Project management degree vs certification

Agile 2, the evolution of agile way of working

Mar 09, 2024

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💼 Article: Project management degree vs Project management certification

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Project management degree vs Project management certification

There are several ways to become a project manager, including these paths:

Getting a project management degree
Landing a PM role through work experience
Earning a project management certification

Getting a degree in project management

The demand for project managers is growing because businesses need people who are capable of managing complex, knowledge-based projects. For example, a tech firm might use Agile methodology to deliver continual improvements in a software product or a retailer might look to optimize its supply chain with analytics and machine learning.

Recognizing this need, many universities now offer degrees and courses in project management. Project management bachelor’s degrees are designed to provide students with a broad education in the discipline and cover topics such as project planning and implementation, risk management and stakeholder involvement. Master’s degree courses teach advanced subjects such as organizational behavior, business analytics, and cost management and budgeting.

Both degree types blend on-the-job training with classroom lectures. Students get real-world PM experience by working as volunteers or interns. Many of these projects are ideal for showing prospective employers examples of taking a project to completion and delivering results.

A bachelor’s degree in project management is often seen as the optimal route into the industry, but time consuming.

Other ways into project management

Via project management certification

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM): You can take the CAPM exam if you have a high school diploma and either 1,500 hours of work-related experience or a minimum of 23 hours of project management education. This certification is considered most suitable for those entering project management.
Project Management Professional (PMP): You’ll need a minimum of 4,500 hours of experience and a bachelor’s degree to take the PMP exam. The PMP is targeted more toward experienced project managers.

The benefit of project management certifications is that they prove you have the knowledge to excel in your role as a project manager (and they can help you make more money!).

“Reality Check”

Search for a few minutes for jobs on virtually any job site, and you’ll discover most of the post-doctoral positions for project managers list “PMP certification” as either mandatory or higher preferred.

Customers are demanding PMP certification from their vendors.

It doesn’t matter whether you believe in the inherent worth that comes with PMP certifiability or not, the reality is that many large companies and organizations are simply demanding this.

For certain kinds of businesses, the entire approach to business is based on strict procedures, which is why having a PMP qualification is essential. “Highly regulated industries (e.g., financial services, pharmaceuticals, defense, and aerospace) wouldn’t consider anyone without [the PMP] certification.

Achieving your PMP certification shows that you are motivated and goal-oriented.

Employers want to hire people who are motivated to go above and beyond the normal call of duty. These people are also willing to commit themselves to their professional development, which shows commitment and dedication.

As project managers, we are able to adapt to the unexpected. All projects are expected to bring unknown ideas and tasks, and our ability to manage in an ever-changing environment is pivotal. But while every project is different, there has been a value in using a set of standardized, repeatable processes endorsed by experts around the world.

Conclusion

Having a PMP certification is 10 x more valueable then degree in project management.

Top Discussions

PMI released a report in November 2023 on “Building and Leading High-performing Teams”. If you want to level up your leadership, the report recommends to focus on culture, empowerment, engagement, and resilience with your teams.
Agile 2, the evolution of agile way of working. Agile 2 was created by an intentionally diverse group that seeks the “next iteration of agile”. Read about the case for pivoting to Agile 2 and its Values and Principles.
Now Available: Pulse of the Profession® 2024: The Future of Project Work. Discover the secrets to organizational success with our latest thought leadership report! Explore the crucial topic of adaptability and its impact on project performance. In the report, unveil key insights, uncover factors influencing project performance, and learn actionable strategies to better enable your project teams. Learn what drives project performance.

What's Trending at CAPM/PMP Next Week?

FREE Upcoming Live Webinars:

CAPM Study Group - when: March 13 - Link to event: https://www.linkedin.com/events/capm-weeklystudygroup-topic-tbd7165100134589009920/

PMP Study Group - when: March 14 - Link to event: https://www.linkedin.com/events/pmp-studygroupfor2ndtimers-topi7165108845260824576/

In Case You Missed It:

Sharing and learning from other is the best way to speed up exam prep.

video 1 - how AJ passed PMP:

video 2 - how Shilpa passed CAPM:

Person to follow

Hi, I'm Amitabh! I've been in program and project management for over 18 years. I help others in this field chart their career paths, whether it's crafting a career strategy, revamping their personal branding (CV/LI), or acing interviews. I believe understanding your "why" is key to figuring out the "how." (I hold certifications like PgMP, PMP, CSM, and CSPO to support my expertise.)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitabhsingh247/