How Fast Can I Become a Project Manager?

If you're hoping to become a project management professional (PMP), you may be wondering how long it'll take. What kind of education do you need, and is it possible to speed up the process so you can become a project manager more quickly?

Most project manager roles require a bachelor's degree, which usually takes about four years to complete. However, you can finish your degree more quickly if you enroll in a flexible online program and have transfer credits. You can also learn relevant hard and soft skills by completing online courses, working internships, and expanding your network.

Keep reading to learn more about becoming a project manager.

Tips for Quickly Becoming a Project Manager

There are many ways to get your project management career off the ground quickly. Follow the tips below to get started.

1. Find an Online Degree Program

You may be able to find entry-level project management jobs without a degree; however, the best path forward is to earn a bachelor's or master's degree in project management, business administration, or a related field. Let's look at some top online project management degrees to consider if you want to finish quickly.

Bellevue University � Online BS in Project Management

Bellevue University is a private school in Nebraska. The school provides many online degrees designed for busy adults, including a Bachelor of Science in project management that's accredited by the Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC), which is also known for accrediting the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Students in this program complete one flexible online course at a time and may transfer many of their credits to graduate sooner.

Wentworth Institute of Technology � Online BS in Project Management

This private school in Boston provides an array of flexible online learning opportunities. One of the online degrees available is a Bachelor of Science in project management. The transfer-friendly school allows you to receive credit for previous college, test, prior learning, and military experience, significantly shortening your degree program.

Colorado Technical University � Online BS in Project Management

Colorado Technical University is known for offering many online degrees for nontraditional students. The online project management degree is accredited by the GAC and provides multiple options to graduate in an accelerated timeframe. Not only can students transfer up to 75% of their degree requirements, but they can also take FastTrack exams through the school to test out of some of their courses.

2. Utilize Transfer Credits

If you have already been to college, you may be able to transfer some or all of your credits so that they count toward your project management education. The same may hold true for relevant work experience, military service, and other forms of prior learning.

Schools have different transfer policies, but some institutions allow you to transfer up to three-quarters of your total credits from other sources. If you have the right number of credit hours, you can potentially graduate with your bachelor's degree in as little as a year.

3. Test Out of Courses with CLEP Exams

You can also gain college credits by taking CLEP exams. These tests examine your knowledge of certain subjects; if you pass the tests, you don't have to take the associated courses in college. This can help you graduate sooner.

Check with your school to determine their specific requirements regarding CLEP credits and find out how many courses you could test out of.

4. Take Online Courses to Learn Project Management Software

Many professional certifications exist in project management: you could pursue the PMP certification, along with the certified project manager (CPM) or certified associate in project management (CAPM) designations. To prepare for these project management certifications, consider taking some online courses like those discussed below:

Udemy's Microsoft Project Course

Udemy offers a course called Microsoft Project. Students in this course gain various skills essential to any project management position; in particular, they discover how to become proficient with using Microsoft Project to manage each stage. This includes creating project plans, updating progress, and exporting data to other project management apps.

Udemy's Asana - Project Management Course

Asana - Project Management is also available through Udemy. It is an intermediate course that teaches students advanced skills and techniques for using Asana. Topics covered include agile project management, portfolio management, and other useful tools with Asana.

Coursera's Get Started with Jira course

The Coursera Project Network provides a course titled Get Started with Jira. This course teaches students various skills related to using Jira, including how to set up an agile project, manage a Kanban board, and manage workflow. The introductory course can be completed in two hours.

5. Create a Disciplined Study Routine

To develop a range of project management skills, commit to studying each day, and, if possible, commit to the same time. If circumstances prevent this level of dedication, find a regular, disciplined study routine that works for you.

Becoming a successful project manager requires developing both hard skills and soft skills. Studying routinely will help with both. You'll learn the material more successfully, even when working through challenging subjects, and you'll develop problem-solving and time-management skills.

6. Network with Project Management Professionals

Knowing those who have many years of experience in project management can be beneficial. As you pursue your project management career path, network with those already in the industry, such as product managers, program managers, and project coordinators.

Your professional network is an invaluable asset, as those with more experience are often happy to offer advice and lead you to helpful resources. They may also help you meet potential employers and be willing to provide you with references or letters of recommendation as you look for entry-level positions in the field.

7. Seek Internship Opportunities

Internships provide a great opportunity to gain experience and develop essential skills in project management. They can also help you learn more about project management methodologies and network with other team members.

Both full-time and part-time internships may be available. Check with businesses and organizations in your area to find out if any of them are offering internship experiences.

FAQs About Quickly Becoming a Project Manager

Do you still have questions about developing the proper technical skills and becoming a project manager quickly? Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Project Manager?

You will typically need a bachelor's degree to get started as a project manager. It's possible to pursue this career path without a degree, but you will need to spend extra time gaining project management experience and learning the skills on your own.

Most bachelor's degree programs take about four years to complete, but you can reduce the process to as little as one year by following the tips outlined above.

Is It Hard to Become a Project Manager?

Project managers must have a strong understanding of project planning, risk management, and other key skills. They must also have excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, along with solid leadership skills.

Some aspiring project managers may find these topics and skills more challenging than others. Whether becoming a project manager is hard for you will depend on your personal strengths and weaknesses.

What Does a Project Manager Do?

Project managers are an essential part of any project team. They oversee and manage all parts of the process, propose new projects or initiatives, and communicate necessary information to stakeholders. They adhere to timelines, ensure their team stays within the project budget, and ensure success throughout the project lifecycle, from concept to final product.