Project management certification requires a combination of education, courses, and experience, with different criteria for each program. The role of project managers is increasingly valuable in the complex business world. The Project Management ProfessionalSM certification by PMI is a popular and respected program, with two paths of verification depending on educational background. Other organizations offering certification include the American Academy of Project Management and the International Association for Project and Program Management.
Certification in project management is earned through a combination of schooling, formal product management courses, and professional experience. The route used to obtain a certification varies. There are several colleges and organizations that offer certificate programs, but not all of them subscribe to the exact same criteria and not all of them are considered equal in the eyes of employers.
The business world is becoming more and more complicated as companies become multinationals, telecommuting becomes commonplace and supply chains expand further every day. That’s why the role played by project managers has become increasingly valuable. They control all aspects of day-to-day activities and ensure that targets are met, expenditures are kept within budget, and project deadlines are met.
Each certification program available has different criteria. Most require basic education, followed by work experience and a final exam. Many project management certificate programs also include an element of continuing education to keep the certification valid. This usually includes tracking ongoing work experience, taking new education classes, and a renewal fee.
An interesting aspect of the certification is the acceptance of previous work history. Most project management certificate programs allow candidates to cite previous professional project management experience for credit. This is accomplished by submitting a very detailed resume that not only lists job openings, but also details and dates of each supervised project.
To ensure resume and work experience accuracy, a select number from the applicant pool is audited. This rigorous process requires the submission of educational graduation records; verification of completed projects, including supervisor signatures; as well as copies of letters and certificates documenting each hour of formal project management education.
There are many different ways to earn a project management certification, but one of the most popular and respected programs is the Project Management ProfessionalSM certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It was created in 1984 and is the first project management certification to be recognized with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001. PMI’s project manager certification program allows for two paths of verification, depending on the candidate’s educational background. Those with an associate’s degree require a minimum of five years of professional management experience, while those with a bachelor’s degree require a minimum of three years.
In the US, the American Academy of Project Management also offers a certification in project management, in addition to more specialized certification in e-business, international project management, and project management training and certification. Another organization is the International Association for Project and Program Management. Offers project management certification in addition to other certifications for senior executives.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN