A project management certification can always add meaning and relevance to your role in any company or institution. We have compiled a list of recommended project management certifications for 2024.
Project management certifications can provide you with the skills, knowledge, and experience to excel in any field and enhance your resume with the seal of approval from a respected industry organization.
1. Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI
The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is an industry-wide recognized credential for project managers. PMP demonstrates the experience, education, skill, and competency required to lead and direct projects. PMP is the most sought-after certification awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI), USA.
Requirements for the PMP Certification:
- A four-year degree
- 36 months of project leadership
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® certification
OR
- A high school diploma or associate’s degree (or a globally equivalent qualification)
- 60 months of project leadership
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® certification
Cost: approx. €600 for the exam
2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® from PMI
The CAPM® certification is specifically designed for professionals with minimal experience in project management, providing them with a foundational understanding of the subject. Like the PMP certification, this credential is awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI), USA. Courses are available not only directly from PMI but also, for example, on Udemy.
This course includes:
- 23.5 hours of on-demand video
- 1 article
- 17 downloadable resources
- 2 practice tests
- Full lifetime access
- Access on mobile and TV
- Assignments
- Certificate of completion
Requirements
- Understanding of the fundamentals of project management
- Committed participation in this CAPM exam preparation seminar
You have the desire to pass the CAPM exam
Cost: approx. €300 for the exam
3. Google Project Management: Professional Certificate
**What you will learn:
**This certificate is offered here on Coursera.
What you will learn:
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the practices and skills required to succeed in an entry-level project management role.
Learn how to create effective project documentation and artifacts throughout the various phases of a project.
Learn the fundamentals of agile project management with a focus on implementing Scrum events, creating Scrum artifacts, and understanding Scrum roles.
Across 6 courses, you will gain in-demand skills that will prepare you for an entry-level job. Learn from Google employees whose foundations in project management served as launchpads for their own careers. With less than 10 hours per week, you can complete the program in less than six months.
Upon completion, you can apply directly for jobs at Google and over 130 US employers, including Walmart, Best Buy, and Astreya.
The Google Career Certificates are part of “Grow with Google,” an initiative that builds on Google’s 20-year history of developing products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow.
Requirements:
None! Whether you are completely new to the field or have some experience, a Google Career Certificate is the right program for you.
Cost:
In the US and Canada, Coursera costs $39/month after the initial 7-day free trial. The certificate can be completed in less than 6 months of part-time study, meaning most learners finish for under $300 USD. In other countries where the IT Support Certificate is available, costs may be lower. Google generates no revenue from the Google Career Certificates and has made need-based financial assistance available.
4. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) – Scrum Alliance
The CSM training gives you practical skills that you can apply immediately in practice and expand your career opportunities. Agile management is the application of agile software development principles to various management processes, particularly project management. Suitable agile project management tools support teams in practical implementation.
Scrum Masters tend to be people-oriented, have a high degree of emotional intelligence, and find joy in helping team members grow.
5. MicroMasters Program in Project Management from RITx (edX)
What you will gain/learn:
The tools and techniques to manage the comprehensive project management lifecycle for a project — from initiation to completion.
How to balance the critical trade-offs of time, cost, and scope to meet customer expectations.
The ability to apply best practices across a wide variety of industries and organizations.
How to lead a project to success and leverage the leadership and behavioral aspects to achieve this.
How to navigate the social and cultural aspects, legal and regulatory practices, technology, and infrastructure that influence project success in the global market.
Instruction: Expert teaching
Level: 4 graduate-level courses
Duration: 8 months (8–12 hours per week)
Discounted price: $1,212.30 vs. advance discount price: $1,347 USD
6. Project Management Courses Online (LinkedIn Learning)
Microsoft Project 2016 Essential Training:
Microsoft Project is a powerful project management software particularly suited to the PMP standard. This course offers lessons from a certified Project Management Professional who explores linking tasks, assigning resources, and project planning.
What is included: 2 project files, 11 chapter quizzes, access on tablet and phone, certificate of completion
Benefits of completing a LinkedIn course: Display on your LinkedIn profile under the “Licenses & Certifications” section, download or print as a PDF to share with others, share as an image online to demonstrate your skills.
7. Project Management Training Bundle – 6 Project Management Courses (Master of Project Academy)
35 contact hours of PMP® certification online self-paced training, developed by industry experts
10+ hours of self-directed Agile Scrum certification training, 9+ hours of Microsoft Project training
2,400+ PMP® practice questions to help you prepare for the certification exam
**What is included:
**9 PMP certification exam samples
(25+ contact hours)
Step-by-step creation of a project plan in MS Project using a real-world project example
PMP, Agile cheat sheets, and more
Learn at your own pace, whenever and wherever you want, even while working full time
Cost: $667 USD annually, 1-year subscription
8. PRINCE2 – Projects in Controlled Environments
PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured project management method and certification program for practitioners.
PRINCE2 emphasizes dividing projects into manageable and controllable stages. It is applied in many countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Western European countries, and Australia.
What you will take away from the course:
The practical skills and knowledge you need to carry out project-based work more effectively and efficiently, on time and within budget.
The ability to identify and address risks, estimate time and costs, lead a team, and communicate with stakeholders.
A certificate from UCT recognizing your new project management competencies — a real boost for your resume and your confidence.
Duration: 10 weeks, without onboarding
9. Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) Certification from ThinkAgile
What you will learn in this course:
- Introduction to Agile
- The journey from beginner to expert
- Structuring teams for agility
- High-performance teams
- Getting teams off the ground
- Creating and managing the product backlog
- Buyers vs. users vs. customers
- Agile requirements and user stories
- Relative sizing and planning poker
- Managing stakeholder expectations
- Visual information radiators
- Useful agile metrics
- Technical practices
Course duration: In-person training runs two full days, starting at 8:30 AM and ending at 4:30 PM.
Live online training: Runs over 4 consecutive days from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Cost: approx. €600
The company is based in South Africa.
10. Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization from UCI (Coursera)
Google Project Management: Professional Certificate
Top 10 Project Management Certifications:
This program includes more than 140 hours of instruction and hundreds of practice-oriented assessments that help you simulate real-world project management scenarios critical to workplace success.
The content is highly interactive and was developed exclusively by Google employees with decades of experience in program and project management.
Skills you will acquire include: creating risk management plans; understanding process improvement techniques; managing escalations, team dynamics, and stakeholders; creating budgets and navigating procurement; using project management software, tools, and templates; practicing agile project management with a focus on Scrum.
Through a mix of videos, assessments, and hands-on exercises, you will be introduced to the initiation, planning, and execution of both traditional and agile projects. You will develop a toolbox to demonstrate your understanding of key project management elements, including managing a schedule, a budget, and a team.
Summary
Project management is important because it ensures that what is delivered is correct and provides real added value to the organization. Good project management ensures that the goals of projects are closely aligned with the strategic objectives of the company. The project management certifications mentioned above will help your team become project management professionals equipped with the necessary skills to lead and manage.
CEO Alltena GmbH
Christoph Friedrich is a computer scientist and certified Project Management Professional. He has extensive experience in the introduction and integration of project management tools as well as the analysis and definition of processes in project and service management.