how long does a project management course take if you already have a degree

by Eugenia Wyman 9 min read

Full Answer

How long does it take to become a project manager?

If you have previous managerial experience, you may be able to become a project manager within a few months. If you’re just starting on the road to becoming a project manager, building up your experience may take a few years. Do project managers need a degree?

Do you need a project management degree in school?

While natural instincts are a plus in this career path, good project managers learn the craft in school by taking project management degrees at various levels to meet their educational and career aspirations. Let's take a look at what project management is and how a project manager might benefit from formal education. What is Project Management?

How do I get a project management certification?

In order to get the certification, you’ll have to meet the experience requirements and pass a certification exam. In order to take the exam, you’ll need to validate your education and project management experience. These are as follows:

How long does it take to become PMP certified?

High school diploma, associate's degree or global equivalent. Minimum five years/60 months unique non-overlapping professional project management experience. 7,500 hours spent leading and directing projects. 35 contact hours of formal project management education (satisfied by PMA's 4-Day PMP certification training course)

How long does it take to complete project management course?

The average time required is around 2 months with 3 hours of studies every day (you may refer to the survey for more detailed discussion). The average Aspirants need around 180 hours of studies for successfully pursuing the PMP® Certification.

How fast can you become a project manager?

How long it will take to become a Project Manager depends on your education, experience level, and career goals, but it can take anywhere from three months to years and years.

How do I get into project management after college?

If you're interested in building a career in project management, but don't yet have the experience, consider these steps:Showcase foundational skills. ... Sign up with a mentor. ... Get certified. ... Find training opportunities. ... Earn your bachelor's degree. ... Explore project coordinator positions.

Is it worth getting a certificate in project management?

Is this certification worth it? YES, according to statistics from the PMI itself, a certified PMP could experience a 20% paycheck increase. That is also my personal experience when I got certified. Other project managers have also admitted that the ROI you get after getting a PMP certification makes it worthwhile.

How much do project managers make?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median salary (as of 2020) of $77,420 for project management professionals, with the bottom ten percent earning a median of $42,180 and the top ten percent $135,220 [2].

What qualifications do I need to be a project manager?

Essentially, a project manager who's qualified has the temperament, skills, and experience needed for the position. Typical requirements generally include at least three years of experience in a related role, the ability to communicate, formal training, and a PMP certification.

Can you become rich as a project manager?

Yes, you can become rich as a project manager. Top-tier project managers can make approximately $150,000 a year. This salary is three times the average college graduate salary in 2021. While this annual salary is quite high, it depends on a variety of factors.

Is it hard to get into project management?

Just like any other job, it has its downsides. The reality is that it can be a difficult job and you have to be the right person to do it and handle all project management challenges. Some PMs can even work long stressful hours to make sure that a project's on track and to deliver it before the deadline.

Do project managers travel a lot?

Project managers do tend to travel. Visiting project sites and meeting teams is still often necessary, despite modern-day forms of communication. While there are virtual, 'from home' project management jobs out there, most project management jobs are not purely 'work from home' positions.

Which degree is best for project management?

Project managers generally need to have a Bachelor's degree in business or computer science, as well as years of professional experience in a relevant line of work with escalating seniority.

How much does a PMP certification cost?

The PMP Certification exam fee is 555 USD for the people who are not a member of PMI and for the members it is 405 USD. If you choose to become a PMI member at the time of your application, you will just have to pay 555 USD for the exam fee and the membership fee combined.

Is the PMP exam hard?

The PMP exam is known for being hard, but PMI doesn't disclose specific statistics about the passing score or failure rate. Some project expert surveys estimate the failure rate at around 40-50%, meaning only about half of the first-time test takers pass the PMP exam.

What is the fee for the PMP Certification exam?

The cost to take the PMP certification exam is $544 total ($139 to join PMI and $405 for the exam fees). You can pay for the exam without joining P...

How many contact hours do I need to be eligible for a PMP Certification?

PMI requires 35 contact hours to sit for the PMP exam. Project Management Academy's PMP exam prep course has been approved by PMI to issue the 35 c...

Can I apply for the exam prior to attending a course?

You can apply for the PMP exam before attending the course, provided you have already completed the required 35 hours of PM training needed to sit...

How many PDUs are required to maintain a PMP Certification?

PMP certification holders are required to earn a minimum of 60 PDUs over the course of 3 years to meet the Continuing Certification Requirements (C...

How much does it cost to renew your PMP Certification?

For Non-PMI Members, the cost to renew your PMP Certification is $150 per 3 year cycle. For PMI members, the cost is discounted to $60.

Bachelor's degree in project management - 4 years

A bachelor’s degree is the fight step towards becoming a project manager which offers 120-128 credits to complete the coursework within 4 years. The first two years include general courses such as english, sociology, history, writing and others.

Doctoral degree in project management - 3-5 years

A doctoral degree offers 60 credits to complete the advanced coursework but it focuses on the thesis writing, researching and taking up examinations. Students can also choose to tk up the part-time program and earn the degree in the specialization of their choice within two to three years and conduct research.

Certification courses

The certification courses in project management can be earned within a few months by gaining education from several hours of class and by gaining specified hours of experience in the relevant field.

Online degree for project management

At certain times while continuously learning and gaining knowledge you might take up a job to manage responsibility and this could stagnate the learning process. Hence an online degree makes way to continue your education while handling other commitments.

PMP Certification Process Infographic

As a quick reference guide you can save, print, or share our PMP Certification Process Infographic that outlines your path to PMP certification success!

PMP Certification Eligibility Requirements

The Project Management Institute requires that you meet some initial requirements before you are eligible to sit for the PMP Certification exam.

PMP Certification - Exam Application Process

There is no rush to do this step, we will provide guidance to you as part of our PMP course and per PMI rules you must complete your 35 hours of training first anyway.

PMP Certification Process Resources

These articles provides more information on the value of a PMP certification:

How many hours of project management training is required for a project management certification?

In order to take the exam, you’ll need to validate your education and project management experience. These are as follows: 35 hours of project management training, which means coursework that specifically addressed learning objectives in project management.

How can I become a better project manager?

Learning new skills: You are also likely to learn a significant amount about project management as you prepare for the exam. Taking hours out of your life to master project management fundamentals like conflict resolution and budgeting can bolster the skills to make you a better project manager.

How long is the PMP exam 2021?

Here’s an overview of what’s on the PMP certification test, which was updated on January 2, 2021. 180 questions total. 230 minutes (3 hours 50 minutes) to complete. Two 10-minute breaks. A combination of multiple-choice, multiple responses, matching, hotspot, and limited fill-in-the-blank questions.

How long does it take to get a PMP certification?

1. Meet the PMP certification requirements. Before you can take the PMP exam, you’ll have to make sure you’re eligible. You’ll need either: 35 hours of project management course training, and at least 36 months of project management experience if you have a four-year degree, OR. 35 hours of project management course training with 60 months ...

How much does it cost to take the PMP exam in 2021?

PMP exam cost: As of 2021, the exam fee was $555 for non-PMI members and $405 for PMI members. A PMI membership was $129 a year, with a one-time $10 application fee, making the exam slightly cheaper with a membership.

How many questions are asked in PMP exam 2021?

The PMP exam was updated beginning January 2, 2021. The new exam now comprises 180 questions instead of 200, two 10-minute breaks instead of one, three “domains”—phases of project management—instead of five, among other changes. Make sure your study materials reflect the change.

How long is PMP valid?

The PMP certification is valid for three years. You’ll need to spend 60 hours during that time frame on professional development activities to maintain it. Otherwise you can sign up to take the exam again.

How do I become a project manager?

There are many paths to becoming a project manager. Some may study project management principles in school and apply directly to project management positions after graduating, while others “accidentally” become project managers after gradually taking on more responsibilities in their current roles, or switch from seemingly unrelated fields.

Getting started

There are several paths to becoming a project manager. Whether you’re starting from scratch or trying to solidify your skills after a few years of experience, you’ll want to make sure you have your basics covered. If you’re considering a career in project management, take a look at the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

If you have previous managerial experience, you may be able to become a project manager within a few months. If you’re just starting on the road to becoming a project manager, building up your experience may take a few years.

How many hours does it take to become a PMP?

The Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally-recognized certification used by over 750,000 project managers across the globe. The prerequisites for earning your PMP certification are: A secondary degree (associate’s degree, high school diploma, or the global equivalent) with at least 7,500 hours managing projects and 35 hours ...

What is project management?

Project management refers to the planning, organizing, managing, and closing the work of your team to achieve set goals at the given time-frame. It is about knowing what your goals are, how you plan to achieve them, how long it will take to attain them, and what resources you will need. In fact, the primary goal of any project management endeavor ...

How to manage a project?

A project’s chances of success are higher when all objectives are followed on time and on budget making the client pleased with your quality of work. Project management principles ensure that: 1 Your team members know their tasks and which resources to use 2 You track your time by creating timesheet reports, which allow you to reallocate free time to additional tasks and estimate future deadlines 3 You identify mistakes and errors whenever they occur by supervising all your team members 4 You assign team members to solve any problems arising immediately 5 Your team members collaborate efficiently in real time 6 There is transparency and accountability 7 Your client can monitor the progress of the project and suggest improvements whenever possible

What are the chances of success of a project?

A project’s chances of success are higher when all objectives are followed on time and on budget making the client pleased with your quality of work. Project management principles ensure that: Your team members know their tasks and which resources to use.

How many units do you need to earn to become a PMP?

To maintain your PMP, you need to earn at least 60 professional development units every three years. Clearly, formal education in project management is a bonus when it comes to earning this prestigious certification.

What is the person in charge of the planning, management, and execution of a project?

The person in charge of the planning, management, and execution of a project is a project manager. They make sure that everything follows the vision and quality standards of the client and are accountable for the failure or success of a project.

1. Work in the industry

Many project managers get their start in non-managerial roles and work their way up to project manager as they take on more responsibilities. A software development project manager, for example, might start out as a software developer, and a construction project manager might have some experience as a civil engineer.

2. Entry-level project management

As you launch your career, consider spending some time in an entry-level project management position like project coordinator, assistant project manager, associate project manager, or junior project manager. These positions help project managers plan and oversee a project’s success.

3. Project manager

Project managers plan and execute projects to help organizations improve processes, develop new products, build structures, or complete other initiatives. A project manager shepherds a team through the project by making sure the schedule, budget, and communications are aligned in order to hit the project’s goals.

4. Senior project manager

Senior project managers help execute projects with larger scopes, like scaling processes across teams, developing complex products, or leading projects with longer time frames. They generally have several years of experience in this field.

5. Director of project management

Directors of project management oversee the strategy and success of a project management division within a business. They work to ensure individual projects are aligned with the larger goals of an organization and create a blueprint for how those goals can be achieved as a project management team.

6. VP of operations, COO

Several years of being a leader in project management might get you to high-level positions, like vice president of operations, or executive positions like Chief Operating Officer. These high-ranking business leaders implement new strategies across the business.

Do I need a degree to become a project manager?

Not necessarily. A project management degree might make the road to managerial positions a little quicker, qualify you for more jobs, and provide a structured way for you to learn about this career path or the industry you want to be in. But there are plenty of project managers that do not have degrees in project management or other fields.

Project management degrees: What should I major in?

As demand for project management skills grows, several schools have begun to offer project management degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level, online and in-person. You may also find MBA programs with project management concentrations, or professional certificates offered by academic institutions.

How do I become a project manager without a degree?

There are many routes you can take to becoming a project manager. Here are a few you can consider if you’re looking for alternatives to a degree.

Getting started in project management

If you’re ready to start learning, consider the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate. You’ll learn core skills like procurement and budgeting, use project management software, and get acquainted with Agile and Scrum methods.

How many years of project management experience is required for PMP?

Note that, project management experience point in PMP certification requirements does not seek for active management of a project. Participating in a project environment also counts for these 5 years of experience requirement. However, 7500 hours of these 5 years, which makes around 3.5 years, need to be spent on leading and directing projects. Again, this doesn’t mean that you should have enrolled in a project as a project manager. A leading or directing role can be a supervisor of a junior team member or team member, team leader of a group, assisting the project manager in some of the project management activities, etc.

What is the experience requirement for PMP?

PMP experience requirement will show that the PMP candidate has enough soft skills to sit for the PMP exam. PMP education requirements will show that the PMP candidate has enough theoretical background to manage a project.

What is CAPM certification?

In this case, we recommend you to start with CAPM certification. CAPM certification is the entry-level project management certification given by PMI. The exam content is the same with the PMP certification exam however, the questions are easier compared to the PMP certification exam.

What does PMP stand for?

PMP is the abbreviation of Project Management Professional, a certificate given by PMI, Project Management Institute. The applicants who fulfill the PMP certification requirements first and then pass the PMP certification exam successfully get the PMP certification.

How many contact hours is required for PMP certification?

Actually, the PM education requirement aspect of the PMP certification requirements can be satisfied easily by enrolling in a 35 contact hours PMP training. The tough part of satisfying PMP eligibility requirements is project management experience.

What is required to pass the PMP exam?

Because of these two reasons, requirements for the PMP exam include PMP experience requirement and PMP education requirement. PMP experience requirement will show that the PMP candidate has enough soft skills to sit ...

What are the requirements for PMP certification?

Otherwise, project delivery might fail. Therefore, having a solid project management experience is one of the requirements for PMP certification.

image