What are the best project management degrees and certificates in the world? Behind every successful project, you will find a highly skilled project manager. From hardware and software upgrades to continuous improvements, application development, and self-release, project managers keep teams on task and effective.
Almost anyone can benefit from adding a project management certification to their list of certifications, which shows you have the knowledge to plan, budget, execute, deliver, and then report. In this article, we introduce the most popular project management certifications that will add value to you and improve your skills.
Top project management certifications
- Associate in Project Management
- BVOP Certified Project Manager
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Certified Project Director
- Certified Project Management Practitioner (CPMP)
- Certified Project Manager (CPM)
- Certified Scrum Master (Certified Scrum Master or CSM)
- CompTIA Project+
- Master Project Manager (MPM)
- PRINCE2 Foundation/ PRINCE2 Expert
- Professional in Project Management (PPM)
- Project Management in IT Security (PMITS)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project management associate
The Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM), which administers the Associate Project Management (APM) certification as well as the Professional License in Project Management and Accredited Project Lead, is a global, not-for-profit certification organization that offers certification in a variety of IT specialties. GAQM project management certifications focus on a broad body of knowledge and emphasize effective resource allocation, clear direction, adaptability to change, effective communication, and assurance of quality deliverables with minimal risk. The APM program is designed for entry-level project managers or those who want to work in this field.
Organization: Global Association for Quality Management
Cost: $300
Requirements: GAQM body of knowledge and e-course; No formal education or experience required
Certified BVOP Project Manager
Business Value-Based Principles (BVOP) is a newer, agile-based framework that is growing in popularity in the UK. BVOP emphasizes the business value in all project management activities and methods. The BVOP Certified Project Manager is suitable for senior professionals with experience in project management and people management. The focus on a people-oriented culture sets it apart from other project management certification programs.
The BVOP approach helps develop the collaboration skills of professionals, and certification candidates not only acquire project and product management skills but also learn to be more people-focused. This test includes questions from project management, program management, and product management from the course materials.
Organization: BVOP.org
Cost: $130
Requirements: No previous professional project management experience is required. Study and preparation guides are available online.
Accredited Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
With membership in the Project Management Institute (PMI), the Accredited Associate in Project Management requires the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. CAPM is a stepping stone to the PMP certification for professionals without a college degree, with only basic project management experience, or who want to earn their PMP certification step by step rather than all at once.
Organization: Project Management Institute
Cost: $225 for Project Management Institute members and; 300 dollars for those who are not members of the institute
Requirements: High school diploma, associate degree or equivalent, and at least 1500 hours of project management experience or 23 hours of project management training
Certified project manager
The GAQM Accredited Project Director Certification is the project management certification at the highest level of the Accreditation Organization. This certificate is designed for experienced project managers involved in directing multiple and complex projects and programs. This program focuses on managing, budgeting, and scoping for multiple projects, and multiple project teams, and assessing and mitigating risks to successfully deliver projects. The CDP program is only for those with significant project management experience.
Organization: Global Association for Quality Management
Cost: $300
Requirements: GAQM body of knowledge and e-course; Candidates must be familiar with the principles and methods of project management and have successfully passed the Professional Examination in Project Management (PPM) or equivalent examination.
Certified Project Management Professional (CPMP)
The EC Council was formed after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to deal with the issues of cyber terrorism and information security of nations. The EC-Council Project Management License training course is for project managers who want to benchmark their skills through hands-on experience and various management techniques and tools necessary to successfully manage complex projects. The CPMP course aims to add value to management professionals by developing the managerial, leadership, and technical skills needed to make any project, small or complex, a success.
Organization: EC-Council
Cost: $199 for exam voucher
Requirements: There are no prerequisites, but candidates are advised to attend a three-day preparatory course.
Certified Project Manager (CPM)
The International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) is a global professional association and certification organization focused on the project management profession. There are four levels of certification in IAPM, divided into traditional project management and agile project management: Novice Project Manager and Novice Agile Project Manager, Project Manager and Agile Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, Senior Agile Project Manager, and International Project Manager. The IAPM Project Manager certification is for candidates who have a fundamental knowledge of project management, including the principles of planning, organizing, and executing various projects. This test covers the hard and soft aspects of project management.
Organization: The International Association of Project Managers
Cost: The cost depends on the nationality of the candidate, as the cost is based on the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country of origin. According to IAMP, the cost of the test in the United States is $650, with a 20 percent discount for students, job seekers, and active aid organization personnel.
Requirements: There are no requirements, but IAPM offers workshops through global education partners or recommended resources for independent study. Candidates can also participate in a self-test to test their knowledge.
Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
The use of agile methods has become standard, so it’s no surprise that IT professionals are uniquely in demand to manage projects in agile environments. While there are various Scrum certifications available, the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification from the Scrum Alliance is a great starting point for project managers starting out as Scrum professionals. The Scrum Alliance, which offers this certification, is a non-profit organization that promotes Scrum and Agile methodologies, hosts user groups and learning events, and provides resources for professional development. This organization has more than 450,000 experts worldwide.
Organization: Scrum Alliance
Cost: Varies by the training provider, but approximately $995 to $1,395
Requirements: General familiarity with Scrum; Completion of the two-day CSM training course
CompTIA Project+
This entry-level certification is roughly on par with the CAPM credential, though less rigorous. CompTIA Project+ solicits feedback from the computing industry, government representatives, research institutions, academia, and independent experts to design the certification.
Organization: CompTIA
Cost: $185
Requirements: One year of experience managing, directing, or participating in small to medium-sized projects is recommended.
Master Project Manager (MPM)
The American Academy of Project Management (AAPM) has modeled the veteran project manager (MPM) on the “professional license” model followed by many professions such as pilots, engineers, doctors, and lawyers. AAPM focuses on professional project managers, but also includes professionals with business and technical management responsibilities.
Organization: American Academy of Project Management
Fee: $300 for application, review, processing, review, initiation, and certification
Requirements: Three years of project management experience and training. Professional exemptions with master’s degree, with other qualifying training and experience, military instructors, or project management
PRINCE2 Foundation/ PRINCE2 Expert
Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) are better known outside the United States, especially in England and its government agencies. PRINCE2 certifications focus on leading, managing, and delivering projects at all stages, pre-project, initiation, delivery, and final delivery.
There are two main qualifications: PRINCE2 Foundation/ PRINCE2 Expert. The Foundation Certificate is an introductory qualification that tests the fundamental terminology and methodology of project management, while the Specialist Certificate tests advanced project managers who have already reached the PRINCE2 Foundation.
Professional in Project Management (PPM)
Professional in Project Management (PPM) is an accredited qualification for project management from GAQM. GAQM project management certifications focus on a broad body of knowledge and emphasize effective resource allocation, clear direction, adaptability to change, effective communication, and assurance of quality deliverables with minimal risk. PPM is aimed at the intermediate to experienced project manager who is involved in risk and crisis management and is involved in the day-to-day management of projects.
Organization: Global Association for Quality Management
Cost: $300
Requirements: GAQM body of knowledge and e-course; No formal education or experience required, but candidates must have at least some project management experience to pass the exam.
Project Management in Information Technology Security (PMITS)
EC-Council Project Management in Information Technology Security (PMITS) explores the complexities of managing an IT security project. This certification helps candidates strengthen their project management skills while tailoring them to the unique requirements of implementing and managing IT security in their organization.
Organization: EC-Council
Cost: $250 (PMITS training course)
Requirements: At least two years of experience in information security and academic background that demonstrates a focus on security (bachelor’s degree or higher preferred). Candidates can also attend an EC-Council training program before the exam.
Project Management Specialist (PMP)
A rigorous test that covers absolutely everything you need to prove your knowledge and skills in managing the “triple constraints”: time, cost, and scope. PMI is the issuing organization for this certification and continuously works with businesses and universities to ensure relevance to the certification.
Organization: Project Management Institute
Cost: Computer-based exams: $405 for PMI members, $555 for non-members; Paper exams: $250 for PMI members, $400 for non-members
Requirements: Three years of project management experience, 4500 hours of project management and 35 hours of project management training. or a diploma, five years of project management experience, 7500 hours of project management and 35 hours of project management training.
Other project management certifications
Many colleges and universities offer project management certificates through existing business, management, or professional education programs. Institutions such as Villanova, University of New Haven, Stanford University, and others have excellent project management programs and certifications. Specific project management certifications are also available, such as the Microsoft Project Certification. Terms and fees vary by institution.
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