Prepare for PMP Certification
- $627 per credit for 15 credits
- Complete in as few as 6 months
- Courses to prepare you for PMP® certification exam
- $73,570 median annual wage in 20191
- Join a rapidly growing field
- Use classes toward a master's in project management
Graduate Project Management Certificate Online Program Overview
Learn to deliver projects on time, on budget and on spec when you earn your Project Management Graduate Certificate online. Finish your program prepared to lead a project through its entire life cycle – from initiation to planning, execution to monitoring and completion.
What you learn in this program can help you make an impact that is recognized across all departments of a company or organization.
You'll come away from this graduate learning experience not just with the requisite training for certification in project management. You'll have a greater understanding of scheduling, planning, cost and risk assessment, budget management, negotiation and conflict resolution, communications, securing resources, presentation and evaluation.
Learn how to:
- Manage projects from start to finish
- Prepare for project management certification exams
Becoming a Project Management Professional (PMP)®
Through SNHU’s relationship with the Project Management Institute (PMI)®, this program is designed to give students the education, experience and guidance needed to prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam. The content provided in this program satisfies the 35 hours of project management education required to apply for the PMP® exam. In addition, we require all instructors to complete the PMI® Authorized Training Partner Train the Trainer – PMP exam Prep Program, which equips our faculty with the authority to deliver PMP® exam prep and training content to PMI’s quality standards for the revised exam, which went into effect in January 2021.
Students who choose to pursue their PMP certification will find that this in-demand, industry-recognized credential adds significant value to their skillset and job prospect potential, helping to boost their career growth and earning potential.
Career Outlook
As long as there are projects to be done, there will be a need for people to manage them.
An analysis conducted by the Project Management Institute projects that between 2017 and 2027, the United States could create more than 200,000 positions in project management-oriented industries.2
In the U.S., the biggest growth could come from the healthcare sector – already one of the largest employers in the country.2 More job openings may also be seen in:
- Manufacturing and construction
- Information services and publishing
- Finance and insurance
- Management and professional services
- Utilities
- Oil and gas
"You see credentialed project managers working in a range of fields, from aerospace to construction, healthcare to information technology, finance to communications," said Anthony Allen, an adjunct instructor at SNHU.
With such a need for project managers, the PMI analysis reported that the GDP could be at risk because of a talent shortage – which could result in a loss of $208 billion in the U.S. due to the productivity of PMs.
Proven analytical and problem-solving skills are in particular demand in this field.
"Learning and mastering project management in that way takes a lot of trial and error, which is expensive," Allen said. "A company or organization's stakeholders and shareholders don't want to hear that you're experimenting; they want results. A project management certification or concentration on your resume signals that you have the training and education to get results, and that puts you a notch above the competition."
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the pay for project management and business operations specialists is much higher than the average for all occupations: In May 2019, the median annual wage was $73,570.1
Note: Students who take QSO 645: Project Management for PMP Certification as part of their MS in Project Management will meet the 35 hours of project management education required in order to take the PMP exam.
Start Your Journey Toward a Project Management Graduate Certificate
Why SNHU For Your Project Management Certification
Flexible
With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.
Affordable
Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.
Respected
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
- A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
- Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium
Network
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 200,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Opportunities
Classes in this certificate program both meet the educational requirements to sit for the PMP Certification exam and position you to successfully pass it.
96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.3 Discover why SNHU may be right for you.
Admission Requirements
Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms. You can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials.
How to Apply
Simply contact an admission counselor who can answer all your questions and walk you through the application process, which includes:
- Completing a graduate application
- Providing undergraduate transcripts
Courses & Curriculum
The project management graduate program teaches you the concepts, strategies and tools that today's project managers need to be successful.
The program is taught by practicing business professionals immersed in the field each day. They understand what's working, what's not, and what trends and technology on the horizon are likely to affect project managers.
But there will always be two factors important to getting work done.
In your studies at SNHU, you'll take 3 required courses that can help you develop the skills necessary to manage cost and time:
- Project Management
- Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making
- Seminar in Project Management
For your last 2 courses, you'll have the option to choose from a variety of topics.
One of them – Project Management for PMP® Certification – is what you'll want to take if your end goal is meeting the 35-hour educational requirement for the Project Management Professional certification.
If you're seeking hands-on experience, another option you may want to seek out is an internship in operations or project management. Not only could you have a project management certificate on your resume by the end of the program, but you also could have the experience to add to it as well – giving you an edge in the field.
While you'll learn plenty of hard skills in your coursework, you'll also find yourself developing your soft skills. Dianne Swanciger, an adjunct instructor at Southern New Hampshire University, listed crucial traits like:
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Leadership
- Negotiation
- Organization
- Self-motivation
Didn't take business undergraduate courses? You may need to take a foundation class – Mathematics and Statistics for Business – before beginning your project management certificate. The content in the course pertains to many business classes, and your admission counselor or academic advisor may request that you take this class. Find out if this class applies to you by contacting our team at SNHU.
| View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
|---|
| Graduate Certificate in Project Management |
| Courses May Include | ||
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate Project Management | ||
| QSO 510 | Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making | This is a survey of the mathematical, probabilistic and statistical tools available for assisting in the operation and management of industrial organizations. |
| QSO 640 | Project Management | This course includes the study of concepts, tools, and practices of project management. The course adopts a managerial process approach to Project Management, which consists of initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing the project. Major topics will include project scope, project time, project cost, project quality, project risk, project resources, project communications and how to be an effective project manager. Cases are utilized to integrate the learning in the course and provide decision- making experience for the student. |
| QSO 680 | Seminar in Project Management | Project management is a core skill in today's fast-moving business environment. Project managers are required to manage complex, time- pressured projects and programs using advanced tools and techniques for maximum effect. Through this course, the students will learn advanced methods to initiate, plan and control projects. They will gain experience planning complex projects using both manual and PC-based tools. |
| Total Credits: 15 | ||
Minimum Hardware Requirements
|
Component Type |
PC (Windows OS) |
Apple (Mac OS) |
|---|---|---|
|
Operating System |
Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
|
Memory (RAM) |
8GB or higher |
8GB or higher |
|
Hard Drive |
100GB or higher |
100GB or higher |
|
Antivirus Software |
Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
|
SNHU Purchase Programs |
||
|
Internet/ Bandwidth |
5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency |
5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency |
Notes:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
| Online Graduate Programs | Per Course | Per Credit Hour | Annual Cost for 15 credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree/Certificates | $1,881 | $627 | $9,405 |
|
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty) |
$1,410 | $470 | $7,050 |
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
Additional Costs:
$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best online project management courses?
The best project management courses are the ones that can teach you skills you'll use on a regular basis to successfully move projects from start to finish.
If you're looking to take your courses online, then Southern New Hampshire University is an excellent place to start. With our 5-course graduate certificate in project management, you can both develop your skill set and prep for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam, since our Project Management for PMP Certification class fulfills the necessary education requirements to sit for the exam.
Another point to consider when it comes to choosing online project management courses is to learn more about how convenient they actually are. While some schools have online courses that meet at specific times during the week, others – like SNHU – give you total control in doing your readings, assignments and projects. With 24/7 access to our online platform, you can do weekly assignments when it's actually best for you, whether that's at noon or midnight.
Plus, you may think of the best online courses as being the most budget-friendly ones. SNHU is known for affordability, with one of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation. At just $1,881 per graduate-level course, you could complete all 5 of the certificate courses for only $9,405.
Which project management certification is best?
The Project Management Professional – or PMP® – is considered by many organizations as the premier certification for those in the field.
That's why Southern New Hampshire University is a Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) with the Project Management Institute (PMI)®, the organization that oversees PMP® and other certifications.
SNHU – an accredited, nonprofit university – meets PMI standards with its Project Management Graduate Certificate curriculum. In particular, our Project Management for PMP Certification course satisfies the educational requirement needed to take the exam.
What is a project management certificate?
A project management certificate is a credential that says that you've successfully completed a number of courses on the topic and should be able to use the skills you've learned in the workforce.
At Southern New Hampshire University, we offer a Project Management Graduate Certificate that can help you get on the right track.
Because we're a registered education provider (R.E.P.) of the Project Management Institute (PMI)®, the coursework in this program meets the rigorous educational requirement needed to take the Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam.
A project management certificate from SNHU could help you earn your PMP certification. And the PMP is a certification that's known around the world for identifying top professionals in the field.
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.
Licensure and Certification Disclosures
SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page.
The Project Management Professional (PMP) is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
The PMI Authorized Training Partner seal is a mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Related Articles
References
Sources & Citations (1, 2, 3)
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131198.htm (viewed Aug. 11, 2020). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2Project Management Institute (PMI), on the internet, at:
- https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/learning/job-growth-report.pdf (viewed Aug. 11, 2020)
- https://www.pmi.org/learning/training-development/reps (viewed Aug. 11, 2020)
3According to a survey responses from over 9,200 SNHU online students conducted in the fall of 2019.