The 9 Best Online Project Management Courses of 2025

Our Ranking Criteria

If you’re considering an online project management course, choosing one that aligns with your learning style and career path is important. To create our list, we’ve relied on basic ranking criteria that can be applied to any online course and advanced criteria that apply specifically to project management courses.

Basic ranking criteria

Before taking an online course, it’s important to know what you’re paying for and what you’re committing to. Some courses are formal certification programs, while others are beginner-level tutorials. We’ve used the following criteria to create our list.

Time to complete. We focused on courses that can be completed in six months or less, with the shortest course requiring only five hours of study.

Prerequisites required. None of these courses require advanced prerequisites, although their difficulty level varies. We’ve noted who each course is best suited for.

Flexible schedule. Most courses on our list have flexible schedules, so you won’t have to make time for live classroom sessions. You can also take the PMP (Project Management Professional) exam online but must schedule it separately.

Certificate of completion. We’ve focused on courses that provide a formal certification, but you may have to select this option and pay for it upfront. None of the courses include a PMI (Project Management Institute) certification, but many will prepare you for the exam.

Advanced ranking criteria

In addition to the above criteria, we relied on some factors specific to project management courses. Here are the advanced ranking criteria we used to put together our list.

• The syllabus focuses on a specific area of project management or offers a broad overview that’s suitable for beginners.
• The course follows a university-level syllabus or is taught by instructors with professional experience in the field.
• The course includes hands-on exercises or a capstone project to help learners absorb the material and practice new skills.
• The course has positive ratings from students (at least 4 stars).
• The course was produced or updated within the past 5 years to ensure the material is up-to-date and meets industry standards.
• The course can help students prepare for an exam or a job interview.
• The course is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
• The course provides contact hours that count toward PMI certification.
• The course includes transcripts and/or subtitles for easier study.

The 9 Best Online Project Management Courses

Coursera
Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization

Intelligent Award: Top Pick

The Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization is the top course on our list because a trusted university offers it, the University of California, Irvine, and provides a comprehensive overview of project management. It’s a precursor to the Applied Project Management Certificate but can be taken as a standalone course. You’ll cover topics like budgeting, scheduling, and managing projects and complete a capstone project to put your new skills into practice. You can take this course at your own pace, with an anticipated workload of ten hours per week for one month. Enrollment costs $49 per month and is included with a Coursera Plus membership.

• Price: $49 per month
• Time to complete: 1 month (at 10 hours per week)
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is for professionals who want to learn practical project management skills, whether or not they have any prior PM experience.

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Coursera
Google Project Management Professional Certificate

Intelligent Award: Best Professional Outcomes

Google offers this course and awards a Google Career Certificate, making it a good choice for job seekers looking to boost their professional credentials. The course costs $49 per month, and it’s also available as part of a Coursera Plus membership, which includes over 7,000 courses in all. Key topics include Agile project management, project documentation, and stakeholder management. You’ll get access to over 140 hours of material, as well as hands-on projects and assessments. The full course takes six months to complete at 10 hours per week.

• Price: $49 per month
• Time to complete: 6 months (at 10 hours per week)
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is aimed at professionals who want to build up their resumes or start a new career by becoming “job-ready” in six months.

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eCornell
Project Management Certificate Program

Intelligent Award: Most Advanced

ECornell, the online branch of Cornell University, provides this course. It’s one of the most advanced courses on our list, providing 50 education hours that count toward your project management certificate. You’ll learn various concepts like Agile methodologies and earned value management (EVM). Prior experience with project management isn’t required, but it is recommended. You’ll also need to have the Solver add-on for Microsoft Excel. This course takes around three months to complete and costs $3,900. Unlike the other courses on this list, you’ll also get access to an online study group to review the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) with other learners.

• Price: $3,900
• Time to complete: 3 months (at 3-5 hours per week)
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is ideal for learners who want to be part of a small class with an instructor-led study group and don’t mind the university-level price tag.

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Alison
Diploma In Project Management

Intelligent Award: Most Affordable

This course clocks in at a reasonable 10 to 15 hours while covering a wide range of topics, such as project planning, risk management, and more. While the course content is free, you must pay extra to receive a certificate or remove advertisements from the platform. Alison has a handy smartphone app, making it easy to study on the go. Remember that Alison’s courses may be less up-to-date than others on our list because they rely on third-party content.

• Price: Free
• Time to complete: 10 to 15 hours
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is great for learners who want a free introduction to project management and don’t mind advertisements or repurposed content.

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BrainSensei
Online PMP Certification Exam Prep

Intelligent Award: Most Interactive

This course is designed to prepare you for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, so it’s a good choice for those pursuing a PMP credential. BrainSensei offers a 100 percent pass guarantee, so you can get a refund if you don’t pass the exam after three attempts. This course covers a wide range of project management methods, including waterfall and Agile methods, and includes practice exams, story-based exercises, and more. Other resources include follow-up emails, a Facebook discussion group, and a customer support team that will get back to you in less than an hour. The course takes around 35 hours to complete and counts toward your 35 PMI contact hours.

• Price: $499.99
• Time to complete: 35 hours
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is for anyone planning to take the PMP exam and needs PMI contact hours but especially those who learn best from interactive, story-based exercises.

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edX
Introduction to Project Management by the University of Adelaide

Intelligent Award: Most Academic

The University of Adelaide delivers this course and provides a comprehensive overview of project management with a university-level syllabus. As with most online edX courses, you can enroll for free, although you’ll need to pay $249 to receive a verified certificate upon completion. The course takes six weeks to complete, based on a workload of two to three hours per week. You’ll get access to English-language videos and transcripts taught by five professors, so you’ll get different perspectives and teaching styles. Topics covered include budgeting, scheduling, and managing a project, as well as communication and leadership skills.

• Price: Free (Add a verified certificate for $249)
• Time to complete: 6 weeks (at 2 to 3 hours per week)
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is best for those who want to take a university-level course taught by multiple professors, with an optional certificate upon completion.

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Master of Project Academy
PMP Certification Training

Intelligent Award: Best for Exam Prep

The Master of Project Academy is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and claims to have supported professionals who work at major companies like Apple and Microsoft. Like the BrainSensei option featured above, this course is designed specifically to prepare you for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, but it takes a slightly more professional approach with more video lectures and fewer interactive exercises. You’ll get access to 750 practice questions, downloadable study tools, and a moderated forum. The course takes 35 hours to complete and costs $99 per month. You’ll get a verified certificate when you’re done and can apply 35 contact hours to your PMP training.

• Price: $99 per month
• Time to complete: 35 hours
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is focused entirely on PMP exam prep and is great for those who want plenty of study tools and practice questions.

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Master of Project Academy
Project Management Training Bundle

Intelligent Award: Most Comprehensive

This course is the most comprehensive on our list because it includes all seven project management courses provided by Master of Project Academy, including Microsoft Project, Scrum, Agile content, and the PMP exam training. You’ll get over 90 hours of content, which you can move through at your own pace. This content includes over 2,400 practice questions for the PMP exam and nine sample exams. You’ll also get over 35 contact hours you can apply to your certification. Pricing starts at $137 per month, so the sooner you get through the material, the less it will cost you. Annual and lifetime subscriptions are also available.

• Price: $137 per month
• Time to complete: 90 hours
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is aimed at project managers, team leaders, project engineers, software developers, and other professionals looking for PM training.

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Colorado State University
Online Project Management Certificate

Intelligent Award: Most Interdisciplinary

While most of the courses on our list are aimed at digital project management, this one is designed to prepare project managers for any career path, including jobs in finance, government, architecture, manufacturing, real estate, and more. It’s offered by Colorado State University, with the same faculty and syllabus as its in-person program, but is fully remote and can be completed in 16 weeks. You’ll finish the class with a portfolio piece, a certificate of completion, and 48 contact hours that you can apply toward your PMI certificate. The PMP exam isn’t included in the price, but you’ll be well-prepared to sit for it. The main downside of this course is its high tuition price, at $3,395.

• Price: $3,395
• Time to complete: 4 months
• Prerequisites required: No
• Flexible schedule: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is for project managers who want university-level training focusing on traditional industries rather than digital project management.

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Online Project Management Course Comparison Chart

Tips for Succeeding in an Online Project Management Course

1. Consider the cost

How much do online project management classes cost?

Online project management courses are available at a range of price points, depending on which platform they’re on and if you pay for a certificate of completion. Several options on our list cost $49 to $137 per month, while the most expensive cost a flat fee of $3,900. You can also attend some for free without getting a certificate.

Will my employer pay for me to take the course?

Many employers offer reimbursements for professional development or employee education, especially for a position you’ll take on within your company. Ask your boss or your HR department to determine if that’s an option.

2. Get your tech squared away

Before starting your course, ensure you have all the equipment needed. While you won’t need any special gear for a project management course, a reliable Internet connection and a computer that can stream video are key. Consider using a browser extension (like Video Speed Controller on Chrome) to speed up or slow down video lectures, depending on your preferences.

3. Use the right study resources

Your course may have a syllabus or learning materials, but it’s never a bad idea to put together your own reading list. Consider reading Strategic Project Management Made Simple: Practical Tools for Leaders and Teams or Project Management: Absolute Beginner’s Guide to learn more about the job and its requirements.

Career Outlook for Project Management

Project managers can be found in a wide range of fields and may serve as IT project managers, healthcare project managers, and more. The Project Management Institute (PMI) reports that the median salary for PMs in the U.S. is $116,000 but this can vary widely depending on your industry. A project management certification alone won’t be enough to land you a job, but if you already have a relevant degree, it can boost your job prospects and your salary considerably. Below are additional jobs related to project management:

PMP-certified project manager

Project managers oversee client projects, ensuring they are completed within the specified schedule and budget limitations and meet expectations. Although project managers are not expected to perform technical tasks, those with expertise in the project’s subject matter are often preferred, as they can better communicate with and understand the difficulties faced by the project team. Project management professionals must demonstrate outstanding organization and time management skills and know how to manage themselves under pressure. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for project managers is $98,580.

Scrum master

Known for their popularity within the product and software development sectors, scrum masters work to increase team efficiency and provide top-notch mentoring and motivation for team members collaborating on complex products through Agile practices and Scrum, an Agile project management framework. According to Paycale.com, scrum masters earn an average salary of $103,000.

Healthcare project manager

Health care institutions, such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, or nursing homes, hire project managers to manage a wide variety of healthcare–related projects. By overseeing the planning, execution, and completion of these projects, these highly skilled professionals are crucial to keeping projects within budget and on track. A healthcare project manager may handle a wide range of projects, such as implementing a system-wide note or record program or constructing a new hospital wing. Healthcare project managers have a median annual salary of $102,060.

Construction project manager

Construction project managers are in charge of overseeing and planning specific building projects from start to finish. To make it all happen, these project management experts break down what needs to be done during each phase and supervise budgeting, sourcing, hiring, and safety and land use compliance. Examples of the work construction project managers may supervise can include everything from erecting a new subdivision to repairing an interstate. According to Salary.com, the median annual salary for construction project managers is $118,063.

Product owner

Product owners oversee all stages of product design and development. Their main duties involve defining the product vision, managing backlog items, selecting features based on client preferences, evaluating progress, and communicating with the product team and end users. Product owners must also demonstrate a firm understanding of a company’s goals and how to promote collaboration and de-escalate conflict effectively. Their items must satisfy clients and work well. Their goods must meet client requirements and perform smoothly and successfully. Product owners earn a median annual salary of $146,542.

Educational requirements for careers in project management

Typically, hiring managers seek candidates with both a bachelor’s degree and one of the project management certifications, like one from the Project Management Institute (PMI), Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile, Program Management Professional (PgMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or a Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) certification. Though many of these certifications are accessible to anyone with only a high school diploma or associate degree, the amount of related work experience needed to qualify for these certifications often doubles for those students. For instance, anyone without a bachelor’s degree applying for PgMP certification will need 60 months of experience rather than the minimum requirement of 36 months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Project Management Courses?