Project Manager Certification

For those looking to gain the tools and knowledge to lead and manage projects of all sizes, a project manager certification prepares holders of these undergraduate careers for the challenges they can expect to face. For those looking to succeed in project management, certification is a must. In fact, more and more companies require it along with an undergraduate degree. However, a project manager certification can be rigorous and require a huge time commitment; it’s best to find one that fits your career goals.

There are five, main, project manager certifications from which to choose. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is the most well-known project manager certification. It shows employers that you have the experience and knowledge to lead and manage projects. The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is an entry-level certification for those with not quite enough experience for a PMP. It tests students on basic functions of project management. The Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification is ideal for those who oversee entire programs and manage multiple complex projects. The Scheduling Professional (SP) project manager certification focuses on creating project schedules while honing project management skills. The Risk Management Professional (RMP) certification gauges one’s competency in identifying project risks.

Each project manager certification has intense education and experience requirements. The PMP certification requires a bachelor’s degree, three years of experience in the project management field and 35 hours of project management education. Even the entry-level CAPM certification requires a high school diploma and either 23 hours of education or 1,500 hours of experience in project management. The PgMP certification requires a bachelor’s degree and four years experience in both program management and project management. The SP project manager certification requires a bachelor’s degree, 30 hours of education in project scheduling and 3,500 hours of experience in project scheduling. The RMP certification requires a bachelor’s degree, 3,000 hours of risk management experience and 30 hours of education in risk management.