Top 11 Marketing Project Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a marketing project manager in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of expertise and knowledge. They can also help to differentiate job candidates from one another and give employers more confidence in their ability to manage projects effectively. Certifications can provide evidence of the candidate’s competencies and show that they have taken the time to invest in updating their skillset. Additionally, certifications can help to give employers an understanding of the current best practices in marketing project management, which can be beneficial when evaluating potential hires.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Marketing Project Managers and explain how they can help advance a marketing project manager's career.

What are Marketing Project Manager Certifications?

Marketing Project Manager Certification is a professional certification program designed to help marketing professionals become more effective project managers. It is designed for those who want to gain the skills and knowledge needed to manage projects in the marketing field, from conception and budgeting through implementation and evaluation. This certification program provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of project management, including project scope, timeline, budgeting, communication, execution, and analysis. It also covers specific topics related to marketing such as customer segmentation, market research techniques, digital marketing strategies, and social media management.

The Marketing Project Manager Certification can help professionals improve their ability to plan and execute projects on time and within budget while ensuring that all goals are met or exceeded. It can help them become better at managing projects with multiple stakeholders involved by teaching them how to effectively collaborate with their team members. With this certification, professionals can demonstrate their commitment to excellence in project management by showing employers that they have the skills necessary for successful project delivery. Additionally, this certification allows marketers to stay up-to-date with best practices in the industry as well as new technologies that are being used in the field.

Pro Tip: Take the time to research different marketing project manager certifications, and find one that aligns with your career goals. Consider the cost, duration of the program, and any prerequisites before making a decision. Additionally, make sure to look into resources available for ongoing learning after certification is obtained.

Related: What does a Marketing Project Manager do?

Top 11 Marketing Project Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Marketing Project Managers today.

1. Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP)

Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) is a professional certification program designed to provide digital marketing professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing digital landscape. The certification is offered by the Digital Marketing Institute, an industry-leading provider of digital marketing training and education.

The CDMP certification consists of four core modules: Digital Strategy, Content Marketing, Social Media, and Search Engine Optimization. Each module includes a comprehensive course, which covers topics such as digital strategy development, content planning and creation, social media management and optimization, search engine optimization techniques, analytics and reporting.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the entire program depending on how much time you can dedicate each week. To get certified, you must pass all four modules with a minimum grade of 75% or higher.

The cost for the CDMP certification is €2190 (approx. $2450 USD). This fee covers all four modules plus access to the Digital Marketing Institute's online learning platform and resources for one year.

2. Certified Inbound Marketing Professional (CIMP)

Certified Inbound Marketing Professional (CIMP) is a certification program offered by the Digital Marketing Institute that provides professionals with the skills and knowledge to become successful inbound marketers. The CIMP certification is designed to equip professionals with the skills necessary to create, manage, and measure an effective inbound marketing strategy.

The Certified Inbound Marketing Professional program consists of four modules: Introduction to Inbound Marketing, Content Creation & Optimization, Lead Generation & Conversion, and Measurement & Reporting. Each module includes online learning materials such as videos and e-books as well as practice quizzes and assessments. The program also includes access to a dedicated support team for any questions or queries.

It typically takes around 10-12 weeks to complete the CIMP certification program. However, the exact amount of time it takes will depend on how much time you can dedicate to studying each week.

To get certified as a CIMP, you must complete all four modules of the program and pass an online exam at the end of each module. Once you have successfully completed all four modules and passed all four exams, you will be eligible for certification from the Digital Marketing Institute.

The cost for the Certified Inbound Marketing Professional program varies depending on which package you choose. The Standard Package costs €1,495 (approx $1,735 USD) while the Premium Package costs €2,295 (approx $2,700 USD). Both packages include access to all four modules of the course as well as practice quizzes and assessments plus access to a dedicated support team for any questions or queries.

3. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

A Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is a professional designation earned through the Scrum Alliance, an organization that promotes and certifies professionals in the field of Scrum. The CSPO credential is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Scrum principles and practices, as well as the ability to effectively apply them in their work environment.

It takes approximately 8 hours to complete the CSPO course and pass the certification exam. The course covers topics such as Agile values and principles, product management, user stories, backlogs, estimation techniques, release planning, and more.

In order to get certified as a CSPO you must first take an approved CSPO training course offered by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). After completing the training course you will be eligible to take the online certification exam. You must receive a passing score on the exam in order to become certified.

The cost of taking a CSPO training course varies depending on which provider you choose. Generally speaking, courses range from $500-$2,000 USD. The cost of taking the certification exam is $200 USD for members of the Scrum Alliance or $250 USD for non-members.

4. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected project management certification in the world.

The PMP certification demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, experience, and skills in project management. It is designed to recognize professionals who have a strong understanding of project management principles and processes.

To become eligible for the PMP exam, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. You must also complete 35 hours of formal project management education or training.

Once you have met all of the eligibility requirements, you can apply to take the PMP exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. After passing the exam, you will receive your PMP certification which is valid for three years.

The cost of taking the PMP exam varies depending on where you are taking it, but generally ranges from $300 to $500 USD. Additionally, there may be other costs associated with preparing for and taking the exam such as books or online courses.

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 recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of agile project management principles, practices, and techniques.

To become certified as an Agile Project Manager, an individual must pass the CAPM exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within three hours. To prepare for the exam, PMI offers an online course and study materials that can be purchased directly from their website.

The cost for the CAPM exam is $225 for PMI members and $300 for non-members. In addition to the cost of the exam, there is also a one-time application fee of $100 for PMI members and $150 for non-members.

Once you have passed the CAPM exam, you will receive your certificate in approximately four weeks. After that, you will need to renew your certification every three years by earning 60 professional development units (PDUs).

6. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and understanding of project management principles and processes. The CAPM certification is ideal for those who are new to project management, or those who want to demonstrate their commitment to the profession.

The CAPM exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes three hours to complete. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have 1,500 hours of experience working on projects or 23 hours of formal project management education.

To obtain the CAPM certification, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 60%. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certificate within 6-8 weeks.

The cost for the CAPM exam is $225 USD for PMI members and $300 USD for non-members.

7. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the Six Sigma methodology. The certification is designed to equip professionals with the skills necessary to effectively analyze and solve problems in order to improve processes, products, and services.

The Six Sigma Green Belt Certification typically takes about four weeks to complete. It consists of online courses that cover topics such as process improvement, data analysis, project management, and problem-solving techniques. Participants must also complete a final exam that tests their knowledge and understanding of the material presented in the courses.

To get certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, individuals must first meet certain prerequisites. These include having at least three years of experience in a related field (such as quality assurance or business process improvement) and completing an approved training program. Once these requirements have been met, applicants can register for the certification exam through an accredited provider such as ASQ or IASSC.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the provider you choose and any additional materials you may need to purchase. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$2,000 USD depending on your specific needs.

8. Google Adwords Certification

Google Adwords Certification is a program offered by Google that certifies individuals in the use of its online advertising platform. It is designed to help marketers and business owners understand how to effectively use Google Adwords to reach their target audience, increase website traffic, and maximize ROI.

The certification process consists of two parts: an exam and a practical application project. The exam covers topics such as keyword research, ad copywriting, campaign optimization, budgeting, reporting, and more. It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete the exam and requires a score of 80% or higher to pass.

In order to get certified in Google Adwords, you must complete both the exam and the practical application project. The practical application project requires you to create an actual Adwords campaign from start to finish using your own account or one provided by Google. This includes setting up campaigns, creating ads, setting budgets, analyzing performance data, and optimizing campaigns for better results. The entire process typically takes around 8-10 hours to complete.

The cost of getting certified in Google Adwords varies depending on which type of certification you are pursuing (Fundamentals or Advanced). For Fundamentals certification it costs $50 USD per exam attempt; for Advanced certification it costs $150 USD per exam attempt.

9. HubSpot Content Marketing Certification

HubSpot Content Marketing Certification is an online certification program that provides marketers with the skills and knowledge they need to create effective content marketing strategies. It covers topics such as content creation, distribution, optimization, and measurement. The certification consists of four courses: Content Strategy, Content Creation & Optimization, Distribution & Promotion, and Measurement & Analysis.

The program takes approximately two hours to complete. To get certified, you must pass all four courses with a score of 80% or higher. There is no cost to take the certification exam; however, there is a fee for the course materials if you choose to purchase them.

Once you have completed the certification program, you will receive a certificate of completion from HubSpot that can be used to demonstrate your expertise in content marketing. You will also gain access to exclusive resources such as templates and guides that can help you create better content marketing campaigns.

10. Social Media Marketing Certification

Social Media Marketing Certification is a certification program that teaches individuals how to effectively use social media platforms as a marketing tool. It covers topics such as creating campaigns, managing customer relationships, analyzing data and trends, and more. The certification typically takes between two to four months to complete, depending on the program. To get the certification, you will need to take an online course or attend a class in person. The cost of the certification varies depending on the program you choose, but it can range from $200-$1,000 USD.

11. Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional

Microsoft Advertising Accredited Professional is a certification program that helps professionals demonstrate their expertise in Microsoft Advertising products and services. The program is designed to help individuals become more proficient in using the Microsoft Advertising platform, as well as gain an understanding of the best practices for managing campaigns and optimizing results.

To get certified, applicants must pass two exams: one on the fundamentals of Microsoft Advertising and another on advanced topics. The exams are administered by Prometric, an independent testing provider. The exams cover a range of topics related to Microsoft Advertising, including campaign management, targeting options, optimization strategies, reporting and analytics, and more.

The entire process typically takes about four to six weeks from start to finish. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $50-150 USD per exam.

Do You Really Need a Marketing Project Manager Certificate?

The short answer is no. A marketing project manager certificate is not necessary to become a successful marketing project manager. However, depending on the type of marketing project you are managing, such as one in digital media or online advertising, a certificate may be beneficial for you to have additional knowledge and skills in those areas.

Having a certificate can also make you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs. It can show potential employers that you are knowledgeable and experienced in the field of marketing project management. Depending on the type of certificate program, it may also give you access to networking opportunities and resources that could help advance your career.

Ultimately, whether or not you decide to pursue a marketing project manager certificate is up to you. If you think it will help further your career goals, then it may be worth considering. However, if you already have the skills and experience needed to excel in this role but just want an extra edge when applying for jobs, then a certification may not be necessary.

Related: Marketing Project Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Marketing Project Manager Certifications

Q1. What is a Marketing Project Manager Certification?

A1. A Marketing Project Manager Certification is a professional designation that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in marketing project management. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the tools, principles, and processes required to effectively plan, manage, and execute marketing projects.

Q2. What are the benefits of obtaining a Marketing Project Manager Certification?

A2. Obtaining a Marketing Project Manager Certification can help you develop skills that can lead to career advancement opportunities in the field of marketing project management as well as provide you with recognition from employers and peers for your expertise in this area. Additionally, certification can help you stay up-to-date on industry trends related to marketing project management and gain access to networking opportunities with other certified professionals in the field.

Q3. How do I become certified as a Marketing Project Manager?

A3. To become certified as a Marketing Project Manager, you will need to complete an approved training program or coursework related to marketing project management that meets the requirements set by the certifying body (such as PMI or APMP). After completing the coursework or program, you will be required to pass an exam in order to obtain your certification.

Q4. How long does it take to get certified as a Marketing Project Manager?

A4. The amount of time it takes to become certified as a Marketing Project Manager depends on how much time and effort you put into studying for the exam and completing any necessary training programs or courses prior to taking the exam itself. In general, most people are able to obtain their certification within 6 months if they commit themselves fully during this period of time.

Q5. Is there any cost associated with becoming certified as a Marketing Project Manager?

A5: Yes, there is typically some cost associated with becoming certified as a Marketing Project Manager depending on which certifying body (such as PMI or APMP) you choose and what type of training program or coursework you decide upon prior to taking the exam itself. Generally speaking however, most individuals who pursue this certification spend anywhere between $500-$3000 USD depending on their specific needs and goals when pursuing this type of certification