Boost Your Career With Project Management Certification

Project Management Certificate FAQs

• You offer money back guarantee, how does it work?

  Our project management training course comes with a 100% money-back guarantee. Simplilearn believes in our highly effective blended learning methodology and its ability to provide learners with the knowledge and confidence to pass the official PMP® Certification Exam in the first attempt. If you do not pass the PMP® Certification Exam on the first attempt, Simplilearn will provide a full refund to you where the term “full refund” mentioned anywhere in this document shall mean the program fee paid by you minus USD 200 or equivalent toward administrative and miscellaneous charges.
   
  To improve the odds of your success in the exam, we strongly recommend that you take the PMP® Certification Exam within 45 days from the day you complete Simplilearn’s official PMI-PMP training course.

  Attempt	Time Frame	Result	Money back
  First	Within 45 days of course completion	Did Not Pass	Full refund

  Refund Process: If you do not pass the PMP® Certification Exam on the first attempt, Simplilearn will provide a full refund to you where the term “full refund” mentioned anywhere in this document shall mean the program fee paid by you minus USD 200 or equivalent toward administrative and miscellaneous charges.

  • To receive a refund, you must request the Help and Support Forum.
  • You must submit a copy of your scorecard along with the date you completed your online classroom training.
  • Simplilearn will refund the program fee within 30 days of receiving all required documentation.
  • We will process the refund using the same method you used to pay for the program.
  • After the refund is issued, you will receive a confirmation via email, and you will lose access to the Post Graduate Program in Project Management, and you will lose your program progress.

  Terms and Conditions:

  • This money-back guarantee applies only to Simplilearn’s Post Graduate Program in Project Management.
  • The guarantee is valid only for those who have paid the full program fee as advertised on Simplilearn’s website.
  • Request for a partial refund of any part of the program fee paid by participants will not be accepted.
  • Simplilearn reserves the right to modify, update the terms and conditions or revoke the money-back guarantee without prior notice.
  • Simplilearn will be the final authority to resolve any dispute arising out of or connected with this guarantee.

  The guarantee becomes void if:

  • Participants do not take the PMP® Certification Exam within 45 days of unlocking the certificate.
  • Participants do not maintain 100% attendance in Simplilearn’s official PMI-PMP training as part of the Post Graduate Program in Project Management.
  • Participants fail to score at least 80% in any three available online PMP® simulation practice tests on Simplilearn Learning Management System.
  • Participants do not follow the trainer’s instructions and do not complete the class exercises.
  • Participants do not submit the required documents (scorecard, course completion certificate, proof of PMP exam date) to Simplilearn.
  • Participants fail to request a refund within 15 days of receiving their results.

• What is a Project Management Certification?

  A project management certification is a qualification awarded to professionals who possess the degree of proficiency in project management as required by the certification provider. The most widely regarded project management authority is the Project Management Institute (PMI). This Post Graduate Program in Project Management, in partnership with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is aligned with the PMI standards. Along with the certifications from this program, the knowledge gained from it will help you clear various other PMI-related project management certifications as well.

• What are the benefits of this Generative AI Masterclass?

  These masterclasses are delivered in the form of live virtual sessions by experienced industry experts. This delves deep into the world of AI-powered creativity, helping you understand multiple concepts & topics related to generative AI such as effective prompt engineering, ethical considerations in GenAI and much more. 

  You will gain exposure to the world of Gen AI, some of its practical applications, some of the latest advancements in the field and much more - thus setting you apart from your competitors and helping you stay ahead in your career.
   

• Top 10 Project Management Certifications

  PMI's PMP (Project Management Professional) certifications are among the most popular and well-recognized certifications. There are several other project management certifications at various stages in their careers.

  Project Management Professional (PMP)

  A PMP certificate is a must-have for project management professionals. Getting a certificate includes a challenging exam that analyzes your knowledge and abilities. It is crucial to have a strong preparation. There are a number of project management certification available, but the PMP is one of the most popular.

  Best Suited for:
  
  It is best suited for professionals who have experience managing projects but wish to level up their careers. 
  
  How to Get Certified?
  
  To get certified, you must have:

  • At least 36 months of project lead experience with a four-year bachelor's degree. 
  • 35 hours of project management coursework/training or a CAPM certification.

  Or 

  • 60 months of work experience if you have a high-school diploma or an associate degree. 
  • 35 hours of project management coursework/training or a CAPM certification.

  Once you find yourself eligible, you can apply to take your exam. It consists of 175 questions. Learning from experts helps you clear the exam on your 1st attempt. You can enroll in Simplilearn's Project management certification training course and boost your preparation.
  
  Cost
  
  Non-PMI members: $555 
  PMI members: $405 

  Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

  Another highly reputed option for those seeking project management certifications is Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). This certificate is especially for beginners in the project management niche. Possessing CAPM allows you to highlight your knowledge of crucial project management concepts.

  Best Suited for:
  
  The CAPM is ideal for project managers who want to prove their expertise, seek opportunities to lead larger projects or add project management skills to resumes.  
  
  How to Get Certified?
  
  The exam has 150 questions that are to be answered in a 3-hour duration. To get certified, you must have

  • At least a secondary degree/associate's degree/ high school diploma
  • 23 hours of project management education 

  Once you satisfy the eligibility criteria, you can enroll for the exam. Candidates can use the PMBOK Guide (sixth edition) to learn all the basics of project management. 
  
  Simplify the learning process and boost your exam preparation with CAPM Certification Training Course. This project management certifications offers in-depth knowledge of concepts, lifetime access to content curated by industry experts, simulation test papers, 24x7 learner assistance and more. 
  
  Cost
  
  Non-PMI members: $300
  PMI members: $225
   

  Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)

  PMI-PBA is curated for people with a fundamental knowledge of project management. It ensures that you emerge as a project manager capable of handling all the challenges that are a part of working with stakeholders and managing projects. It is one of the best project management certifications. 
  
  Best Suited for:
  
  Professionals who desire to level up their specialized knowledge of business analysis.
  
  How to Get Certified?
  
  The exam has 200 multiple-choice questions to be finished in four hours. To appear for the exam, you will need at least:

  • A secondary degree– an associate degree/ high school diploma
  • 60 months of business analysis experience
  • 35 hours of education in business analysis

  Or 

  • A bachelor's degree
  • 36 hours of business analysis experience
  • 35 hours of education in business analytics

  The certification process involves applying, scheduling the exam, and reviewing the handbook. 
  
  Cost
  
  Non-PMI members: $555
  PMI members: $405
  
  Program Management Professional (PgMP)

  PgMP is for advanced professionals who oversee multiple projects for a program's success and can steer complex tasks across various locations, organizations, and cultures. It is one of the best project management certification.
  
  Best Suited for:
  
  Project managers with extensive experience.
  
  How to Get Certified?
  
  Obtaining the PgMP requires passing a panel review and an exam. The exam consists of 150 questions on developing relationships with stakeholders, comprehending project risks, and more. 
  To appear for the exam, you must have

  • 48 months of project management experience (or a PMP)
  • A bachelor's degree and 48 months of program management experience in recent 15 years 

  Or 

  • 84 months of program management experience in the last 15 years with a high school diploma/associate degree.
  • 48 months of project management experience (or a PMP)

  Ace your exam preparation with PgMP certification training and master PMI's five program management performance domains, including lifecycle management, program strategy alignment, stakeholder engagement, governance, and benefits management.
  
  Cost
  
  Non-PMI members: $1,000 
  PMI members: $800 
  
  Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
  
  Prove your competency with PfMP if you have successfully managed an organization's one or multiple portfolios. This is one of the best project management certifications that can help you with your promotion and appraisals. 
  
  Best Suited for:
  
  Individuals with portfolio management careers and those who have advanced to executive or senior level.
  
  How to Get Certified
  
  The process includes a panel review and a multiple-choice exam with 150 questions. You are eligible for the exam only if you possess:

  • 96 months of business experience in the recent 15 years
  • 84 months of experience in portfolio management with a high school diploma/associate degree. 

  Or 

  • 96 months of business experience in the recent 15 years
  • 48 months of experience in portfolio management with a bachelor's degree.

  Cost
  
  Non-PMI members: $1,000 
  PMI members: $800 

  PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
  
  It verifies the risk management skills of advanced professionals. The certificate shows that you are ready to assess and minimize risks for complex projects.
  
  Best Suited for:
  
  Experienced risk management professionals
  
  How to Get Certified?
  
  The exam comprises 150 questions. You qualify for the exam if you have:

  • A high school diploma/associate degree
  • 36 months of experience managing project risk within the last five years
  • 40 hours of project risk management education

  Or 

  •  A four-year bachelor's degree
  • 24 months of experience in project risk management within the last five years
  • 30 hours of project risk management education

  Enrolling on PMI-RMP Certification Training will help you outperform competitors and master risk management processes. 
  
  Cost
  
  Non-PMI members: $670
  PMI members: $520
  
  PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)

  Strategic scheduling is often crucial for project success. PMI-SP validates your capacity to create optimal schedules for teams for complex projects. 
  
  Best Suited for:
  
  Project managers who wish to deepen their knowledge of scheduling. 
  
  How to Get Certified?
  
  Passing a 150 questions exam is a must to get certified. The prerequisites for the exam are:

  • A high school diploma/ associate degree
  • 40 months of project scheduling experience in the last five years
  • 40 hours of project scheduling coursework

  Or 

  • A bachelor's degree
  • 28 months in the last five years of project scheduling experience 
  • 30 hours of education in project scheduling

  Cost
  
  Non-PMI members: $670
  PMI members: $520

  PMI Project Management Ready
  
  The PMI Project Management Ready certifications are specially curated for students to introduce them to basic project management concepts and enhance their career with management and organizational skills.
  
  Best Suited for:
  
  Students or beginners who want to gain exposure to project management practices. 
  
  How to Get Certified?
  
  You qualify for this credential if you are someone who

  • Can read at a seventh-grade level
  • Has basic computer skills
  • Is capable of participating in training programs and taking exams

  Cost: $120

  Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

  Scrum Alliance offers CSPO certifications to actively grow your skills and agile career. These certifications comes with Scrum Alliance membership, which provides access to experts' help, practical how-tos, reserved content, and more. 
  
  Best Suited for:
  
  Product owners, business analysts, project managers, team members, and data analysts
  
  How to Get Certified?
  
  Complete a CSPO class (at least 14 hours) that suits your needs. Take advantage of your CSPO membership and perfect your product owner skills. 
  
  The CSPO certification training will help you get certified on your first attempt. The two-day classroom training inculcates the in-demand skills. It strengthens your knowledge of improving product value by delivering product features, leading scrum teams, communicating product ideas, and maximizing project ROI.
  
  Cost: It varies depending on your CSPO class provider. 

  PRINCE2 Foundation/ Practitioner
  
  PRINCE2 Foundation is one the choicest project management certifications. These globally recognized certifications are highly sought after by top employers. PRINCE2 offers two major certifications: 

  • PRINCE2 Foundation
  • PRINCE2 Practitioner

  Best Suited for:
  
  Anybody seeking an opportunity to quickly improve skills and capabilities across key business disciplines and drive strong business performance. 
  
  How to Get Certified?
  
  There are no requirements for the foundation exam. The Practitioner exam requires you to pass the Foundation exam (5th or 6th edition). Alternatively, you can opt for any one of the following:

  • Certified Associate in Project Management
  • Project Management Professional
  • IPMA Level A, B, C, or D.

  Cost: The two courses cost:
  Foundation: $200
  Practitioner: $340
   

  PPM: Professional in Project Management

  
  The Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM) provides the PPM course. It is a mid-level certifications comprising various project management modules that train you on developing project schedules, handling crises, and motivating teams to perform best.
   

  Best Suited for:
  
  Project managers who aim to advance their knowledge and career.
  
  How to Get Certified?

  • You can enroll for the course and take the exam only if you have:  
  • Completed the mandatory e-course 
  • Some project management experience

  Cost: $300

  Are Project Management Certifications Worth it?

  Professional certifications from the PMI or other institutes shows employers your competency in project management. The certificate speaks on your behalf. Having said that, certifications are not mandatory for your career growth. Still, certifications are closely linked to monetary benefits. For instance, PMP-certified members from the US report an annual salary of $120,000, compared to $95,000 for those without a Project Management Certification. 

  
  So, get your project management certifications to boost your career, but before that, equip yourself with the knowledge and discipline needed to effectively plan, monitor, execute, and control complex projects in any industry with Simplilearn's project management certifications training programs. 

• How to Become a Certified Project Manager?

  What Is Project Management?

  According to PMI, Project Management is the use of specific skills, knowledge, techniques, and tools to deliver something of value to people. Developing software for improved business processes, constructing a building, the relief effort after a catastrophe or expanding sales into a new geographic market— are all examples of projects that must be efficiently managed. 

  The changing nature of work due to globalization, technological advances, and other factors demands an increased organization of work around projects with teams of people brought together based on the specific skills needed for a particular task. A project manager leads a project and ensures that a project team meets its goals.

  Who Is a Project Manager?

  A project manager is an individual in charge of planning and executing a project. This person may do any of the following:

  • Develop scopes of work

  • Define project goals

  • Align internal and external teams

  • Build project timelines and dependencies

  • Manage internal and external stakeholder expectations

  • Track key performance indicators (KPIs)

  It’s common for people to “fall into” into the role of a  project manager. This usually happens when motivated team members drive deliverables. And have strong communications skills, enabling them to take on project management duties—merely because they are capable of doing so. 

  Even if you don't have a project manager title, you might have experience driving and delivering project results within a team. Have you planned a cross-functional corporate event, launched a nationwide or global campaign to raise awareness for a cause, or supported and guided the development of an app or podcast and tracked performance? If you answered yes to any of these questions, or have a similar experience, you could have the skills to become an effective project manager. 

  What are the Project Manager Roles and Responsibilities?

  Several variations occur in project management positions across industry lines. However, the general project manager's roles and responsibilities remain the same, including:

  • Planning and developing the project idea 

  • Work with internal stakeholders and external clients to define the concept and create a process 

  • Defining the scope of the project 

  • Creating a team capable of meeting or exceeding client expectations

  • Providing guidance, training or coaching to set up the team for success

  • Keeping honest communication

  • Monitoring project progress and set deadlines

  • Anticipating delays that may occur on the client side

  • Solving issues that arise during every project

  • Mastering the art of cost efficiency to manage the budget 

  • Ensuring stakeholder satisfaction

  • Evaluate project performance on its completion to highlight what went right and what went wrong 

  • Building camaraderie and rewarding team members who performed exceptionally during the project

  How to Become a Project Manager? 

  Typically, there are two main paths to becoming a project manager. You can study project management principles and apply them directly to project management positions. The other option is to take up more responsibilities in your current roles and advance gradually to a leadership position by proving your mettle. Irrespective of the path, considering the following six steps will help you excel in the project management position: 

  Step 1: Acknowledge Your Project Management Skills 

  Have you ever planned, budgeted, led, scheduled, or documented the progress of a project? If yes, you have gained a sneak peek into some elements of project management. Organizing an event, finding ways to make your workplace more efficient, and coordinating with the team for desirable results are some other instances that you might not have thought of as project management at the time, but they added to your capabilities. 

  Those who find themselves efficient in any of the project manager responsibilities mentioned above can consider applying for project management positions. With a combined three years of experience, you will be eligible to apply for the Project Management Professional (PMP) — a doorway to the project management world.

  Step 2: Build & Expand Your Project Management Experience

  If you started in a non-managerial position on a team, your role might gradually expand when you gain industry expertise. It is the right time to take on managerial tasks, sharpen your organizational skills, and learn teamwork. 

  The best way to build project management skills is to look for opportunities in your current role. Whether you are working at an IT firm, a hospital, or a retail store, you will find several tasks that require planning, execution, and improvement when you dive into the culture. Make it a point to volunteer for such an effort. You can also approach your manager with ideas for your contribution, conveying your interest in developing project management experience.

  Step 3: Sharpen Your Project Management Skills

  Developing technical and soft skills involved in project management is a prerequisite to becoming a project manager. The most sought-after project management skills are: 

  • Clear Communication

  • Leadership

  • Risk management

  • Waterfall project management

  • Agile project management

  • Budgeting

  • Scrum

  • Organization

  • Strategic Thinking

  • Decisiveness

  • Delegation

  • Forecasting

  • Problem Solving

  • Stress Management

  The best way to develop these skills is to take courses specific to a subject, enroll for a course, or practice them in your workplace. You must remember that possessing a certification is like bearing testimony to your proven skills. 

  Step 4: Polish Your Project Manager's Resume

  You might possess the experience and skills in the project management industry, but a weak resume can hinder your career path. 

  Taking time out to enhance your resume and stating explicitly every relevant information is the key to getting shortlisted. Here are some tips for creating a stellar project manager resume:

  • Review project manager job listings to discover what companies are looking for.

  • Highlight the qualifications on your resume that match the job requirements. 

  • Add a strong summary statement with your core competencies towards the beginning of the resume to hook the reader and develop their interest in reading further.

  • Use action verbs to describe the tasks you performed in previous roles.

  • Emphasize and quantify the results to catch the reader's attention.

  • Customize your resume every time you apply for a new position. 

  • Consider adding a customized cover letter to stand out from other candidates. 

  Step 5: Begin With Entry-level Positions 

  In addition to gradually working your way up the ladder from within a team, you can also apply for entry-level project management positions if you possess the right skills. Look out for job titles such as: 

  • Project Coordinator

  • Administrative associate

  • Operations Coordinator

  • Junior project manager

  • Associate project manager

  • Operations Associate

  Step 6: Get training To Outshine the Crowd 

  A certification can help you stand out amongst others competing for the project management job. Here are a few you can consider:  

  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt: This course will teach you how to help organizations save money and become more efficient. 

  • Lean Six Sigma Certification Course [Online PGP with UMass Amherst]: Ranked #3 in the Best Online MBA Worldwide list, this certification can fast-track your career in quality management as you gain expertise by working on real-world business problems and capstone projects. 

  • PMP UMass PGP Project Management Boosts your digital-age project leader journey via live online interactive classes, Harvard Business Publishing case studies, masterclasses from UMass Amherst, and capstone projects.

  You can also enroll for Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) if you are looking for an entry-level position. Project Management Professional (PMP) and Scrum Master certification (CSM) are popular credentials for those with 3+ years of project management experience. 

  Project Manager Job Description 

  When looking for project manager jobs, you will come across project manager job descriptions enlightening the eligibility criteria, roles and responsibilities, and the required core skills. 

  Here is a sample software project manager job description for an IT firm:

  Minimum Qualifications

  • Three years of experience in project/program management

  • Possess a high-level understanding of computer programming languages

  • Experience in the software development cycle or Agile methodology

  Roles and Responsibilities

  • Manage the software development projects

  • Facilitate sprint releases

  • Recommend upcoming software trends 

  • Check the software projects periodically. 

  • Evaluate performance and provide updates

  • Work closely with Software Engineers, Product Managers, Quality Analysts, and other engineering teams to provide high-quality products and features through the software project lifecycle.

  Skills 

  • Clear communication

  • Ability to manage project schedules

  • Identify possible issues

  • Knowledge of Google Cloud

  • Ability to analyze processes and identify opportunities for improvement

  • Collaboration: cross-functionally and globally 

  • Ability to keep up a high velocity in a fast-paced environment

  A project manager job description holds immense value in your job search and preparation. You must scan the project manager job description for the following:

  • Keywords that you would include in your resume: These are the skills and qualities that the position seeks. Adding them to your resume makes it ATS-friendly and helps you catch the employer's attention. 

  • Qualifications: The qualifications section tells you whether you have a high or low chance of qualifying for the job. 

  • Areas that require preparation: The job description gives you a complete idea of what the project management position entails. You can prepare for your interview accordingly. It can also help you decide whether you require to upskill yourself to bag the opportunity. 

  Is Getting Certification Required?

  While certification as a project manager can help you stand out in the crowd, it's not a requirement. However, according to results from the PMI Earning Power Salary Survey, those with a PMP certification earned 20% more on average than those who were not certified. Because two-thirds of the project manager workforce act as consultants, you have the option to choose the projects you want as well as the certification level you need to stay competitive. 

  How Do I Know Which Certification Is Right for Me?

  There are two standard project manager training: the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification and the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. As of March 2018, almost 29,000 project managers worldwide have earned CAPM certification, while more than 833,000 project managers hold a PMP certification.

  The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification is open to all experience levels and is designed to help entry- to mid-level professionals upskill in a field of work. As an applicant, you must have a high-school diploma and at least 1,500 hours of project management experience, or have completed 23 hours of project management coursework before the exam. The exam includes 150 multiple-choice questions you get three hours to complete it.  To remain certified, you must pass the exam every five years.

  The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is for individuals who have more experience in a project manager role. Applicants must have a four-year degree and at least 4,500 hours of project management experience. This experience includes leading cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time, leveraging available resources, and maintaining a budget. The PMP certification test contains 200 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. Additionally, all certified individuals must earn at least 60 professional-development credits every three years.

  Is Training Available to Help Me Prepare for Certification Exams?

  If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, certification can give you the credentials top employers look for when hiring project management professionals. 

  Simplilearn provides both CAPM Certification Training and PMP Certification Training Course to help learners stay abreast of changes in the industry, better understand new and emerging trends, and gain business development and strategic acumen.

  Simplilearn’s CAPM Certification Training provides 11 hours of high-quality learning and two simulation exams. It gives beginners an overview of core project management philosophies and a deeper understanding of the five process groups and ten knowledge areas prescribed by the PMI. PMP Certification Training goes one step further with an advanced 36-hour instructor-led training, as well as seven simulation tests and a series of industry-based case studies and scenarios.