Whether you want to be a project manager, project coordinator, IT project manager, or really any role that requires you to take the leader role and organize a working schedule and plan for yourself and your team, you’re going to need the relevant information and expertise to handle this position since it can be very difficult, and potentially overwhelming for individuals who aren’t prepared for it.
While there are many different exams you can take and certifications you can earn that will help grant you the essential information that you need to kick off your career as a project manager, many people will recommend the Google certification that specializes in this area because of the extent of information it provides, but how long does it actually take to complete?
That’s what we are here to answer today, along with how much the course costs, and if it’s worth taking overall but, how long does Google Project Management Certification take? Let’s find out!
What Is The Google Project Management Certification?
Acquiring a Google Project Management certificate is a great way to get started in the in-demand field of agile project management tools which focuses on providing you with entry-level skills that will help you feel more confident in the role and aware of the responsibilities that come with being a project manager which you can expand on throughout your experience in the future.
It specializes in teaching both traditional and agile methods, so you’ll be getting a nice mix of skills and techniques being taught which can be applied in the workplace to organize a project effectively.
It not only hones in on skills relevant to project management software, however, but also essential business acumen skills like effective communication, stakeholder management, and how to become an effective influencer, so you will be receiving a ton of vital information even outside of the basics that branches into other positions too.
What Is The Structure Of The Course?
When you sign up to take the Google Project Management courses, you will be required to go through 6 different and very specific courses which will teach you the skills you need in a specific topic that you will need to know in order to become an able project manager.
The first course is “Foundations of Project Management Skills” which will give you an introductory-level understanding of the role project managers play in their field and what makes a successful project, along with teaching what jobs require this role and how you can branch out into new careers by learning how to become a project manager.
The rest of the courses all specialize in different aspects of the project life cycle itself such as how to start planning out a project execution and how to follow it without running into common issues and hurdles that many inexperienced project managers will face.
Every time you finish a course, you will then need to complete a hands-on task or activity to demonstrate that you have a good enough understanding of the topic you were just learning about and that you are able to apply it in a real-world scenario.
How Long Does The Course Take?
In order to achieve your certification, you will need to first complete all six courses, however, there isn’t a definitive amount of time to complete each course, so you can technically take as long as you want, but this won’t be cost-efficient.
Google recommends that you invest up to 10 hours per week in the course if you want to finish it in under 6 months, which is what most people aim for as any longer than this can end up costing you more money than it’s worth.
However, if you are someone with a bit more time on your hands and want to complete the courses as fast as possible, you will be able to finish them in approximately 3 months by learning for around 20 hours a week.
Compared to many of Google’s other courses, such as their marketing and advertising certification courses, this is definitely much longer and far more time-consuming, however, you will be getting a lot more worthwhile information that will provide you with everything you could need to start your journey to becoming a successful project charter, so it’s all about how much time and effort you’re willing to dedicate.
Is The Course Expensive?
There is no up-front course for the Google Project Management course. Instead, you will be charged depending on how much time you take to complete it.
The course will cost you $39 each month that you take, so if you complete the course in the recommended 6 months, then you’re going to be paying $234 overall.
This is why it is always advised to only take the course so long as you have a lot of time to spare and are completely dedicated to learning all the information it provides.
If you intend on only using the course to refresh your knowledge on applying project management life cycle or plan to take the course over a long period because you have another job or other commitments, this can end up costing you a tremendous amount in the long run.
Is It Worth Completing A Google Project Management Certification?
Overall, the Google Project Management course is definitely worth taking if you’re someone looking to expand into a project manager role in your field, and there are a few reasons why it is considered so worthwhile by many people who have taken it.
No Prior Experience Needed
While the course does teach fairly advanced skill sets and topics the further into it you get, it is still designed to be a gateway to a project management professional certificate, so you won’t need any prior experience to take the course, making it very accessible and open to everyone.
Provides Entry-Level Skills
The course aims to provide the learner with in-demand job skills which are relevant to the duties and responsibilities of a project manager, so it serves as a great foundation for entering this field with the information being all in one package, which saves you having to gather multiple textbooks or go to several different classes just to learn the basics.
Teaches Skills Outside Of Agile Project Management Approach
While the course is centered on turning someone into a confident and knowledgeable project manager, a lot of the skills also relate to other jobs and roles such as marketing, influencing, and even online networking, so you will be setting yourself up for other roles at the same time which can prove valuable if you’re ever thinking of a career change in the future.
Very Highly Valued By Employers And Clients
There’s no doubt that earning a Google Project Manager certification is very demanding and requires an incredible amount of dedication, so earning it proves to any employers or clients that you are serious about pursuing this role, with this being one of the most highly valued Google certifications you can earn which is guaranteed to make your portfolio much more attractive.
Summary
Earning a Google Project Management certification is no easy task and will require you to set aside at least a few months to earn it, but with that being said, it is still highly valued by many employers and is full of all the essential information you need to land a role as a confident and willing project manager.
