PMP certificate holders are in demand more than ever before in Chicago, IL. Throughout a variety of industries and companies, project managers are utilized to improve the chances of securing the bid as well as to timely and cost effectively complete projects.
From Information Technology to manufacturing, Project Management is one of the most consistently growing professions. Holding a Project Management Professional certificate from PMI gives you an edge over the competition. It can garner you better jobs, better projects, and better pay.
PMI, Project Management Institute is the world leader in PMP certification. The professionals within PMI hold the standards high to achieve the PMP certificate as well as maintaining that certification.
PMP gains a project manager, on average, 20% more in salary immediately. Many industries report up to an additional 20% increase within the first year. Companies understand that their projects are more likely to be completed on time, within budget, and hold the quality standards that customers desire if their projects are managed by PMP certificate holders.
There are still jobs that don’t require a PMP to become a project manager, but you are more likely to get the job you desire if you hold one. In Chicago, IL, with the amount of industry, manufacturing, computer technology, energy, and healthcare positions, the ability to give yourself an advantage over your competitors is essential.
Preparing for PMP Certification Chicago, IL
The first step before finding the right choice in training for you in Chicago, IL is to make sure you meet the other requirements to apply for your PMP certificate.
PMP Experience Requirement
In order to be eligible to sit for the PMP exam, you must have project management experience. PMI expects four-year diploma holders to have at least three years of project management experience (this is equivalent to 4,500 hours). If you do not have a four-year diploma or equivalent, PMI expects you to have at least five years of project management (this is equivalent to 7,500 hours)
Note that, project management experience does not mean that you must have managed a project as a project manager. Project management experience can be working in projects as a project engineer, analyst, team member, team leader etc.
PMP Education Requirement
This is where the training comes in. As long as you satisfy the PMP experience requirement, you can obtain the 35 contact hours of project management education by either attending a PMP course online or opting for PMP classroom training.
The 35 hours doesn’t expire but the providers generally only offer additional support for a year after completion.
Once you have received your certificate of completion, you can submit your application to take your exam.
Things to look for in PMP training in Chicago, IL
If you come across choices we haven’t listed, take the time to research the instructors. Talk to colleagues, past students, even your employer, to see what courses they may recommend.
A PMP exam prep provider should:
- Satisfy the minimum 35 contact hours
- Provide structured content and material
- Provide a Certificate of Completion
- Provide real-life examples to sample questions and answers
- Have positive feedback through students, PMI, employers, and reviews
- Provide you with the options necessary to take and complete the course in the manner which best suits you
Contact Hours shouldn’t be confused with Continuing Education Requirements, or Professional Development Units (PDU) that are required for renewal. These contact hours are for learning the knowledge areas and processes of becoming a Professional Project Manager, passing the exam to do so, and receiving that coveted “star”.
Recommended PMP Training Options in Chicago, IL
Again, this is a list of organizations that provide Professional Project Management Training for PMP certificates. They follow the Project Management Body of Knowledge and center the learning around the 10 knowledge areas and 5 Process Groups.
Training Options in Chicago, IL
More and more we find ourselves in a virtual world. Not only do working project managers need options outside of in person classroom training, but companies are more likely to provide the training for you if it can be accomplished online.
Self Paced PMP Training
Self paced project management focused training allows you to work at your own pace, when you can and where you can. Most courses provide learning modules, knowledge assessments, customer service, and sample test questions and answers. The pricing is generally reasonable and these courses will provide you with the 35 contact hours required. These courses are ideal for individuals that are currently working and cannot take time off to sit in a classroom, in person or virtually. They are flexible and allow you to work within your budget, time and money.
Virtual PMP Classroom Training
Evenings and/or Weekends Format:
Live instructors provide coursework in a virtual classroom setting. The courses are often scheduled in evenings or weekends. They can last for several weeks or over the course of a few months. They have attendance requirements. If you cannot attend or are late you may need to repeat the course as well as the cost for the course. Depending on the scheduling, evenings and weekends, you may benefit more if you learn best when there is more structure.
Bootcamp Format:
Live instructors also provide the training in Boot camps and can be provided in virtual classroom settings. Boot camps are generally 3 – 5 days of intense training. The courses range from 8 to 12 hours per day and you must be in attendance for each session. These courses are ideal if offered by a company, or if you are able to take the 3 – 5 days away from your current projects. The concentrated study may work best for individuals whose learning styles are best when they become engrossed in the coursework.
Live Instructor In Class PMP Training
In person training with a live instructor in a classroom setting is often difficult to find. If you are considering this form of training remember that the courses often have attendance requirements. They can be offered as Boot Camps, or over the course of several weeks or months. The other consideration is travel time. Individuals who are currently employed may find it difficult to schedule the time to attend. Address: 244 Madison Ave, New York 10016
#1 PMP Training Chicago, IL – Brain Sensei
Pricing: $499.99 USD
The most flexible and affordable way to get training for the PMP in Vancouver is with the Brain Sensei platform.
Students often consider the Brain Sensei the best project management PMP training course provider as it has a 99.6% Exam Pass Rate, a full year of access to its self-paced courses, a community support group on Facebook, speedy student support, a unique story-based approach and much more.
Brain Sensei continually works to enhance the learning experience, recently adding an UNLIMITED Exam Simulator to help with PMP Exam Prep, creating a different exam each time with dynamically generated questions from their bank of 1,500 realistic exam questions. The UNLIMITED Exam Simulator comes included with their live virtual instructor and self-paced courses, but is also available as a standalone solution. Just be aware that purchasing the PMP exam simulator as a standalone won’t earn you your required 35 hours of project management education nor qualify you for the 100% pass guarantee (the Brain Sensei PMP exam prep courses will do both).
Flexibility is pivotal to learning and their 1 year of access to the PMP exam prep self-paced course gives you more than enough flexibility to fit studying for the PMP exam into a busy schedule. Want to finish your PMP exam prep faster? Check out their live virtual instructor PMP exam prep course. It’s available as a 5-day bootcamp or evenings and weekends.
The Brain Sensei PMP Exam Prep Complete Courses are up-to-date for the latest exam and PMBOK Guide and include both adaptive (agile and hybrid) and predictive (traditional/waterfall) project management practices to help students prepare for the current exam.
The cost of the self-paced PMP exam prep course is $499.99 USD and the cost of the live virtual instructor PMP exam prep course is $1,199 USD (which includes the self-paced course and simulator). Both courses provide everything you need to pass the current PMP exam and come with a 100% pass guarantee. The PMP Exam Simulator is $119 USD. It’s hard to go wrong with Brain Sensei’s offering. Learn more about the Brain Sensei PMP Exam Prep Courses here.
Keep in mind, Brain Sensei also has a unique and proven story-based approach to PMP exam prep which sets them apart from other organizations. Studies have shown that students focus and retain more when the material is entertaining. Therefore, by harnessing the power of entertainment, Brain Sensei’s courses tap into this psychological tool – making learning fun and effective.
While this approach may sound unusual to some in the education industry, it likely sounds strategic to those who have put these methods into practice. Give it some thought, if you were to be challenged to recall facts and figures, or the plot of a movie, which would you be more confident in retaining? Brain Sensei uses the mind’s enjoyment of storytelling to explain, and drive home all project management concepts that are taught to Brain Sensei students.
Want more details? By using the story of a Samurai in feudal Japan, Brain Sensei is able to paint a colorful visual for students. If you’ve been reading a lot about the PMP exam, you’ve likely learned that much of the study material can be described as difficult and tedious. The material includes a great many terms and definitions, but is often lacking in conceptual examples. This is where the story of the Samurai comes in, not only are concepts introduced and explained, but they are brought to life with examples, helping students to better grasp, and retain the full concept.
#2 PMP Certification Training Chicago – 4PMTI
Another PMP Certification option in Chicago is 4PMTI which offers certification programs as well as other courses for Continuing Education (PDU) and certifications. Some of their other certification programs include CAPM and PMI ACP Certification. PDU courses mainly focus on:
- Risk management
- Critical chain method
- Earned Value Management
The PMP course that they offer for Certification Training in a 4 day, in class, instructor led Boot Camp format. Please check the website for any additional locations and formats. The cost of these live classroom training is $1890.
4PMTI also offers virtual classroom training. These also have are led by an instructor and have attendance requirements. The virtual classroom training costs the same as the in person training, $1890. You will receive a completion certificate that shows your 35 contact hours to meet the PMI requirements. All courses require strict scheduling and attendance is mandatory in order to receive your certificate of completion.
Contact 4pmti for the most up to date schedules and pricing.
Website: https://www.4pmti.com/PMP-Certification/Chicago-IL.asp
Email: info@4pmti.com
Phone: (734) 786-0104
Address: Project Management Training Institute 4835 LBJ Freeway, Suite # 220 Dallas, TX 75244-6004
# 3 PMP Chicago – Edwell Programs
PMP, Six Sigma, and Agile/Scrum certifications are all available in the Chicago area, at Edwell Programs.
Their Project Management Professional (PMP) exam preparation course provides the 35 contact hour requirement with the focused instruction eeded to pass your PMP certification exam.
Their courses are provided by live instructors, both in person as well as online. They consist of a 4-day program and Edwell will also assign an advisor to assist you in completing and submitting your PMP application.
The courses are time constraining. They do have an attendance requirement, for both the online training as well as in class. Cost for the course is $1,690.00 with a discount of $200 if you go with a coworker.
Contact Edwell Programs for the most up to date schedules and pricing.
Website: https://www.edwel.com/Chicago/PMP-Certification.aspx
Email: info@edwel.com
Phone: 800 544 1995
Address: EdWel Training – Chicago 203 North LaSalle Chicago, IL. 60601
# 4 PMP Training Chicago – Project Management Academy
Offering both live and online classroom training, Project Management Academy is another option in Chicago. They also provide you with the focused project management professional training required to meet the 35 contact hour requirement.
The course is a 4 day boot camp, with a live instructor and Project Management academy provides you with access to the online training portal for a total of 6 months. They will also come to your company if you wish training for 15 or more employees.
The price listing for the classroom training is in the range of $1,895. And the price of a virtual 4-day course is $1,695 and as with most bootcamps, attendance is mandatory.
Contact Project Management Academy for the most up to date schedules and pricing.
Website: https://projectmanagementacademy.net/pmp-certification/chicago
Phone: (877) 637-0450
Address: PMP Exam Prep Chicago Corporate Event Centre at CHSI 5110 Creekbank Road,
# 5 PMP Training Chicago – Northwestern
Besides offering the following courses in:
- Analytics and Technology
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Leadership and Management
- Mediation and Negotiation
Northwestern School of Professional Studies also offers courses in areas of project management and professional development programs.
Project management courses are offered online as well as on campus and you can also go forward with the requirements necessary to apply for certification in:
- Applied Project Management
- Essentials of Project Management
- Certificate in Agile Practices
The course costs $1850 and spans multiple weeks. There is still an attendance requirement, but the ability to work the course in over multiple weeks as opposed to an intensive boot camp situation is often preferable.
Contact Northwestern School of Professional studies for the most up to date schedules and pricing.
Website: https://sps.northwestern.edu/professional-development/project-management/
Phone: (312) 503-6950
Address: SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES 339 EAST CHICAGO AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60611 405 CHURCH STREET, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60201
# 6 PMP Exam Training Chicago – Knowledge Hut
PMP Certification training isn’t the only course offered by Knowledge Hut in Chicago. They also offer contact hours for several other certifications:
- Agile Methodology
- Project Management
- Data Science
- Devops
- Big Data
- Business Management
- Cloud Computing
CAPM, PMP, PRINCE2, Microsoft Project, and Primavera are all provided at Knowledge Hut. No matter which certification you are going for they offer in class, online, e-learning, and corporate training options.
Classroom training runs $845, while online courses run $699. The e-learning option is offered as low as $399. These courses require you to adjust your time and location to attend the courses at their premise. And the price of the online classroom training course is $699. Furthermore, the price of their e-learning offering is from $399. E-learning courses allow you 180 days to finish.
Each course supplies the 35 contact hour requirement of PMI. The online and live classroom training do have attendance requirements.
Contact Knowledge Hut for the most up to date schedules and pricing.
Website: https://www.knowledgehut.com/project-management/pmp-certification-training-chicago
Phone: +1-469-442-0620, +1-832-684-0080
# 7 PMP Training Chicago – PMEAC
CAPM, PMP, and PMI-ACP are all certifications offered at PMEAC. They have various locations as well as training and development programs for corporations that they can provide on site.
PMP certification is a 4-day instructor-led classroom training program that costs $1,899 and they provide you with the 35 contact hour certificate of completion to sit for your PMP certification exam.
It is best to register as far in advance as possible as they fill up their schedule quickly. Attendance is a requirement and there is no flexibility in time or location.
Contact PMEAC for the most up to date schedules and pricing.
Website: https://www.pmexam.com/pmp-certification/chicago-il/
Mail: support@pmexam.com
Phone: 800-500-7517
Address: 3104 E Camelback Rd. Suite 2297 Phoenix, AZ 85016
#8 PMP Certification Training Chicago – Knowledge Academy
Knowledge Academy also offers PMP certification in Chicago as well as training courses in:
- Prince 2
- Scrum
- Agile
- Change Management
The PMP course is offered on location, online, in-house and in a live virtual format. The course provides you with additional 2.5 hours making the 35 contact hour requirement with some to spare.
Classroom training and the 4 day virtual classroom both cost $1305. Location is set for the classroom training and both require attendance to receive your certificate of completion.
The e-learning course is $499 and provides you with access to the e-learning portal for 90 days. You also have the option to extend your access by purchasing one of the following two options:
- is for six months at $129 or
- A full year for $209.
That makes the online package with 6 months of access $628 and the year of access $708.
This allows you the ability to choose your location and your time.
Contact Knowledge Academy for the most up to date schedules and pricing.
Website: https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/us/courses/pmp-training/pmp-exam-prep-boot-camp/chicago/
Email: info@theknowledgeacademy.com
Phone: + 1-855 440 0526
Address: 405 Lexington Avenue Chrysler Building 25th & 26th Floor New York City New York 10174 United States
# 9 PMP Exam Training Chicago – Chicago Management Training Institute
Chicago Management Training Institute (CMTI) offers a wide portfolio for professionals seeking certification and continuing education. Some of the courses available are:
- Project Management
- Contract Management
- Banking and Finance
- Human Resource Management
- Quality Management
- Production Management
Key areas that are focused on are the Project Management Professional Exam Training, Risk Management Professional, Project Negotiation, and Project Cost Control.
The PMP Certification training is an in classroom 5 day training which provides you with 40 contact hours, exceeding the 35 hours required. There are other options such as weekdays, weekends, and fast-track.
Please check with a representative of Chicago Management Institute for a better idea of pricing, course types and availability, and scheduling.
Website: http://www.chicagomti.com/training-programs/project-management/project-management-professional-pmp.html#course-duration
Phone: 04 354 7997
Address: M07, Al Khaleej Building Behind Al Karama Park, Next to Saravanabhavan Restaurant, Al Karama, Dubai
#10 PMP Training Chicago – Invensis
The final PMP certification training in Chicago that we investigated is Invensis. Invensis has a 4-day PMP training boot camp. Other trainings provided are
- IT service Management
- Quality Management
- DevOps
- Agile Project Management
- IT Security and Governance
Invensis offers an interactive instructor-led PMP classroom training in Chicago, as well as online classroom training and they have offices around the globe.
Cost of the training is $1195 and there is an attendance requirement in order to receive your certificate of completion.
Invensis also has a 1 to 1 training option, much like a tutoring situation.
Please check with a representative of Invensis for a better idea of pricing, course types and availability, and scheduling. They also have a live chat on their website to help you obtain more information.
Website:
https://www.invensislearning.com/project-management/
Phone: +1 470-260-0084
PMI Member Fees
If you are looking at training then you may want to go forward with PMI membership.
Default PMI membership fee is $129 and there is a one-time $10 membership application fee. If you are a student you will have discounted PMI membership fees.
Membership |
PMI Membership Fees($USD) |
Note |
Normal |
$129 |
Plus, one-time US$10 application fee |
Student |
$32 |
PMI Student Membership: In order to be considered for this membership, you must have enrolled in a full-time, degree-granting program at a college or university that has U.S. accreditation or the global equivalent.
Note that, if you select the student membership options during your application, PMI will ask for the documents to prove your status.
Annual Renewal PMI Member fees:
If you are already a PMI member and if you want to renew it, you will be paying annual renewal fee. The annual renewal fee is $119 for PMI-members. If your PMI membership has expired and if you want to rejoin PMI, you will be considered as a new member. You will be paying $129 membership fee plus $10 application fee as well.
Other than the discount you will have on exam fees there are a variety of other benefits to being a member:
- Download the PMBOK Guide for free
- Save money on other globally recognized certifications
- Master new skills through free webinars and events
- Stay ahead of deadlines using 1,000+ free tools and templates
- Join the community to make local and global connections
Conclusion
We’ve provided you with some of the best options in Chicago for your Project Management Professional focused training.
Again, please make sure to check with the institutions listed above to get the most up to date scheduling and pricing.
No matter which style, or source you choose to achieve your goal of 35 contact hours, we wish you the best of luck in your new or continuing career as a Project Management Professional.