Project management courses make a good investment for your professional growth, especially if you want to build confidence and credibility as a project leader. The best project management courses cover everything from foundational concepts to agile methodologies and industry-specific practices. These programs can open doors to new career opportunities, but the right choice depends on your experience level, learning goals, and how much time and effort you’re ready to commit. Explore your best options below.
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Expert contributors
The project management courses in this guide were handpicked by experienced professionals who lead and deliver real-world projects. Their expertise spans client-facing strategy and hands-on execution, bringing both depth and practicality to every recommendation.
Rahim Thompson, CAPM, PMP
Senior Program Manager at Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
Find Rahim on LinkedIn
Manu Sood
Product Manager at ProofHub
Find Manu on LinkedIn
Jamilyn Trainor
Senior Project Manager and Owner at Müller Expo Services International
Find Jamilyn on LinkedIn
Best project management courses: An overview
Here’s a quick comparison of the best project management courses to help you choose based on your goals, budget, and availability.
| Best for | Cost | Duration | Learn more | |
| Project Management Basics – An Official PMI Online Course | Beginners | Starts at $350 | 23 hours | Visit PMI |
| Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) | Project managers overseeing agile or Scrum-led teams | Starts at $250 | 16 hours | Visit Scrum Alliance |
| Google Project Management | Beginners prepping for CAPM | Free | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Visit Coursera |
| Agile Meets Design Thinking | Beginners familiar with product development | Free | 9 hours | Visit Coursera |
| PRINCE2 7 Foundation and Practitioner | UK-based professionals involved in process-heavy projects | Starts at $1,465 | 3 days (can be 12 months if self-paced) | Visit PRINCE2 |
| PMI® Authorized On-Demand PMP® Exam Prep | Professionals studying for the PMP exam | Starts at $350 | 35 hours | Visit PMI |
| Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Exam Prep Course | Aspiring project managers preparing for the CAPM exam | Starts at $49/month (subscription based) | 4 weeks at 10 hours a week | Visit Coursera |
| PM PrepCast™ Course | Project managers prepping for the PMP exam | Starts at $279 | 35 hours | Visit PM Prepcast |
| Agile Project Management by Google | Exploring a career in product development | Free | 2 weeks at 10 hours a week | Visit Coursera |
| Harvard ManageMentor: Project Management | Entry-level project management professionals | Starts at $10 | 2 hours, 2 minutes | Visit Harvard Business Impact |
*Note: Information in this guide is current as of August 2025 and may change if course prices increase or program details are updated.
1. Project Management Basics
| Best for | Beginners |
| Cost | Member price: $350Non-member price: $400 |
| Course length | 23 hours of self-paced study |
| Course provider | Project Management Institute (PMI) |
| Visit PMI | |
This entry-level project management training helps you build a strong foundation in project management by introducing the key concepts you’ll use throughout your career. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how project environments work and how groups integrate into the full project lifecycle.
The course also guides you through key areas such as scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, communications, and stakeholder management. By the end, you’ll be more confident in applying basic project management principles and ready to contribute more effectively to project teams.
Expert tip from Rahim Thompson
Be cautious with crash courses that promise too much too quickly.
“I recommend avoiding generalized ‘crash courses’ from unvetted sources,” says Thompson. “Saving a few dollars is not worth it if the content does not align with PMI standards or reflect the real complexity of project work. Shortcuts will cost you more later.”
2. Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM)
| Best for | Project managers overseeing agile or Scrum-led teams |
| Cost | $250 and $2,495 |
| Course length | 16 hours of instructor-led classes, delivered over two consecutive full days or four half-day sessions |
| Course provider | Trainers authorized by Scrum Alliance |
| Visit Scrum Alliance | |
Sood recommends the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from Scrum Alliance as a valuable certification. “The Certified ScrumMaster from Scrum Alliance…is also valuable for those working in agile environments or with scrum teams,” he shared.
This course offers a hands-on introduction to Scrum, teaching you how to support agile teams and lead projects using practical, real-world Scrum practices. You’ll dive into the full framework, from roles and events to user stories and sprint planning, all designed to help you contribute more effectively in agile settings.
These workshops are highly interactive, mixing short lectures with group exercises, simulations, and team activities that mirror real-world applications. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to guide teams through agile delivery and help your organization adopt an agile mindset.
When you browse the Scrum Alliance website under Certified ScrumMaster, you can explore a global list of trainers and use filters to find courses based on language, schedule, location, trainer preferences, or discounts. Prices vary depending on the trainer, and the training fee also includes the exam required to earn your certification.
3. Google Project Management
| Best for | Beginners prepping for Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), an entry-level PMI certification |
| Cost | Free |
| Course length | 6 months at 10 hours a week, self-paced |
| Course provider | Google Career Certificates |
| Visit Coursera | |
The Google Project Management gives you a comprehensive introduction to both traditional and agile project management practices in a six-course series. You’ll gain practical skills with real-world tools and techniques, such as project scoping, quality management, and stakeholder communication.
The program is designed to help you build essential project management skills by walking you through the project lifecycle, from initiation and planning to execution. It also introduces agile concepts including Scrum events and agile team coaching.
As you progress, you’ll complete hands-on projects that mirror real-world scenarios and equip you for an entry-level project management role. After completing the course, you’ll receive a career certificate and be well-prepared to pursue industry-recognized credentials such as the CAPM.
4. Agile Meets Design Thinking
| Best for | Beginners familiar with product development |
| Cost | Free |
| Course length | 9 hours to complete (self-paced) |
| Course provider | University of Virginia |
| Visit Coursera | |
Sood approves Agile Meets Design Thinking as a valuable niche course for professionals working on software and product teams. “The niche course that helped me specialize was Agile Meets Design Thinking,” he shared. “It gave me practical tools to merge agile processes with user-centred design. I often work on software and product teams that need to balance rapid iteration with good user experience, so the course was very relevant to my day-to-day projects.”
This program is one of the best courses in project management that demonstrates how to identify real user needs by using personas, problem scenarios, and testable narratives. By the end of it, you will learn how to turn those insights into agile user stories and use them as a foundation for collaboration, prototyping, and continuous feedback within your team.
There are two learning tracks available: Digital Product Management and Agile Development. Be sure to select the track that best supports your goal of building subject-matter expertise in your preferred area of agile practice.
Expert tip from Jamilyn Trainor
Don’t fall for the hype. Choose agile courses with real-world relevance.
“…I did have trouble with broad-scope ‘agile’ courses without industry applications,” says Trainor. “If you take any course, go deep and cut the HYPE. Combine soft and hard skills with [the] intention to complement each other.”
5. PRINCE2 7 Foundation and Practitioner
| Best for | UK-based professionals involved in process-heavy projects |
| Cost | Online: $1,465 (self-paced)Classroom: $2,163.25Virtual: $1,708 (live lesson) |
| Course length | 3 days (can be 12 months if self-paced) |
| Course provider | PRINCE2 |
| Visit PRINCE2 | |
PRINCE2, which stands for PRojects IN Controlled Environments, is a process-driven project management methodology to help you deliver projects on time, stay within budget, and manage risks effectively. According to Manu Sood, PRINCE2 is a strong fit for professionals managing projects in regions like the UK, where it’s often preferred over other project management approaches.
“…when choosing specialized certifications or training, the important thing is to look at the kinds of companies and clients you plan to work with,” Sood noted. “Some industries, like finance, healthcare, or government, may require or strongly favour certain credentials that align with their processes or regulations. Similarly, different regions have their own recognized standards, like PRINCE2 for the UK…”
This project management professional development course is offered at two qualification levels: Foundation and Practitioner. The Foundation level introduces the core project management principles of PRINCE2, while the Practitioner level focuses on applying those principles to real-world scenarios.
You can choose from four course delivery formats: self-paced e-learning (with 12 months of access), virtual live sessions, a blend of e-learning and virtual (you complete Foundation via the self-paced e-learning and move into a virtual classroom setting for Practitioner), or in-person classes for project management (with both instructor-led options lasting two to three days).
6. PMI® Authorized On-Demand PMP® Exam Prep
| Best for | Professionals studying for the PMP exam |
| Cost | Member price: $350Non-member price: $400 |
| Course length | 35 hours of self-paced lessons |
| Course provider | PMI |
| Visit PMI | |
This course is built for project managers with three to five years of experience who are preparing to earn their Project Management Professional (PMP) certification to validate their skills and expertise. It’s a self-paced program focused on refreshing your knowledge, especially around agile and hybrid project management approaches. It also satisfies the educational requirement to apply for the PMP exam, which not all training programs provide.
The course includes multimedia content, guided reviews, and self-directed activities to support flexible learning. It’s structured into five modules including team building, collaboration, stakeholder engagement, managing change, and assessing business impacts.
Expert tip from Rahim Thompson
Don’t just memorize terms. Focus on mindset and exam readiness.
“The most valuable resource I have used is PMI Study Hall Plus,” says Thompson. “As I prepared for the PMP exam, this digital learning tool provided feedback after each question that helped me understand the mindset PMI looks for in PMP-certified professionals. It didn’t just help me absorb content. It gave me the confidence and momentum to reschedule and take the PMP exam sooner than planned.”
7. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Exam Prep Course
| Best for | Aspiring project managers preparing for the CAPM exam |
| Cost | $49/month (subscription based) |
| Course length | 4 weeks at 10 hours a week (self-paced) |
| Course provider | Packt – Course Instructors |
| Visit Coursera | |
This exam prep is one of the top courses in project management for professionals who want to earn the CAPM certification to advance their careers and lay the groundwork for further study in project management. The three-part course series is based on the PMI framework and begins by introducing the fundamentals of project management.
From there, it explores key methodologies such as predictive, adaptive, and hybrid to help learners understand how different approaches apply in various project environments. The final section covers business analysis techniques and walks you through the CAPM exam structure so you can build an effective study plan.
8. PM PrepCast™ Course
| Best for | Project managers prepping for the PMP exam |
| Cost | Ranges from $279 to $389 |
| Course length | 35 hours of self-paced video lessons |
| Course provider | PM Prepcast |
| Visit PM Prepcast | |
Trainor prepared for her PMP certification using Cornelius Fichtner’s PMP Exam Simulators, which she found far more effective than traditional study methods. “I prepared for my PMP with Cornelius Fichtner’s PMP Exam Simulators, which were a million times more useful than the textbooks,” she said. “This was authentic exam logic, not just content.”
Offered by PrepCast, the simulator is part of a comprehensive training package that also includes 35 hours of video-based instruction and study materials covering agile and hybrid methodologies.
The PM PrepCast course complements the PMBOK® Guide from PMI, providing clear explanations and real-world examples to make both basic and complex project management concepts easier to understand. It also includes helpful extras like a study checklist, newsletter subscription, and access to a discussion forum where PMP candidates can ask questions.
9. Agile Project Management by Google
| Best for | Professionals exploring a career in product development |
| Cost | Free |
| Course length | 2 weeks at 10 hours a week (self-paced) |
| Course provider | Google Career Certificates |
| Visit Coursera | |
If you’re planning to pursue your Agile CSM certification, Manu Sood recommends starting with Google’s Agile Project Management course to build a strong foundation. “The Agile CSM certification was definitely worth the investment,” he said. “It’s directly relevant to my work in software development and has good scope for career growth.” The Google course focuses on key agile methodologies that are widely used in tech and product development, making it a practical first step before earning your CSM.
The project management training course is divided into four modules that introduce the core principles of agile and the Scrum framework. As you progress, you’ll explore Scrum’s pillars and values, compare key Scrum Team roles, and learn how to coach agile teams through common challenges, perfect for aspiring project managers.
10. Harvard ManageMentor: Project Management
| Best for | Early-career professionals in project management |
| Cost | Degree-granting course: $10 per student Non-degree-granting course: $25 per student |
| Course length | 2 hours, 2 minutes of self-paced lessons |
| Course provider | Harvard Business Publishing |
| Visit Harvard Business Impact | |
For Trainor, one of the most valuable resources in her learning journey was the Harvard ManageMentor’s Project Management module.
“I wasn’t expecting it, but one of the most useful learning resources was Harvard ManageMentor’s Project Management module” she said. “… the case studies grounded my learning and helped me become a better decision maker in often chaotic cross-functional projects.” This real-world context helped her apply project management principles more confidently in high-pressure environments.
This two-hour course provides the essential skills, activities, and techniques needed for effective project management. You’ll learn how to define project scope, identify stakeholders and key objectives, and build a realistic schedule and budget. It will also walk you through monitoring project costs, timelines, scope, and quality, along with strategies for keeping stakeholders updated throughout the process.
The course features insights from business leaders and coaches, giving you the chance to learn proven strategies and best practices from real-world experience.
Expert tip from Rahim Thompson
Take advantage of YouTube as a free study tool.
“I recommend YouTube. I spent hours watching walkthroughs of practice questions and breakdowns of exam strategies from credible and certified coaches,” says Thompson. “You want to develop a study plan that develops your ability to think critically under pressure.”
What is project management certification and why does it matter?
A project management certification is a professional credential proving you’ve gained the knowledge, skills, and training to manage projects effectively. It’s awarded by a recognized organization after you complete a course and pass an exam.
The type of certification you earn reflects your ability to understand project processes, manage risks, and lead teams across a variety of project environments. Some certifications also require relevant work experience and an application review process, adding an extra layer of credibility by validating your expertise in the field.
Earning a project management certification matters because it validates your expertise and enhances your credibility to future employers. Beyond strengthening your resume, it also supports long-term career growth through promotions, higher pay, continuous learning, and better project outcomes.
Best project management certification for every career level and industry
Now that you’re familiar with the best project management courses, it’s time to explore the certifications that align with your experience level and industry goals. From entry-level roles to executive leadership, each certification offers a clear path to grow your skills and advance professionally.
Entry-level
1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
This certification is a strong starting point for early-career professionals who want to validate their knowledge and skills in project management. It requires 23 hours of project management education before taking the exam, which you can fulfill through the recommended prep course mentioned above. As a stepping stone toward the PMP certification, it provides the knowledge to meet the educational requirement while equipping you with the core skills to advance your career.
2. PRINCE2 Foundation
The PRINCE2 Foundation is the standard project management approach in the UK, which uses a structured framework to manage and control projects. It introduces key principles to help you operate in project teams driven by PRINCE2 methodology. If you work in a supporting project role, obtaining the PRINCE2 Foundation certification is recommended.
Mid-level certification
1. Project Management Professional (PMP)
This globally recognized certification proves you have the leadership skills and expertise to manage projects across any industry using predictive, agile, or hybrid approaches. It requires three to five years of experience and validates your ability to manage people, processes, and business goals effectively.
There is also an education requirement, both through a formal project management course and an academic background, to ensure you have the necessary theoretical knowledge. Additionally, you must apply and be approved before taking the timed exam, as part of a formal review process that verifies your eligibility.
2. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
The CSM certification demonstrates your agile leadership skills and commitment to applying Scrum principles effectively. To earn it, you must complete a two-day course with a Certified Scrum Trainer and pass a 50-question exam with a score of at least 74 percent.
3. Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
This certification validates your expertise in agile practices and your ability to lead teams using frameworks like Scrum, Lean, and Kanban. You can confidently apply agile principles with the right mindset, tools, and skills in dynamic team environments. For the certification, you need 24 months of agile experience within the last five years and 28 hours of formal training in agile practices, although holding a current PMP can satisfy part of the experience requirement.
Like the PMP, there is also an application process to verify your eligibility, followed by a timed exam that assesses your knowledge and ability to apply agile principles in real-world scenarios.
Expert tip from Manu Sood
Be selective with certifications that have ongoing renewal requirements.
“While I wouldn’t say any course is a complete waste of money, it’s important to be cautious with certifications that require annual renewals,” says Sood. “These come with ongoing fees and require spending time every year to keep them active.If you’re just starting out, Sood recommends prioritizing foundational certifications and saving recurring-cost programs for when you’re confident they fit your career path.
Senior-level certification
1. Program Management Professional (PgMP)®
The PgMP certification is for senior professionals who manage multiple, related projects and drive better project results. It confirms your ability to handle complex program structures, balance competing priorities, and align initiatives with organizational goals.
If you have a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need either 48 months of both project and program management experience, or 36 months of each if your degree is from a Global Accreditation Center (GAC)–accredited program. Earning this credential also supports your ongoing professional development, which plays a key role in staying relevant and effective as a project management leader.
Candidates must also complete an application process, with most applications audited by PMI, and pass a rigorous timed exam.
2. Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)®
The PfMP certification is built for senior-level professionals and executives who are responsible for prioritizing initiatives, managing risk, and ensuring portfolio value across the organization. Bachelor’s degree holders require eight years of business experience, along with either four years of portfolio management experience or three years if your degree is from a GAC-accredited program.
This credential validates your ability to align portfolios with organizational strategy and deliver sustainable results. Like the PgMP, the candidates must go through a formal application process, with most submissions audited by PMI, and complete a timed exam.
By industry
1. CompTIA Project+
This entry-level certification exam is for IT professionals managing small to medium-sized projects and need to validate their project planning and coordination skills. It’s recommended that you have 6 to 12 months of hands-on project experience in an IT setting before taking the exam.
2. Cognitive Project Management in AI (CPMAI)™
This is an advanced certification that expands on the CPMAI methodology by integrating the Trustworthy AI Framework, with a focus on ethical, transparent, and accountable AI project practices. It validates your ability to lead AI initiatives while observing responsible and fair implementation standards. To enroll, you must first complete the CPMAI™ v7 training and certification course.
3. PMI Construction Professional (PMI-CP)™
The PMI-CP certification is for project managers in the construction industry who want to strengthen their ability to lead teams, manage contracts, and deliver successful projects. It prepares you to handle real-world challenges while staying current with evolving practices in the built environment. Takers must complete four training modules and have at least three years of hands-on experience with construction within the past 10 years.
Free vs. paid certifications: What’s the difference?
When deciding between free and paid certifications, it’s important to look beyond the cost. Free certifications can be a budget-friendly way to build foundational knowledge, especially if you’re new to the field or exploring different approaches.
However, paid certifications usually offer more structured training, recognized credentials, and direct alignment with industry standards like PMI or PRINCE2. If you’re aiming to advance into higher-level roles, a paid certification often carries more weight with employers.
Choosing the right certification for your career goals
Choosing the right certification comes down to where you are in your career and where you want to go next. If you’re just starting out, entry-level certifications like CAPM or PRINCE2 Foundation can help you build a strong foundation. More advanced options like PMP or PgMP are better suited once you’ve gained experience and are ready to lead larger initiatives.
Keep in mind that some certifications require ongoing renewal, including earning a set number of Professional Development Units (PDUs) within specific time intervals to maintain your credential. Take the time to align your choice with your current skills, future goals, the industry you want to grow in, and your ability to meet any long-term upkeep requirements.
FAQs
Is PMP still worth it?
Yes, the PMP remains one of the highly respected certifications in project management, especially if you’re aiming for leadership roles or managing complex projects across industries.
Which is better, PMP or APM?
PMP is more globally recognized and suited for experienced project managers, while APM is ideal if you’re early in your career or working in UK-based organizations. Either way, the best project management course online is the one that matches your current experience level, learning goals, and the type of projects you plan to lead.
What is the best way to learn project management?
The best way to learn project management is a combination of training and hands-on experience. You can start with a foundational course or certification, then apply what you learn in your team projects.
