Best Part-Time Project Management Bootcamps

Many project management classes are offered in two formats; full-time and part-time. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. A full-time class is the quickest option, and will allow you to focus all of your attention on what you’re learning. A part-time class takes longer to complete, however, it gives you more time to develop your skills and allows you to spread out your tuition costs. This article discusses some of the other differences between the two class formats and offers advice about how to choose the one that will work best for you.

Why Learn Project Management Part-Time?

When you learn part-time, you’ll enjoy a number of unique benefits. One of the most common reasons for choosing a part-time program is the flexibility it allows. While a full-time class will take a significant level of time and focus, when you learn part-time you’ll have the flexibility to balance your education with other needs such as work or family responsibilities, and other interests. Many people are able to attend school part-time while also continuing to work. Not having to quit your job means you’ll have a reliable income while you learn. It can also help you fund your education. Another benefit of not having to give up your job to attend school is that you may not feel so much pressure to get a job right after you graduate. Instead, you can take the time to find a position that is the perfect fit.

Another advantage of learning part-time is that you’ll have more time to absorb all the new information you’re gaining, practice your skills, and develop a portfolio of projects. In a field like project management, where there are a lot of new concepts to learn, this can be a significant advantage. Further, when you learn part-time you may also have more time to gain relevant work experience, which can increase your chances of finding work when you graduate.

Drawbacks to Learning Project Management Part-time

While learning part-time has benefits, it also has drawbacks. The main drawback is that it usually takes significantly longer to finish a part-time program than it does to finish a full-time one. There are numerous reasons why you might need to finish more quickly, both financial and professional. If you’re trying to learn project management as quickly as possible, then a part-time program may not be the best option for you. 

Another drawback to part-time learning is that when you learn part-time, you’ll be dividing your focus between education and other things, and this might detract from the learning process. Some people say that they learn better if they can focus on one thing and put all of their attention on it, as happens when you attend school full-time. In contrast, when you learn part time, you may have competing obligations--such as a job--that can take away from your focus on learning project management. In addition, with a part-time program, you might be less likely to engage with peers while you learn, which can mean that you’ll miss out on potentially valuable networking opportunities. 

Is a Part-Time Project Management Bootcamp Right for You?

When it comes to learning project management, everyone has different goals and needs, so the decision about whether a part-time course is right will vary from person to person. Some students will want to complete their education as quickly as possible and will have the time and money to do so. For them, a full-time program will be a better option. However, for many people, a part-time class is an excellent way to prepare for a career in project management. By learning part-time you won’t have to quit your job or feel pressured into accepting another. You’ll also be able to spread out both the cost of the class and the learning experience. 

Ways to Make Learning Project Management Part-Time Easier

Project management can be challenging to learn. There are many different concepts, tools, and skills to learn, and you’ll also need to spend a lot of time practicing your skills and gaining experience. However, there are a number of ways to make the learning process easier. Tips for success include setting aside a certain time each day to work on homework, having a learning plan, being realistic about your goals and your schedule, prioritizing, and practicing time management. 

Another way to make the learning process easier is to enroll in a paid, live class. When you take a class you can follow a comprehensive, structured course under the guidance of an expert. Your instructor can personalize instruction to meet your needs, answer questions, and give you feedback on your progress. Through this interactive learning process, you can learn from both your successes and your mistakes and continually improve your editing techniques. An expert instructor can also share tips and tricks, and common mistakes to avoid, all of which could take you years to figure out by yourself. Another advantage of a live class is that you’ll learn as part of a group, and your peer interactions can also enrich the learning experience.

In addition to enrolling in a class, you can take advantage of free resources, which can help you learn new skills and provide useful tips and practice options. There are lots of short, free instructional videos on YouTube and other websites, where you can learn a wide range of project management skills. You’ll also find that there are many experts willing to share their expertise online through various chat forums. You can visit these forums and look for relevant information, or you can even post a specific question. Schools that teach project management are another place to find free resources. Some schools, like Noble Desktop, provide free project management resources so that students can get a better understanding of this field before they commit to a class. Certain on-demand schools offer certain project management classes for free. These are generally not as comprehensive as paid classes, but they can be a good way to learn a limited number of skills. 

Finally, don’t forget the importance of practice. To master project management--or any new skill--you’ll need to learn a lot of new information and skills but you’ll also need to spend as much time as you can putting it all into practice. Practice helps reinforce the things you’ve learned, helps you master them, and teaches you to apply your skills in real-world situations.

Choosing the Best Part Time Project Management Classes or Bootcamp

When you’re choosing a part-time project management class, you’ll want to make sure you look at the curriculum of the class that you’re interested in. Every school has its own unique curriculum, and it's important to choose a course that is compatible with your learning goals and learning style. Some classes focus just on a more narrow set of skills, while others are more generally. You’ll also find differences in the ways different classes are taught. Most will include at least some hands-on training, where you work on projects, however, the degree of project work can vary. 

Cost is also an important consideration for most people. The cost of a project management class varies widely. Longer courses--like bootcamps and certificate programs--can cost up to $20,000 or $30,000. This is generally cheaper than the cost of a college education, but it is still a substantial investment. Some schools require you to pay the entire tuition up-front, while others offer payment plans, in some cases with interest, and in others you’ll find interest-free options. If you’re looking at shorter classes, the cost will be substantially less. Depending on the type of class you choose, it could be anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. However, you’ll also get fewer hours of instruction.

With so many different project management programs out there, it can be overwhelming to choose one. As a way to help solve this problem, Noble Desktop created the Classes Near Me tool to help you narrow down your options. This tool allows you to sort classes by geographic area, find online options, and also compare short and long programs.

Learn Project Management with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is based in New York City and offers a number of different project management classes, with both short courses that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive programs, where you can develop a strong project management skill set. Its project management classes run in both full-time and part-time formats, and can be taken in person at its Manhattan facility or in a live online format. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. All courses include the option of a free retake within one year.

If you’re looking for a short introductory class, Noble offers Project Management Level I, which covers the methods and strategies of modern project management theory. You’ll learn about the process of project management and cover the five phases. After that, you’ll spend more time focusing on the initiation and planning stages. Finally, you’ll learn about what it takes to be a successful project manager, including important strategies and skills. This course includes an overview of project management apps, associations, and certifications. You’ll also receive a slide deck that contains practical knowledge and a variety of exercises. 

Noble Desktop also has a more advanced class called Project Management Level II, which builds off the skills covered in the Level I class. In Level II, you’ll learn about the execution monitoring, and closing phases of project management. Instructors will also cover working with budgets and costs, managing limited resources, and staying within your budget. This course includes an introduction to Agile Project Management and popular Agile frameworks.

If you want a more comprehensive course, Noble also runs a Project Management Bootcamp. This class is designed for students who want to learn more about project management, including the five phases of a project, and who want to begin a project management career. It is a combination of the school’s Level I and Level II classes and is offered at a discount. When you take the Project Management Bootcamp, you’ll learn the five phases of project management and will receive a slide deck that contains a variety of exercises. You’ll also learn about Waterfall, Critical Path, and Agile methods of project management, including popular Agile frameworks. You’ll receive a certificate of completion at the end of the class.

Another class option is Microsoft Project Level I, which is focused on this popular project management tool. This class is for PC users only; it cannot be completed with a Mac computer. The class is intended for users who need to manage multiple projects, want to increase efficiencies, and need to better manage resources. You’ll learn about the basic functions and features of Microsoft Project Professional. Covered topics include essential project management concepts, defining projects, entering tasks and examining task relationships, managing resources, optimizing, setting baselines, and sharing project plans. 

Noble also offers Microsoft Project Level II, where you’ll cover more advanced features of this application. You’ll learn how to update a project plan to reflect progress, how to monitor project progress in the project plan, and how to adjust the plan to control constraints. You’ll also learn to create project reports and customize project settings. Students who want to take the Level II course should have first completed Level I.