Top 10 IT Program Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for an IT Program Manager in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers are looking for. Certifications show potential employers that you have taken the time to gain specialized skills in certain areas of IT program management, such as project management, budgeting, and software development. Having certifications also demonstrates that you are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the field. Furthermore, many employers prefer to hire individuals with certifications because it can reduce their training costs and help them quickly onboard new hires.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for IT Program Managers and explain how they can help to advance an IT Program Manager's career.

What are IT Program Manager Certifications?

Program manager certification is a program designed to help managers gain the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage projects. It is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and provides an understanding of the principles, processes, and concepts that are essential for successful project management. The certification helps managers develop their leadership, communication, decision-making, problem solving, and organizational skills. It also covers topics such as budgeting, scheduling, risk management, quality assurance, and resource allocation. With this certification, managers can have a better understanding of how to plan, execute and control projects in order to ensure success. This certification also demonstrates that an individual has achieved a high level of proficiency in project management which can be beneficial when applying for jobs or promotions.

Pro Tip: Before starting the program manager certification process, make sure to familiarize yourself with the relevant industry standards and best practices. This will help ensure that you are well-prepared for the certification exam and maximize your chances of success.

Related: What does an IT Program Manager do?

Top 10 IT Program Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to IT Program Managers today.

1. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in project management. The PMP credential is designed to validate a professional’s knowledge, skills and abilities in leading and directing projects.

It typically takes about 6-12 months of preparation to get the PMP certification. To become certified, you must meet the eligibility requirements set by PMI and pass the PMP exam. The eligibility requirements include having a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent), at least 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education.

To get the PMP certification, you must first register for the exam through the PMI website. You will then need to complete the application process and provide proof of your experience and education. Once your application is approved, you can schedule your exam date with Pearson VUE.

The cost of getting the PMP certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI. For members, it costs $405 to take the exam while for non-members it costs $555. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking practice exams or purchasing study materials which can range from $50-$200 depending on where they are purchased from.

2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The Certified Associate in Project Management (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 manage projects effectively. The CAPM certification is a globally recognized credential that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to project management, as well as their understanding of the fundamentals of managing projects.

To become certified, individuals must meet certain requirements and pass an exam. The requirements for taking the exam include having at least 1,500 hours of professional experience working on projects or 23 hours of formal education in project management topics.

The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and takes three hours to complete. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location, but typically ranges from $225-$400 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CAPM certification which is valid for five years. To maintain your certification, you must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years.

3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a professional certification for individuals who have achieved a level of expertise in the Scrum framework. It is designed to recognize and validate the experience, knowledge, and commitment of those who work with Scrum. A Certified Scrum Master has demonstrated their understanding of the principles and practices of Scrum and how to apply them in real-world situations.

To become a CSM, an individual must attend an approved two-day training course or complete an online training program. During the course, participants learn about the fundamentals of Scrum, including roles, ceremonies, artifacts, and tools. After completing the course, participants must pass a multiple-choice exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of becoming a Certified Scrum Master varies depending on where you take your training course or online program. Prices typically range from $500 - $2,000 USD.

Once certified, CSMs are required to recertify every two years by attending 16 hours of continuing education courses or attending another two-day CSM training course.

4. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized qualification for professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the ITIL framework. ITIL stands for Information Technology Infrastructure Library, and it is a set of best practices for managing IT services. The certification covers the core concepts of the ITIL framework, such as service strategy, service design, service transition, service operations, continual service improvement and more.

It typically takes around two days to complete the ITIL Foundation Certification course. The course can be taken online or in-person at an accredited training center. During the course, students will learn about the key principles of ITIL and how they can be applied to improve service delivery in their organization.

To get certified, students must pass an exam that consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. The exam must be completed within 60 minutes and requires a minimum score of 65% to pass.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you take the course and whether you choose an online or in-person option. Generally speaking, prices range from $200 - $1000 USD.

5. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals develop and demonstrate their knowledge of Six Sigma principles and practices. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates a person’s ability to effectively lead process improvement initiatives.

The Green Belt certification is the entry-level certification for Six Sigma practitioners. It typically takes around three months to complete the coursework, depending on the individual’s availability and dedication. The course includes online learning modules, practice exams, and some hands-on experience in a real-world setting.

To get certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, you must complete a training program approved by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). ASQ offers several different types of training programs, including self-study courses, instructor-led classes, and online courses. Many companies also offer their own in-house Six Sigma training programs.

The cost of getting certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt varies depending on the type of training program you choose. Self-study courses can cost anywhere from $200-$1,000 or more; instructor-led classes range from $2,000-$4,000; and online courses usually cost between $500-$2,000.

6. Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in agile project management principles, practices, tools, and techniques. The PMI-ACP certification provides evidence of an individual’s ability to apply agile principles and practices in their work environment.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the PMI-ACP exam. This includes studying for the exam, taking practice tests, attending an Agile training course or workshop, and completing any required prerequisites.

To get certified as a PMI-ACP you must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass the PMI-ACP Exam. The eligibility requirements include: having at least 2,000 hours of general project experience within the last five years; 1,500 hours of agile project experience within the last three years; 21 contact hours of formal agile training; and passing a written exam.

The cost of getting certified as a PMI-ACP varies depending on how you choose to pursue it. Generally speaking, it can range from $1,000-$2,500 USD. This includes costs associated with taking courses or workshops related to agile project management principles and techniques; purchasing study materials such as books or online courses; registering for the exam; and any other associated fees.

7. CompTIA Project+ Certification

CompTIA Project+ is a certification program designed to validate the knowledge and skills of individuals working in project management. It is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates proficiency in managing small to medium-sized projects.

The CompTIA Project+ certification exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To become certified, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 750 or higher on a scale of 100-900. The cost of the exam varies based on the country you are taking the exam in, but generally ranges from $250-$320 USD.

To prepare for the CompTIA Project+ certification exam, it is recommended that candidates have at least one year of experience in project management as well as some formal training or education related to project management principles and practices. Additionally, there are several online resources available such as practice exams, study guides, and tutorials that can help candidates prepare for the exam.

Overall, obtaining the CompTIA Project+ certification can be beneficial for those who want to demonstrate their expertise in project management and advance their career opportunities.

8. Microsoft Project 2013/2016 Certification

Microsoft Project 2013/2016 Certification is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who use Microsoft Project to manage projects. The certification consists of two exams: Exam 70-343: Managing Projects with Microsoft Project 2013, and Exam 70-344: Managing Programs and Projects with Microsoft Project Server 2013.

The certification requires passing both exams in order to be certified. Each exam takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. The exams are available online as well as in person at testing centers around the world.

In order to get certified, you must first register for the certification program through the Microsoft Learning website. Once registered, you can purchase vouchers for each exam from the same website. The cost of each exam is $150 USD. After purchasing your vouchers, you can then schedule your exams either through Prometric or VUE (depending on where you live).

Once both exams have been passed, you will receive an email from Microsoft confirming that you have been awarded the Microsoft Project 2013/2016 Certification. This email will include a digital badge that can be used on LinkedIn and other social media sites to show off your achievement.

9. PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Certifications

PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a widely used project management methodology that provides a framework for managing projects in an organized and controlled manner. It is based on the principles of good practice, which are applicable to any type of project regardless of its size, complexity or industry sector.

The PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner certifications are internationally recognized qualifications that demonstrate your ability to use the PRINCE2 methodology effectively and efficiently in managing projects. The Foundation certification is designed to provide an understanding of the key concepts and terminology associated with PRINCE2, while the Practitioner certification tests your ability to apply these concepts in real-life scenarios.

It typically takes between four and six weeks to get both certifications, depending on how much time you have available for study and preparation. To get certified, you must first pass the Foundation exam before taking the Practitioner exam. You can choose to study independently or attend a classroom-based course with an accredited training provider.

The cost for both certifications varies depending on where you take them, but it usually ranges from £400-£600 ($500-$750).

10. SAFe 4 Agilist Certification

SAFe 4 Agilist Certification is a professional certification program designed by Scaled Agile, Inc. to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in applying the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) for enterprise-level agility. The SAFe 4 Agilist Certification is designed for executives, managers, and practitioners who want to understand how to implement the SAFe framework in their organization.

The SAFe 4 Agilist Certification consists of two parts:

1) A two-day course that provides an overview of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), including its principles, values, and practices; and

2) A one-hour online exam that tests your understanding of the concepts covered in the course.

It typically takes between four to six weeks to complete the entire certification process. To get certified as a SAFe 4 Agilist, you must first attend a two-day training course offered by a Certified Training Partner or self-study using official materials from Scaled Agile. After completing the training course or self-study program, you must pass a one-hour online exam administered by Scaled Agile.

The cost of getting certified as a SAFe 4 Agilist varies depending on where you take your training course and whether you choose to take it online or in person. Generally speaking, courses range from $1,500 - $3,000 USD per person plus any applicable taxes and fees. Additionally, there is an exam fee of $500 USD per person which must be paid directly to Scaled Agile when registering for the exam.

Do You Really Need a IT Program Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual needs and goals. If you are looking to advance your career in IT program management, then a certificate may be a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the field. Additionally, many employers prefer candidates who have obtained an IT program manager certificate as it shows that they have taken the time and effort to gain specialized knowledge in the area.

On the other hand, if you already have extensive experience in IT program management or are confident in your abilities without additional certification, then a certificate may not be necessary for you. It is important to evaluate your own skillset and decide which option would be most beneficial for you.

Ultimately, obtaining an IT program manager certificate can provide a range of benefits including increased job opportunities, higher pay, and more recognition from employers. However, whether or not it is right for you will depend on your individual goals and circumstances.

Related: IT Program Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About IT Program Manager Certifications

Q1. What is the purpose of an IT Program Manager Certification?

A1. An IT Program Manager Certification is a professional credential that recognizes a program manager's knowledge and experience in managing information technology projects and programs. It demonstrates to employers and clients that the program manager has mastered the skills and concepts necessary to effectively manage complex projects and programs.

Q2. What are the benefits of getting an IT Program Manager Certification?

A2. An IT Program Manager Certification provides a competitive edge in the job market, as employers know that certified program managers have met rigorous standards for their knowledge and experience with information technology projects and programs. Additionally, certification holders often benefit from greater job mobility, higher salaries, increased credibility, recognition among peers, and access to exclusive membership groups or organizations.

Q3. How do I become certified as an IT Program Manager?

A3. To become certified as an IT Program Manager, you must pass an accredited certification exam administered by a recognized organization such as PMI (Project Management Institute) or CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association). Depending on the organization offering the exam, you may need to meet certain prerequisites before taking it.

Q4. What topics are covered on IT Program Manager Certification exams?

A4. Topics covered on IT Program Manager Certification exams typically include project management processes, tools and techniques; project scope management; risk management; project scheduling; resource allocation; budgeting; quality assurance strategies; team development strategies; and communication strategies for successful project delivery.

Q5. How long does it take to get an IT Program Manager Certification?

A5. The time frame for obtaining an IT Program Manager certification can vary significantly depending on your existing experience level, study habits, preparation resources available to you, etc., but most people can expect to complete the process within 6-12 months if they are dedicated to studying regularly throughout that period of time.