How Long Do Project Management Courses Take?

If you’re considering a project management class, one important factor to understand is how long a class will take to finish. There is no one answer to this question since it depends on what class you’re looking at. When it comes to project management classes, you’ll find both short options that you can finish in a day or two, and longer courses that take a number of weeks--or even months--to complete. In general, the longer classes cover more material than the shorter ones. This article discusses some of the most common types of project management classes.

What Is Project Management?

A Project Manager is responsible for overseeing the process of planning and completing a project. Project Managers manage a variety of different elements including the scope of the project, the time it takes to complete it, and the costs involved. They are an essential part of ensuring that a project goes from simply being an idea, to actually being completed. Project Managers can work on one-time projects, or they can be involved in projects that are ongoing. They work in many different industries including construction, engineering, healthcare, and information technology

What Can You Do With Project Management?

If you’re looking for a career that pays well and is relatively stable, then project management may be a good option. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a government agency that analyzes U.S. labor market statistics. It predicts 6 percent job growth for Project Management Specialists over the next decade, which is higher than the average U.S. job growth rate of about 3 percent. Project Managers earn between $88,000 and $117,000 yearly, depending on what type of project management they do. According to a May 2024 Forbes article, a major advantage of pursuing a career in project management is that you typically don’t need a college degree, but you can expect to earn a high income. In addition, says the author, “You can easily apply this skill to multiple industries and in a wide variety of contexts. This helps you to future-proof your career, as you will always have the ability to be able to bounce regardless of the job market.” 

Types of Classes

There are many different types of project management classes. Introductory and advanced classes are typically fairly short and cover a more limited range of skills. Bootcamps are longer and more comprehensive, and degree programs are even longer. Another class option is the on-demand format, where you control the pace of your learning. In addition, you’ll find both part-time and full-time classes, with part-time classes taking significantly longer to complete.

Introductory Classes

An introductory class is one of the shortest types of project management classes and will take anywhere from a day to three or four days. Most are designed for beginners so they don’t have any prerequisites. If you want to learn the basics of project management and you’re not ready to invest too much time or money in learning, an introductory class can be a good place to start. However, an introductory class will not cover everything, so if you’re looking for a comprehensive project management education, then you’ll probably need to sign up for an additional class.

Advanced Courses

Another relatively short option is an advanced project management class, which is likely to run for a number of days, similar to an introductory class. Like introductory classes, advanced classes focus on a limited number of skills, however, they cover advanced rather than beginner skills. Most advanced classes have prerequisites. This type of class may be a good option if you already know something about project management, and want to add to your skill set.

Project Management Bootcamps 

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive project management education and you want to learn in a fairly short amount of time, then a bootcamp may be the best option for you. A bootcamp is an accelerated, immersive class that covers a wide range of skills. Most are designed for beginners and take students up to an advanced level. They are intended to give students all the knowledge and tools that they’ll need in a professional project management career. That often includes career support; many bootcamps offer things like access to a career coach, help with building a resume and portfolio, and practice with job interviews. Some even give their students access to internships or professional networks. A few bootcamps offer job guarantees. A bootcamp takes a number of weeks or months to complete. Many come in both full-time and part-time options.

Degree Programs

If you’re less focused on the cost and the time involved in learning project management, and only concerned with education, then you may be interested in a college degree program. This is the longest and most comprehensive learning path. Forbes Advisor discusses this option in a June 2, 2023 article and explains, “A bachelor’s in project management typically consists of 120 credits and takes four years for full-time students.” Further, it says, that most college programs have admission requirements like a minimum high school GPA, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, and supplemental essays. In addition, most colleges run on a quarter or semester system, so attending college can require more planning. In most cases, a college degree costs tens of thousands of dollars. However, degree programs cover a wide range of skills and will leave you with a strong project management foundation. 

On-Demand Classes

An on-demand class is made up of pre-recorded lectures and exercises that you work through at your own pace. Some on-demand classes do have deadlines, but the length of time it takes to complete this type of class also depends on how quickly--or slowly--you choose to work. This freedom to set your own pace is one thing that makes on-demand classes popular. In addition, since there is no live instructor, these classes are often cheaper. A downside is that since there is no live instructor, you won’t be able to get immediate feedback or answers to your questions. Depending on how good you are at working independently, you may also find it more difficult to stay on track with an on-demand class.

Part-Time or Full-Time?

How long a project management class takes will also depend on whether you choose to learn full-time or part-time. A full-time schedule will help you progress through the course more quickly than a part-time one. In addition, some people say that they like full-time learning because they can focus exclusively on their education. However, a full-time class is not a viable option for everyone. For instance, some people need time for work and other obligations and opt for a part-time option. Part-time programs take longer, however, they do have some unique advantages. For instance, when you learn part-time you can spread out your tuition costs, and you’ll also have more time to absorb the new information that you’re receiving. 

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 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.