23 Best project management courses to learn in 2025

Confused about which project management course is best for you?

Who would not be? There are so many options available from beginner level to advanced to promising certifications, and yet, very few are useful for managers who need to get real work done with real teams.

Well, most project management courses are designed to check a box, not solve problems. They’ll teach you definitions, maybe a few frameworks, but won’t show you how to prioritize in chaos, manage conflicting deadlines, or lead people who don’t report to you.

Managers don’t need theory; they need clarity, structure, and practical skills they can apply right away.

To save you the time and second-guessing, I have accumulated a list of 23 project management courses that are genuinely worth your time in 2025.

Whether you’re just getting started or preparing for the PMP, this list will help you confidently choose a course that makes you a better project manager.

Without further ado, let’s get straight into it.

Liar of 23 best project management courses

These 23 courses are grouped into three categories: courses for beginners, certification-focused options, and picks for experienced managers and team leads.

Project management courses for beginners

If you’re just getting started, there’s no need to pay upfront. These project management resources provide a solid foundation in project management without overwhelming you with complex frameworks.

1. Coursera – Introduction to Project Management

Offered by IBM on Coursera

This course gives a beginner-friendly overview of the entire project management process. It explains key concepts such as project scope, scheduling, risk management, and communication using examples. Designed for people with no prior experience, it helps you understand how to manage small to mid-size projects with confidence and structure.

• Duration: ~9 hours (self-paced)
• Certificate: Available (with paid upgrade)
• Skill level: Beginner

2. GoSkills – Project Management Basics

Offered by Ray Sheen

This well-structured course breaks down the project management lifecycle into clear, digestible lessons. You’ll cover topics including scope planning, risk management, stakeholder communication, schedule control, and project closeout, built around real-world examples to make the concepts immediately useful.

• Duration: ~7.5 hours
• Certificate: Free digital certificate; also accredited by CPD and PMI for 7.5 PDUs
• Skill level: Beginner (no prior PM experience required)

3. Coursera – Agile Project Management

Offered by Google (within the Google Project Management Professional Certificate)

This course introduces Agile principles and teaches you how to apply them in projects using Scrum and Kanban. You’ll learn to build product backlogs, organize sprints, run Agile ceremonies, and even coach a team through modular video lessons and practical assignments.

• Duration: ~19 hours (self-paced)
• Certificate: Shareable credential (with paid upgrade)
• Skill level: Beginner (no prior Agile experience needed)

4. LinkedIn Learning – Agile Foundations

Offered by Doug Rose

This concise course offers a clear introduction to Agile thinking. You’ll explore the Agile Manifesto, Scrum vs. Kanban, user stories, and how to prioritize work using real-world examples. It also covers practical techniques such as timeboxing, cross-functional teams, and planning poker, all of which will help you shift your mindset from traditional to Agile.

• Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Certificate: Available with LinkedIn Premium subscription
• Skill level: Beginner

5. Alison – Diploma in Project Management

Offered by XSIQ

This free self‑paced diploma course covers the full project lifecycle – from defining a project and analyzing scope to planning, execution, monitoring, and closing. Through multiple modules, you’ll understand core areas such as risk management, budgeting, team leadership, documentation, and international PM methodologies.

• Duration: ~15 hours (self‑paced) 
• Certificate: CPD‑accredited diploma; free to study, certificate costs extra 
• Skill level: Beginner to intermediate

6. FutureLearn – Project Management: Beyond the Basics

Offered by The Open University

This intermediate course steps up the game from foundational methods to leadership skills needed in real-world projects. You’ll learn how to choose project approaches (linear, iterative, or hybrid), manage complexity and stakeholder relationships, handle quality and resource conflicts, and develop emotional intelligence and ethics.

• Duration: 4 weeks (approx. 3 hours per week) 
• Certificate: Digital certificate available with paid upgrade
• Skill level: Intermediate (ideal for managers with some PM experience)

Certification-oriented courses

If you’re aiming to boost your credentials or prepare for a career in project management, certification-oriented courses are a wise investment. These programs not only deepen your project management skills but also provide you with recognized qualifications that hiring managers value.

Whether you’re working toward the PMP®, CAPM®, or a specialized credential, the following courses combine theoretical foundations with practical application to help you stand out.

7. Coursera – Google Project Management: Professional Certificate

Offered by Google

This professional certificate is one of the most popular entry-level project management programs available today. It covers project lifecycle fundamentals, Agile practices, risk management, stakeholder communication, and real-world project scenarios.

You will complete hands-on assignments, build project artifacts, and get access to career support resources, including resume-building and interview prep. It requires no prior experience and prepares you for introductory roles such as project coordinator or junior project manager.

• Duration: ~6 months (at 10 hours/week)
• Certificate: Yes (industry-recognized)
• Hands-on practice: Includes applied learning and project artifacts
• Cost: Free trial available; subscription model (Coursera Plus or monthly fee)

8. PMI Authorized On-Demand PMP® Exam Prep

Offered by PMI

This self-paced course is created and delivered by PMI, designed specifically to prepare experienced managers for the PMP® certification exam. It aligns perfectly with the PMP Exam Content Outline and provides the required 35 hours of formal project management education necessary to apply.

Ideal for those pursuing the gold-standard PMP, it also refreshes knowledge across predictive, agile, and hybrid methodologies using realistic scenarios.

• Duration: 35 hours of self-paced online learning 
• Certificate: Yes (fulfills PMP application requirement) 
• Skill level: Intermediate to advanced (requires prior project management experience)
• Cost: $799 full price; $699 for PMI members

9. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®)

Offered by PMI

The CAPM® (Certified Associate in Project Management) is a globally recognized certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI), ideal for entry-level professionals or anyone looking to build a solid foundation in project management. It covers essential topics like project planning, risk management, scheduling, and basic agile principles—making it a great stepping stone to more advanced certifications like PMP®.

• Duration: Self-paced preparation (recommended ~23–35 hours)
• Certificate: Yes (Official CAPM® certification upon passing the exam)
• Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
• Cost: $350 for PMI members, $400 for non-members

10. PRINCE2® 7 Foundation

Offered by AXELOS

A globally recognized methodology, PRINCE2 offers structured, tailorable project management, not only theory but clear roles, governance, and stage control.

The Foundation level makes sure that you understand its principles, themes, and practices, now aligned with modern needs such as digital and data management, people-centric leadership, and compatibility with Agile or Lean approaches.

• Duration: Typically 2-3 days of classroom or online training; self-study is also possible.
• Certificate: Yes (Foundation-level credential from AXELOS/PeopleCert); valid for 3 years with CPD or renewal.
• Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate.
• Cost: Training is delivered by PeopleCert’s Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs), who set their own rates.

11. PRINCE2® 7 Practitioner

Offered by AXELOS

The Practitioner level builds on PRINCE2 Foundation and teaches you how to apply the methodology in real project environments. It emphasizes customizing principles, themes, and processes to suit the context, whether traditional, Agile, or hybrid.

The latest version includes updates on sustainability, digital/data considerations, and people-centric project leadership.

• Duration: Typically 2 days of training; self-paced options available through accredited providers
• Certificate: Yes (Practitioner-level credential from AXELOS/PeopleCert); valid for 3 years with CPD or renewal
• Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Cost: Set by PeopleCert-accredited training partners

12. Project Management Specialization

Offered by University of California, Irvine

This four-course specialization from UC Irvine guides you through the full lifecycle of project management from kickoff to execution, risk handling, stakeholder coordination, and project wrap-up.

It emphasizes practical application by letting you work on projects throughout the series, creating deliverables such as work breakdown structures, schedules, budgets, and risk logs. 

• Duration: ~3 months at 10 hours/week (self-paced)
• Certificate: Yes (Professional certificate and 35 PMI contact hours/PDU credit)
• Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate (best for professionals with 3-5 years of experience)
• Cost: Included with Coursera Plus or individual course subscription (~$49/month); financial aid also available

13. Project Management Cornell Certificate Program

Offered by Cornell University via eCornell

This executive-level program equips managers and team leaders with both foundational and advanced skills, covering traditional and Agile frameworks.

Through five online courses, it teaches you how to organize projects (using work breakdown structures, Gantt charts, PERT calculations), manage resources and budget, assess and mitigate project risk, apply earned value management (EVM), and customize Agile or hybrid approaches to your organization’s needs.

• Duration: Approximately 3 months at 3-5 hours/week (self-paced with recommended pace)
• Certificate: Yes (Project Management Certificate from Cornell Engineering); includes 50 PMI education hours/PDUs
• Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate (no prior PM training required)
• Cost: $3,900 (one-time)

14. Agile Project Management Professional Certificate

Offered by the University of Maryland

This certificate combines Scrum, Kanban, Lean, SAFe, and hybrid frameworks to teach how to design and lead Agile projects at scale.

You’ll learn applied Scrum mechanics, planning, Agile innovation, leadership, and program/project controls through practical, real-world case studies across industries, including software, aerospace, and finance. 

• Duration: Around 5 months at 2-3 hours per week (self-paced) 
• Certificate: Yes (Professional Certificate and up to 50 PDUs recognized by PMI) 
• Skill level: Intermediate
• Cost: $1,245 for full program

Learn everything you need to know about Agile project management with our comprehensive guide.

15. Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®)

Offered by Scrum Alliance

This entry-level certification teaches the Scrum framework, including how to guide teams using Scrum values, events, and artifacts.

You’ll learn practical skills such as facilitating sprint planning, managing team impediments, coaching collaboration, and encouraging continuous improvement. It’s ideal for managers who want to adopt Agile practices or lead Scrum teams. 

• Duration: Minimum 16 hours of interactive training
• Certificate: Yes (CSM credential and 2-year Scrum Alliance membership, renewable via SEUs)
• Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate (no prerequisites)
• Cost: Varies by provider

16. Project Management Essentials Certificate Program

Offered by Pace University

This instructor-led online course provides a practical introduction to project management through live sessions with a PMP-certified instructor.

It blends theory with real-life examples and hands-on exercises to teach essential tools such as cost estimation, earned value management (EVM), risk and stakeholder management, scheduling, communication, and resource planning. 

• Duration: Four live sessions held over four Thursdays (approx. 12–16 hours total instructor-led), plus pre- and post-class materials
• Certificate: Yes (Certificate of Completion from Pace University; qualifies as PMI-approved education hours)
• Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
• Cost: Varies by session

Explore top 19 project management certifications to enroll in 2025!

Courses for seasonal managers and team leads

These courses are customized for experienced professionals who already manage projects but want to refine their skills, adopt modern methodologies, or scale leadership impact.

17. Project Management: Leading Organizations to Success

Offered by MIT xPRO

This advanced course builds a holistic framework that covers every phase of complex projects. You’ll focus on strategy alignment, team structure, risk preparedness, stakeholder influence, budgeting, and leveraging organizational learning within fast-paced, tech-driven environments.

It’s rooted in simulations, case studies, and MIT faculty insights; ideal for those managing large-scale or cross-functional initiatives. 

• Duration: 8 weeks at 6-8 hours per week (online)
• Certificate: Yes (Professional Certificate + 4.8 CEUs)
• Skill level: Advanced (for experienced managers leading complex projects)
• Cost: USD 2,500

18. Oxford Leading Strategic Projects Programme

Offered by University of Oxford Saïd Business School

This six-week online programme is designed for experienced managers and team leads who are leading strategic or complex initiatives.

You’ll learn how to redefine success metrics, navigate organizational complexity (structural, sociopolitical, and change-related), and design resilient project approaches through rigorous case studies and faculty insights from Oxford Saïd.

• Duration: 6 weeks
• Certificate: Yes (Certificate of Attendance from Oxford Saïd Business School; CPD‑certified by UK CPD Service)
• Skill level: Advanced
• Cost: ~£2,450

19. Graduate Certificate in Project Management

Offered by George Washington University School of Business

This 12-credit graduate certificate enhances strategic, technical, and leadership capabilities in project management.

You’ll learn from the same faculty who teach GW’s PMI-accredited MS in Project Management and gain hard and soft skills in areas such as risk analytics, stakeholder leadership, Agile techniques, and international project coordination.

• Duration: Typically 2-3 semesters (part-time; evening/online classes)
• Certificate: Yes (Graduate-level credential from GW School of Business)
• Skill level: Intermediate
• Cost: Charged per credit hour (~$1,800-$2,000 per three-credit course); total estimated cost ~$7,200-$8,000

20. Managing in the Complex, Multiple-Project Environment

Offered by Corporate Education Group (CEG)

This advanced program helps senior project professionals shift from managing single projects to overseeing complex programs composed of interrelated projects.

You’ll learn to connect programs with enterprise strategy, build business cases, coordinate work breakdown structures (WBS), plan master schedules, assess stakeholder and program risks, and drive alignment across multiple projects. The course includes practical tools and templates you can apply immediately. 

• Duration: 3 days (traditional classroom) or six 3‑hour virtual sessions
• Certificate: Yes (Certificate of Completion, CEG materials and templates)
• Skill level: Advanced
• Cost: Set by training provider (varies by delivery mode)

21. IBM Project Management Capstone

Offered by IBM (via Coursera)

This capstone is the practical finale of the IBM Project Manager Professional Certificate. You’ll act as a project manager running a detailed project from start to finish, producing real deliverables such as a project charter, work breakdown structure, network diagram, budget, risk register, agile artifacts (user stories, sprint backlog, burndown chart), status reports, and a closeout document.

• Duration: ~18 hours total, organized into five scenario-based modules 
• Certificate: Yes (Capstone certificate, adds to your IBM PM credentials)
• Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Cost: Included in the IBM Professional Certificate subscription

22. Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP®) Exam Prep Course

Offered by Premier Authorized Training Partner of PMI

This course is customized for senior managers who want to earn the Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP®) certification.

It follows PMI’s PfMP Exam Content Outline and teaches you how to strategize, govern, and optimize portfolio performance in large organizations. It also includes guidance through the application and panel review, sample questions, and live Q&A sessions.

• Duration: 24 contact hours (six 4-hour virtual sessions or a 3-day intensive boot camp)
• Certificate: Yes (fulfills PfMP education requirement and includes application support)
• Skill level: Advanced
• Cost: Varies by session format and provider

23. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) Specialization

Offered by Packt via Coursera

This three-course specialization is designed to prepare aspiring project managers for the PMI CAPM® exam, while teaching both traditional and Agile methodologies.

You’ll learn foundational concepts, predictive techniques (such as critical path and earned value), adaptive frameworks (Scrum, SAFe, Kanban), business analysis, and exam-specific strategies with hands-on projects and mock tests.

• Duration: ~1 month at 10 hours/week
• Certificate: Yes (Shareable Specialization credential; designed to prep for CAPM®)
• Skill level: Intermediate
• Cost: Included with Coursera Plus

How to choose the right course for you

Choosing the right project management course depends on what you want to achieve. Ask yourself:

• Are you looking for a certification or just skill-building?
• How much time can you invest – a few hours or a few months?
• Do you have a budget or prefer free options?
• Do you want a course that includes hands-on learning with project management tools?

Some courses can also help you get familiar with tools such as Gantt charts, task boards, or collaboration platforms to simulate actual project scenarios.

Pro tip: Supplement your Learning with trusted resources.

Beyond courses, there are other ways to grow your project management skills. Use free templates, glossaries, and productivity tips. Explore books, podcasts, and PM blogs. Join online communities such as PMI, Reddit, or LinkedIn groups to stay connected with others in the field.

Check out our Project Management Guide for a more detailed understanding of tools, techniques, and frameworks.

Conclusion

As a manager, your time is limited and your challenges are overwhelming. So instead of trying to complete every course out there, focus on what can help you lead better.

Pick one course that aligns with your day-to-day operations. Maybe it’s  managing cross-functional teams, handling shifting priorities, or improving clarity across projects. Whatever it is, start there.

And keep in mind that the goal is not to collect certificates, but to build confidence, sharpen decision-making, and manage projects with less stress and more structure. So, keep learning, stay curious, and apply what works for your team.

Frequntly asked questions