Project Management Certifications and Certificates

If you’re looking for a way to demonstrate your skills in project management, you might be overwhelmed by the different certifications and certificate programs available. You might also have many questions, such as how can I demonstrate my knowledge in project management?

This article aims to provide answers to these questions so you can efficiently choose the right path toward a project management certification. Keep reading to find out more.

What is Project Management?

Project management describes the process of managing the successful completion of a project. A Project Manager guides a project through the different stages of what is known as “The Project LifeCycle,” which comprises five stages: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure. A Project Manager’s most important goal is ensuring that a project is completed on time and under budget.

A Project Manager is responsible for creating a project plan to establish project goals and deadlines, delegating tasks to team members, motivating team members to meet deadlines, risk management, communicating with upper management, and resource management. Experts in Project Management estimate that around 90% of a Project Manager’s time is spent communicating. Soft skills such as communication, leadership, time management, and budgeting are required in Project Management.

Project management as a field is defined by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) created by the Project Management Institute (PMI), which outlines best practices, methodologies, and processes for professional Project Managers. Aspiring Project Managers will want to seek out training in PMBOK as well as experience in managing real-world projects.

Project management is a hot career path that is expected to add over 22 million jobs by 2027. In addition to this booming job growth, Project Managers earn lucrative, six-figure salaries. The average salary for a Project Manager is around $115,000 annually. That’s more than double the national average across all occupations.

Read more about what project management is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Project Management?

There are no limits on what can be done with project management skills. Project management is a versatile career path as Project Managers are needed in every industry and in various roles. You could continue to work in the same industry even after completing your training in Project Management.

Some Project Managers work for companies on specific projects or as part of a project team. Some Project Managers work as freelancers or consultants who assist clients on specific projects.

Project management is a very hot career path because the Project Management Institute (PMI) predicts that Project Management will increase by 33%, with 22 million new Project Manager jobs created by 2027. A significant number of Senior Project Managers are expected to retire, leading to even more job openings for those with training in Project Management.

Many of the essential skills in project management are soft skills, including communication, leadership, management ability, time management, delegation, conflict resolution, and multitasking. Project management experts estimate that around 90% of a Project Manager’s time is spent communicating. Aspiring Project Managers should have impeccable communication skills and well-developed leadership skills.

Project managers often specialize in a particular industry, such as IT, healthcare, or construction. Skills already acquired in these industries could be combined with project management training for a new career within your industry.

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

There are differences between certifications and certificates. To receive professional certification, such as the Certified Associate in Project Management, you will have to take an exam administered by a third party to demonstrate mastery of the topic.

Certificates are typically more completion based. For example, graduates of Noble Desktop’s Project Management Bootcamp earn a Certificate of Completion to include on their Project Manager resume or portfolio.

Top Certifications & Certificates for Project Management

Project Management as a career field has primarily been defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI). PMI created the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) which provides a standardized knowledge base and terminology for project management. Project Management certifications and certificates demonstrating your knowledge of PMBOK are essential for launching a career in project management.

PMI offers two levels of certification in project management: the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP). The CAPM is an entry-level certification, and the PMP is for more advanced Project Managers. Attaining a CAPM Certification is an excellent way for aspiring Project Managers to launch their new careers. However, there are education requirements to attain this certification.

Noble Desktop offers a Project Management Bootcamp, which provides a comprehensive overview of the topics that comprise the Project Management Body of Knowledge. A PMP-Certified instructor guides students through hands-on, real-world projects to develop mastery of Project Management phases, project scope, project planning, resource management, managing project teams, cost calculations, risk management, communication, and the path to becoming a professional project manager. Graduates earn a Certificate of Completion to include on their Project Manager Resume. This bootcamp can also be applied toward the required hours of project management education needed for CAPM certification.

After acquiring the necessary education hours, you can pursue PMI’s CAPM certification for aspiring and entry-level Project Managers. Noble Desktop offers a CAPM Certification Bootcamp to prepare students to pass the CAPM Certification Exam. A PMP-Certified instructor mentors you through the mastery of the exam material and the application process. This bootcamp includes 35 hours of hands-on instruction, a proprietary exam prep guide, additional video lessons, and mentoring through the certification process.

If you’re a more experienced Project Manager, you want to pursue a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. PMP is considered the gold standard certification for a Project Manager. PMI reports that PMP-certified Project Managers earn 25% more than non-certified Project Managers.

Should I Get Certified in Project Management?

Certificates and certifications are highly-desired in project management. They are an excellent way of demonstrating that you have the skills of a professional Project Manager. Aspiring Project Managers should seriously consider pursuing PMI’s entry-level Certified Associate in Project Management.

How to Get Certified in Project Management

There are prerequisites to getting certified in project management. The entry-level Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is an excellent choice for aspiring Project Managers who want to launch a new career.

There are established prerequisites for pursuing a CAPM Certification. In addition to a high school diploma or associate’s degree, you must complete 23 hours of education. A great way to fulfill this requirement is by taking a course in project management, such as the Project Management Bootcamp offered by Noble Desktop. Graduates of this bootcamp receive a Certificate of Completion, which can be included on their Project Manager resume and applied toward certification.

When ready to apply for your CAPM exam, you should consider a prep course, such as the CAPM Certification Bootcamp offered by Noble Desktop. This bootcamp is designed to help prepare you to pass the exam and mentor you through the CAPM application process. Thirty-five hours of instruction, including live hands-on training and video curriculum for exam prep.

Learn Project Management with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is a coding, design, and business school based in NYC. They offer courses on various topics, including project management courses and bootcamps, both live online and at their state-of-the-art campus in Midtown Manhattan. All of their classes feature small class sizes and are taught by instructors who are experts in their industry. PMP-Certified professional Project Managers teach all their project management courses. Graduates can retake their course for up to one year for free to continue developing their knowledge and refresh their skills.

Noble Desktop’s Project Management Bootcamp provides hands-on instruction in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) theories and methodologies needed to get hired as an entry-level Project Manager. Students receive hands-on, project-based training in topics that include the five phases of project management, creating project proposals, and working with a project team. Graduates receive a verified digital certificate of completion to help them get hired as an entry-level Project Manager. This bootcamp is also recommended for those planning to pursue either a CAPM or a PMP Certification. Both certifications require formal project management education, which this bootcamp provides.

Graduates seeking professional certification should consider Noble Desktop’s CAPM Certification Bootcamp, which guides students through PMI’s entry-level Certified Associate in Project Management Certification Exam. This four-day bootcamp includes 35 hours of hands-on instruction, live project-based training, an exam preparation guide, a video curriculum, lessons taught by a PMP Certified Project Manager, and a digital certificate of completion.

Key Insights

• The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers two certifications that are considered the gold standard in the field of Project Management.
• The entry-level Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a great way for aspiring Project Managers to launch a new career.
• Some in-person and online project management courses can help you prepare for certification.