Best Project Management Courses Online

18 best project management courses online for professionals.

The project management industry is pivotal in sustaining the global economy. With a growing number of projects globally, the demand for competent people managers is rising. PM offers interesting career opportunities if you have the right qualifications.

This review is for people who want to get their project management qualifications online. We cover some of the best project management courses online and also guide to help you choose the one that is best for you.

Overview

Project Management is not limited to a single definition. It is such a vast and innovative field that it continually evolves. The Project Management Institute PMI defines very broadly: “Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements.”

This definition shows that PM is more than just a body of knowledge. It incorporates everything from learning theory to using technology to human engineering.

Managing resources – Project managers are highly skilled people whose sole job is to minimize the wastage of resources in a project, which is not an option in today’s competitive world. To put things into perspective, PMI 2017 reported that companies that invested in project management initiatives tended to waste 28 times less money.

Scope of duties – A typical project manager has to single-handedly oversee these principal activities: Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing. Being an expert in all of these is not an easy job. It requires mastering time management, communication, leadership, and creativity skills.

Regulations – Since PM is a crucial job in the modern context, this profession is highly regulated and standardized. It has a wide array of sub-fields, professional certifications, and many training options.

List of courses – Below, we cover some of the best project management courses online plus training options. If you aim to become a project manager or are already working as one, these courses from various providers will help get you started or further improve.

Best Project Management Courses Online 2025

Coursera	GetSmarter	LinkedIn Learning	Udemy
Coursera	RICE University	LinkedIn Learning	Udemy
Free. Certificate Fee.	$1,900. Certificate.	$26.99/month	from $11.99
★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
Visit Website	Visit Website	Visit Website	Visit Website

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure at the end of this post.

Note: This review gives an overview of the best online. It is not meant to be comprehensive, as many other product management courses are available.

1. Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management – Coursera

Fundamentals of Project Planning (visit website) is a course offered by the University of Virginia for beginners. It is a beneficial learning opportunity for those seeking insight into the modern project management world. The instructor starts with an introduction to PM and explains its rudimentary concepts, such as the project life cycle or the critical path of a project. 

Towards the end, specialized concepts such as the earned value approach and the latest software solutions are touched upon, which are a selling point for this course, according to many reviewers. It boasts a 4.7-star rating on Coursera. 

Apart from video lectures, the course directs you toward insightful reading material and has many quizzes. If you complete this course, you will earn 12 PDUs for PMI, which can help you maintain your certification status. One of the best project management courses online to gain university-style education, certification, and recognition.

Provider: University of Virginia. Coursera | Level: Beginners.
Instructors: Yael Grushka-Cockayne | Course Duration: 4 weeks.
Info: View course. Browse: Search all related courses on Coursera.

2. Strategic Project Management – RICE University 

RICE University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies offers this 8-week course (visit website) for senior executives, project management professionals, managers, and functional specialists tasked with bringing off projects successfully.

Upon enrolling in this program, participants will learn how to display strategic project management through sound execution. Completing this course will bring professionals closer to transitioning from operational to strategic roles.

The class starts with the expectations and role of a project manager. Learners will then move to strategic thinking and value management. The latter is split into two modules that break down the concept into two sections: mining projects for value and maximizing value.

From here, students will dive deep into strategic project leadership, organizational structures, challenges, project changes, risks, and the future landscape for project managers. By the end, students will have a framework ready to apply strategic thinking by aligning projects, programs, and portfolio goals.

Provider: Rice University, GetSmarter | Duration: 8 weeks | Certificate: Yes.
Level: Professionals | Pace: Instructor-lead | Price: $1,900
Info: Visit course website. Get free prospectus. Browse all management courses.

3. Become a Project Manager – LinkedIn Learning 

Become a Project Manager is a comprehensive program for business professionals looking to switch to more strategic roles within their companies. This course is designed to impart proven project management techniques to learners and enable them with the skillset that can help them bring projects to completion successfully every time.  

Starting with an overview of project management foundations, ethics, and requirements, the class will gradually move to specific aspects that underline these foundations. These mainly include the concepts of scheduling, budgeting, and teaming. Another key aspect that students will learn is communication and dealing with challenges such as miscommunication that could result in misaligning project goals and execution.

The last two modules in the program deal with managing risks and project stakeholders before finishing off with Microsoft project quick tips. By the end, students will have developed the understanding required to handle first projects and enterprise-wide initiatives. This is among the best project management online courses for beginners.

Provider: LinkedIn | Level: Beginners, Intermediates
Instructors: Bonnie Biafore, Bob McCannon | Course Content: 18 lessons
Info: From $29.99/month annually. Try with free 1-month trial.

4. Professional Certificate in Technical Project Management, MIT xPro, Emeritus

The ins and outs of project management form the focus of MIT’s Professional Certificate in Technical Project Management course (visit website). Suitable for mid-level project managers, entry-level engineers, or seasoned engineers looking to shift into technical PM, this course teaches clarity, innovative decision-making, and behind-the-scenes leadership.

Starting with PM fundamentals, you’ll look at budgeting, scheduling, resourcing, planning, forecasting, and responding to change. With a solid foundation, you’ll progress to agile PM, using case studies from NASA and many more. Lastly, you’ll tackle project leadership by identifying the best tools and applying various methods to your complex project.

In addition to earning a prestigious MIT xPRO certificate and 46 Continuing Education Points (CEPs) for completing the course, which includes a capstone project, you’ll receive the necessary career preparation and guidance to help you land a career in technical PM. As such, you can expect to learn effective salary negotiation and brand-building.

Provider: MIT xPro, Emeritus | Time: 21 weeks | Certificate: Yes.
Level: Mid-Level Project Managers | Pace: Instructor-lead | Price: from $6,631.
Info: Visit course website. Get free brochure. Browse full course catalog on Emeritus.

5. Project Management Principles – Specialization – Coursera

This Coursera specialization (visit website) consists of several closely related courses. This track is meant for project management beginners interested in this field. It is composed of 4 different online courses that teach key concepts such as project initiation, planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.

The first three courses are taught via videos, reading assignments, or quizzes, focusing on traditional product-centric principles. The final course is the specialization project itself. Students step into a project manager’s shoes and plan a project A-Z. The final report is peer-reviewed, which offers a unique learning experience. 

People who are enthusiastic about becoming project managers can learn a lot from this specialization, and it will show you a clear path to follow. This could be one of the best online courses for those seeking a comprehensive study track.

Provider: University of California, Irvine. Coursera | Teacher: Margaret Meloni
Level: Beginners. | Duration: 5 months. | Pricing: Try 7 days free. From $59/month.
Info: View course. Browse: Search all related courses on Coursera.

6. Agile Project Management – University of Cape Town

Agile Project Management (visit website) by the University of Cape Town is an 8-week program on the GetSmarter learning platform. It aims to help project managers looking to increase efficiency by harnessing the potential of an Agile approach in business.

It also targets those looking to stay up-to-date by developing relevant skills and those seeking a better understanding of the business contexts that best suit the Agile methods. In this course, you will learn how to adopt an Agile Project Management strategy that ensures project efficacy via multiple reassessments and adaptation of plans.

By the end, practicing managers and participants will have a solid understanding of the principles, methods, and values related to the Agile approach. You can identify the differences between traditional methods and this new approach.

Furthermore, students will be able to locate the suitable conditions for Agile ways, perform adaptive planning and continuous improvement, and build efficient, high-performing teams. This is one of the best agile project management courses online.

Provider: University of Cape Town, GetSmarter | Certificate: Yes.
Level: Professionals | Pace: Instructor-lead | Duration: 8 weeks | Price: $990
Info: Visit course website. Get free prospectus. Browse all management courses.

7. The Project Management Course: Beginner to PROject Manager – Udemy

Project management is a highly transferable discipline. Learn the skills and tools in The Project Management Course (visit website) that can help you on a job, in your business, and also in your personal life. It will equip learners with more than 15 templates and downloads that they can use on future projects.

They teach Gantt charts, Critical Path Method, Project Plan, and Budget among other useful tools to prepare you for success. The course carries you through a complete project case study with realistic scenarios along the way. You will also study and practice the Waterfall and Agile philosophies inside the SCRUM framework.

By the end of the course, you will have upskilled yourself and be eligible for a promotion or a new position in Project Management. If you like learning with Udemy, this is undoubtedly one of the best courses suitable for beginners.

Instructor: 365 Careers | Level: Beginners | Lectures: 100 | Video: 7.5 hours
Price: View course. From $19.99. Up to 75% off. Browse category on Udemy.

Tip: Browse our lists of the best business courses, or entrepreneurship courses or business management courses, or real estate courses or leadership courses and product management courses to further expand your skills.

8. Project Management Foundations – LinkedIn

Let’s start with a beginner-level course that can help you kickstart a career in the industry. The ‘PM Foundations course will help learners understand what project management entails and what a professional’s workday will look like.

It comprises nine chapters, each dealing with a specific phase of a typical project, i.e., initiation, planning, execution, closure, etc. Students can test their knowledge via quizzes and challenges, encouraging them to apply what they have learned to real-life situations. An exam will earn you a certificate and valuable credits for NASBA and PMI. 

A distinctive feature is its special chapter on Agile Project Management. If you are interested in going down that path, this is among the best project management online courses suitable for beginners. Being on LinkedIn Learning also gives you access to all other courses available on the platform, e.g. Become A Project Manager.

Provider: LinkedIn | Level: Beginners, Intermediates
Instructors: Bonnie Biafore | Course Content: 10 lessons
Info: From $17.99/month annually. Try with free 1-month trial.

9. Agile Crash Course & Agile Projects – Udemy

Agile is one of the latest and most effective contemporary project management approaches. It is a feedback-based methodology focused on maximizing quality and output through the optimal use of human creativity. 

This Udemy course (visit website) provides a solid foundation for Agile and is designed for beginners. It starts with an overview of Agile and then dives into its constituents, such as the Agile team and tools, where it discusses innovations like the Kanban board.

A notable aspect of this course is that it attempts to explain the universality of Agile as a PM framework by discussing how it is not limited to software development and IT. There is a final exam at the end. Between the courses, optional activities like an Agile project and learning games can enhance your learning experience.

The ‘Agile Crash Course’ can lead to employment opportunities in modernistic PM environments like software development and business analysis. 

Instructor: Mauricio Rubio | Level: Beginners | Lectures: 23 | Video: 3 hours
Price: View course. From $11.99. Up to 95% off. Browse category on Udemy.

10. Introduction to Project Management – edX

The next suggestion in our list is another elementary-level class from The University of Adelaide. Introduction to Project Management is quite similar to our previous suggestions regarding curriculum design. It relays the core knowledge and principles of PM to learners, starting from the very baseline.

What distinguishes it from many beginner-level project management courses out there is its focus on developing the learners’ personal qualities and soft skills. If you are looking for something that goes beyond book knowledge and guides you on what practical traits you need to work on, this is the course for you.

An advantage of edX is that the course content is often free; you can purchase a verified certificate upon completion, but it is optional. Therefore, it is an attractive package for students and young professionals looking to boost their career prospects in this industry.

Provider: University of Adelaide. edX | Level: Introductory.
Instructors: Frank Shultmann and others
Course Content: 6 weeks. | Pricing: Free. Certificate $199

11. Essentials of Project Management for the Non-Project Manager – AMA

The American Management Association (AMA) is an education-driven organization that offers a variety of training materials in project management. The course content is the same as an introductory project management course: project life cycle, technical jargon, professional tools, soft skills, etc.

A salient feature of this course is that it is specially curated for people who are already a part of a PM team but not in a leading role. It is perfect for entry-level professionals who want to prove their mettle as a helpful team resource and climb the ladder to become a project manager. It covers topics like the SMART criteria and Work Breakdown Structure.

An advantage of taking this course is that it is offered as a live online session where you can directly interact with your instructor and fellow students, just like in a real classroom.

Provider: American Management Association AMA | Level: Beginners
Instructors: AMA teachers | Course: 4 lessons online. 2 days in-person.
Pricing: $1,995 AMA Members

12. Diploma in Project Management – Alison

Alison is a free e-learning platform that offers excellent opportunities for professional development. Its Diploma courses are designed as a complete package for learners seeking wholesome knowledge of a subject rather than a specific portion.

Consequently, the Diploma is a comprehensive beginner’s project management guide. Starting from a general intro to project planning, it discusses core PM topics: methodology, toolset, documentation, and project life cycle, over 27 modules.

It ends with an in-depth case study that bolsters all concepts in one’s mind and exhibits its practical implementation. You need to pass the final assessment to complete the diploma. Interested candidates can also purchase their Alison diploma upon completion.

Overall, we believe that classes encompassing all these topics are rare. Thus, this is certainly one of the best beginner courses for learning project management.

Provider: Alison | Level: Beginners. | Instructors: n.a.
Course: 6-10 hours. Assessment included.
Pricing: Free. Certificate available.

13. Scrum: The Basics – LinkedIn

Our next suggestion Scrum: The Basics is slightly different from traditional project management courses. Scrum is a PM framework that has rapidly gained popularity as an agile project management tool.

The course is centered on this trending methodology. It provides a quick round-up on what Scrum is and how it stemmed from the Agile movement in the PM world, what thinking styles and ideological principles it is based on, and how it is implemented as a team.

Chapter-end quizzes back video lectures. Completing this short course will earn you 1 PDU/Contact Hour for PMI. This class is a great way to help you explore this project management paradigm and open up career opportunities in software development, research, business analysis, etc.

Provider: LinkedIn | Level: Beginners, Intermediates.
Instructors: Kelly O’Connell | Course Content: 5 lessons
Info: From $26.99/month annually. Try with free 1-month trial.

14. RIT – MicroMaster in Project Management – edX

edX MicroMaster is an impressive e-learning feature of the platform. MicroMasters are a series of graduate-level courses offered by universities, which, if completed, are accepted as recognized credits by graduate schools and employers.

The MicroMaster in Project Management by RITx is an intensive 8-month learning path comprising 3 graduate-level project management courses and a final exam.

The first course discusses the project life cycle in detail, comprehensively teaching each process and challenge. The second course discusses the human factor involved in PM, guiding you about what personal characteristics and best practices can lead to project success. The third course focuses on the nuances of international project management, showing you how to conquer global PM challenges.

The final exam is an online proctored assessment that will earn you a MicroMaster degree. This online degree is widely accepted as proof of your mettle in PM and can potentially land you a job.

Provider: RIT, edX| Level: Beginners. | Instructors: Leonie Fernandes
Course: MicroMasters Program. 8 months. 4 graduate-level courses.
Original Price: $900.

15. TU Delft – Project Management – Mastering Complexity – edX

Managing a project is a real-life scenario that never goes entirely as planned. A good project manager is astute enough to deal with the recurring complexities and deliver everything as required.

TU Delft offers the course to established project managers looking to upskill themselves; knowledge and prior experience in PM are prerequisites.

Complexity in the context of PM is introduced at first. You will learn how to identify possible complexities via the TOE framework and prepare for them beforehand. The course will then guide you about the diversity of management styles suited to different complexities and what state of mind you should put yourself in to tackle them effectively.

By the end, a standard peer-reviewed assessment will help you apply your knowledge and see where you stand. This is among the best online courses for advanced project management certification and handling complex projects.

Provider: TU Delft, edX | Level: Advanced. | Instructors: Hans Bakker
Duration: 5 weeks. 4–6 hours/week
Pricing: Free. Certificate $199

16. Project Management Professional (PMP) – Cybrary

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification by PMI is a coveted achievement in the PM industry. Having it in your portfolio renders you a class apart.

Cybrary offers this PMP training course to people willing to rise to the top in the PM industry. It is an intermediate project management course that builds upon basic knowledge and is a pathway to certification. This course adds 10 CEU/CPE to your credit.

As a learner, you will first revisit essential topics like project life cycle and scope definition. After that, the course will then systematically deal with advanced-level topics like costing/budgeting, human resource allocation, quality control, and risk management.

These are essential skills to learn to perform well on the exam and in the field. This could be one of the best online certifications to help you with PMP and also contribute to your PM career.

Provider: Cybrary | Level: Intermediate. | Instructors: Vince McKeown
Course: 5 hours. 11 modules
Pricing: Free limited account. Premium from $33/month

17. Cert Prep: Project Management Professional (PMP) – LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a hub of highly experienced and successful professionals aiming to impart their knowledge and share their expertise with learners; this course is a true example of this.

The ‘Cert Prep: PMP’ course is a beginner-level course specifically devised for students targeting the PMP certification exam. It is equivalent to 35 PDUs/Contact Hours, which is the eligibility requirement by PMI to sit the exam. Once you are done with this course, you can go ahead and apply.

An appealing feature of this class is that it is based on PMBOK®, PMI’s own guidebook. The course curriculum exactly matches what PMI expects from exam-takers. Some mentionable topics include risk management, stakeholder management, communications, scheduling, etc.

In addition, the instructor adds her own advice regarding the preparation, the exam itself, and PM in general. Assessments in this course include chapter quizzes and a project. Once completed, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Provider: LinkedIn | Level: Beginners.
Instructors: Sandra M Mitchell | Course Content: 15 lessons
Info: From $26.99/month annually. Try with free 1-month trial.

18. PMP Certification Training Course – Simplilearn

Another PMP Prep course… Simplilearn offers an extensive project management training course online for certification.

Our Simplilearn suggestion shares a number of features with the abovementioned LL course. The course is designed in accordance with PMBOK® by PMI, it earns you 35 PDUs/Contact Hours, and the trainer is an experienced PMI expert himself.

Its live online classroom and interactive sessions set it apart from the previous listings. Students can ask questions during class, discuss scenarios, and demand clarifications from the teacher. This type of environment is undoubtedly conducive to higher-level learning.

The teaching methodology is comparatively more inclusive. Students learn through live classes, hands-on projects, case studies, and industry-based scenarios. In addition to this, there are a bunch of simulation tests for practice.

Overall, project managers aiming to ace the PMP exam may find this as one of the best project management courses online for comprehensive preparation.

Provider: Simplilearn| Level: Intermediates. | Instructors: Tim Jerome
Course: 35 contact hours/PDUs. 6 projects. 8 case studies. 7 simulation test papers.
Pricing: $699

Choosing The Right Project Management Course

We researched intensively to compile a handy list of the best project management online courses and to present it conveniently. However, we understand if all this information is hard to process and you might wonder which course you should go for.

While the final decision is yours, we would like to highlight some points to consider if you want to make your experience worthwhile.

Learning Goal – The first thing to consider is your aim. Some are looking for a peek into the PM world out of sheer interest, some have a professional certification in mind, while others may target specific PM fields and career paths. Each course has its own learning objective. Make sure it aligns with your own.

Study Level – This is important. The online training courses in our list are classified as beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Make sure you pick a course that is your level. Otherwise, you will end up regretting your decision.

Teaching Style – Learning is as subjective in nature as objective. If you can learn better from pre-recorded lectures, you may shortlist some project management courses from our list. Likewise, if a personalized learning experience attracts you more, you will certainly end up with a different shortlist.

Industry – If you are employed or a job-seeker, researching industry-specific PM requirements is a good idea. Management approach varies from industry to industry, and each approach has specialized courses. Take a course that strengthens your CV and builds on your existing skills.

Cost – Some project management courses online are free to access, while others are paid. As a student, you might also want to consider your finances and pick a course that fits your budget. However, while a free class has its advantages, the course object, learning outcome, and teaching quality should matter the most.

Duration – Each course has its own schedule and it is good to keep that in mind. Online learning involves time management, and the course duration can affect your decision. One thing to note, however, is that many online courses are self-paced.

Providers – The providers listed here are well-recognized and established in the market. Here are also round-up reviews of popular edX courses or GetSmarter courses covering related skills.

We hope we cleared some cobwebs. You can now go ahead and pick the right online courses. Decision-making is a key aspect of project management. Let this decision be your first PM challenge!

Tutorials – The following skills go along well with PM and we offer in-depth introductions to take advantage of synergy effects. Deep Work Guide | How to be more productive

Additional Courses

• PMI ORG – PM Basics
• PMI ORG – PM For Beginners
• Scrum ORG – Professional Scrum Foundations Training
• Kadenze – PM For Designers
• Scrum Alliance – Get Certified Course

Project Management Courses – Summary

We want to end this round-up review by reminding you that the project management industry has a bright future. The path you are choosing for yourself can lead to immense personal satisfaction and commendable achievements. It epitomizes creative and logical thinking, things we are hardwired for.

Whatever your choice is, ensure that it is an informed one. Once you get started, there is no turning back, as this field is bound to captivate you!

Have you taken any certifications or courses? What are the best project management courses online in 2025? Let us know in the comments.

General info: PM Wikipedia | PMI Institute | Scrum ORG

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to some online partners. Courselounge may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. It does not add any extra costs. All reviews, opinions, descriptions and comparisons expressed here are our own.