PMP Certification Prep – Top 18 Project Management Universities 2026

If you are considering university-level project management education, there are now far more flexible options than when this article was first published. Many universities offer online graduate certificates, professional programs, master’s degrees, and shorter project management courses. However, a university degree is not required to earn the PMP certification. If your main objective is meeting PMI’s training requirement and preparing specifically for the exam, a dedicated PMP exam prep course can be a much shorter route.

This list originally highlighted 18 universities offering project management education. We have updated those same schools to reflect what they actually offer in 2026. Some programs have expanded, some have changed format, and a few universities now offer project management primarily as part of a broader business curriculum rather than as a standalone degree.

Do You Need a Project Management Degree to Get PMP Certified?

No. A project management degree can provide valuable academic and professional development, but PMI does not require you to earn one before applying for the PMP.

Under the current PMP eligibility requirements, you need a combination of education, professional experience managing projects, and 35 hours of Project Professional training. An active CAPM certification can also satisfy the PMP training requirement.

Your required project experience depends on your educational background:

• High school diploma or equivalent: 5 years managing projects
• Associate degree or vocational trade school diploma: 4 years managing projects
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 3 years managing projects
• Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree from a PMI GAC-accredited program: 2 years managing projects

Qualifying project experience must fall within the previous 10 years.

A university program therefore makes the most sense when you want broader education in project management, an academic credential, or a pathway into graduate study. If you already satisfy the experience requirement and mainly need the 35 training hours and exam preparation, a full university program may be more education than you need.

Project Management University #1: Brandeis University

Brandeis remains one of the strongest matches from our original list because it still offers dedicated project management graduate education.

Brandeis Online currently offers a Master of Science in Project and Program Management. The 30-credit program is 100% online and can be completed full time or part time. Its curriculum combines traditional project management with agile approaches and includes subjects such as project leadership, time, cost, scope, risk, procurement, and program management.

Brandeis also offers a four-course, 12-credit Master’s Certificate in Project Management for students who want a shorter graduate-level option rather than a complete master’s degree.

Good fit for: Professionals who want an academic project management credential with both traditional and agile content.

Project Management University #2: Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University continues to offer an online Graduate Certificate in Project Management.

The program combines required project management courses with electives and can also provide a pathway into SNHU’s master’s or MBA programs.

One particularly relevant option for PMP candidates is QSO-645, Project Management for PMP Certification. SNHU states that this course provides the 35 hours of project management education required to sit for the PMP exam.

This makes SNHU useful for students who want university coursework but also want their studies to contribute directly toward PMP eligibility.

Good fit for: Professionals who want online university study with the option to continue into a graduate degree.

Project Management University #3: Northeastern University

Northeastern’s project management offerings have evolved significantly since our original article.

The university currently offers a 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Project Management through its College of Professional Studies, with online and Boston-based options.

The core curriculum includes:

• Foundations of Project Management
• Project Scope, Schedule and Cost Planning
• Project Risk Management
• Project Quality Management

Northeastern also now offers an online Graduate Certificate in AI-Powered Project Management, adding AI-Augmented Project Analytics to the project management curriculum.

Credits from its online certificate can potentially stack into further graduate study, including Northeastern’s MS in Project Management.

Good fit for: Professionals interested in graduate project management education with a modern technology and AI angle.

Project Management University #4: Boston University

Boston University’s Metropolitan College continues to offer a Graduate Certificate in Project Management both online and on campus.

The current certificate consists of 16 units and can be completed part time in approximately eight months.

Coursework includes project planning, project control, risk, cost management, agile practices, leadership, and project execution. The current curriculum also incorporates newer areas such as AI-powered project management and sustainability.

BU specifically positions the certificate as preparation for project management careers and PMP certification, although students should still distinguish broader university project management education from a dedicated PMP exam-prep program.

Good fit for: Working professionals who want a structured graduate certificate with online or Boston-based study.

Project Management University #5: Penn State

Penn State World Campus currently offers a 100% online Graduate Certificate in Project Management.

The 12-credit program uses problem-based learning and focuses on practical areas such as project planning, risk, project execution, cost, scheduling, and organizational performance.

One advantage of this program is that the certificate is embedded within Penn State’s Master of Project Management. Students who later decide to continue their education may be able to apply the certificate credits toward the master’s program.

This is a more substantial academic commitment than taking a short PMP preparation course, but it can make sense if PMP certification is only one part of your longer-term project management education.

Good fit for: Professionals who may eventually want a master’s degree in project management.

Project Management University #6: George Washington University

George Washington University’s School of Business continues to offer a Graduate Certificate in Project Management.

The current certificate requires 12 credits and combines project management with analytical and business decision-making skills.

Required study includes Project Management Principles and Decision Making and Data Analysis, with electives available in areas such as:

• Project economics and finance
• Risk analysis
• Cost estimation and control
• Planning and scheduling
• Agile project management
• Team leadership

The project management graduate certificate can also be completed online.

Good fit for: Students who want project management education within a graduate business-school environment.

Project Management University #7: Georgetown University

Georgetown University continues to offer its Certificate in Project Management through the School of Continuing Studies.

This is a professional certificate rather than a graduate degree, making it somewhat closer to PMP training than many of the university programs on this list.

The curriculum covers:

• Predictive project management
• Agile project management
• Strategy and project execution
• Leading project teams
• Communications and negotiation
• Risk management
• Practical application of project management

Georgetown states that students who complete the certificate satisfy the project management education requirements needed to sit for the PMP or CAPM exam.

The program is available through online and on-campus formats and can be completed intensively or spread over a longer period.

Good fit for: Professionals who want university-backed training that can also fulfill PMI’s education requirement.

Project Management University #8: New York University

NYU’s School of Professional Studies continues to provide project management education, although its current structure is different from the one described in our original article.

NYU SPS currently offers a Certificate in Project Management Fundamental Tools and Techniques. It includes two required foundational courses and two electives covering areas such as agile project management, risk and change management, and current trends.

The certificate is particularly appropriate for professionals who are new to project management and is designed to satisfy the education requirements for the CAPM exam.

NYU also offers a separate Project Management Professional certification exam-prep course for more experienced professionals preparing specifically for the PMP.

Good fit for: Professionals who want the flexibility to choose between foundational project management education and more targeted certification preparation.

Project Management University #9: Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester Institute of Technology currently offers a Project Management Advanced Certificate.

The 12-credit graduate certificate is available both on campus and online.

The curriculum includes:

• Project Management
• Agile Project Management
• An advanced project management elective
• An additional program elective

Elective options include topics such as international project management, agile leadership, design thinking, leading change, and Lean Six Sigma.

RIT also offers pathways that allow project management education to feed into further graduate study.

Good fit for: Professionals who want a compact graduate certificate with a strong agile component.

Project Management University #10: Northwestern University

Northwestern University continues to offer a Graduate Certificate in Project Management through its School of Professional Studies.

The current program is a four-course graduate certificate intended for professionals who want formal education in project management without committing to a full master’s degree.

Northwestern is one of the more academically intensive and higher-cost options on this list, so it makes the most sense if the Northwestern credential and graduate-level learning experience are important parts of your objective.

If your only goal is obtaining the 35 PMP training hours, compare the time and cost of the certificate with a dedicated PMP training course before enrolling.

Good fit for: Professionals who value a Northwestern graduate credential as much as the project management education itself.

Project Management University #11: DePaul University

DePaul has a particularly useful distinction for prospective PMP candidates.

Its Continuing and Professional Education division currently offers a Project Management Certificate Program that follows the complete project lifecycle from initiation and planning through execution, monitoring, controlling, and closing.

The current online program runs for approximately 12 weeks.

DePaul explicitly states that the program fulfills PMI’s 35-hour education requirement for PMP applicants.

However, DePaul also makes an important clarification: the certificate is not primarily a PMP exam-prep course.

That distinction is useful. It provides project management education that satisfies the training requirement, but candidates may still want separate exam-specific preparation before taking the PMP.

Good fit for: Professionals who want broader project management education while also completing the PMP training requirement.

Project Management University #12: Bryant University

Bryant has actually become more relevant to this list since the original article.

At the undergraduate level, Bryant now offers a Team and Project Management program designed around end-to-end project management, analytical skills, teamwork, and practical business experience. Students in the program prepare for the CAPM certification exam.

For working professionals, Bryant also offers a Project Management Certificate designed to support PMP and CAPM preparation.

The professional certificate is available in self-paced and instructor-led formats and provides the 35 educational hours needed for PMI certification eligibility.

Current public course pages note that scheduled cohorts may vary, so candidates should check current availability before planning around a specific start date.

Good fit for: Both undergraduate students entering project management and working professionals seeking PMI training hours.

Project Management University #13: Bentley University

Bentley remains relevant for business students interested in project management, but its current offerings need to be described differently than they were in the original article.

We could not verify a current standalone Bentley Project Management certificate comparable with many of the programs above.

Instead, project management appears within Bentley’s broader business curriculum.

Current courses include:

• MG 343 Project Management at the undergraduate level
• MG 651 Project Management at the graduate level
• Software Project Management
• Project Management for Healthcare

The Management major also allows students to incorporate project management into their course selection.

Bentley can therefore still be a good university for developing project management skills, particularly in a business context, but candidates looking specifically for a standalone PMP training program have more direct choices elsewhere on this list.

Good fit for: Business students who want project management skills incorporated into a broader management degree.

Project Management University #14: University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut currently offers a Graduate Certificate in Project Management through its School of Business.

The 12-credit program focuses on both technical and leadership aspects of project management.

Required coursework includes:

• Project Leadership and Communication
• Introduction to Project Management
• Agile Project Management and Methodologies
• An approved project management-related elective

The certificate is designed for business professionals who want to strengthen skills in project planning, risk, leadership, agile methods, integration, and decision-making.

UConn also connects the certificate with its broader graduate education in Business Analytics and Project Management.

Good fit for: Professionals who want project management combined with analytical and business decision-making skills.

Project Management University #15: UC Berkeley Extension

The original article referred broadly to the University of California. A more accurate current option is the Professional Program in Project Management at UC Berkeley Extension.

The current program requires 10 academic units and combines four required courses with one elective.

Required coursework covers:

• Project Management
• Project Leadership and Building High-Performing Teams
• Project Planning and Initiation
• Project Execution and Control

The program also incorporates agile practices, risk, scheduling, leadership, stakeholder management, scope, cost, and project execution.

UC Berkeley Extension is a PMI Authorized Training Partner and describes the program as providing a strong foundation for PMP exam preparation.

Good fit for: Professionals who want a recognized university-extension credential with practical project management training.

Project Management University #16: Colorado State University

Colorado State University’s current Professional Education offering includes a fully online Project Management Certificate.

The program runs on a condensed 16-week schedule and provides 48 contact hours.

CSU states that the program qualifies toward the project management education prerequisite for PMI certification and is intended to prepare students for PMP and CAPM certification.

The course includes a project that students develop throughout the program, giving participants something more applied than a purely lecture-based experience.

CSU also offers a separate graduate-level certificate in IT Project Management for professionals who want to focus specifically on technology projects.

If you are taking the PMP exam under the current July 2026 framework, confirm that the exact course materials you will receive reflect the current exam before relying on any university certificate as your only exam-prep resource.

Good fit for: Working professionals who want a university-backed online certificate with more than the minimum 35 education hours.

Project Management University #17: Golden Gate University

Golden Gate University continues to teach project management, although its current program structure differs from what was described in the original article.

Current GGU coursework includes subjects such as:

• Introduction to Project Management
• Agile Management for Project Managers
• Advanced Project Planning, Finance and Control
• Project Risk Management
• The Practice of Project Management

GGU also currently offers a Global Master of Science in Project Management through specific international partnerships. Availability and delivery vary by program and region, so prospective students should check which GGU project management pathway is actually open to them.

GGU states that its project management courses are taught by faculty with practical industry experience, including PMP credential holders.

Good fit for: Professionals looking for project management education within a business-focused university, particularly if one of GGU’s current delivery pathways matches their location.

Project Management University #18: Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales University still belongs on the list, but its strongest current offering is now at the graduate level.

JWU offers an online Master of Science in Operations & Project Management.

The program consists of 10 courses and 30 credits and combines project management with areas such as:

• Operations management
• Lean techniques
• Quality management
• Six Sigma
• Program and portfolio management
• Team dynamics

The university also continues to offer individual project management coursework within other business and technology programs.

This makes JWU more appropriate for someone seeking a full graduate degree and a combination of project and operations management rather than a short certification course.

Good fit for: Professionals who want a complete master’s degree combining project management and operations.

University Project Management Program or PMP Exam Prep Course?

These options serve different goals, and that distinction was not clear enough in the original article.

A university project management program may make sense if you want:

• A graduate or undergraduate academic credential
• Broader project management education beyond one certification exam
• University faculty and structured semesters
• Academic credits that may later apply toward a degree
• A longer professional-development experience

A dedicated PMP training course may make more sense if you:

• Already have the professional experience needed for PMP eligibility
• Mainly need your 35 hours of Project Professional training
• Want preparation specifically aligned with the current PMP exam
• Want extensive exam simulation rather than academic coursework
• Do not need another university credential
• Want to prepare on a shorter timeline

Neither route is inherently better. The better fit depends on whether your goal is broader education or certification preparation.

Remember: A University Project Management Certificate Is Not the PMP Certification

This was another point that needed clarification from the original article.

Completing a university degree or certificate in project management does not automatically make you PMP certified.

The PMP credential is awarded by the Project Management Institute after you meet its education and experience requirements, submit an application, and pass the official PMP examination.

Some university courses can satisfy the 35-hour training requirement. Others are broader academic programs that may provide substantially more project management education than PMI requires.

Always check exactly what the program provides before assuming it fulfills a certification requirement.

What Changed With PMP Certification Training in 2026?

There is also a new rule that matters if you are comparing university training with commercial PMP courses.

PMI currently requires 35 hours of Project Professional training.

Self-paced training can come from any eligible organization.

Beginning December 1, 2026, live instructor-led training, whether delivered online or in person, must come from an approved pathway such as:

• A PMI Authorized Training Partner
• A China Registered Education Provider
• An eligible accredited higher-education program, including qualifying PMI GAC programs

Training completed before December 1, 2026 remains eligible under the previous rules.

This makes accredited universities especially relevant for candidates who prefer live training, but it does not mean you need a university course to complete self-paced PMP education.

Project Management University FAQs

What Is the Best Degree for PMP Certification?

PMI does not require a specific university major for PMP certification. Your educational level affects how much project management experience you need, but your degree does not have to be in project management.

Do I Need a Project Management Degree to Take the PMP Exam?

No. You can qualify with a high school diploma, associate-level qualification, bachelor’s degree, or qualifying PMI GAC degree, provided you meet the corresponding project experience and training requirements.

Can a University Project Management Course Count Toward the 35 PMP Hours?

Yes, eligible university coursework can count toward the PMP training requirement. However, not every university course automatically provides all 35 hours, so check the specific program before enrolling.

Is a University Project Management Certificate the Same as PMP Certification?

No. A university certificate is an educational credential awarded by the university. PMP is a professional certification awarded by PMI after you meet the eligibility requirements and pass the PMP exam.

Should I Get a Master’s in Project Management Before the PMP?

It is not required. A master’s degree may make sense if you want deeper academic study or the graduate credential for broader career reasons. If your immediate objective is PMP certification, completing the required training and preparing directly for the exam is a much shorter route.

Can I Complete PMP Certification Training Online?

Yes. PMI allows eligible self-paced online courses to provide the required 35 hours of Project Professional training.

Conclusion

The universities in our original list still demonstrate just how many ways there are to study project management, but their programs are not interchangeable.

Some, such as Penn State, Brandeis, and Johnson & Wales, offer substantial graduate degrees. Others, such as Georgetown, DePaul, Bryant, CSU, and UC Berkeley Extension, provide professional certificates that can connect more directly to PMI certification requirements. Schools such as Bentley incorporate project management into broader business education rather than positioning it as a standalone PMP pathway.

The right choice depends on what you actually want from the education.

If you want a university credential and broader education, one of these academic programs may be worth the additional time and investment. If you already have the experience required for PMP certification and mainly need your 35 hours plus current exam preparation, you do not need to enroll in a lengthy university program.

Brain Sensei’s PMP exam prep course provides the required 35 contact hours in a fully self-paced format and is aligned with the PMP exam launched globally on July 9, 2026. It also includes more than 2,200 realistic practice questions, three static 180-question practice exams, and unlimited dynamically generated practice during your active access period.