You’ve decided to go for PMP certification, so now it’s time to study up. A PMP exam prep course can be a great way to brush up on your knowledge while racking up the 35 contact hours of project management education needed to qualify for PMP certification.
Of course, not all PMP certification courses are equal. It’s important to find a training program that meets your unique learning needs while also delivering quality content that will help you pass the PMP exam. And let’s face it: You need to consider the costs.
Here’s a list of project management certification courses that can help you prep for your PMP exam, with options for every learning style and training budget.
One of the best places to start is close to home. That’s right, check out your local PMI chapter to see what kind of PMP exam study options they have available, and put your PMI membership to good use right out of the gate!
It’s a great way to meet your project management neighbors and build a network of local connections. After all, nothing boosts PMP exam morale quite like the encouragement of real-life community.
Whether you’re looking to fulfill your PDU requirements or study for your PMP exam, this 5-module course will immerse you in real-world scenarios to help you practice and apply principles and concepts at work.
If you don’t live in a big city or have a local PMI chapter close by, that’s okay! There are plenty of PMP certification training courses out there. So how do you choose?
We recommend checking out PMI’s database of Authorized Training Partners. Courses from these partners have passed PMI’s quality check and deliver content that aligns with the PMI’s Global Standards from a seasoned PMP-certified instructor.
Who says studying for the PMP exam has to be boring? Brain Sensei uses storytelling to help you learn. Journey to Feudal Japan, and follow a female Samurai as she conquers challenges along the way. Heck, you might even forget you’re studying!
Want to learn from the comfort of home without giving up the interactive benefits of a classroom setting? Give SimpliLearn’s online bootcamp a try. You’ll get live classes taught by experienced PMP-certified instructors—plus learning support from mentors and peers—in addition to on-demand videos.
PMTraining’s online PMP certification classes offer a variety of options from live, virtual instruction to on-demand courses. Live virtual classes provide you with direct access to your instructor, plus exam application and audit assistance as an added bonus. Pick and choose your class based on the time, days, and duration that work best for you, with evening and weekend schedule options available.
PM PrepCast is one of the more affordable PMP certification exam courses out there. It’s a mobile-friendly training option with videos you can consume on your own, whenever and wherever you like. If you’re looking for a more hands-on PMP exam prep experience, personal and group coaching options are available for an additional cost.
This subscription-based app acts more as an interactive study tool than a traditional training course. You won’t get video lessons, but it’s a worthy (and affordable) option if you learn best by doing. BrainBok’s ITTO Explorer is a standout feature that makes it easy to visualize and understand all the ins and outs of PM processes. While BrainBok isn’t an Authorized Training Partner, it is PMI-licensed to comply with their guidelines.
Of course, PMP isn’t the only project management certification out there. The good news is, you have lots of options. The tough part is figuring out which certifications make sense for you given the industry you work in and the type of team and projects you lead.
Here’s a list of additional project management certifications to consider.
The APM is an entry-level certification that provides a basic foundation in project management. It’s offered through the Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM). If you’re a student looking to beef up your resume before you graduate or just getting started in your project management career, this may be a good option for you.
Want to add a credential to your name but don’t meet the requirements to become a PMP yet? Consider the CAPM. Administered by PMI, it’s open to project managers at any stage in their career and is a great way to master the basics.
Offered by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), this project management certification is geared toward project managers who oversee small-to-medium-sized projects in any business—not just IT. If you’re just starting out in project management, this entry-level certification might be a good place to start.
If you’re a mid-level project manager looking to take your skills to the next level, the PPM certification may be an option you want to consider. Managed by the GAQM, it’s the next step up from APM certification. Expect to dive deeper into project management practices so you know how to plan, execute, control, and complete projects.
Popular in Europe and Australia, the PRINCE2 certification got its start in the UK government as a standard for managing IT projects. Today, it’s used across industries. You can earn 2 levels of PRINCE2 certification, with an Agile track available, through AXELOS. The Foundation level is geared toward entry-level project managers, while the Practitioner level offers the next step up.
This project management certification is administered by the American Academy of Project Management. As its name implies, the MPM certification is designed for experienced project management professionals.
Look to PMI to earn this certification. It’s a good option if you’re a senior-level professional who’s moved up to a strategic leadership role and leads multiple, complex projects across the organization.
The PMI-ACP credential is PMI’s fastest-growing certification. If you’re part of an Agile team or organization, it’s worth considering.
Typically found in software development, ScrumMasters serve as trusty guides who clear the path for project success. The Certified ScrumMaster credential is available through the Scrum Alliance, which offers certifications for other Scrum roles, including product owners, developers, and trainers.
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