Project management plays a vital role in various industries, ensuring successful planning, execution, and delivery of projects. As businesses recognize the importance of efficient project management, the demand for professionals with strong project management skills continues to rise. In this digital age, project management education has evolved, offering convenient and flexible online options that cater to individuals seeking to enhance their skills or enter the field.
The Advantages of Project Management Education Online
Online project management courses provide numerous advantages over traditional classroom-based learning. Let’s explore some of the key benefits:
1. Flexibility and Convenience
One of the significant advantages of online project management education is the flexibility it offers. Unlike traditional courses, online programs allow learners to access course materials and lectures at their convenience. Whether you have a full-time job or other commitments, you can pursue project management education without compromising your schedule.
Moreover, online courses eliminate the need for commuting to a physical location, saving you time and money. With just a stable internet connection and a compatible device, you can study project management from the comfort of your home or any preferred location.
2. Diverse Learning Resources
Online project management education provides access to a wide range of learning resources. These resources may include video lectures, interactive modules, case studies, real-world examples, quizzes, and forums for discussion. Such diverse learning materials cater to various learning styles and enhance comprehension and retention.
Additionally, online courses often offer downloadable resources, allowing learners to revisit the content even after completing the course. This flexibility enables continuous learning and serves as a valuable reference for future projects.
3. Industry-Relevant Curriculum
Project management education online ensures that the curriculum remains up-to-date with the latest industry trends and practices. This advantage is particularly crucial in a field like project management, where methodologies and tools constantly evolve.
Reputable online project management courses are designed by industry professionals and experts, integrating their practical knowledge and experience into the curriculum. Learners gain insights into current best practices, emerging trends, and innovative approaches used in the industry, equipping them with relevant skills and knowledge.
4. Networking Opportunities
Contrary to popular belief, online project management education provides ample networking opportunities. Online courses often include discussion forums or dedicated platforms where learners can connect, interact, and collaborate with fellow professionals and instructors.
Networking in an online environment allows learners to broaden their professional connections beyond geographical limitations. Engaging with like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds and industries enables knowledge sharing, idea exchange, and potential collaborations.
PMP Certification Prerequisites
As stated above, there are certain requirements needed before going through training and applying for the PMP exam. The two E’s, education and experience, are prerequisites that professionals must meet. Just by trying to check those two boxes, many people realize they aren’t ready to move forward and take the exam. Depending on the individual and how close they are to meeting the prerequisites, they may want to start out with the CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) certificate instead.
Prerequisites for the PMP certificate are:
- Secondary education, either a high school diploma or global equivalent, or an associate degree, and a minimum of 5 years of project experience (60 months)
- A bachelor’s degree or higher with a minimum of 3 years project experience (36 months)
- A bachelor’s degree or above from a GAC accredited school and 2 years of project experience (24 months)
Once you have determined where you stand on the prerequisites, you must attend 35 contact hours of project management education.
Options for PMP Education Hours: How to Obtain 35 Contact Hours
There are several options for obtaining your 35 contact hours of Project Management Education. How you want to work on them, where you want to work on them, and when you want to work on them all influence the type of training course you will be looking for.
The conditions vary for each choice:
- Amount of time
- Location
- Cost
- Flexibility
The following section of this blog will talk about the main types of programs you can take. Each of these course styles will provide you with the 35 hours of Project Management Training certificate of completion.
Each style has advantages and disadvantages. This assessment of the styles should help you in determining which one suits your needs best.
Classroom PMP Training (In-person or Virtual)
Whether you are attending an in-person classroom training or a virtual classroom training, this method can be less intensive. The course is usually spread out over 3 to 8 weeks, and in some cases, it may be presented in parts and spread out over months. It is often scheduled in the evening or on weekends and provides you with more time between each session. By giving you more time between the sessions, it allows you to put into practice the knowledge that you acquired. This also gives you the ability to continue working on projects, scheduling your time around the coursework.
It still meets the required 35 contact hours, but just like with the boot camp, there are things you need to consider.
- You must be able to dedicate the entire time to attending. If you are working on projects that need your attention, you will not be available.
- If the course is in-person, you must be in attendance at the chosen location.
- You must be on time and stay for the entirety of the class.
Classroom Training is similar in cost to the bootcamp training. It can be priced anywhere from $1,000 to $3000 for a course (virtual courses tend to be less). Because of the more relaxed timeline, students might have a tough time with recall. This course of study requires more commitment to specific class times.  We recommend Brain Sensei’s live virtual instructor classes, as they’re some of the most affordable, with excellent instructors and a 100% pass guarantee on the PMP exam.
Choosing the Right Online Project Management Course
With the increasing popularity of online project management education, it’s essential to select the right course that aligns with your goals and learning preferences. Consider the following factors:
1. Accreditation and Reputation
Prioritize online project management courses offered by reputable institutions or organizations. Accredited courses ensure that the education you receive meets recognized standards and holds value in the job market.
2. Course Content and Delivery
Thoroughly review the course curriculum to ensure it covers the essential project management topics you wish to learn. Assess the delivery methods, such as video lectures, interactive activities, and assessments, to determine if they suit your learning style.
3. Instructor Expertise
Research the instructors’ qualifications and industry experience. Expert instructors bring practical insights and real-world examples, enriching the learning experience.
4. Reviews and Testimonials
Read reviews and testimonials from past learners to gauge the course’s effectiveness, quality, and value. Authentic feedback provides valuable insights into the course’s strengths and weaknesses.
Sign-up for a 7-day free trial! Try the first two modules of Brain Sensei’s story-based PMP and CAPM Exam Prep courses and a mini practice exam and see how it all works
Conclusion
Project management education online offers a flexible and convenient way to acquire essential skills and knowledge in project management. With diverse learning resources, up-to-date curriculum, and networking opportunities, online courses empower individuals to enhance their project management capabilities and boost their career prospects.
When selecting an online project management course, consider factors such as accreditation, course content, instructor expertise, and reviews to ensure you make an informed decision. Embrace the advantages of online education and embark on your journey to becoming a proficient project manager.
The benefits of online project management education are clear. We’ve provided you with the means and the know-how to go forward and get your PMP contact hours in order to schedule your exam.
Of the online courses available, we strongly recommend Brain Sensei’s PMP Exam Prep courses. They offer Live Virtual Online training (both bootcamp and more flexible schedules) as well as unique story-based self-paced PMP exam prep courses. They include a pass guarantee, money-back guarantee, access to the entire course with unlimited practice questions for an entire year, and fantastic customer support.  They also offer a standalone PMP Exam Simulator if you already have your education hours and just want to test your knowledge.