Project Management Certificate Overview
The Project Management Graduate Certificate is designed to help you practice the leadership and communication skills necessary to motivate and hold others accountable throughout the project process.
Through the online project management certificate course curriculum, you will:
- Learn to maximize the project management lifecycle, steering a project successfully from start to finish.
- Explore different project management methodologies — from waterfall to agile project management — for managing project schedule, scope, cost, and quality.
- Develop leadership skills and techniques to work with others to complete projects effectively and efficiently.
- Acquire knowledge of how project management impacts strategy and business success.
- Utilize change management practices to promote innovation.
Certificate Courses
The Project Management Graduate Certificate includes four courses (16 credits). You’ll complete one course from each of the following course groups. These courses align with the Project Management Institute’s talent triangle framework.
Technical Project Management (1 course)
Build hands-on skills and training in the frameworks and tools of the project management discipline.
Course options include:
- MGMT 5030 Project Management (see video spotlight)
- MGMT 5042 Agile Project Management (see video spotlight)
- MGMT 5044 Agile Scrum Master
Strategic Business Management (1 course)
Gain insight into business models, industry knowledge, and the internal and external forces that influence a business.
Course options include:
- MGMT 5013 Applied Systems Design Thinking
- MGMT 5033 Supply Chain Management
- MGMT 5060 Operations Management
Leadership (1 course)
Develop leadership skills and techniques to collaborate on projects effectively and efficiently.
Course options include:
- MGMT 3010 Leadership Communications
- MGMT 4000 Organizational Behavior
- MGMT 4030 Leading through Change
Electives (1 course)
Through an elective of your choice, you will gain a deeper understanding of one of the three topic areas above.
Sample electives include:
- MGMT 5048 Navigating Business Agility (watch video preview)
- MGMT 4225 Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
- MGMT 5005 Corporate Strategy
Search for Courses
You can search courses by each course group and by term — fall, spring, or summer — in the certificate course search.
Course Spotlights
MGMT 5030 Project Management
MGMT 5042 Agile Project Management
Featured Faculty
-
![]()
Shannon Pettiford
Senior Information Technology Program Manager, Boston Consulting Group
Teaches Agile Project Management, Project Management
-
![]()
Margaret Andrews
Founder, The MYLO Center and Managing Director, Higher Ed Associates
-
![Nicholas Coburn-Palo]()
Nicholas Coburn-Palo
Preceptor in Public Speaking, Harvard University
Teaches Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
Our Students at a Glance
Our students work in a variety of industries and roles — including as experienced project managers focused on updating skills and supervisors building foundational knowledge.
-
36
Average Age
-
83%
Working Full Time
-
29%
Students Outside the U.S.
-
1.5 years
Average Time to Complete
Career Outlook
Project manager jobs are expected to grow 6 percent by 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Project Management Institute reported in its 2023 Talent Gap Report that the global economy will require 25 million new project managers by 2030.
Project managers are in demand across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, consulting, and engineering. The Project Management Graduate Certificate provides the knowledge and skills you need to be an effective project manager in any industry.
Earning Your Certificate
Most of our certificates can be completed online, and no formal application process is required to pursue a certificate.
To meet the requirements for the certificate:
- Complete the four certificate courses for graduate credit.
- Earn at least a B grade in each course.
- Complete the courses within three years.
Learn more about pursuing a certificate and the process of requesting your certificate.
Note: Courses taken before the 2018-19 academic year do not apply toward this certificate.
Build a Stackable Credential Pathway
Stackable credential pathways allow you to earn multiple credentials by completing courses that meet overlapping requirements. In the short term, you can earn a micro or graduate certificate. Once completed, those courses may count toward a master’s degree.
You can:
- Stack the Project Management Methodologies Microcertificate into the Project Management Graduate Certificate.
- Stack the Project Management Graduate Certificate into a master’s degree in management.
Stackable pathways offer an efficient, cost-effective way to earn short-term credentials to help fill immediate skill gaps and acquire specialized knowledge while building a foundation for long-term success that showcases your expertise in the field.
Learn how to plan a stackable credential pathway.
Cost
Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
| Our Tuition (2024–25 rate) | $3,340 per course |
|---|---|
| Average Tuition of Peer Institutions | $5,476 per course |
| Average Total Cost | $13,360 |
Project Management Certificate FAQs
Are project managers in high demand?
The job outlook for project managers is strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, project manager jobs are expected to grow 6 percent by 2032. The Project Management Institute reported in its 2023 Talent Gap Report that the global economy will require 25 million new project managers by 2030.
How long does it take to study project management?
The time commitment can range from a few months to several years, depending on whether you choose to earn a degree, certificate, or another credential in the field. Related professional experience can also help expedite the learning process. On average, Harvard Extension School students complete the Project Management Graduate Certificate in 1.5 years.
Is getting a certificate in project management worth it?
Earning a graduate certificate in project management can help you develop the skills necessary to succeed as a project manager and potentially increase your earning potential. Our certificate courses emphasize three key domains of project management, as defined by the Project Management Institute: power skills, business acumen, and ways of working (leadership, strategic and business management, and technical project management). You’ll increase your capacity to lead across teams. You’ll learn to recognize the business forces that impact a project so you can maintain strategic alignment. And you’ll build expertise in the tools and techniques that can be leveraged to support project success.
Can I become a project manager without experience?
Project management experience is beneficial if you’re applying for senior positions. If you are making a career pivot or are taking on project management responsibilities in your current role, a certificate can help you gain the essential skills to be successful.
Can the Project Management Graduate Certificate help me prepare for the PMP Certification Exam?
Yes, the Project Management Graduate Certificate can help you prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification exam. Certificate courses cover key topics relevant to the PMP exam, including project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Through case studies and real-world projects, the program can also help you gain practical experience, which is valuable in understanding the application of project management concepts.
Does the Project Management Graduate Certificate satisfy the education hours required by the Project Management Institute?
Yes, completing the certificate program may also satisfy some of the project management education hours required by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to qualify for the PMP exam. You should request this through the Project Management Institute.
