Project management courses teach the skills required to manage projects, products, and services in many industries. Virtual collaboration and management tools are changing the nature of work across multiple industries.
In response to this change, project management skills will be essential for managers to oversee digital and multi-geographical business initiatives.
Project managers in 2022 and beyond will be faced with the challenge of managing their team virtually, across different time zones, and even across different cultures. To succeed in business today, project managers must be well-versed in the most current project management knowledge and techniques.
Project management courses are the best sources of learning for these critical skills. These courses and associated certifications are valued for their recognition and prestige. The ability to demonstrate an understanding of project management to employers with certification on your resume makes you a highly valuable asset to employers.
Research from the Project Management Institute (PMI) on US trends in business hiring indicates that employers will need to fill nearly 2.2 million project-oriented roles each year through 2027. If you are looking to elevate your career and improve your professional skillset, you should consider taking one of the project management courses discussed below.
What are Project Management Courses?
Project management courses teach skills like project scheduling, budgeting, and planning. Online learning platforms are the most common delivery methods for project management courses. Online learning enables students to study at home in an asynchronous format.
There are also in-person courses though they can be rarer and more expensive. In-person learning is still the preference for many students. Colleges and universities typically offer in-person learning courses for project management.
Availability for online, self-paced study is unlimited. Availability for in-person and instructor-led courses can vary, but with numerous organizations offering project management courses, it is possible to find a class that fits almost any schedule. An in-depth, complete project management course typically ranges between $500 and $1,500.
You should consider courses that offer prices outside of this range with caution. There are plenty of organizations that provide cheaper courses that cover only a few subjects. Students typically find these shorter courses benefit most as a refresher on particular topics.
If you are searching for a project management course to help you pass a test and achieve an industry certification, it is important to look for passing guarantees. Many organizations that supply project management education offer passing guarantees.
They guarantee a passing score on tests like the Project Management Professional Certification or your money back. A guarantee is not only an excellent insurance policy on your investment, but it is also a sign that the course is well-designed and that the providers have confidence in the content they teach.
Companies will also often provide professional development scholarships or cover the cost of these courses. If you are employed and considering taking a course, you should speak with your employer to see if they provide any funding.
Project Management Courses Examples
Coursera: General Project Management Courses
Learn Project Management Online from Coursera
Coursera is an online education platform that works with leading colleges and universities. It offers several project management courses, some of which are free. However, you may still have to pay for the final certificate. Some courses can be completed in 12 hours, while others can take up to four months with a 10-hour/week commitment. All of the courses are online only. If you are new to project management, try Google’s Foundations of Project Management or the University of California, Irvine’s Project Management Principles and Practices. There’s also GitLab’s How to Manage a Remote Team for Intermediate users.
Udemy: Preparing for the PMP Exam
Pass the PMP Exam with Udemy’s Online Course Offerings
Udemy is another online education platform that offers many courses designed to help you pass the Project Management Professional exam. Udemy hosts many courses on its platform that outside agencies create, so it is essential to read the reviews on each course to get an idea of the value they provide to past students.
Udemy is a great value site to go for project management education. For very reasonable prices, even as low as $30, you can take a 30-hour course with all the professional development units (PDUs) required to register for the PMP exam. Some recommended courses on this platform include the Sabri PMP Certification Course, the PMP Exam Prep Seminar, and the CAPM Exam Prep Seminar.
University Project Management Education
Cornell Project Management Certificate Course
Many major universities and colleges provide certificate courses in project management. These courses are accessible to anyone, and you do not have to be an enrolled student. They typically involve instructor-led in-person or online coursework and are generally regarded as high-quality learning experiences. These courses sometimes include homework assignments and tests, and they result in the award of a certificate from the corresponding university. The certificate can be a value-added placement on your resume, as it carries the prestige of the university’s brand.
Cornell University’s project management course is a five-course curriculum that provides both a certificate and that counts towards the professional development units required to apply for the Project Management Professional certification. The content is 100% online and is developed and taught by Cornell faculty.
Project Management Bootcamps
Bootcamps typically offer the most in-depth, content-heavy project management curriculum available. They are described as bootcamps because they teach students project management from the assumption that they know nothing about the topic to the point that they are thoroughly knowledgeable about all aspects of project management.
These project management bootcamps are usually the most expensive project management course options, typically over $1,000 per enrollment. These bootcamps provide the necessary professional development units required to apply for the Project Management Professional certification and an in-depth education that fills all the gaps.
These bootcamps are best for students with minimal experience or training in project management and who are looking for a complete immersion in the subject. Expect to spend a few weeks or even months completing the courses and earning a professional certificate to recognize your education.
The CCAC Complete Project Manager Bootcamp is an expensive, well-regarded, fully immersive project management course. This is a great course to consider if you know that your employer will be reimbursing you for your education costs since it is a more expensive option when compared to the courses previously discussed.
The curriculum is a complete dive into the world of project management. It covers over 20 subject areas and provides a constructive Project Management Professional exam preparation section.
Advantages of Project Management Courses
Project management saves businesses time and money and improves internal and cross-team communication. According to the international consulting company, Bain & Company, the majority of work at corporations will be project-based by 2027. This creates a need within the corporate world for qualified and experienced project managers to lead the future of work.
Project management courses provide a focused and purposeful education in the skills and techniques necessary to lead projects successfully. The advantages of project management courses are their relevance, the legitimacy of their associated certifications, and their relative affordability.
The Best Project Management Course
The best project management course depends on the student. Many different motivations can lead to someone pursuing a project management course. Early professionals with limited experience in project management will find that the best project management course option for them is a more immersive and thorough experience.
The best option for this type of learner is project management boot camps and university project management courses. They will provide everything needed to include a complete education, certified professional development units for the PMP test, and may offer a passing examination guarantee.
People who are more experienced in project management would benefit from one of the more focused project management options offered by online course providers such as Coursera or Udemy.
These courses are typically shorter and are designed to provide an overview of project management skills. These courses are best for refreshing project management skills and earning the required professional development units to apply for many project management certifications.
Many people who decide to take a project management course do so primarily to prepare for the Project Management Professional certification exam. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a globally recognized credential that attests to an individual’s knowledge and experience in applying project management techniques to business situations.
The examination for the PMP is challenging and requires a specific understanding of the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK) to pass. Project managers who pass the exam are authorized to place the Project Management Professional certification (PMP) on their resume.
Across many industries, this certification is recognized as a global standard for project management excellence. It signifies to an employer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to lead projects at their organization. If the goal is to pass the PMP exam, it is important to select a course from one of the above options that provides a curriculum tailored to the PMBOK.
Ultimately, the best project management course is the one that you complete. They all can provide added benefits to your professional knowledge and brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Project Management courses are educational programs designed to teach the principles, methodologies, and tools essential for effective project management. These courses cover topics like project planning, risk management, resource allocation, and team leadership.
These courses are ideal for professionals looking to enhance their project management skills, those aspiring to become project managers, and individuals seeking project management certification like PMP or CAPM.
TechGuide offers a range of courses, from introductory classes to advanced training for specific methodologies like Agile or Scrum, as well as preparation for certification exams such as PMP and CAPM.
These courses can lead to roles like Project Manager, Program Manager, and Project Coordinator, and roles in project analysis, risk management, and consultancy in various industries.
Many courses include case studies, practical exercises, and real-world scenarios to help students apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations.