Have you ever considered Project Management as your future career?
Awesome!
We’ve prepared some of the best and free project management courses in the world.
Now you can have the full information on what project management involves, how to approach the project management courses, and how to become a successful project manager.
Above all, let’s cover some basic information before getting to Free and Paid project management courses.
Here we go!
Table of Contents
What is Project Management?
Project management is a combination of various processes, knowledge, methods, and skills to implement some projects and goals. Plus, it helps to meet specific success criteria at some time.
During learning project management courses you’ll get familiarized with basic terms that you’ll use during your work as a project manager.
For example, such terms include but not limited to agile methodologies, assumptions, constraints, critical path, deliverables, the difference between a program manager, product manager, and project manager, project phase, etc.
Why Should You Study a Project Management Course?
Why should you choose a project management course instead of other ones?
Great question!
Here are some of the best reasons why you should study project management:
- Multitasking. Time management, HR management, financial management. Similarly, a great project manager knows how not only to manage these resources but they also know how to use them to cut time and budget by effectively multitasking them.
- Secondly, the demand for project managers (especially for IT project managers) is growing rapidly.
- Salaries. A good reason, isn’t it? Salaries for project managers are quite competitive in (almost) any company.
- Learning space. Processes, new markets, technologies, tendencies, products, and services – all these are a new space to constantly learn, develop, and get benefit from.
Why is the Position of Project Manager Critical Today?
A project manager is a person who has the key responsibility for a project. Moreover, the number of project managers is growing month by month worldwide.
Why?
Because the role of project managers continues to grow as well in various complex projects. Plus, they also get a good salary. 🙂
There are numerous things you can learn from project management courses.
For example, as a project manager you can shape your skills in managing complex projects, starting from the initiation phase to the execution, and project closure.
Finally, experienced and good project managers work in different sectors including Information Technology (especially nowadays), Software development, complex construction, and numerous other industries producing products and offering services.
5 Best Free Project Management Courses (Online)
1. Coursera: “Project Management Principles & Practices Specialization”
Coursera’s“Project Management Principles & Practices Specialization” course is one of the top project management courses you can learn for Free.
Today, project management is one of the most effective methods of delivering products within cost, schedule, human, financial and other resources constraints.
Passing this course from Coursera you will gain some required skills to ensure your projects are completed efficiently. Plus, materials will help you become a good professional, afterward, you can also pay $49 for getting a certificate and add it to your LinkedIn profile.
2. Lynda: “Become a Project Manager”
Lynda.com is one of the best places to learn PM courses for Free.
A course for beginners, 3.20 minutes of video training – this can be your chance to smash the project management world.
After that, learn for Free, gain some skills, earn more than ever!
3. Classcentral: “Fundamentals of Project Management”
Classcentral is one of the top online learning resources you can find on the Internet providing 100+ project management courses mostly for free.
What’s required from you?
Just choose your favorite one and get benefit from it!
4. Future Learn: “Business Fundamentals: Project Management”
Another project management program offered by Future Learn.
You can gain all the basic skills needed for projects’ management here as well. Learn how to manage all the phases of project lifecycles effectively, succeeding in implementing even toughest projects.
…
5. Alison: “Diploma in Project Management”
You can easily increase your project management skills with Alison’s Diploma of Project Management Course.
The duration of the course on average is around 6-10 hours. Enroll, study, and complete the Diploma course for Free. In the end, you can pass the assessment and get your Free certification.
5 Best Paid Project Management Courses (Online)
1. Project Management Institute: “Project Management Basics”
Project Management Certification from the Project Management Institute.
The organization offers world-recognized PMP certification opportunities for project management professionals.
The duration of the course is around 23 hours. Future managers can prepare for the CAPM (if you don’t have work experience) or PMP exam with some practical questions and answers in advance.
The PMI institute has a yearly membership options. The price for non-members would cost you $400 when already PMI members can pay $350.
2. edX: “Project Management”
Project Management MicroMasters – offered by edX.
The program is a graduate-level series of courses to help you shape your project management skills and knowledge to become a successful project manager.
Pay $810-900 for the course, spend 8-12 hours per week, and earn the PM program certificate.
3. Linkedin: “Project Management”
As you may know, Linkedin is one of the top social networks in the world.
Also, you may know that Linkedin offers various training videos and materials on different topics. Shape your project management skills and finish projects in time within a budget.
If you use the premium version of Linkedin, you can easily and with no additional costs learn how to create tasks and successfully finish them with the Linkedin Project Management course.
4.Cornell: “Project Management (360) Certificate”
eCornell provides various online certificate programs across system thinking, technology, project management, marketing, data science, and many other courses.
Besides, they also provide some project management certification programs along with the PMP group study course.
5. University of Maryland: “Project Management Specialization Degree“
And finally, one of the top prestigious programs in the world from the University of Maryland.
Moreover, learning Management Master’s Degree with Project Management Specialization you can get not just a certification but a whole degree. Enroll for the course, and shape your skills in the best possible way.
Best Project Management Courses/Materials for IT Project Managers
1. Certified ScrumMaster
Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) course is probably the most famous project management course IT project managers strive to get most.
Above all, during the certification process, you will master the Scrum course and the skills needed for managing PM basics toward basically IT sphere.
2. Agile with Atlassian Jira
Jira is among the best and most necessary tools in the world that (especially) IT project managers use to organize teams and their work.
There are plenty of tutorials on their website you can grasp to start your career as an IT project manager. So it’s definitely worth your time!
Also, you can get your Jira certificate by passing the Agile with Atlassian Jira on Coursera. In the end, you can also pay an additional $49, get your certificate from Atlassian itself and attach it to your CV.
3. Professional ScrumTM with Kanban level I (PSK I) assessment
The Professional ScrumTM with Kanban level I (PSK I) assessment is available to anyone who wants to work in an IT sphere and manage software teams.
If you’re new in the IT sector and want to work as a project manager, you should validate your knowledge with this certificate. Help developer teams to implement agile software development.
45 total questions and 60-minute time limit and you’re there. Just pay the fee of $200USD per attempt and get an 85% passing score.
When passing this assessment, you’ll get the knowledge of how visually show teams’ work in the kanban board, allowing team members to see every stage of the whole process in one place.
4. Extreme Programming (XP) – Agile Project Management
Extreme Programming (XP) is a kind of framework used in software development to handle the project management process.
Mastering XP principles you’ll be able to gain all the knowledge and know how to approach coding.
More Resources to Learn IT Project Management
We’ve covered some information on the best IT project management courses.
Besides, I’m also providing you some valuable resources for you to read and cover all the required information on where to learn IT project management information:
- Udemy Courses on IT Project Management Courses
- Coursera – IT Project Management Programs & Courses
- Smartsheet Guide on IT Project Management
- ProjectManager.com – IT Project Management: The Ultimate Guide
- IT Project Management Infographic from Celoxis.com
Conclusion
If you want to change your professional sphere or shift your career and become a good project manager, remember that it’s a constant process.
Yes, you can earn a lot of money in the future. However, it requires huge efforts and time of self-development to become a really successful Expert in the PM sector.
Hopefully, the provided information answered some of your questions and will help you make the right decision. 😉
Note: If you’re still deciding to change your job or not, time doesn’t wait – sooner or later you’ll do it, right? So do it now not to regret that in the future.
You can also download this article here:
FAQs
What is the best project management course to take? ›
- PMP: Project Management Professional.
- CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management.
- CSM: Certified ScrumMaster.
- CompTIA Project+ certification.
- PRINCE2 Foundation/PRINCE2 Practitioner.
- CPMP: Certified Project Management Practitioner.
Most project management certifications are worth it. Project talent demand is constantly increasing. Having the proper certification for your job could help you get: More trust from management regarding challenging projects.
Is Google PMP certification free? ›The total cost to get the Google Project Management Certificate is $156. The course is offered by Coursera through the Coursera Plus subscription which costs $39 per month. On average it takes 4 months (4 X $39) for students to complete the course and get certified.
Is 2 months enough for PMP? ›For a PMP candidate with adequate experience and formal PMP training, which might take 2–3 months, 100–150 hours of self-preparation is required. However, only a few people were cleared within three weeks of the certificate course in project management, and others took months.
Can you study for PMP in 2 months? ›However, most PMPs recommend at least 2-3 months of prep time. How long it takes for you specifically depends on your study habits, how many times per week you spend studying, how many hours each study session is, and how many practice exams you want to take.
Is it worth taking project management Certificate? ›PMP certification is undoubtedly worth it. According to PMI statistics, a certified PMP could expect an increase in pay of 20%. This certification offers a significant return on investment, as other project managers have also conceded.
Which project management certification is most in demand? ›The PMP credential is coveted by employers seeking the most highly skilled project management professionals. Developed by project managers, the PMP certification is the highest level offered in PMI certifications.
Is the Google project manager certificate worth it? ›Yes, the Google project management certification is worth it, especially considering the help it offers when starting a career in project management (PM). You can negotiate for a higher average salary and 'prove' your skills to an employer with a Google PM certification.
Can you self study for PMP? ›To answer the question, though, yes, you can study on your own. There are some things you must know, however, and some necessary conditions. No amount of real-life experience in project management can assure that you will pass the exam. In fact, without dedicated study, you almost certainly will not pass.
How much does Google project management certification pay? ›How much does a Google Project Management Certificate make? As of Jan 24, 2023, the average annual pay for a Google Project Management Certificate in the United States is $94,401 a year.
How much is a PMP certification worth? ›
PMP Certification Salary
According to PMI, non-certified project managers in the U.S. earn a median annual salary of $93,000. PMPs earn a median wage of $123,000 per year—a 32% increase over their non-certified colleagues.
- Master of Project Academy. Time Commitment: 1 hour. Cost: Free. ...
- Udemy. Time Commitment: 1.5 hours. Cost: Free. ...
- LinkedIn Learning. Time Commitment: 3 hours and 20 minutes. ...
- Skillup by Simplilearn. Time Commitment: 9 hours of self-paced video lessons. ...
- Coursera. Time Commitment: 1 hour per week, 5 months.
If you fail the examination three times within the one-year eligibility period, you must wait one year from the date of the last examination you took to reapply for the credential. You need to pay a re-examination fee for each retake.
Can you get PMP without experience? ›No. You cannot take the PMP exam without the required project management experience and education. Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification is one of the prestigious and globally recognized certifications offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI®).
What is the fail rate of PMP? ›Based on statistical data, around 40-50% of PMP® candidates fail in passing the PMP® exam. Some even require more than two attempts to pass it, but that's mostly a rare occurrence. Based on the data, it's safe to conclude that the PMP® exam failure rate can indeed be high.
Is PMP a difficult exam? ›Moreover, PMP is the 2nd most challenging exam after Cisco Certified Internetwork Exams (CCIE) out of the 10 most difficult IT certifications. In addition, PMP is the gold standard in the project management field, thus making it the most stringent certification exam.
How many times can you fail PMP? ›How Many Times Can You Take It? You are allowed three attempts at passing the exam within your one-year eligibility period. Failing that, you must wait one year from your last try before attempting the exam again, but you can apply for other PMI credentials.
How can I earn 35 hours in PMP? ›University or College Education Programs: Academic programs offered by colleges and universities make a good option to earn your 35 contact hours for PMP certification. You can claim all the hours you spent learning project management-specific topics in these academic programs.
Is PMP worth in 2022? ›Is PMP certification worth it in 2022? Of course Yes. PMP certification is worth it in 2021. A recent survey conducted by PMI institute indicated that by 2027 India will become a project management oriented employment destination.
What score is needed to pass the PMP? ›If you can consistently score a 75% or higher across a minimum of 3 practice exams, you're likely well-positioned to pass the PMP certification test.
What certifications are in demand for project management? ›
- PRINCE2 Certification. PRINCE is the short abbreviation of PRojects IN Controlled Environments. ...
- CAPM Certification. CAPM has a full-form Certified Associate in Project Management. ...
- PMP Certification. ...
- CSM Certification. ...
- PMI-ACP Certification.
A project management certificate won't help you much in landing a job. You definitely need experience and in order to gain experience you need to start in the right place. I suggest you look for project coordinator role as a starter because you will get exposed hands-on to various aspects of project management.
Which is better PMP or Six Sigma? ›Between the PMP and Six Sigma certifications, one is not better than the other. They just have different focus areas. If you want to be a project manager, you choose PMP. If you want to work in quality assurance or process improvement, go for the Six Sigma certification.
What is the highest paying project management job? ›- PMO Consultant. Salary range: $135,000-$184,500 per year. ...
- Project Executive. Salary range: $122,000-$179,000 per year. ...
- Change Management Consultant. ...
- Project Control Manager. ...
- Transformation Consultant. ...
- SAP Project Manager. ...
- Senior Scrum Master. ...
- Infrastructure Project Manager.
- Engineering project management professional. Average U.S. salary: $124,434. ...
- Aerospace project management professional. Average U.S. salary: $129,732. ...
- Pharmaceutical project management professional. ...
- Consulting project management professional. ...
- Resources project management professional.
An MBA is a more prestigious and recognizable degree than a PMP certificate, making it a better choice for those who want to pursue a high-level career in the business industry. An MBA graduate can gain knowledge on many aspects of business administration, which can make it easier to change their career trajectory.
Does Google certificate get you a job? ›Upon completion of the Google IT Support or IT Automation with Python Certificates, you will gain access to an exclusive job platform where you can easily apply to opportunities from employers with open IT jobs.
Is Google certificate better than degree? ›If you're looking for a junior-level job and want to get into the field quickly, a Google career certificate may be the way to go. You can quickly and affordably improve your skills with Google's certification. After earning a degree, certifications are a fantastic way to develop in-demand professional skills.
What Google certifications pay the most? ›- Google Data Analytics Certificate (Paid)
- Google Project Management Certificate (Paid)
- Google UX Design Certificate (Paid)
- Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate (Paid)
- Google Digital Marketing and eCommerce Certificate (Paid)
PMP exam prep under 2 weeks or 3 weeks is not impossible, but such instances are mostly considered outliers if you were to draw an exam prep Bell curve. Another such instance I recall immediately is of Noorulayn, who did it in 2 weeks.
Can I study PMP in 30 days? ›
Yes, you can pass the PMP exam in 30 days. This article is a guide for those aspirants who are planning to take the PMP exam and pass it on their first try. Before diving into the exam study, you should get ready with two things.
Can I pass PMP in first attempt? ›Passing the Project Management Professional ( PMP® ) examination on the first try is not easy regardless the number of books read and the number of courses attended. You would need to have a good knowledge on the Project Management Book of Knowledge [PMBOK® ] guide to have a good chance of passing [PMP®] exam.
How long does it take to get Google PMP? ›The Google Project Management Certificate can be completed in three months working approximately 20 hours per week, or in six months working 10 hours per week. To finish the six courses which make up the Certificate, around 240 hours total are needed.
What construction certificates make you more money as a Project Manager? ›Project Management Professional (PMP)
In addition to the respect earned with the certification, the median salary for professionals with the PMP is 25% higher than those without it, according to the Project Management Institute, who administers the certification.
How much does a Google professional certificate program cost? Each program is free to try out for seven days with a Coursera trial. After the trial ends, the program will cost $39 a month to keep learning, so the faster you complete each course, the more money you'll save.
Is PMP equivalent to Masters? ›A PMP is superior to a Masters in Project Management. A PMP represents at least 7,500 hours of actual experience leading and directing projects, as well as an objectively assessed degree of theoretical knowledge. In contrast, a Masters in Project Management is almost purely theoretical knowledge.
Will PMP get me a job? ›Those who earn the certification have demonstrated their understanding of the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) and leadership and interpersonal skills. Therefore, having the PMP certification can faster help you land new job opportunities.
How long should I study for PMP? ›Remember that average PMP preparation takes around 70-85 hours of study. To get ready for the PMP exam, you must spare around 3-4 hours each day to pass the PMP exam in 30 days.
Can you study for PMP in 2 weeks? ›How to Study and Pass PMP Certification Exam Fast? You would need about 120 hours of study to crack the exam. Now, if you want you can crunch these 120 hours of study in 2 weeks. If you are willing you can further squeeze 120 hours in 10 days or extend your schedule to 21 days.
How many people fail the PMP test the first time? ›The PMP® exam is complex, and when considering the pass rate (around 40-50% of candidates fail on the first attempt) and the first-time pass rate (about 20%), it's clear that passing this exam is not easy. But with proper preparation, you can be one of the 20% who will pass on the first try.
What percentage of people pass the PMP exam on the first try? ›
Every year, over 60,000 people enroll in Project Management Professional certification programs to expand their project management skills and knowledge. Of this, PMP exam pass rate is less than 70%. It can be a time-consuming process but it is worth the effort.
How much is PMP online exam fees? ›PMP certification costs INR 23,459 in India for PMI members and INR 42,863 for non-members. Re-examination Fee Structure: For PMI members: $275. For non-PMI members: $375.
Which project management certification is best for beginners? ›The best project management certification for beginners – is the Google Project Management Certificate. It requires no prior knowledge, it can be completed in four months, and the certificate is awarded from Google. As part of the Google careers program, Google offers assistance in finding an entry-level job.
Is it better to get CAPM or PMP? ›Considering CAPM certification is more accessible, more affordable, and requires less time and experience than PMP certification, project managers may ask themselves, “Why would I pursue PMP certification?” The answer is simple: The PMP is the most significant, industry-recognized certification for project managers ...
Is PMP certification still worth it? ›PMP certification is undoubtedly worth it. According to PMI statistics, a certified PMP could expect an increase in pay of 20%. This certification offers a significant return on investment, as other project managers have also conceded.
Which project management certification is currently the most popular? ›The PMI's Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is the most popular and widely recognized certification. But PMI offers several other certifications that can be suited for professionals at various stages in their careers.
How do I become a project manager with no experience? ›- Showcase foundational skills. ...
- Sign up with a mentor. ...
- Get certified. ...
- Find training opportunities. ...
- Earn your bachelor's degree. ...
- Explore project coordinator positions.
Being a project manager is about more than just degrees and qualifications. While there are lots of certifications you can take if you want to, having a degree is not required.
How much is the CAPM exam fee? ›You pay $225 –the CAPM exam fee if you are a PMI member. Non-PMI members pay $300.
Is it difficult to pass CAPM exam? ›People who want to advance their career with CAPM intend to pass the exam on the first try, but it looks like 2 out of 5 participants fail the first try. Though challenging, it is not impossible to clear in the first attempt if you have solid CAPM exam preparation training and a good study guide.
How much does CAPM test cost? ›
CAPM Exam Fee
The non member fee for taking the exam is $300; with the membership discount, it'll cost you $225. You'll have 90 days to complete your application and send it in.
The average salary range for a qualified professional with a PMP certification is between $111,000 - $121,000.