Top 11 Development Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for a development coordinator in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and professionalism that many employers look for in potential hires. Certifications can also provide evidence of specialized knowledge and skills, which can be beneficial when competing against other candidates for the same job. Additionally, certifications may help to increase an individual's salary range or provide access to higher-level positions. Finally, certifications can help to build credibility and trust with employers, showing that the candidate has invested time and effort into their professional development.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Development Coordinators and explore how they can enhance a professional's career prospects.

What are Development Coordinator Certifications?

Development Coordinator Certification is a professional credential designed to help individuals gain the skills necessary to coordinate and manage development projects. This certification provides an understanding of the fundamentals of project management, while also teaching the specific techniques needed to successfully manage the development process. It also covers the principles and practices of effective communication, team building, budgeting, and risk management.

The certification can be beneficial for those looking to advance their career in project management or development coordination. The certification will provide an understanding of the complex nature of developing projects, including how to plan, organize and control resources throughout the entire project lifecycle. Additionally, it will provide a comprehensive overview of all aspects involved in successful project completion, such as scheduling, resource allocation, cost control, communications management and quality assurance. Finally, it can help individuals develop their interpersonal skills necessary when working with stakeholders such as customers and other members of a development team.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the different types of development coordinator certifications available, as well as the requirements for each. This will help ensure you select a certification program that meets your specific needs and career goals.

Related: What does a Development Coordinator do?

Top 11 Development Coordinator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Development Coordinators today.

1. Certified Development Coordinator (CDC)

A Certified Development Coordinator (CDC) is a professional who assists businesses in obtaining financing through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 504 Loan Program. The 504 Loan Program provides long-term, fixed-rate financing for small business owners to purchase or construct commercial real estate and/or equipment for their business. CDCs are responsible for helping clients understand the loan process, guiding them through the application process, and providing ongoing support throughout the life of the loan.

In order to become a CDC, an individual must complete a certification program offered by the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO). This program consists of online courses and an in-person workshop that covers topics such as SBA regulations, loan packaging, underwriting guidelines, and more. The entire program typically takes about two months to complete.

The cost of becoming a CDC varies depending on whether you are an NADCO member or not. For NADCO members, the cost is $2,400; for non-members it is $2,800. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam at the end of the program.

2. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected project management certification in the world. The PMP credential demonstrates a professional’s expertise in leading and directing projects, as well as their commitment to continuing education and professional development.

It typically takes about six months to complete all of the requirements for the PMP certification. This includes completing 35 hours of project management education, passing an exam, and submitting an application with references from employers or clients who can attest to your project management experience.

The cost of getting a PMP credential varies depending on whether you are a member of PMI or not. For non-members, it costs $555 to apply for the exam; for members, it costs $405. After passing the exam, there is an additional fee of $60 per year to maintain your certification status.

In order to get your PMP certification, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements set by PMI. These include having at least three years of project management experience within the last eight years and 4500 hours leading and directing projects; having a high school diploma or equivalent; and holding at least 35 contact hours of formal project management education from an approved provider. Once you have met these requirements, you can submit your application online through PMI's website.

3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a certification program offered by the Scrum Alliance. It is designed to provide professionals with an understanding of the Scrum framework and how to apply it in their organizations. The CSM certification is the most widely recognized and respected certification for agile project management.

It typically takes two days to complete the Certified Scrum Master training course, which includes lectures, discussions, and hands-on exercises. After completing the course, participants must pass an online assessment to become certified.

To get your CSM certification, you must attend a two-day Certified Scrum Master training course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). The cost of these courses can range from $1,000 - $2,500 depending on the provider and location. After completing the training course, you will be able to take an online assessment that will test your knowledge of the material covered in class. Once you pass this assessment, you will receive your CSM certificate from the Scrum Alliance.

The cost of getting your CSM certification includes both the cost of attending a two-day Certified Scrum Master training course and taking an online assessment afterwards.

4. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in business analysis. The CBAP certification is based on the IIBA's BABOK Guide, which outlines the core knowledge areas and tasks associated with business analysis.

The CBAP certification requires applicants to have at least 7,500 hours of documented business analysis work experience over the past 10 years. Applicants must also pass a three-hour written exam consisting of 150 multiple choice questions. The exam covers topics such as requirements elicitation and management, enterprise analysis, solution assessment and validation, and strategic planning.

To get certified as a CBAP, you must first apply for the exam through the IIBA website. The application fee is $125 USD for members of IIBA or $395 USD for non-members. Once your application has been approved, you will be given access to study materials and practice tests to help prepare for the exam. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CBAP certification from IIBA.

In total, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year to become certified as a CBAP depending on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying and preparing for the exam.

5. Certified Agile Project Manager (CAPM)

Certified Agile Project Manager (CAPM) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to provide project managers with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead successful agile projects. The CAPM certification provides recognition of an individual’s experience, education and competency in leading agile projects.

It typically takes about 3-6 months to prepare for the CAPM exam. To be eligible for the CAPM exam, you must have either 1500 hours of project experience or 23 hours of project management education. You can find many courses online that offer preparation for the exam.

The cost of the CAPM exam varies depending on where you take it, but it typically costs around $225 USD. In addition to this fee, you may also need to pay for any course materials or study guides you use in preparation for the exam.

Once you have passed the exam, your certification will be valid for five years before needing to be renewed.

6. Certified Product Owner (CPO)

Certified Product Owner (CPO) is a certification program designed to help product owners and product managers demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field of product ownership. The CPO certification program is administered by the Scrum Alliance, an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the use of Scrum, an agile project management framework.

The CPO certification requires applicants to complete a series of courses and pass an exam. The courses cover topics such as product visioning, customer discovery, stakeholder engagement, backlog refinement, release planning, and more. The exam consists of multiple choice questions that test the applicant’s knowledge of these topics.

To become certified as a CPO, applicants must first register with the Scrum Alliance and pay a fee of $250 USD. Once registered, applicants can access the online course materials and take the exam at their own pace. It typically takes around 6-8 weeks to complete all requirements for the certification.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also agree to adhere to a set of professional standards set by the Scrum Alliance in order to maintain their CPO status. These standards include regularly attending Scrum Alliance events and participating in ongoing training activities related to product ownership.

Overall, obtaining a Certified Product Owner (CPO) certification requires dedication and commitment from applicants but is well worth it for those looking to further their career in product ownership or management.

7. Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (CLSSGB)

Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (CLSSGB) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of individuals in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. The CLSSGB certification is designed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the Lean Six Sigma principles, tools, and techniques used to improve performance and reduce waste in organizations.

The CLSSGB certification program typically takes between four to eight weeks to complete, depending on the individual’s experience level and learning style. To become certified, an individual must pass an examination administered by an accredited organization such as ASQ or IASSC. Depending on the provider, the cost for taking the exam can range from $200-$500 USD.

In addition to passing the exam, some providers may also require applicants to have completed a certain number of hours of training or have prior project experience in order to be eligible for certification. It is important to review specific requirements with each provider before beginning the process.

8. Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA)

The Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) is a certification program offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The CQIA certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a mastery of quality improvement principles and practices. It is intended to provide assurance that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in, lead, or manage quality improvement initiatives.

To obtain the CQIA certification, an individual must complete an approved training course and pass an examination. The training course typically lasts three days and covers topics such as quality management systems, process improvement tools, customer satisfaction measurement, and problem solving techniques. Upon successful completion of the training course and passing of the exam, the individual will be awarded the CQIA certificate.

The cost of obtaining the CQIA certification varies depending on where you take your training course. Generally speaking, it can range from $1,000 to $2,500 for tuition fees alone. Additional costs may include travel expenses and study materials.

In order to maintain your CQIA certification status, you must earn continuing education credits every three years by attending approved courses or seminars related to quality improvement principles and practices. You must also pay a renewal fee every three years in order to keep your certification active.

9. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s understanding of the ITIL framework. It is designed to provide individuals with an understanding of how to apply IT service management best practices in order to deliver quality services.

The ITIL Foundation Certification typically takes around two days to complete and requires passing an exam at the end. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes. To prepare for the exam, individuals can take online courses or attend classes taught by accredited training organizations.

The cost of ITIL Foundation Certification depends on the provider, but usually ranges from $200-$1,000 USD. In addition to the cost of the certification itself, some providers may also charge additional fees for course materials or other services.

Overall, obtaining ITIL Foundation Certification is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in IT service management and can open up career opportunities in many different industries.

10. CompTIA Project+ Certification

CompTIA Project+ is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge of project management principles and techniques. It is designed to measure the skills needed to successfully manage projects in any industry, including IT, engineering, construction, and healthcare. The certification covers topics such as project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closure.

It typically takes around 40 hours of study time to prepare for the CompTIA Project+ exam. To get certified, you must pass the 90-minute exam with a score of 750 or higher on a scale of 100-900. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.

To get certified in CompTIA Project+, you must purchase an exam voucher from CompTIA or one of its authorized partners. The cost of the voucher varies depending on where you purchase it from but typically ranges from $300-$400 USD. You can then use your voucher to register for the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you.

Once you have passed the exam and received your certification, there are no renewal requirements; however, CompTIA recommends that certified individuals stay up to date with industry trends by taking continuing education courses or attending conferences related to project management.

11. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification is a globally recognized credential that demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge necessary to productively use Microsoft Office programs, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access.

To become certified in a specific Microsoft Office application, individuals must pass an associated MOS exam. The exams are administered by Certiport and typically take 1-2 hours to complete. Each exam consists of 50-60 questions covering topics such as creating documents, formatting text and images, managing data, creating formulas and functions in Excel, inserting graphics into presentations, etc. To pass the exam, individuals must score 700 or higher out of 1000 points.

The cost of each MOS exam varies depending on the country/region but typically ranges from $59 - $99 USD per exam. In addition to the cost of the exam itself there may be additional fees associated with registering for the exam and/or taking it at an authorized testing center.

Once certified in one or more Microsoft Office applications individuals will receive a digital badge that can be shared online to demonstrate their expertise in those programs. The certification is valid for two years after which time individuals must retake the relevant exams to maintain their certification status.

Do You Really Need a Development Coordinator Certificate?

Whether or not you need a Development Coordinator Certificate depends on your goals. If you want to become a professional development coordinator and work in the field, then having a certificate may be beneficial. It can provide an edge over other job applicants and demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job. On the other hand, if you are already working in development coordination and just want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies, then a certificate may not be as important.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if getting a Development Coordinator Certificate is worth it for your career. Consider what type of job opportunities you are looking for, what kind of experience or training you currently have, and how much time and money it would take to get certified. If pursuing certification would benefit your career in some way, then it may be worth considering. However, if there are no immediate benefits or chances of advancement, then getting certified may not be necessary.

Related: Development Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Development Coordinator Certifications

1. What is a Development Coordinator Certification?

A Development Coordinator Certification is a professional credential that recognizes an individual's knowledge and experience in the field of development coordination. This certification provides proof of expertise for employers, clients, and other stakeholders in the nonprofit sector.

2. What are the benefits of having a Development Coordinator Certification?

Having a Development Coordinator Certification can help demonstrate an individual’s commitment to their profession, as well as their expertise in the field. It can also help open up new career opportunities, as many employers prefer to hire certified professionals. Additionally, having this certification may provide access to additional resources and networking opportunities within the development coordinator community.

3. How do I become certified as a Development Coordinator?

To become certified as a Development Coordinator, you must meet certain requirements set by your chosen certifying body. Generally speaking, these requirements include completing relevant coursework or training programs, passing an exam or assessment, and meeting any other criteria set by the organization offering the certification.

4. How long does it take to become certified?

The amount of time it takes to become certified will depend on the specific certifying body you choose and the type of program or courses you take to fulfill its requirements. Generally speaking however, most organizations require at least one year of relevant experience in order to be eligible for certification.

5. Is there an expiration date on my Development Coordinator Certification?

Yes - most certifying bodies require that individuals renew their certification every two to three years in order to maintain their credentials. This renewal process typically involves taking additional courses or exams related to development coordination in order to keep up with industry trends and best practices.