The 10 Best Online Project Management Certifications of 2023

Our Ranking Criteria

If you’re considering an online project management course, it’s important to choose one that aligns with your learning style and your career path. To create our list, we’ve relied on basic ranking criteria that can be applied to any online course and advanced criteria that apply specifically to project management courses.

Basic Ranking Criteria

Before taking an online course, it’s important to know what you’re paying for and what you’re committing to. Some courses are formal certification programs, while others are beginner-level tutorials. We’ve used the following criteria to create our list.

Time to complete. We focused on courses that can be completed in six months or less, with the shortest course requiring only five hours of study.

Prerequisites required. None of these courses require advanced prerequisites, although their difficulty level varies. We’ve made note of who each course is best suited for.

Flexible schedule. Most of the courses on our list have flexible schedules, so you won’t have to make time in your day for live classroom sessions. You can also take the PMP (Project Management Professional) exam online but will need to schedule it separately.

Certificate of completion. We’ve focused on courses that provide a formal certification, but you may have to select this option and pay for it upfront. None of the courses include a PMI (Project Management Institute) certification but many of them will prepare you for the exam.

Advanced Ranking Criteria

In addition to the above criteria, we relied on some factors specific to project management courses. Here are the advanced ranking criteria we used to put together our list.

• The syllabus focuses on a specific area of project management or offers a broad overview that’s suitable for beginners.
• The course follows a university-level syllabus or is taught by instructors with professional experience in the field.
• The course includes hands-on exercises or a capstone project to help learners absorb the material and practice new skills.
• The course has positive ratings from students (at least 4 stars).
• The course was produced or updated within the past 5 years to ensure that the material is up-to-date and meets industry standards.
• The course can help students prepare for an exam or a job interview.
• The course is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
• The course provides contact hours that count toward PMI certification.
• The course includes transcripts and/or subtitles for easier study.

The 10 Best Online Project Management Courses

Coursera
Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization

Intelligent Award: Top Pick

The Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization is the top course on our list because it’s offered by a trusted university, the University of California, Irvine,   and provides a comprehensive overview of project management. It’s a precursor to the Applied Project Management Certificate but can be taken as a standalone course. You’ll cover topics like budgeting, scheduling, and managing projects, and complete a capstone project to put your new skills into practice. You can take this course at your own pace, with an anticipated workload of one hour per week for five months. It costs $49 per month to enroll and is included with a Coursera Plus membership.

• Price: $49 per month
• Time to complete: 5 months
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is for professionals who want to learn practical project management skills, whether or not they have any prior PM experience.

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Coursera
Google Project Management Professional Certificate

Intelligent Award: Best Professional Outcomes

This course is offered by Google and provides a Google Career Certificate, making it a good choice for job seekers looking to boost their professional credentials. You can access it for free, but you’ll have to pay $39 per month if you want to receive a certificate of completion. It’s also available as part of a Coursera Plus membership, which includes over 3,000 courses in all. Key topics include Agile project management, project documentation, and stakeholder management. You’ll get access to over 140 hours of material, as well as hands-on projects and assessments. The full course takes six months to complete, at a pace of 10 hours per week.

• Price: $39 per month
• Time to complete: 6 months
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is aimed at professionals who want to build up their resumes or start a new career by becoming “job-ready” in less than six months.

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eCornell
Project Management Certificate Program

Intelligent Award: Most Advanced

This course is provided by eCornell, the online branch of Cornell University. It’s one of the most advanced courses on our list, providing 50 education hours that count toward your project management certificate. You’ll learn a wide range of concepts, such as Agile methodologies and earned value management (EVM). Prior experience with project management isn’t required, but it is recommended. You’ll also need to have the Solver add-on for Microsoft Excel. This course takes around 3 months to complete and costs $3,900. Unlike the other courses on this list, you’ll also get access to an online study group where you can review the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) with other learners.

• Price: $3,900
• Time to complete: 3 months
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is ideal for learners who want to be part of a small class with an instructor-led study group, and who don’t mind the university-level price tag.

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Alison
Diploma In Project Management

Intelligent Award: Most Affordable

Alison is a very popular online learning platform — they have 20 million learners, 3.5 million graduates, and 3,000 courses. This particular course clocks in at a reasonable 6 to 10 hours, while covering a wide range of topics, such as the history of project management, the software development life cycle (SDLC), and more. You’ll also have access to several case studies concerning project management tools like PERT diagrams and GANTT charts. The course is the only entirely free option on our list but you’ll have to pay extra if you want to receive a certificate or remove advertisements from the platform. Alison has a handy smartphone app, making it easy to study on the go. Keep in mind Alison’s courses may be less up-to-date than other courses on our list because they rely on third-party content.

• Price: Free
• Time to complete: 6 to 10 hours
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is great for learners who want a free introduction to project management, and don’t mind advertisements or repurposed content.

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BrainSensei
Online PMP Certification Exam Prep

Intelligent Award: Most Interactive

This course is designed to prepare you for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, so is a good choice for those pursuing a PMP credential. BrainSensei offers a 100 percent pass guarantee, so you can get a refund if you don’t pass the exam after three attempts. This course covers a wide range of project management methods, including waterfall and Agile methods, and includes practice exams, story-based exercises, and more. Other resources include follow-up emails, a Facebook discussion group, and a customer support team that will get back to you in less than an hour. The course takes around 35 hours to complete and counts toward your 35 PMI contact hours.

• Price: $499.99
• Time to complete: 6 months
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is for anyone planning to take the PMP exam and needs PMI contact hours but especially those who learn best from interactive, story-based exercises.

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University of Adelaide on edX
Introduction to Project Management

Intelligent Award: Most Academic

This course is delivered by the University of Adelaide and provides a comprehensive overview of project management with a university-level syllabus. As with most online edX courses, you can enroll for free, although you’ll need to pay $199 if you want to receive a verified certificate upon completion. The course takes six weeks to complete, based on a workload of two to three hours per week. You’ll get access to English-language videos and transcripts taught by five different professors, so you’ll get a mix of different perspectives and teaching styles. Topics covered include budgeting, scheduling, and managing a project, as well as communication and leadership skills.

• Price: Free (Add a verified certificate for $199)
• Time to complete: 6 weeks (2 to 3 hours per week)
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is best for those who want to take a university-level course taught by multiple professors, with an optional certificate upon completion.

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Master of Project Academy
PMP® Project Management Professional Certification Training

Intelligent Award: Best for Exam Prep

The Master of Project Academy is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and claims to have supported professionals who work at major companies like Apple and Microsoft. It’s similar to BrainSensei in that it’s designed specifically to prepare you for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, but this one takes a slightly more professional approach, with more video lectures and fewer interactive exercises. You’ll get access to 750 practice questions, downloadable study tools, and a moderated forum. The course takes 35 hours to complete and costs $87 per month. When you’re done, you’ll get a verified certificate and can apply 35 contact hours to your PMP training.

• Price: $87 per month
• Time to complete: 35 hours
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is focused entirely on PMP exam prep and is great for those who want plenty of study tools and practice questions.

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Master of Project Academy
Master of Project Academy Bundled Course

Intelligent Award: Most Comprehensive

This course is the most comprehensive on our list because it includes all 6 of the project management courses provided by Master of Project Academy. This includes Microsoft Project, Scrum, and Agile content, as well as the PMP exam training. You’ll get over 70 hours of content overall, which you can move through at your own pace. This includes over 2,400 practice questions for the PMP exam and nine sample exams. You’ll also get over 35 contact hours you can apply to your certification. Pricing starts at $117 per month, so the sooner you get through the material, the less it will cost you. Annual and lifetime subscriptions are also available.

• Price: $117 per month
• Time to complete: 35 hours
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is aimed at project managers, team leaders, project engineers, software developers, and any other professional looking for PM training.

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Colorado State University
Online Project Management

Intelligent Award: Most Interdisciplinary

While most of the courses on our list are aimed at digital project management, this one is designed to prepare project managers for any career path, including jobs in finance, government, architecture, manufacturing, real estate, and more. It’s offered by Colorado State University, with the same faculty and syllabus as its in-person program, but is fully remote and can be completed in 16 weeks. You’ll finish the class with a portfolio piece and a certificate of completion, as well as 48 contact hours that can be put toward your PMI certificate. The PMP exam isn’t included in the price, but you’ll be well-prepared to sit for it. The main downside of this course is its high tuition price, at $3,395.

• Price: $3,395
• Time to complete: 4 months
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is for project managers who want university-level training, with more focus on traditional industries rather than digital project management.

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Cybrary
Project Management Professional (PMP) Course

Intelligent Award: Shortest Course

This project management course can be completed in just over five hours, making it the shortest course on our list. It’s hosted on the Cybrary learning platform and is part of their “Become a Cyber Security Engineer” career path. It’s the only choice on our list that solely focuses on project management in a cybersecurity context. You’ll move through 11 different modules covering topics such as scope, cost, and quality, as well as the procurement process and stakeholder management. This course costs $49 per month and provides a certificate of completion. You’ll need to take the PMP exam separately to receive a PMP certificate.

• Price: $49 per month
• Time to complete: 5 hours 14 minutes
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? Cybrary’s courses are focused on cybersecurity, so this course is best suited for those with a background in or interest in a cybersecurity career path.

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Online Course Comparison Chart

Tips for succeeding in an Online Project Management Course

1. Consider the cost

How much do online project management classes cost?

Online project management courses are available at a range of price points, depending on which platform they’re on and if you pay for a certificate of completion. Several of the options on our list cost $39 to $117 per month, while the most expensive costs a flat fee of $3,900. You can also attend some for free without getting a certificate.

Will my employer pay for me to take the course?

Many employers offer reimbursements for professional development or employee education, especially if it’s for a position you’ll be taking on within your company. Ask your boss or your HR department to find out if that’s an option.

2. Get your tech squared away

Before starting your course, make sure you have all of the equipment needed. While you won’t need any special gear for a project management course, a reliable Internet connection and a computer that can stream video are key. Consider using a browser extension (like Video Speed Controller on Chrome) so you can speed up or slow down video lectures depending on your preferences.

3. Use the right study resources

Your course may have a syllabus or learning materials but it’s never a bad idea to put together a reading list of your own. Consider reading Strategic Project Management Made Simple: Practical Tools for Leaders and Teams or Project Management: Absolute Beginner’s Guide to learn more about the job and its requirements.

Career Outlook for Project Management

Project managers can be found in a wide range of fields and may serve as IT project managers, healthcare project managers, and more. The Project Management Institute (PMI) reports that the median salary for PMs in the U.S. is $116,000 but this can vary widely depending on your industry. A project management certification alone won’t be enough to land you a job, but if you already have a relevant degree, it can boost your job prospects and your salary considerably. Below are additional jobs related to project management:

PMP-certified project manager

Project managers oversee client projects, ensuring they are completed within the specified schedule and budget limitations and meet expectations. Although project managers are not expected to perform technical tasks, those with expertise in the project’s subject matter are often preferred, as they can better communicate with and understand the difficulties faced by the project team. Project management professionals must demonstrate outstanding organization and time management skills and know how to manage themselves under pressure. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for project managers is $94,500.

Scrum master

Known for their popularity within the product and software development sectors, scrum masters work to increase team efficiency and provide top-notch mentoring and motivation for team members collaborating on complex products through Agile practices and Scrum, an Agile project management framework. According to Paycale.com, scrum masters earn an average salary of $94,000.

Healthcare project manager

Health care institutions, such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, or nursing homes, hire project managers to manage a wide variety of healthcare–related projects. By overseeing the planning, execution, and completion of these projects, these highly skilled professionals are crucial to keeping projects within budget and on track. A healthcare project manager may handle a wide range of projects, such as implementing a system-wide note or record program or constructing a new hospital wing. Healthcare project managers have a median annual salary of $74,170.

Construction project manager

Construction project managers are in charge of overseeing and planning specific building projects from start to finish. To make it all happen, these project management experts break down what needs to be done during each phase and supervise budgeting, sourcing, hiring, and safety and land use compliance. Examples of the work construction project managers may supervise can include everything from erecting a new subdivision to repairing an interstate. The median annual salary for construction project managers is $113,554, according to Salary.com.

Product owner

Product owners oversee all stages of product design and development. Their main duties involve defining the product vision, managing backlog items, selecting features based on client preferences, evaluating progress, and communicating with the product team and end users. Product owners must also demonstrate a firm understanding of a company’s goals and how to promote collaboration and de-escalate conflict effectively. Their items must satisfy clients and work well. Their goods must meet client requirements and perform smoothly and successfully. Product owners earn a median annual salary of $137,377.

Educational requirements for careers in project management

Typically, hiring managers seek candidates with both a bachelor’s degree and one of the project management certifications, like one from the Project Management Institute (PMI), Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile, Program Management Professional (PgMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or a Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) certification. Though many of these certifications are accessible to anyone with only a high school diploma or associate degree, the amount of related work experience needed to qualify for these certifications often doubles for those students. For instance, anyone without a bachelor’s degree applying for PgMP certification will need 60 months of experience rather than the minimum requirement of 36 months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Project Management Courses

Are there free online project management courses?

Yes, there are online project management courses you can attend for free, but if you want to get a formal certification, you’ll likely have to pay for one.

How long is the average online project management course?

We’ve found project management courses last anywhere from five hours to six months. The exact length of the course will depend on what’s covered and what certification you intend to achieve. Some certification programs may include multiple modules.

What qualifications do you need to be a project manager?

Several different credentials can help you get a job as a project manager, including Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). However, you’ll still need to demonstrate experience in a relevant role, and may need to have additional training and certifications in your industry.

Do you need an MBA to be a project manager?

You don’t need an MBA to become a project manager, but if you want to work your way to the executive level, then an MBA will be more valuable than a PMP. Of course, an MBA is more expensive and requires greater time commitment, so depending on your career goals, a PMP may be sufficient.

Is the PMP (Project Management Professional) exam hard?

Yes, the exam includes 180 multiple choice questions and has to be completed in less than four hours. The material is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and covers five key areas of project management. You’ll need to get around 70 percent of the questions correct, but the exact score you need depends on the questions you get, and no two exams are exactly alike. The questions cover theory and practical topics, and some include graphs and calculations. Some online project management courses are specifically focused on exam prep.