When Andrew Hernandez decided to further his education in project management, he felt an online master’s degree over a certificate or another credential was the way to go.
“I wanted to know the ins and outs of the project management profession. I’m not saying that a certificate is bad — in fact, a certificate is good. But it just depends on your goals, interests, the time you have to complete the education,” says the 24-year-old Maryland resident.
Project managers focus on the initiation, planning, execution and completion of a specific project, whether that’s developing new software, constructing a new facility or launching a marketing campaign.
The purpose is to “reach a well-defined goal,” says Jeff Warner, director of professional certificate programs at the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, where Hernandez is pursuing his online master’s. Hernandez says he plans to apply his new skills to a career in agriculture.
Project management knowledge is in high demand among many employers. According to the Project Management Institute, a company devoted to advancing the profession, demand for workers with these skills across seven industries is expected to grow by 33 percent, or 22 million jobs, in the next decade.
[Discover 10 factors to decide if an online degree program is legit.]
For those interested in project management, here are the different types of online programs available — from free online courses to certification exam preparation to full degrees — and their career benefits.
— MOOCs: Massive open online courses are generally free and available to anyone with internet, although participants in most MOOCs can pay a fee to earn a verified certificate of completion and access extra features such as virtually proctored exams. MOOCs often include recorded video lectures by actual professors.
In the U.S., edX and Coursera are the two main companies that create MOOCs with universities, and prospective online students considering a MOOC can begin their search for online courses on each company’s website.
EdX, for example, offers Introduction to Project Management in collaboration with the University of Adelaide in Australia. The verified certificate costs $50, requiring two to three hours of coursework a week for six weeks. Some other edX MOOCs focus on project management in specific industries, and Coursera offers similar options.
Experts generally say a MOOC is a good option for those who want to see if online learning — or a field in particular — is right for them. Those who pay for certificates can showcase to employers that they have gained relevant skills without spending the money on a degree.
[Learn 10 things to know about MOOCs in online education.]
— Online courses for project management certification: Many of those who have full-time jobs as project managers also pursue certification. The Project Management Institute currently serves as the primary global provider of these credentials.
The most well-known PMI certification is the Project Management Professional, or PMP, says Brian A. Weiss, vice president of practitioner career development at PMI. Earning a certification is a requirement for certain jobs and can lead to higher salaries, Weiss says.
PMI offers online exam prep courses, particularly for the Certified Associate in Project Management certification, as do some universities. For example, Pace University in New York has a PMP exam certification prep course that costs about $1,800 and takes a few months to complete. Low-cost certification prep options include websites such as Udemy, where classes can vary in price, length and quality.
Certification holders must also maintain their credential, usually by continuously earning professional development units, or PDUs, either through online classes or other means. Prospective students should ensure they select online coursework from a PMI-registered education provider.
PMI itself also offers online classes to earn PDUs. For example, the Introduction to Six Sigma course is worth 32 PDUs, costing nearly $500 for PMI members and about $700 for nonmembers, though prices overall vary among courses. Free and other less costly options may include The PM Podcast and others available via an internet search.
— Standalone online courses: Several other types of online project management courses focus on the field overall as well as its application to specific industries.
The se aren’t necessarily geared only toward students who want to earn and maintain certifications and may be viewed simply for continuing education purposes. Prospective participants can find these through an online search or on sites like Udemy.
[Discover the types of credentials you can earn online.]
LinkedIn Learning is another option and allows for a free trial and then charges $2 9 .99 per month. Online students can choose between several courses in project management, often lasting an hour or more, in addition to exam prep options.
— Certificates and degrees from universities: Those looking for a more in-depth exploration into the project management field may also consider credentials such as certificates or degrees that reputable universities offer.
Pennsylvania State University–World Campus, for instance, has an online graduate-level project management certificate that costs nearly $12,000 total with a four-course requirement. An online master’s degree in the field has a 10-class requirement and costs a total of $29,250 for those who take fewer than 12 credit hours per semester.
“The online degree program is going to give you a lot more theory and a lot more broad perspective in project management,” says Michael Stefani, director of strategic partnerships at the Villanova University College of Professional Studies, which offers several online master’s certificates in the field. Those are generally focused more on actually applying knowledge to jobs, he says.
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Choose the Right Online Program in Project Management originally appeared on usnews.com
