The demand for project managers grows worldwide, and requirements to the skillset of project management specialists also keep growing. Currently, many institutions offer courses and certifications in project management aimed to increase career opportunities for both entry-level and experienced specialists.
We’ve collected top project management courses that are based on knowledge and experience of project management professionals. They provide students with valuable information and help gain a skillset to take your career to a new level.
Free Project Management Courses
1. Project Management: The Basics for Success
Key features:
- Flexible schedule and deadlines
- Video lectures + other types of content
This course by the University of California combines two knowledge base blocks: Project Management and Team Leadership. A great choice for beginners: you’ll acquire the understanding of a project leader’s responsibilities and learn how to apply this knowledge in real project environment. The course gives insights into creating high-performance teams, strengthening them, helping team members achieve high performance, planning and managing project cycle and more.
Video lectures and some content of the course is free; a paid part is also available. If you’d like to complete it and receive your Course Certificate, a paid subscription is also needed.
2. Diploma in Project Management
Key features:
- Duration: 10-15 Hours
- Theory + assessment
A course by Alison platform that helps gain expertise and skills in project management. It offers comprehensive knowledge on project management methodology and detailed review of the project life cycle. After completing the course, you’ll know what needs to be considered when starting a project, planning it, assigning roles and distributing workloads. You’ll be able to plan project phases, use special tools, visualize project progress and use documentation in work on a project.
To successfully complete the course, you need to score 80% or higher in each assessment. If you do that, you can purchase an Alison Diploma or Certificate to include in your CVs and portfolios.
3. Become a Project Manager
Key features:
- 17 hours of video tutotials
- Theory + practice
This course by Lynda includes theoretical lectures and practical tasks to master project management. It provides you with a detailed overview of various aspects: managing teams, creating schedules for efficient work, managing change, using communication strategies, etc. The practical part of this course is represented by essential training in Microsoft Project. Experts show how to use its features and implement different project management techniques. An essential practical part is running reports and understanding compliance of your project with plans and requirements.
Lynda offers a month of free trial and paid plans for individuals and for business. Their courses are based on knowledge and experience of certified project management professionals, consultants and experts.
4. Project Management Professional (PMP)
Key features:
- Duration: 5 hours 14 minutes
- Video materials mostly
Cybrary offers this free practical course that offers comprehensive project management training. It is designed for new project managers who want to become more familiar with techniques and approaches, and experienced project managers who need PMP certification and want to prepare for it.
The course offered by Cybrary educates on how to initiate, plan, and manage a project, as well as how to assess risks, develop and control schedules and budgets, and make sure the project is delivered on time. After the training, students are able to prepare a project plan and execute a project.
5. Short Project Management Course by Oxford Home Study Center
Key features:
- Duration: 20 hours
- Introductory level materials
This online course by Oxford Home Study College (OHSC) is an excellent opportunity to learn the basics of project management while working or studying. OHSC provides all necessary materials and sets no deadlines, so you can study at your own pace.
The course includes three topics: Introduction to Project Management, Role of The Project Manager and Project Life Cycle. After completing the course, you’ll be awarded a free OHSC certificate that will be sent to your email.
Paid Project Management Courses and Certifications
1. Complete PMP Exam Prep Course
Key features:
- Duration: 6 months
- 9 eLearning modules + 4 practice exams
This course is designed for preparation for the PMP exam and provides all necessary theoretical knowledge and practical tasks for it. Key knowledge points summary in each module, self-assessments and over 900 practice questions provide a strong basis for the upcoming exam.
All modules of this course include interactive materials and lots of details. The course is online and self-paced, so consider this option if you’re interested in gaining knowledge and skills for PMP exam but don’t have unlimited time for education and professional development.
2. Certified ScrumMaster
Key features:
- Duration: 14 hours of face-to-face education with a specialist
- Theory + certification exam
If you’re working with scrum teams, this certification course will be a valuable asset for your career and skillset. During the course, you’ll learn the Scrum framework and improve your understanding of how to efficiently manage a scrum team.
The certification includes a two-day course that provides a comprehensive overview of organizing, supporting and running a scrum team. After the course, you need to pass an exam to receive a certificate.
3. Graduate Certificate in Project Management
Key features:
- Duration: ~ 3 months
- Theory + practice
The certification by Penn State is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with comprehensive knowledge on project planning and resource management, cost and value distribution, commercial law, interpersonal and group behavior, and other topics.
Issued certificate enhances career opportunities in any field where large and complex projects are typical. Possible roles for a certified specialist are project manager, PM associate, project coordinator or planner, change management analyst, etc.
4. Associate in Project Management (APM) Certification
Key features:
- Self-paced course
- 4 practical tests
This certification course is targeted to experienced managers, project team members, entry-level employees and students who plan to start their career in project management and anyone who’s interested in project management. While there are no formal prerequisites, the course suits best for those who have a basic understanding of the project management process and some practical experience in a project environment.
The course consists of three modules: fundamental knowledge, practical project management training, and intermediate project management. After the course, students take an online exam. The APM certificate is valid for life and doesn’t require re-certification.
5. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Key features:
- Examination timespan: 1 year after the application approval
- Exam with 150 questions
This certification course by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is targeted to new project managers who want to gain new skills and manage larger projects with more responsibility. The certification requires a secondary degree and 1500 hours of work in project management as prerequisites.
The certification includes 150 multiple choice questions that you need to answer in 3 hours. It needs to be maintained by retaking the exam every five years.
Boost Your Project Management Practice with actiTIME
Regardless of whether you’re just taking the first steps in the career or already have extensive experience as a manager, actiTIME can become a major source of professional support for you. This smart time tracker has multiple features designed to facilitate the management practice across the project life cycle: from task planning to performance monitoring and outcome analysis. Use it to allocate assignments to employees, keep a record of working hours and billable time, streamline PTO accrual, generate automatic invoices and create thorough reports – actiTIME has everything to make your work more efficient and error-free.
