What is a Certification Program in Project Management?
As the name suggests, project management programs teach a specific format of managing projects in the workplace. This format is used by many professionals, including the Project Management Institute. This framework can be applied to projects of all sizes in all sorts of environments. There are a few different approaches to use based on environmental and project-specific factors.
A project management certification can be applied in a variety of industries and settings. Businesses benefit from effective projects that are completed in a timely manner and within the allotted budget. With a project management certificate, you can utilize techniques that are proven to be effective in achieving those goals. Determine the scope of a project, analyze available resources, distribute and utilize those resources wisely, and achieve project success with the best strategies available. With quality leadership, projects are more likely to succeed and satisfy key metrics; team members are more likely to be happy. Project management is a widely applicable and incredibly valuable discipline.
What is the Difference Between a Certification and a Degree in Project Management?
Project management certification programs and degree programs share many similarities. At their core is the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which is offered by the Project Management Institute. Certification programs and degree programs in this field teach the necessary vocabulary and strategies to manage projects successfully. A certification program is typically smaller than a degree; it requires fewer credits and less time to complete. In a degree program, students cover a broader range of topics and get to learn how project management principles apply in a wider array of industries. They may also get the opportunity to pursue a concentration, depending on the curriculum requirements set by their school.
Should I Get a Certification in Project Management?
Project management is a very valuable discipline. Because its principles can be universally applied, a certification in project management can benefit an extensive and diverse array of career paths. All sorts of industries, ranging from healthcare to education to construction, utilize project managers. Completing this type of program is a great way to build your leadership potential. Improving your efficacy as a project manager increases your value on the team and is likely to open up advancement opportunities.
By completing a certification program as opposed to a degree, you can save both time and money. Bachelor's degrees require more academic credits for completion than a certification program. This, in turn, means that bachelor's degrees incur a higher tuition cost than certification programs. A quality certification program should be enough to prepare you to sit for and pass your PMP exam. Some programs can be completed in as few as seven weeks, so you can apply your knowledge quickly.
Graduate Certificate Programs in Project Management
Certification programs in project management are offered in both undergraduate and graduate settings. An undergraduate program is typically designed for students who have completed their high school education or earned their general education development (GED). A graduate program, on the other hand, is designed for students who have graduated with a bachelor's degree. You can pursue a graduate-level certification program or a graduate degree program in this field. Consider your goals and desires to determine if you'd be better suited toward a certification program or if an advanced project management degree is worthwhile for you.
The curriculum in a project management undergraduate program and a graduate program will share lots of similarities because they're both covering the same topic. They'll both provide the education and experience opportunities to qualify for the most common project management certifications, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification offered by the Project Managers Institute. The clearest difference between the two certificate program levels is in the admissions requirements. A graduate program requires the completion of a bachelor's degree as a pre-requisite. Other noticeable differences may include the structure, pacing, and rigor of the coursework; graduate programs build on the prior knowledge of the students and may therefore cover ground more quickly.
Career Options After Completing a Certification Program in Project Management
There's a wide range of career options upon completion of a project management certification. Any business in any industry that completes projects can benefit from your skillset. If you already have a job, it's very likely that the skills you learn during your studies can be implemented in your workplace. You'll have new strategies for your own responsibilities, and you may find opportunities for advancement and promotion. Contrastingly, if you're just starting your career, or if you'd like to change career tracks, you can find someplace new to apply your skills. With so many diverse possibilities, it may be helpful to consider what kind of industry or industries catch your interest and research project management positions from there. Some examples include business, marketing, and construction.
Project Management Consultants and Specialists
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the most common industries for this type of role include the federal government, business management, computer systems design, higher education, and consulting services. The average salary for a project management consultant or specialist is $84,290 or around $40 per hour. Education and certification requirements may vary.
Construction Managers
Construction managers are responsible for planning and executing construction projects. They're involved in the project from its beginning to its conclusion. They'll coordinate all the tasks and employees involved and keep the project on budget. According to the BLS, they make an average of $97,180 per year, which is approximately $47 an hour.
Advertising, Promotional, and Marketing Managers
These types of managers conceptualize and create promotional materials that generate interest in an organization and/or its goods and services. Project management skills dovetail with business and marketing knowledge in this role; some people in this role earn an executive MBA in project management for this reason. The average salary for these kinds of managers is $141,490. That's around $68 per hour, according to the BLS.
Courses for a Certification Program in Project Management
The curriculum for a project management certification covers the language, skills, and techniques used by the Project Managers Institute to describe and guide projects in the workplace. Some certification programs have a set curriculum plan, while others have specified core classes with electives that you can choose based on your interests. Some of the courses you can expect in these types of programs include:
- Project management basics
- Leadership strategies
- Resource evaluation and management
- Human resource management
- How to identify, analyze, and manage risks
- Agile project management
- Organization
- Business skills, such as building and adhering to a budget
Risk Management
Any endeavor inherently comes with risks. In a risk management course, students will learn how to predict, account for, and navigate the uncertainties of a project. This type of class will introduce students to both quantitative and qualitative strategies and tools designed to manage risks. Upon completion, students should be able to approach projects with an array of risk management tools and apply them judiciously to increase chances of success.
Agile Project Management
Agile project management is a methodology that focuses on flexibility through the progression of the project. Traditional project management is a great set of skills, but if the theories are put into practice too rigidly, valuable opportunities can be missed. The agile framework builds on the traditional foundation and allows for more dynamic choices.
How Long Does a Certification Program in Project Management Take?
Because a certification program does not bestow a degree, the number of credits required for completion is low compared to a traditional undergraduate degree. Some certificate programs are comprised of as few as ten academic credits. The amount of class time varies by each institution, but it's not uncommon to see anywhere between twenty and fifty hours. Some programs are self-paced, which allows you to finish your classes at whatever pace you'd like. You could finish such a program in the span of a week or a year depending on your preferences. Other programs follow a more structured schedule. In these cases, the program may last for anywhere between seven weeks and three months.
How to Choose a Certification Program in Project Management
Selecting a certification program that's right for you can feel like a very daunting task. There are lots of factors to consider, and each deserves careful thought. Here are some points to include in your decision-making process:
- cost
- location
- program format
- program length
One of the first elements to consider is cost. Different schools have different price points when it comes to tuition, and it's vital to select one that's within your budget. Financial aid should be kept in mind when establishing your budget range.
The location of the program affects both budget and schedule. Consider what your commute to campus is like. The length of time, as well as the cost of transportation, needs to be manageable.
Of course, the format of the program may affect that commuting calculation. If you select an entirely online program, then commuting becomes irrelevant. If you select a hybrid program, you may find a longer commute to be tolerable because you won't have to make it as frequently. In an exclusively on-campus program, however, the commute can be a very influential factor.
The length of the program is another important component to consider. It can affect the aforementioned logistics, and furthermore, it can shape your career path. If you're looking to get started on project management as quickly as possible, for example, you'll want to select a short program. But if you're building up a career with less urgency, you'll have more options available to you because your plans are not as time-sensitive; you can enroll in a program that takes more time to complete.
How to Get into Project Management Certification Programs
Because project management is so widely applicable, students in certification programs in this field come from all walks of life. Leaders -- and future leaders -- from an extensive variety of disciplines and industries participate in these programs. The admission requirements for project management certification programs are correspondingly welcoming. They're built to be accessible by both aspiring and experienced project leaders who are looking to build their knowledge in this particular discipline. As such, most programs do not list minimum requirements of education or work experience.
The application timeline can vary across institutions as well. For asynchronous programs that are self-paced, enrollment may happen on a rolling basis. This means that you can apply at any time, then start your courses as soon as you've been accepted to the program and onboarded to any necessary software. Synchronous programs that are built around a sequence of semesters may have a more rigid application schedule. They may require applications to be submitted a certain number of weeks prior to the start of the semester, for example.
Cost of a Project Management Certification Program
Most project management certification programs list their price as a cumulative total. A typical range is between $1,250 and $2,800, though prices vary by institution. Some schools may require that the entirety of the tuition cost be paid up front as a part of registration. In some cases, promotional pricing may be offered for a limited time, but this is not a universal trend.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources for Project Management Certification Programs
Not all project management certification programs satisfy the criteria for eligibility for federal student loan moneys. Some of these programs may satisfy the requirements for a direct unsubsidized or grad PLUS loan. If you think you might qualify for these types of loans, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form will allow your school's financial aid department to match you up with any federal student aid for which you qualify.
Some employers provide tuition assistance to their employees who are continuing their education in a way that's meaningful to their career. If you're already employed, check if the organization you work for is able to contribute toward some or all of your tuition costs.
The school you're enrolled in may also be able to help. Schools often have scholarships and grants available for students with high academic merit and/or demonstrable financial need.
