What Is the Value of PMP® Certification Through PMI?
Last Updated November 16, 2013
When you earn Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification through the Project Management Institute (PMI), you can help position yourself for project management opportunities. No matter what industry you choose to work in, certification can be a huge asset as you move forward in your career. Not only does the credential itself carry prestige, but the skills and knowledge that you develop as you work towards attaining it can help you consistently deliver superior performance.
Personal and Professional Benefits of PMP® Certification
Obtaining the PMP® certification is one way to prepare to assume greater responsibilities in your job, and show your supervisors that you have the dedication and knowledge to be entrusted with those responsibilities. Also, because the certification process through PMI is so thorough and rigorous, completing the program is a great boost to your self-confidence.
By earning your PMP® certification, you can also demonstrate to your current and prospective employers that you are dedicated to excellence and are capable of performing at the highest level in the field of project management. This makes it more likely that you will receive greater compensation in your current position and have increased opportunities for advancement. In fact, the annual PMI Project Management Salary Survey reveals that certified Project Management Professionals earn an average salary of more than $100,000 per year!
Business Benefits of Supporting PMP® Certification
Individuals aren’t the only ones who reap the benefits of PMP® certification. Companies that support the PMP® certification of their employees generally have a more disciplined and knowledgeable workforce. The rigors of the PMP® certification process and the requirement that certifications be maintained through continuing education mean that employees who hold this credential will always be aware of the latest developments in the field.
Not only does PMP® certification make the business as a whole more efficient and lead to greater project success rates, but it also makes the company more attractive to prospective clients. Most clients are aware that a PMP®–certified project management team can deliver the results they seek. Additionally, by supporting the professional growth of employees through PMP® education and certification, companies can demonstrate that they recognize and appreciate the dedication and contributions of their employees – which helps them to attract and retain the best in the field.
Who Needs PMP® Certification the Most?
While just about anyone working on corporate projects can benefit from the knowledge gained from formal project management training, it can have special appeal for certain individuals based on their career ambitions and job roles. For instance, if you want to advance quickly in the field or secure a position with a large company handling high-budget projects, PMP® certification can help you attain those goals.
It’s widely accepted that PMP® certification is a must for project managers. However, project management training and certification can also benefit other professionals at all levels of an organization, including process engineers and team leaders, Six Sigma and other quality-control specialists, business analysts, product consultants, and C-level executives. It can help those contributing to projects understand how to keep their deliverables on time and on budget, and it can help quality specialists design better project-related processes. It is also valuable for those requesting or initiating projects, as it’s critical that they realize the importance of clear goals and direction, as well as the potential impact of scope creep.
Basic Requirements
Since PMP® certification is such a valued distinction, it takes more than a casual experience to sit for the certification exam. In fact, there are several requirements you must fulfill before you can even apply.
PMP® certification candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) in any major, 35 credit hours of project management education and a minimum of three years of related work experience – at least 4,500 hours of which involve guiding and managing projects.
Individuals with at least a high school diploma (or equivalent) but less than a bachelor’s degree are still eligible for PMP® certification, but require additional experience. Beyond 35 hours of professional education, these candidates must hold a minimum of five years of experience in project management, at least 7,500 hours guiding and managing projects.
Those who don’t meet PMP® education or work experience requirements may still be eligible for another PMI certification. The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® designation is ideal for professionals just starting out in the field of project management. To apply, candidates must have at least a high school diploma (or equivalent) and either 23 credit hours of project management education or 1,500 hours of relevant work experience.
What You Need to Know to Pass the Exam
Passing the PMP® or CAPM® certification exams requires a thorough understanding of the entire Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), which is published by PMI and covers the key terminology and techniques that effective project managers use. The exam not only requires you to know this information, but also to be able to apply project management principles to practical situations.
You will significantly improve your chances of passing the PMP® certification exam by completing formal project management training and participating in a PMP® exam prep course.
Get Superior Project Management Training and Prepare for the PMP® Certification Exam 100% Online
When considering your options for PMP® training, take a close look at the certificate courses and certificate programs offered by Villanova University.
Villanova’s project management certificate courses and PMP® exam prep are accessible to business professionals all over the country, as they can be completed 100% online through a flexible, video-based e-learning platform. You can choose to take Villanova’s Project Management Professional (PMP)® Exam Prep certificate course on its own, or in conjunction with the university’s Certificate in Applied Project Management program.
When you enroll in any of the project management certificate courses offered by Villanova, you can:
- Learn from a team of expert instructors with extensive experience in the field
- Enjoy the ability to view lectures anywhere and anytime via streaming video
- Interact with classmates and instructors easily through convenient tools like virtual whiteboards, email, live chat rooms, online message boards and two-way voice over IP (VOIP)
- Have the opportunity to take part in weekly live interactive sessions
These certificate courses and certificate programs are ideal for professionals who wish to obtain PMP® certification for the first time, as well as those who need continuing education credits to maintain certification. Distinguish yourself as a project management expert with 100% online training, university credentials and PMP® certification preparation from Villanova University.
