Free PMP Certification Course (with Certificate)
Project management is crucial in various industries, and skilled project managers are always in demand. Obtaining a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification can significantly boost your career prospects. PMP-certified professionals typically earn 16-25% more than their non-certified peers, and the certification is often required for higher-level roles in project management.
While PMP certification can be expensive, many platforms offer free courses to help you prepare. These free resources can provide the necessary skills and knowledge to earn the PMP certification and advance your career. Here’s a look at some platforms offering free courses.
Free PMP Certification Courses: Where to Find Them
1. Alison
Alison offers a Project Management Diploma course that covers the basics of project management, such as planning, risk management, and scheduling. 433,599 Learners have already enrolled. You only need to study for 10-15 hours. After completion, you can obtain Alison's professional certification, which will be of great help to your job search and salary increase.
2. Coursera
Coursera provides free project management courses like “Introduction to Project Management” by the University of Adelaide. While the full PMP course is paid, you can access these free courses by auditing them, and purchase a certificate if needed.
3. edX
edX offers free courses from top universities like Harvard. Although they don’t provide free PMP certification, courses like "Agile Project Management" and "Project Management for Development" are useful for building your project management skills.
4. PMI’s Project Management Basics
Virtual classes : 1 hour per day over 3 weeks. Now, you might think, how is this going to make up the 35 PDU? Daily classes are incredibly efficient in achieving maximum study output. Most of students go on to successfully earn their PMP certification after completing the daily classes. You can, however, re-attend any class as many times as you want for 12 months.
5. FutureLearn
FutureLearn offers free project management courses in collaboration with universities. While certification may require a fee, many introductory courses can help you build essential skills in project management.
6. TAFE (Australia)
TAFE offers free project management courses that lead to qualifications recognized under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) . These certifications are internationally recognized and provide practical, real-world skills in project management.
Advancing Career with TAFE’s Free Courses
Emma, an administrative assistant in healthcare, wanted to transition into project management. Concerned about the cost of traditional PMP courses, she enrolled in TAFE’s Certificate IV in Project Management Practice , a nationally recognized program in Australia.
The course covered project planning, risk management, and Agile methodologies. Upon completion, Emma was able to land a junior project manager role in a healthcare organization. The AQF-recognized certification gave her a competitive edge, leading to an 18% salary increase and faster career progression.
Maximizing the Benefits of Free Courses
While free courses are a great starting point, consider supplementing them with additional resources for comprehensive PMP preparation:
• PMP Exam Prep Books: Books like PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy offer in-depth coverage of exam topics.
• Practice Exams: Use free practice exams to test your knowledge and readiness.
• Study Groups: Join online study groups for additional support and motivation.
Conclusion
Pursuing a PMP certification can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries. Free resources, including TAFE’s AQF-recognized qualifications , allow you to gain valuable project management skills without a financial burden. By leveraging these platforms, you can boost your career just like Emma, and earn a PMP certification that sets you apart in the competitive job market.