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Project Management Certificate

OVERVIEW

Gain the Project Management Skills to Lead with Confidence


 

Advance your career and prove your ability to drive results—on time and on budget. Whether you’re already leading projects or looking to step into a more formal project-focused role, WGU’s Project Management Certificate helps you convert on-the-job experience into a recognized, résumé-worthy credential. Designed around Project Management Institute (PMI) standards, this program equips you with practical tools and strategies that employers value—so you can deliver results and grow your impact. 

Built for working professionals, this flexible, online program equips you with the skills to get noticed:

  • Project planning and execution skills you can apply immediately in any industry 
  • Confidence using Agile methods, risk management strategies, and stakeholder communication tools 
  • The ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage competing priorities 
  • Stronger communication and collaboration techniques to influence outcomes

Perfect for professionals in roles like operations, HR, IT, or marketing who manage projects without formal training, this certificate delivers flexible, affordable learning that fits your schedule—and your goals.

Time to complete certificate

4 Months

Students should plan to dedicate 15–20 hours a week to the program. 

Certificate cost

$1,900

Tuition covers costs for any e-textbooks or other resources.

Certificate consists of

4 courses

This certificate has 4 courses with 10 total credits.

COURSES

Project Management Certificate

WGU is known for the high return on investment of its degree programs, and the Program Management Certificate is no exception. Build the skills you need to succeed in a project management role—or to manage projects in another capacity—even without a formal background in project management.

The certificate is a self-directed, competency-based program that allows you to progress on your own schedule. We recommend dedicating 15–20 hours per week to successfully complete the program. This program does not require a bachelor’s degree. 

The 4 courses in this program are:

All successful projects start with a well-organized plan and strategy. A plan helps everyone get on the same page about project objectives and what success should look like. In this course, you will learn about the fundamentals of effective project planning. Beginning with project charters, you will see how to combine all parts of a project—goals, team input, timeline, scope, and communication—into one unified plan. You will explore project scoping and creating a work breakdown structure. You will familiarize yourself with Gantt charts and how they help your project team remain organized throughout the project lifecycle. Lastly, you will discover how to engage stakeholders to ensure alignment across an organization. Whether you’re new to project management or looking to enhance your skills, this course will give you the foundational knowledge to plan projects strategically and impactfully. 

A critical part of any project is the execution phase—when all your planning gets put to the test. It’s the stage where the project work begins, and you start turning your ideas into results. But even with a strong plan, things don’t always go perfectly. That’s why it’s essential to stay flexible and be ready for surprises along the way. In this course, you’ll learn how to move from planning to executing and ensure your project is on track and meeting its goals. You’ll build key skills like creating a budget, cost estimation, and cost control. You’ll look at resource optimization strategies and vendor procurement. Most importantly, throughout the course, you’ll discover how to lead through the execution phase—making smart decisions, solving problems as they come up, and keeping your stakeholders involved and informed. When you manage all these moving parts effectively, you give your project the best chance to succeed.

Projects don’t run on plans alone—they run on people, communication, and the ability to adapt when things change. In this course, you’ll build the skills that help real-world projects succeed, no matter what challenges come your way. You’ll start by learning how to work in fast-moving environments using Agile methods that help teams stay focused and flexible. Then, you’ll discover how to adapt to change—so you can lead with confidence, even when things don’t go as expected. You’ll also learn to manage project risks by spotting problems early and planning ahead.

Great projects need great leadership, and you’ll discover how to guide your team with trust, vision, and clear goals. You’ll build your team collaboration skills so you can communicate effectively and bring out the best in others. You’ll learn to use problem-solving strategies to tackle issues and keep things moving forward. Finally, you’ll master project communication—one of the most critical parts of any project. You’ll learn how to share updates, manage tough conversations, and keep everyone on the same page. Whether you’re leading your first project or looking to level up your skills, this course gives you the tools to confidently lead, adapt, and deliver. 

You’ve built the skills—it’s time to bring them all together. In this capstone course, you’ll apply everything you’ve learned about project management to a project scenario. You’ll plan a project from start to finish, ensuring it lines up with business goals and has everything needed to succeed. You’ll create key project documents like the scope, schedule, and risk plan. You’ll show how to manage your team, resources, and stakeholder communication.

Along the way, you’ll practice leading with confidence, working with others, and making smart decisions. You’ll choose the right project management methodology and explain why it’s the best fit. You’ll also practice reflecting on what went well and what improvements could be made. This is your chance to show what you know, apply your skills, and take the next big step in your project management journey. 

WGU CERTIFICATES POWERED BY WGU ACADEMY

Why Choose a Certificate?

If you're not quite ready to commit to a full degree program, want to try out online learning, or need a faster way to boost your résumé, a WGU certificate could be the right fit for you. With a certificate program, you can begin any time you want—no need to wait for the first of the month. WGU Certificates are also self-paced, so you can move as quickly as you are able to master the material. Plus, the certificate courses are transferrable to many WGU degree programs, so you can continue your education whenever you're ready.

100% Online Courses that Work with Your Schedule

Our certificates are 100% online, and there are no set class times. This means you can work on your certificate whenever it makes sense for you and your busy schedule. You're in the driver's seat of your education.

Full Suite of Support Services

WGU serves students from a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds. Our program support, instruction, and career resources will help you complete your certificate and reach your goals.

Competitive Pricing

With a competitive price relative to similar programs, you’ll find that WGU Certificates can be of immediate market value, positioning you for your next role.

COST

An Affordable  Certificate

We award credits based on competency, not time spent in class. That means you can accelerate through the material you already know and finish your certificate fast.

$1,900

Total cost

For this certificate, there are no additional fees.

The purchase price enrolls you in the program for a single four-month term--the amount of time it takes most students to complete the program.. If you do not complete your program by the last day of the term, your enrollment will automatically change to a $399 monthly subscription. The credit card you provide will be charged at that time, allowing you additional time to complete your program. You may cancel at any time.

HOW IT WORKS

Here's What You Can Expect from This Certificate

  • This program is for existing and aspiring project managers. It does not require a bachelor’s degree.
  • You must have internet access and a computer.
  • Performance assessments are required for all four courses. 
  • This certificate will be self-directed, like other WGU competency-based courses, allowing you to complete modules as quickly as you master the material.
  • You are responsible for maintaining your pace toward completion and being self-directed in your coursework.
  • You should plan to dedicate 15–20 hours a week to the program.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

6 Months of Access

  • Chromebooks are not compatible with the online proctoring service.
 Therefore, they cannot be used to take proctored final exams.
  • 
This course will require an external webcam.
 Webcams built into laptops or phones will not meet this requirement.

System Requirements

  • Operating System Windows 8 or later; Mac OS X 10.11 or later
  • Web Browser Latest Chrome (Preferred), Edge, Firefox or Safari browser
  • Cookies Enabled

Your 6-month Term plan

Here's everything you need to know about what you're paying for:

$2,000
or 6 payments of $333.33


 

Access period

Your purchase provides you with access to your selected course or program for a 6-month Term. Set a personal goal to complete before that date. If you are unable to do so, that’s okay. If you need more time to complete, you can continue your access with an automatic Extension, billed at $499 per month. You may cancel the Extension at any time.

CAREER OUTCOMES

Real Results for Your Project Management Career

Organizations across every sector are looking for professionals who can lead cross-functional teams, manage complex timelines, and keep projects on track. In fact, over 70,000 project management job openings are projected annually across industries such as business, healthcare, IT, education, and nonprofit.*

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections Program, 2023.

Earning a project management certificate from WGU positions you to pursue roles like:

  • Project Coordinator
  • Assistant Project Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Project Scheduler
  • Operations Coordinator
  • Program Assistant
  • Project Analyst

Ready to Get a Whole New Career?

Getting a business certificate is a smart investment in your future.

In just a few months, you can equip yourself with the skills you need to either launch a new career or step ahead in your current role.

Fill out this form to learn more about the Project Management Certificate.

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