IT Project Management Certification: 5 Popular Options

Information technology (IT) project management involves providing guidance and documentation for information technology projects in the workplace. To embark on this career path, you may consider IT project management certifications to further your understanding of project management approaches and methodologies such as Scrum and Agile. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, IT is a growing field, with an expected growth rate of 17 percent from 2023 to 2033 for computer and information systems managers, with approximately 54,700 new roles available each year [1].

Explore five popular IT project management certifications, including options from CompTIA and the Project Management Institute (PMI). Discover the steps you need to take to become a certified IT project manager and what other roles you may qualify for upon earning your credential.

Benefits of earning an IT project management certification

Earning your IT project management certification may lead to many professional benefits, such as gaining specific project management skills and ideologies like Agile and Scrum and increasing your earning potential. Explore additional benefits of earning an IT project management certification:

• Knowledge of Agile and Scrum: Furthering your knowledge of project management techniques, such as Scrum, may help you build more productive and efficient teams. Additionally, Scrum is part of the Agile methodology, another principle covered in many project management certifications to enhance team collaboration on large-scale projects.

• Opportunity to earn more: Earning your certification may lead to a more competitive salary as you add a project management credential to your name and resume. According to the Project Management Institute, a survey found that those with a project management certification averaged a 33 percent higher annual salary [2].

• Potential to advance: PMI reports that 84 percent of Agile Certified Practitioner certification holders earned recognition for career advancement, and 86 percent qualified for new opportunities [3]. 

How long does an IT project management certification take?

The length to complete an IT project management certification typically depends on the program itself. Program lengths and course contents can vary depending on the organization that offers the certification. For example, the CompTIA Project+ certification requires a 90-minute final exam, though the time estimate for studying and preparation is set by the learner and can span weeks, months, or years depending on your learning style and preferences. Additionally, you can earn the Certified ScrumMaster certification by taking a 16-hour course, followed by 90 days to take and pass the final assessment.

IT project management certification: 5 options to consider

When pursuing an IT project management certification, consider your professional goals. For example, the Certified Associate in Project Management certification may benefit you if you want to begin a career in project management, whereas the Master Project Manager certification may best suit existing project managers and team leaders. 

Many certifications do not explicitly refer to IT project management in their titles or coursework, but you can apply the skills to project management in various industries, including information technology. Explore five popular certification options, their requirements, cost, and an overview of each program:

1. CompTIA Project+

CompTIA offers the CompTIA Project+ certification, designed to benefit IT professionals looking to build upon their communication, leadership, and documentation skills. In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to effectively manage smaller IT projects when faced with time restrictions, scheduling limitations, and a project budget.

To earn this certification, you’ll complete an assessment with approximately 90 questions, where you must earn a score of 710 or higher out of a possible 900. The CompTIA Project+ certification does not require renewal once completed.

Requirements: Up to a year of IT management experience

Cost: $390 (exam price) [4]

2. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

PMI offers the Agile Certified Practitioner certification (PMI-ACP) for project management professionals looking to advance their Agile methodologies and enhance their workplace’s collaborative techniques. 

Earn your certification by signing up for and completing an assessment, which consists of 120 questions for you to complete over the course of 180 minutes. To uphold your PMI-ACP credential, you must report 30 professional development units every three years.

Requirements: 2 or more years of experience within the last five years; secondary degree; 28 hours of training in Agile practices, frameworks, and methodologies

Cost: $435 for members, $495 for non-members[3]

3. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

PMI offers the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification for entry-level project management or IT project management professionals who want to build their skills with a basic understanding and background of project management principles. You can prepare for the exam by completing 23 or more hours of educational preparation, available directly from PMI. 

To earn this certification, you will take an assessment of 150 questions in 180 minutes. To renew your CAPM designation, you must report 15 hours of professional development units in a three-year timeframe.

Requirements: 23 hours of preparation; high school diploma or equivalent 

Cost: $225 for members, $300 for non-members [5]

4. Master Project Manager

The Master Project Manager certification, offered by the Global Academy of Finance and Management (GAFM), offers existing leaders and project managers the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the field and improve their project management strategies and accuracy. The program includes four modules, with subjects such as people management and financial management.

Upon completion of the course, you will earn your credential, a two-year membership to the American Academy of Project Management (AAPM), and access to AAPM project management tools.

Requirements: Accredited degree and professional experience

Cost: $349 [6]

5. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

ScrumAlliance offers the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification for project management professionals looking to further their understanding of Agile and Scrum principles. Once you’ve completed this course, you may move on to the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster and Certified Scrum Professional certification programs.

Project management individuals interested in a career in Scrum or as a Scrum Master may benefit from this certification program, which intends to equip you with skills such as communication, leadership, and conflict resolution. Once you’ve completed the 16 hours of course materials, you can complete your assessment of 50 multiple-choice questions. You’ll need to answer 37 of those questions correctly to pass the exam.

Requirements: No prerequisites 

Cost: Pricing varies by course, typically between $250 and $2,495 [7]

What jobs can I get with an IT project management certification?

After completing your IT project management certification, you may qualify for jobs in the information technology field, such as a project manager, support manager, or business analyst. 

The role you pursue depends on your professional goals and interests. For example, if you choose to complete the Certified ScrumMaster certification, you may plan for a career as a software developer, as the certification specifically benefits learners with that role in mind. Consider the following job opportunities to pursue with an IT project management certification.

IT project manager

Median annual US salary (US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)): $100,750 [8]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 7 percent [8]

As an IT project manager, your responsibilities may include developing and carrying out projects, working alongside other team members to effectively communicate ideas, and documenting a project’s life cycle. For this role, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, while some employers may prefer a master’s degree. You must also have an understanding of information technology and IT skills, such as Scrum, software development, and technology expertise.

Software engineer

Median annual US salary (BLS): $133,080 [9]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [10]

Software engineers work to create various software applications for the business they work for or personal use. In this role, your responsibilities may include designing software, writing code, and working with clients or a team to update existing systems. To become a software engineer, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and some programming and coding knowledge.

Quality assurance analyst

Median annual US salary (BLS): $131,450 [9]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [10]

As a quality assurance analyst, your responsibilities include performing tests on systems to ensure that they operate as expected. You may help troubleshoot issues found in the functionality of a software program and identify parts of the programming that could benefit from improvements. To become a quality assurance analyst, you typically need a bachelor’s degree studying a subject such as data analytics or information technology, and you may choose to advance to earning your master’s degree.

Build your IT project management skills on Coursera

Earning a professional credential in IT project management may lead to more job opportunities and a higher salary. Continue building your IT project management skills with Professional Certificates offered on Coursera. Consider the IBM IT Project Manager Professional Certificate, designed to help you track and manage projects, including addressing difficult client situations and how activities shift throughout the project management lifecycle.

You may also explore the Google Project Management Professional Certificate, offering you the opportunity to learn how to create effective project documentation and artifacts throughout the various phases of a project.