How Long Do PowerPoint Courses Take?

As with classes in all spheres, PowerPoint classes can range in length based on how intensive they are and how much material is expected to be covered. The best plan is to suss out the classes that meet your needs in all areas, from content to format to schedule. This article will lay out your options for PowerPoint classes that fit your schedule and provide you with the training you need to succeed.

Lengths of Classes

The time it takes to learn to use PowerPoint efficiently--and to get impressive results--will depend on a few significant factors: how much time do you have and how much are you hoping to learn. The length of a class is likely to correlate to how in-depth the instruction will be, with more cursory classes covering the basics of PowerPoint and longer or more intense courses focusing on using the software at an expert level in a professional context. If you’re looking for results right away and have the time to commit, you can opt for a one or two-day intensive bootcamp. On the other hand, if you have less time to devote to the subject on a daily or weekly basis and don’t need to master PowerPoint quickly, you may opt for a self-paced class that is spread out over several months. In both cases, you can learn the material at a pace and to a level that works for you.

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Introductory Classes

The most efficient use of time and money for many people looking to learn the fundamentals of PowerPoint will be to take an introductory class. This type of class often runs one full day, and is available on a workday or a weekend day to meet the needs of learners with differing schedules. An intro class will cover many of the basics of PowerPoint, including incorporating text with graphics, charts, illustrations, tables, layered objects, and SmartArt. For those who want to know the basics, an introductory class may be all that’s needed. If you find you need to uplevel, you’ll have to return to the classroom to take an advanced or specialized class at a later date, or practice the skills consistently on your own. 

Advanced Classes

For learners who want to gain expert-level PowerPoint skills, an advanced class will be the way to go. Many advanced courses can also be completed in a day, but unlike introductory classes, students will need to have mastered the prerequisites--whether in an introductory class or through self-study--before enrolling. The class will generally cover such topics as custom themes, incorporating animation and video, and integrating charts and tables from Microsoft Excel. Taking an introductory course first and then following up with an advanced class at a later date can mean having time to implement those basic skills for a while before moving to the next level. On the other hand, many students prefer the fast-paced and immersive environment of a bootcamp, which will go from beginner to advanced skills in rapid succession.

Specialized Classes

Given the multitude of uses that PowerPoint can have, it’s unsurprising that there are classes that focus on specific skill sets. Classes like PowerPoint for Business will cover everything you need to build dynamic presentations in most professional contexts, while you get to rub elbows (whether in-person or virtually) with others who are looking for the same kind of training. PowerPoint Presentation Design, by contrast, will focus on the aesthetic opportunities of the software, which may be a better choice for people in the fields of media and design. This type of class would also be a great fit for those who want to use PowerPoint outside of a work context to create beautiful and compelling slideshows.

On-demand Classes

For those with inflexible schedules or who can take their time to learn the material, an on-demand class might fit the bill. These classes generally provide a suite of videos and slide decks that provide step-by-step instruction in presentation creation and design. Students can go at the pace that works for them, and can skip around if there are subjects they already feel comfortable with. The major downside of an on-demand class is the lack of direct, personalized instruction and feedback. Without this level of attention, it can be quite easy for students to fall behind or give up on the course altogether when the going gets tough.

PowerPoint Bootcamps

By far the most efficient and cost-effective way to learn PowerPoint is to enroll in an intensive, bootcamp-style class. Generally taking place over several sequential days, a bootcamp will cover all the subjects of an introductory and advanced class rolled into one. There are many benefits to a bootcamp, one of which is that course providers generally offer a discount for bundling the classes in this way--so you save money over taking level one and level two classes independently of one another. Another benefit is that the material gets covered sequentially and quickly, leaving no gaps in knowledge. This means you’ll walk away from the program ready to take on any PowerPoint project, no matter how advanced the requirements.

Learn PowerPoint with Noble Desktop

Whether you’re a complete beginner or have a high level of comfort with PowerPoint, you’ll find a class that’s right for you at Noble Desktop. Offering courses live online or at their New York City campus, Noble Desktop offers best-in-class one-off courses along with more intensive training programs. For beginners, there’s PowerPoint Level I--the perfect introduction to the fundamentals of the software, covering everything from text and images to charts and tables. The class is about functionality and efficiency, which means that even those who already have some background in PowerPoint can work towards increased effectiveness.

PowerPoint Level II is the best option if you have a background in PowerPoint, whether you’ve taken a level one class or taught yourself. The class runs for six hours and can be taken on a workday or weekend day, which means that differing work and personal schedules are accommodated. Level II covers advanced topics like custom themes, managing larger presentations, and incorporating animation and video. 

Noble Desktop's PowerPoint Bootcamp combines the first two levels into a fast-moving two-day workshop that covers both beginner and advanced concepts in presentation design. The bootcamp is a certificate program that will prepare you for using PowerPoint in a professional setting. Over the course of two full days, you’ll work on hands-on projects under the direction of industry professionals who will provide expert feedback and guidance. This highly reviewed class offers twelve hours of instruction with the option of one free retake, and boasts a small class size--plus substantial savings over taking Levels I and II independently.