed and approved this certificate program. This means you will go through proper preparation before you sit for your PMP exams. This program also provides flexible learning options using online classes and platforms like Zoom.
Pace University
Cost: $1,795
Duration: 12 months
Pace University offers online and in-person project management certificate courses for professionals in the field. If you wish to advance in your career, you should consider the Practical Project Management certificate.
It’s an excellent course that covers the entire Project Management Body of Knowledge (6th edition). The interactive learning program features online quizzes, PMP practice exams, and flashcards. Some professionals choose to sign up for this program because they can take advantage of their employer’s tuition reimbursement policies.
Simplilearn
Cost: $1,000
Duration: 90 days
Simplilearn offers a PMP Certification Training course to help you learn emerging trends and practices in project management. For this course, you’re offered live sessions with instructors as well as digital material. The exams also feature four simulation tests to make sure you’re prepared for the PMP exam.
The training course is relatively popular due to the 100 percent money-back guarantee. The school also offers students an opportunity to get noticed by top hiring companies. Simplilearn students now work at companies like Amazon, Oracle, and Duke.
University of Delaware
Cost: $2,595
Duration: 10 weeks
The Project Management Certificate program will help you understand the roles and responsibilities of a project manager. The ten-week program helps you develop the foundational knowledge necessary for you to take the PMP exam.
For only $2,595, you can be exam-ready. The university also offers students access to payment plans, discounts, and scholarships to ease the tuition burden. If you want to learn project management, this is a good place to start.
Choosing the Right Project Management Program
If you’re still unsure which is the best project management program for you, we’ve compiled a checklist of features to consider when selecting your ideal program.
Mode of Study
Each college or university has a unique learning model. You should check which mode of study an institution provides before you enroll in the courses. Establish whether the course combines practical and theoretical aspects of project management. You can also choose online or hybrid learning programs.
Career Services
There are many universities and colleges that offer their students career support services. These services will help you to find a job after graduation. Select an institution that features this option to have an easier time becoming a project manager.
Student-Teacher Ratio
You may want to consider a program with a low student-teacher ratio. Instructors can offer more individual attention and feedback with a smaller class size. If you prefer a personalized education, this will be an important factor to consider.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Certificate Program in Project Management?
Some certificate programs in project management can take two weeks while others might take months. The duration of completing a certificate program varies from one institution to another. It depends on how many hours per week that you can dedicate to your studies. Part-time programs typically take longer.
Certificate Program in Project Management Curriculum
What will you learn if you pursue a certificate program in project management? Get to know the essential aspects of a certificate program that can help advance your career.
Project Lifecycle
Through a certificate course, you will learn all the steps of a project lifecycle. This includes initiation, planning execution, and closure. These are vital phases for the success of your project.
Risk Management
As part of the curriculum, you’ll cover the entire process of risk management. The instructor will teach you how to identify possible risks and respond to them appropriately. Because project management is a leadership position, this will be an important topic to learn.
Communication
Your job responsibility will require a lot of report writing and teamwork. A certificate program will help you develop communication skills so you can better lead a team. Communication skills are vital in any role, but especially in project management.
Project Management Certifications
Now that you know the best programs to start your career as a project manager, you should take a look at professional certifications. Project management certifications are not the same as certificate programs. A professional body is responsible for certifications, while a school or university delivers certificates.
Certifications confirm your skill level and can be instrumental in advancing your career. Below you will find a list of the best online project management certification programs.
Certified Associate in Project Management
The Certified Project Management Practitioner (CAPM) certification has numerous in-person six-month advantages in the industry and beyond. If you want to enhance your credibility in a professional setup, you can easily attain this certification. It is offered by the Project Management Institute.
The certification exam features 150 questions that must be completed in under three hours. To qualify for this certification, you need at least a high school diploma or an associate degree.
Project Management Professional
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam is the gold standard for establishing experienced leaders in the industry. This certification is also provided by the Project Management Institute. You will get the competitive edge you are seeking to land promotions and salary increases.
To qualify for this examination, you must have a four-year degree, 36 completed projects, and 35 hours of project management training. If you have a high school diploma, you can also qualify for the certification. However, you must also have 60 projects and 35 hours of project management training.
PMI Risk Management Professional
The PMI Risk Management Professional certification proves your project management skills in identifying, assessing, and mitigating threats. If you want to take on large-scale projects, this certification will come in handy. This is another certification from the Project Management Institute.
To get this certification, you must have a high school diploma or an associate degree. You must also complete 36 months of risk management and 40 hours of project management classes. If you have a bachelor’s degree, you only need 24 months of risk management experience and three hours of risk management education.
Project Management Salary Prospects
Studying project management can lead you to a successful career. The education path has a series of opportunities in different industries. Once you complete the certificate program, you can start your career in project management in any field.
Take a look at the career opportunities you will get once you study project management.
Associate Project Manager
An associate project manager is responsible for running major large-scale projects. The professionals work in finance, product development, and construction. If you would like to become an APM, you should polish your leadership skills and attain certifications, which will help you ace your job interviews.
Project Manager
As a project manager, you will be responsible for creating a proper schedule and budget for a successful project. You’ll develop plans, delegate duties, supervise and implement plans. You will also foster a lot of communication within the organization. This is one of the best project manager jobs.
Information Technology Project Manager
As an information technology project manager, you will be responsible for combining management prowess with expertise in technology. Your daily tasks will include upgrading and installing equipment, preparing reports, and coordinating with other IT professionals in the organization.
Construction Project Manager
A construction project manager has a series of responsibilities. You’ll be in charge of overseeing major construction projects and working in unison with architects, engineers, and contractors. You should enroll in a trade school or a college to become a construction project manager.
Project Management Professional Associations
Professional organizations or associations help support the interests of the professionals working in project management. The associations are instrumental in fostering communication and innovation within project management.
Take a look at the best project management professional associations.
Project Management Institute
The Association for Project Management has over 500 organizations and 3,000 practitioner memberships. The association champions quality in project management. It is keen on training individuals on delivering projects that provide the most value in society.
At APM, you can attain a student, associate, full, or fellow membership. Joining this association will help your career prospects, access multiple professional resources, and join a large community.
Association for Project Management
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International Project Management Association
The International Project Management Association is a fantastic body for project management organizations. There are different IPMA certifications and activities in different countries all over the world.
This professional body provides certification in four levels. Each certification level is based on specific project sizes. If you want to become a manager in multiple countries, this is the best association to join.
Should I Pursue a Project Management Certificate Program Online?
Yes, you should. Traditional education pathways aren’t the only way to achieve your goals. Students today rely on more flexible and reliable education models like online college. Pursuing an online course certificate in project management will save you time and money. Plus, you won’t have to budget for accommodations or transportation.
A career in project management can set you up for life and provide you with the freedom to change careers and fields with ease. If you want to enter a project management certificate program, you should start now.
