Comparing the Best Online Project Management Certificates: Which One is Right for You?

Imagine planning an epic heist for which you have to assemble the best team. The entire game plan should be error-free, ensuring every step is foolproof to minimise the risk. As a leader, let’s not forget that you must ensure that each member brings a unique skill set. That’s precisely what project management is all about, except here, you don’t have to rob banks or steal mobiles. Since this field requires so much precision, skills, credentials, and knowledge, many mid- to senior professionals seek the best online project management certificates.

But how do you decide which one is right for you? Don’t worry; this blog has filtered your options and discussed the top five best online project management certificates you can pursue. So, grab some popcorn and dive into the end of this blog to make an informed decision.

Why Opt for a Project Management Certificate?

Aren’t you curious to know why professionals choose to enrol in a project management certificate? Before diving into the best online project management certificates, let’s talk about their benefits and why there’s a rush on this market. Here’s a quick yet comprehensive overview of what a project management certificate brings.

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  Get Higher Salaries: When you have advanced certifications and great skills, you will get higher salaries. According to various industry reports, it is calculated that certified project managers are paid more than non-certified ones.
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  Skill Enhancement: There are various levels of these certifications, from beginners to advanced levels. Depending upon your requirements, you choose the right one for you. They are a great way for skill enhancement and upgrading to the latest technologies.
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  Better Career Prospects: Advanced skills give you a competitive edge in bottleneck competition. Since employers look for proven skills, these certifications would help you find better career opportunities.
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  Personal Growth: See outside the technical proficiency; a project management certification offers more. It strengthens your interpersonal skills, professional development, and building empathy towards others. It has a holistic approach.
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  Adds Global Recognition: As many project management certifications are recognised globally, it opens your doors to international job opportunities.

Best Online Project Management Certificates

There are multiple options for online project management certifications you can take from home. Regardless of your proficiency level, there is a course for everyone. As a beginner, you can start with a free online project management certification course from various platforms like SWAYAM, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, etc. Once you have built your foundation, you can review intermediate- or advanced-level certificates. Here are some of the best online project management certificates to compare and decide on:

1. Project Management Professional Certification (PMP)

The Project Management Professional Certification is a globally recognised credential. It aims to test a candidate’s ability to manage processes and people and prioritise different aspects of the business. This certification is offered by the reputable Project Management Institute (PMI). Irrespective of your industry, anyone can pursue this course; you just have to meet the requirements. The PMP certification is ideal for experienced professionals looking for career advancement. Since this certification is valid for only three years, you must renew or maintain it. You can earn 60 professional development units in a specified time frame.

Cost: The cost of the exam is INR 42,863 (for non-PMI members) and INR 23,459 (for PMI members)

Benefits:

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  Industry Recognition
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  Advanced skills
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  Higher salaries
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  Vast job prospects

2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The CAPM certification stands at the 1st position among the nine most in-demand professional certifications, as per Entrepreneur Media. It is best suited for those mid-career professionals looking for career advancement, higher earning potential, and global opportunities. At present, there are over 1.7 M+ CAPM certificate holders. After this certification, you can follow the path to assistant project manager, project administrator, project analyst, and project coordinator.

Cost: The cost of the exam is INR 12,956 (for PMI members) and INR 17,220 (for non-members)

Benefits:

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  Standardisation of knowledge
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  Increased employability
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  Higher salary potential
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  Global Recognition
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  Competitive edge

3. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

This certificate course lets you tell the world you are an agile expert. This is the industry’s only experience-based ISO-accredited exam. PMI-ACP certification validates your skills in Scrum, Lean, Kanban, and other agile practices. You must have over 2 years of experience to apply for this certification. The exam includes 120 questions and lasts for 180 minutes.

Cost: The exam cost for a member is INR 25,010, and for non-members, it is INR 28,454

Benefits:

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  Global Recognition
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  Enhances agile skills
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  Recognised globally
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  Learn advanced agile methodologies
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  Comprehensive overview of Agile frameworks
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  Can apply for niche roles

4. PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)

With the Risk Management Professional certification, you can turn risk into rewards. This certification helps you gain expertise in spotting problems early, enhancing project outcomes, and mastering risk fundamentals. You need 3–5 years of experience to apply. The exam lasts for 150 minutes and includes 115 questions. It can be taken in 3 different languages. This certification is popular among project managers, risk managers, functional managers, and C-suite executives.

Cost: The exam costs INR 29,848 for PMI members and INR 54,940 for non-members

Benefits:

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  Can boost your salary
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  Can lead you to promotions
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  A wider and deeper understanding of risk management
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  Stand out from the crowd
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  Ability to identify and assess risk
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  Risk mitigation skills

5. Google Project Management Professional Certificate

This is a fast-track option for a career in project management. The Google Project Management Professional Certificate is a 6-course series, and each credential demonstrates your expertise. It’s a beginner-friendly program with a flexible schedule. The course lasts 6 months and allows you to learn at your own pace. It provides a deep understanding of Scrum events, artefacts, and more. Offered via Coursera, the enrolment is free, but certification requires payment. It’s available in 11 different languages.

Cost: It offers free enrolment with a $49 monthly cost after a 7-day free trial

Benefits:

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  Get acquainted with project controls, planning, and closure
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  Access to features like resume review, interview preparation, and career support
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  Globally recognised in MNCs and for higher education

Also Read: Thriving Career Opportunities After Project Management Degree

Other Project Management Certifications

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  Project Management Certification by UCLA Extension
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  eCornell’s Project Management Certificate Programme
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  Certified Project Manager: International Association of Project Managers
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  Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
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  Certified Scrum Master
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  PRINCE2 Foundation/Practitioner
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  Certified Project Director

Related: What is Scrum Project Management? Everything You Should Know

Choosing a Project Management Certificate: Key Factors to Consider

Selecting the right certification can be challenging, depending on various factors. Let’s look at some questions to ask before enrolling in a project management certificate.

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  What are your career goals?
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  What’s your budget?
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  Which industry do you belong to?
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  How much time can you invest?
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  Is that particular certificate course acceptable to companies globally?
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  Is the course-providing institute accredited?

The Final Round

Besides these, there are many other online project management courses you can go for. However, the ones mentioned above are globally recognised and are from a reputed institute. So, it gives you the necessary push in the job market and highlights your proficiency. What are you waiting for now? Take the final call and accelerate your growth.