Product management has become an in-demand skill for many businesses and having a formal certification can boost your chances of getting the job you want. If you’re on a tight budget or schedule, there are plenty of online product management courses that allow study at your own pace for an affordable price.
The quality of online courses can vary widely so we’ve reviewed the top 10 online product management courses to help you out.
- Udacity — Become a Product Manager Nanodegree — Top Pick
- Udemy — Product Management 101 — Most Affordable
- Udemy — Become a Product Manager – Learn the Skills and Get the Job — Best for Professional Outcomes
- Udemy — The Complete Product Management Course — Best Real-World Examples
- Udemy — Master the Product Manager Interview – The Complete Guide — Best for Interview Prep
- Udemy — Product Management A-Z: Excel as a PM & Build Great Products — Shortest Course
- Coursera — Digital Product Management Modern Fundamentals by the University of Virginia — Most Academic
- Coursera — Brand and Product Management — Best for Brand Management
- Coursera — Software Product Management Specialization by the University of Alberta — Best for Agile Development
- edX — Digital Product Management MicroMasters Program by Boston University — Most Advanced
Our Ranking Criteria
The best online product management courses provide a high-level overview of the subject matter, along with practical examples, and exercises. In addition, the lessons should be as engaging and accessible on a wide range of devices. We’ve reviewed over two dozen courses to narrow down the list based on our key ranking criteria.
Basic Ranking Criteria
Before taking any online course, there are several factors you’ll need to consider. These include how long it takes to complete it and whether or not you’ll receive a certificate at the end. We took the following four criteria into account when assembling our list.
Time to complete. Online courses vary widely in terms of length and commitment. Some of the courses on our list can be finished in a few hours, while others recommend several hours of study per week for up to eight months. We’ve made note of the estimated time commitment for each course so you don’t sign up for more than your schedule allows.
Prerequisites required. Most of the courses on our list don’t have any prerequisites but not all of them are aimed at beginners. We’ve made note of who should take each course so you can decide if it’s right for your goals or skill level.
Flexible schedule. We’ve focused on courses that have a flexible schedule, so you can study at night, on the weekend, or whenever works best. All the lessons are pre-recorded, so you don’t have to be present for any live streaming sessions or exam dates.
Certificate of completion. Some online courses provide a certificate of completion you can add to your resume or LinkedIn profile. Be sure to find out in advance whether the certificate will be recognized by your prospective employer or industry.
Advanced Ranking Criteria
While the above criteria are worth keeping in mind for any online course, there may be some additional factors to consider when taking an online product management course. We used the following advanced ranking criteria to refine our list.
- The syllabus provides a broad overview of product management or focuses on a specific area, such as digital product management.
- The instructors are university professors or industry professionals with extensive product management experience.
- The course includes exercises or a hands-on project so students can put their product management skills into practice.
- The course has positive ratings from students (at least four stars).
- The course is delivered on a user-friendly platform.
- The course was produced or updated recently (within the past five5 years) to ensure the content is in line with current industry trends.
- The course can be used to prepare for an exam or is relevant to job-seekers or professionals exploring a career change.
- The course includes transcripts and/or subtitles for easier study.
The 10 Best Online Product Management Courses
Udacity
Become a Product Manager Nanodegree
Intelligent Award: Top Pick
This course is our top pick because it provides an introduction to product management that covers everything from product strategy and design to launch and development. The course takes around four months to complete, and you can either pay $399 per month, or $599 up-front for four months of access. One of the most unique parts of this course is it includes access to a student community, mentor support, and career services, such as resume review and LinkedIn profile optimization. You’ll get personal feedback on your projects to make sure you’re learning the material successfully. The Nanodegree program doesn’t offer university credit, but it is created by industry professionals and is open to applicants of any academic background.
- Price: $399 per month
- Time to complete: 4 months (10 hours per week)
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is ideal for people who want extra support in the form of personalized feedback, career services, and an online student community.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Comprehensive syllabus | No university credit |
| Access to the student community | High cost per month |
| Personalized support and career services |
Udemy
Product Management 101
Intelligent Award: Most Affordable
This course is ordinarily priced at $19.99, but you’ll often find it discounted making it the most affordable product management course we’ve included. It’s designed for people with some product management experience and is included with Udemy for Business, so it’s especially useful for upskilling existing employees. The course covers the entire product lifestyle, with sections on market intelligence, strategy, new product development, and lifecycle management. In addition to five hours of video content, you’ll have several practice activities to complete along the way. Other topics include how to handle pricing, sales support, growth hacking, and product obsolescence.
- Price: $19.99
- Time to complete: 5 hours
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? The instructors designed this course for learners with zero to five years of product management experience, especially those who work with engineers.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Affordable | Lectures could be more engaging |
| Multiple practice activities | Too basic for some learners |
Udemy
Become a Product Manager – Learn the Skills and Get the Job
Intelligent Award: Best for Professional Outcomes
This product management course was curated specifically for the Udemy for Business collection. It’s geared toward job applicants and other industry professionals, with over 13 hours of content, including videos, interviews, and learning activities. The instructors claim over 1,000 participants in the course now work as product managers at major companies, making it the best course for professional outcomes on our list. You’ll learn about the role of a product manager, as well as the product life cycle, and the customer development process. There aren’t any official prerequisites for this course, although the instructors recommend the experience with “basic business concepts”.
- Price: $94.99 – Full lifetime access
- Time to complete: 12 hours and 49 minutes
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is suitable for professionals of all levels, including current product managers who want to improve their skills, job seekers, and entrepreneurs.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Access to Slack community | Mostly lectures, few graphics |
| Interviews with professional product managers | Too basic for some professionals |
| Subtitles in multiple languages |
Udemy
The Complete Product Management Course
Intelligent Award: Best Real-World Examples
This course is aimed at professionals who want to become Agile Product Owners and learn about modern product management strategies. The instructor uses case studies from major brands like Apple, NASA, and Getaround so you can learn from real-world examples and apply them to your ideas or products. You’ll learn how to validate your ideas quickly, turn concepts into product specs, and use product management tools such as Axure and Workflowy. Other topics include building a product portfolio and navigating the product management interview process. There are no prerequisites, other than “a passion for designing products”. You’ll end up with wireframes and an interactive prototype to show off your skills.
- Price: $94.99 – Full lifetime access
- Time to complete: 5 hours and 54 minutes
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? The instructors designed this course for entrepreneurs, junior product managers, and those who ended up in the PM role unintentionally.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Real-world examples | Some software tutorials are outdated |
| Focus on Agile methodology |
Udemy
Master the Product Manager Interview – The Complete Guide
Intelligent Award: Best for Interview Prep
This course is focused specifically on interviewing for a product management position, so it’s a good choice for those who have taken a product management course and want to improve their job prospects. You’ll learn about the most commonly asked questions in PM job interviews (and how to answer them), as well as how to design a product portfolio to impress prospective employers. Other topics include navigating job search sites, improving your resumes, and researching a company’s products. The course content includes five hours of lectures, mock interviews, email templates, and more and is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Price: $94.99 – Full lifetime access
- Time to complete: 5 hours
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is suitable for both new and experienced product managers and assumes some knowledge of what the job entails.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| 30-day money-back guarantee | Not an in-depth course |
| Mock interview questions | Too much filler |
| Job search and resume tips |
Udemy
Product Management A-Z: Excel as a PM & Build Great Products
Intelligent Award: Shortest Course
This is the shortest course on our list, so it’s a good overview for those who are new to product management or aren’t sure if they want to commit to a longer program. You’ll learn everything from designing an MVP to A/B testing, with hands-on projects along the way to help you prepare for a PM job interview. Other topics include Agile methodologies, user journey mapping, and usability testing. While the course isn’t as comprehensive as some of the other courses on our list, it includes case studies and exercises based on real-world products like hotel booking apps and a doctor search platform. You can view all 28 lectures in less than five hours.
- Price: $19.99 – Full lifetime access
- Time to complete: 4 hours and 51 minutes
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is designed for entrepreneurs, prospective product managers, and other professionals who want to improve their skill sets.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Case studies and exercises | Slides are hard to read |
| PM interview questions | Not an in-depth curriculum |
Coursera
Digital Product Management Modern Fundamentals by the University of Virginia
Intelligent Award: Most Academic
This online course is part of a Professional Certificate program offered by the University of Virginia, making it the most academic option on our list. It’s free to enroll, but there’s a monthly fee if you want to receive a certificate you can share on LinkedIn or attach to your resume. Financial aid is also available. The course takes 11 hours to complete but has flexible deadlines so you can fit it into your schedule. Topics include “Exploring a New Product Idea” and “Amplifying an Existing Product,” with a focus on managing digital products that require frequent updates. Although the material is suitable for beginners, the instructors recommend some software development experience.
- Price: $79 per month
- Time to complete: Approximately 11 hours
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is intended for current or prospective product managers who want to learn modern approaches to product management.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Flexible deadlines | No university credit |
| Subtitles in multiple languages | Hard to read slides |
Coursera
Brand and Product Management
Intelligent Award: Best for Brand Management
This course is taught by Luis Rodriguez Baptista, a professor at the IE Business School in Spain. It’s the first course in the five-part Marketing Mix Implementation Specialization and is one of the only courses on this list to cover brand strategy and development in addition to product management. You’ll get access to 14 hours of content, along with video interviews of industry professionals. According to Coursera, 19 percent of learners received a promotion or pay increase after taking the course, and almost 40 percent started a new career or “got a tangible career benefit”. Enrollment is free, although you’ll have to pay extra for the full experience, which includes a certificate of completion, graded assignments, and peer feedback.
- Price: $49 per month
- Time to complete: Approximately 14 hours
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is best for product managers who want to develop brand management skills as part of a broader product management strategy.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Part of a broader specialization | No university credit |
| Flexible enrollment options | Can’t view solutions to quizzes |
| Subtitles in multiple languages |
Coursera
Software Product Management Specialization by the University of Alberta
Intelligent Award: Best for Agile Development
This course is offered by the University of Alberta and focuses on software development using Agile methodologies. You’ll learn how to work with clients and take charge of your development team to produce successful products. This course takes around six months to complete, with a recommended workload of three hours per week. You can audit it for free but will have to pay to get a certificate of completion. Unlike many of the other courses on this list, you’ll also have to complete a Capstone Project based on a “realistic” product management scenario. Coursera claims that 27 percent of participants received a promotion or an increase in pay after finishing the course, while 60 percent began a new career path.
- Price: $49 per month
- Time to complete: 6 months (3 hours per week)
- Prerequisites required: Yes
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? This course is best for hands-on learners who want to make a change in their career path or improve their skills in a product management position.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Backed by a major university | No university credit |
| Practical learning projects | Six month commitment |
| Subtitles in multiple languages |
edX
Digital Product Management MicroMasters Program by Boston University
Intelligent Award: Most Advanced
This MicroMasters program is the most expensive product management course on our list, but it’s also the most advanced. It’s offered online by Boston University and can be combined with on-campus learning as part of a Master of Science in Digital Technology degree. The full program takes eight months to complete, with five graduate-level courses included as part of the curriculum. Major brands like Fidelity Investments and Boston Globe Media have endorsed the program, which covers topics such as Strategic Social Media Marketing and Driving Digital Innovation through Experimentation. You can take the courses in any order but you’ll need some experience with product management and high school-level algebra to follow along with the material.
- Price: $1,995
- Time to complete: 8 months
- Prerequisites required: No
- Flexible schedule: Yes
- Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes
Who should take this course? Since this course can provide formal academic credit, it’s ideal for those who want to pursue a degree at one of several participating institutions.
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Backed by a major university | Expensive price tag |
| Provides academic credit | Eight month commitment |
Online Course Comparison Chart
| Course | Price | Features |
| Udacity — Become a Product Manager Nanodegree — Top Pick | $399 per month | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Verified certificate |
| Udemy — Product Management 101 — Most Affordable | $19.99 – Full lifetime access | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule X Verified certificate |
| Udemy — Become a Product Manager – Learn the Skills and Get the Job — Best for Professional Outcomes | $94.99 – Full lifetime access | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule X Verified certificate |
| Udemy — The Complete Product Management Course — Best Real-World Examples | $94.99 – Full lifetime access | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule X Verified certificate |
| Udemy — Master the Product Manager Interview – The Complete Guide — Best for Interview Prep | $94.99 – Full lifetime access | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule X Verified certificate |
| Udemy — Product Management A-Z: Excel as a PM & Build Great Products — Shortest Course | $19.99 – Full lifetime access | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule X Verified certificate |
| Coursera — Digital Product Management: Modern Fundamentals by the University of Virginia — Most Academic | $79 per month | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Verified certificate |
| Coursera — Brand and Product Management — Best for Brand Management | $49 per month | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Verified certificate |
| Coursera — Software Product Management Specialization by the University of Alberta — Best for Agile Development | $49 per month | X No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Verified certificate |
| edX — Digital Product Management MicroMasters Program by Boston University — Most Advanced | $1,995 | ✓ No prerequisites required
✓ Flexible schedule ✓ Verified certificate |
Tips for succeeding in an Online Product Management Course
1. Consider the cost
How much do online product management classes cost?
Most of the courses on our list cost less than $100. The lowest is $19.99 and takes five hours to complete, while the highest is $1,995 and takes eight months. The price of a course is usually determined by how long and comprehensive it is. Some of the courses are hosted by e-learning platforms like Coursera and Udemy, so you may be able to access multiple courses for the price of a single membership.
Will my employer pay for me to take the course?
Many employers recognize the importance of professional development and they may have a budget set aside for employee education. They’ll be more likely to cover it if it’s directly related to your career, so ask your boss or HR department in advance, and be prepared to explain to them how it will benefit you to take this training.
2. Get your tech squared away
Online product management courses don’t require any advanced equipment but you’ll need a computer with a reliable Internet connection that can stream video. Try installing a browser extension (such as Video Speed Controller for Chrome) if you want to watch videos at faster or slower speeds.
3. Use the right study resources
Many online courses will provide all of the study materials you need in the form of slides or downloadable resources but there are plenty of books out there to supplement your course material. For example, My Product Management Toolkit provides a helpful primer, while Cracking the PM Interview may be useful as you search for jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Product Management Courses
What jobs can you get after completing a product management course?
Product management jobs vary widely from company to company but the role generally entails determining what products get made and guiding them through the development process. Digital product managers can earn upwards of $100,000 per year, but some companies may be looking for people with a specific degree, such as an MBA or a computer science degree in addition to a product management certification.
Are there free online product management courses?
Yes, but free product management courses may not include a certificate and may not be as comprehensive as fee-based courses.
How long is the average online product management course?
Some courses can be completed in a single sitting but others require a commitment of several weeks or months. On average, expect to spend around 12 hours on an introductory product management course.
Do you need technical skills to be a product manager?
Product management requires a combination of business skills, communication skills, marketing skills, and more. Product managers don’t need to know how to code or have advanced technical skills but they do need to have enough technical knowledge to be able to communicate with their entire team about digital products.
What does a product manager do on a daily basis?
Product managers are involved in everything from user research to high-level strategy. On any given day, they might be expected to present a product roadmap to the entire company, work on technical documentation, and monitor user feedback.
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.