Where to Find Project Management Classes

There are many different places to find project management classes. The decision about which class to choose will depend on a number of factors including what type of education you’re looking for, your schedule, and your budget. This article contains information about some of the different project management class options and where to find them.

What Is Project Management?

Project management is a process that involves overseeing the planning and execution of a set of tasks that need to be done in order to successfully complete a project. Project Managers are responsible for many different tasks including identifying what needs to be done, creating a plan, allocating resources, and managing the execution of the project. There are different types of project management since different industries have unique needs. Some popular ones are Waterfall, Agile, Lean, and Scrum. Project Managers also work with many different types of resources including finances, material resources, time, and labor.

What Can You Do With Project Management?

Research shows that project management jobs pay well and are likely to remain stable in the near future, making this a strong potential career choice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), between 2022 and 2032, the projected change in employment for Project Management Specialists is 6 percent. This is higher than the average U.S. job growth rate of about 3 percent. BLS says, “As organizations seek ways to maintain and improve productivity, employment of project management specialists is expected to increase. These specialists will be needed to help manage various business operations, ensuring that projects meet their goals and are completed on time and within budget.” On average, Project Managers earn between $88,000 and $117,000 yearly, depending on their specific job.

Project Management Class Options

If you want to learn project management, there are a number of different ways to do so, including attending college, enrolling in a professional training center program, signing up for a class through an on-demand website, and utilizing free online resources. Each of these options comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. 

Colleges

A college degree program is one of the most comprehensive ways to learn project management. Earning a degree will take you a number of years; for instance, a bachelor’s degree takes four years. Degree programs cover a broad range of skills, however, they also include general education classes that are not directly related to project management. College programs run on a set schedule, so you’ll need to do your research and make sure you apply on time. There are also application requirements such as a high school diploma or the equivalent, test scores, and admissions essays. In addition, some classes have prerequisites. While college programs are comprehensive, they are also the most expensive way to learn project management. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average price of attending a four-year college ranges from $14,700 to $24,600, depending on whether it is a public or private college. 

Noble Desktop and Other Professional Training Centers

In recent years, more and more students are learning project management by taking classes at professional training centers rather than colleges. Many professional training centers, like Noble Desktop, offer a variety of comprehensive project management class options, like bootcamps and certificate courses, that are designed to give you all of the skills you’ll need to pursue a career in this field but are not as expensive or time-consuming as college. When you learn at a professional training center you won’t take general education classes; instead, you’ll focus on learning the concepts and tools that you’ll actually use in a project management job. Most certificate programs can be completed in a number of months, and bootcamps usually only take weeks to finish. Since these programs are intended to get students career-ready, they usually include career support. For example, some include one-on-one mentoring sessions where you can get help building your resume and portfolio. You might also get help preparing for interviews, or even access to internships and professional networks. These courses are often designed for students with busy schedules and may include a variety of flexible scheduling options like weeknight and weekend classes. Many come in both in-person and live online formats and include both full-time and part-time options. 

Coursera, Udemy, and Other On-Demand Platforms

You can also learn project management through an on-demand class. Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare, Masterclass, and many other websites offer on-demand classes. This type of class can vary in length from only an hour or two, to much longer. On-demand classes are pre-recorded and do not have a live instructor. They are usually significantly cheaper than live options. When you learn on-demand, you can work at your own pace, stopping and starting whenever you need to. You can even rewind or fast-forward the lesson. A downside to on-demand learning is that since you don’t have access to a live instructor, you won’t be able to ask questions or get feedback in real time. In addition, because the course content is pre-recorded, it also has the potential to become outdated. Another potential downside to on-demand learning is that it can be more easy to lose focus. Without the accountability of a live instructor and class, some on-demand learners find it easy to get distracted, and in some cases even fail to finish the course.

Free Resources

Another option for learning project management is to use free resources. There are a surprising number of free resources online. For instance, some schools provide free resources to help students gain a better understanding of the topic they’re interested in before they commit to a formal class. YouTube also contains many free, short videos focused on various aspects of project management. Free resources are a great way to get an overview of project management, learn a specific skill, or troubleshoot a problem. However, if you’re serious about learning project management and you want to work as a professional in this field, you’ll probably need to invest in a paid class where you can follow a comprehensive curriculum under the guidance of an expert. A class also gives you the ability to ask questions and get feedback, which can make the learning process a lot easier.

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.