Top 10 Program Director Certifications

Certifications are an important asset for program directors in the job market. They demonstrate to employers that the candidate has a certain level of knowledge and expertise in their field, as well as a commitment to professional development. Certifications can also give program directors an edge over other applicants who may not have the same qualifications or experience. Additionally, certifications show potential employers that the individual is willing to invest time and money into their professional growth, which can be beneficial when competing for jobs. Finally, certifications provide an opportunity for program directors to stand out from other applicants by showing they have achieved mastery in their area of expertise.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Program Directors and explain how they can help advance a program director's career.

What are Program Director Certifications?

Program Director Certification is a certification that recognizes the professional development and knowledge of an individual in the field of program management. It is designed to demonstrate the commitment to quality in program management and serve as a mark of distinction for those who have achieved it. This certification can help professionals in several ways, including increasing their marketability and earning potential, developing a greater understanding of program management principles, and demonstrating their expertise to employers. Additionally, it helps to establish credibility with clients, peers, and other stakeholders in the industry. Program Director Certification is also beneficial for organizations looking to hire qualified individuals with a high level of knowledge and experience in program management. By having certified staff on board, organizations can rest assured that their programs are being managed effectively and efficiently.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing a program director certification, make sure to research the requirements for your particular field and the certifying body. Many certifications require specialized knowledge or experience, so it's important to determine if you meet the qualifications before beginning the application process.

Related: What does a Program Director do?

Top 10 Program Director Certifications

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

1. Certified Program Management Professional (CPMP)

Certified Program Management Professional (CPMP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate mastery of the principles and practices of program management. The CPMP credential is offered by the International Association of Program and Project Management (IAPM).

To become certified, applicants must demonstrate their knowledge and experience in the field of program management. This includes passing an exam that covers topics such as project management fundamentals, organizational change management, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of experience in program or project management, or a related field.

The cost for the CPMP certification exam is $495 USD for IAPM members and $595 USD for non-members. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CPMP credential within two weeks.

2. Certified Project Management Professional (CPMP)

Certified Project Management Professional (CPMP) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in project management. The CPMP certification demonstrates that the holder has the knowledge, skills, and experience required to successfully manage projects.

The CPMP certification requires an individual to pass a rigorous exam that tests their knowledge of project management principles and practices. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as project planning, execution, monitoring and control, risk management, and stakeholder management. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of professional project management experience or four years of non-project related experience.

It typically takes between six months to one year to prepare for the CPMP exam. During this time, applicants should study PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), attend training courses or seminars on project management topics, and practice taking sample exams.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on which country you are located in but typically ranges from $600-$1,200 USD. This includes membership fees with PMI, exam fees, and any additional training materials or courses you may need to take.

Once an individual has passed the CPMP exam they will be awarded with a certificate that is valid for three years from the date it was issued. After three years they must recertify by taking another exam or completing certain activities such as attending workshops or conferences related to project management.

3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a professional certification program designed to teach the fundamentals of Scrum, an Agile project management framework. The certification is awarded by the Scrum Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the use of Scrum.

The CSM certification requires applicants to attend a two-day course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). During this course, participants will learn how to apply Scrum principles and practices in their own organizations. After completing the course, applicants must pass an online exam to receive their CSM certification.

The cost of the CSM certification varies depending on the provider and location. Generally speaking, it can range from $1,000 - $2,500 for the two-day course and exam fee.

Once certified, CSMs are required to renew their certifications every two years by attending at least 16 hours of continuing education courses or completing other activities related to Scrum.

4. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and experience with agile principles, practices, tools, and techniques. The PMI-ACP certification recognizes an individual’s expertise in applying agile principles and practices in their projects.

To get the PMI-ACP certification, you must meet certain prerequisites and pass an examination. The prerequisites include a minimum of 2,000 hours of general project experience within the last five years, 1,500 hours of agile project experience within the last three years, and 21 contact hours of training in agile practices.

The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions and takes three hours to complete. You must score at least 75% on the exam to pass it. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $435 to $495 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will need to submit evidence that you have met all the requirements for PMI-ACP certification including completing 30 Professional Development Units (PDUs) related to agile topics every three years in order to maintain your certification status.

5. ITIL® Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management

The ITIL® Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management is an entry-level certification that provides a comprehensive understanding of the core concepts and principles of IT service management. The certificate covers topics such as service strategy, service design, service transition, service operations, continual service improvement, and the ITIL® framework.

It typically takes around two to three days to complete the ITIL® Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management. The course can be taken online or in a classroom setting. Online courses are usually self-paced and can be completed at any time. Classroom courses are usually offered at accredited training centers or universities and require attendance during specific times and dates.

To get the certificate, you must pass an exam administered by an accredited testing center or university. The exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions which must be completed within 60 minutes.

The cost of the ITIL® Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management varies depending on where you take the course and if it is online or in person. Generally speaking, online courses tend to be more affordable than classroom courses.

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 understanding of the fundamental knowledge, processes, and terminology used in project management. It is intended for those who are new to project management or those who are looking to gain an entry-level certification in the field.

To get the CAPM certification, individuals must first pass an exam that covers topics such as initiating a project, planning and executing it, controlling and closing it. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours.

The cost of the CAPM exam varies depending on whether you are a PMI member or not. For non-members, the fee is $300 USD while for members it is $225 USD. In addition to this fee, there may also be additional costs associated with studying for the exam such as books or online courses.

It typically takes between two and six months to prepare for the CAPM exam depending on how much time you have available to study and how familiar you are with project management concepts already. Once you have passed the exam, your certification will be valid for five years before needing to be renewed.

7. PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)

PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively identify, assess, control, and manage project risks.

To become a PMI-RMP, you must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. The eligibility requirements include having at least three years of project risk management experience within the past five years, or four years of project risk management experience within the past eight years. You must also hold a current PMP certification or equivalent credential.

The exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as risk identification, assessment and analysis; risk response planning; monitoring and controlling risks; stakeholder engagement; and organizational governance. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost of the PMI-RMP certification exam is $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. In addition to the exam fee, there is an application fee of $50 for PMI members and $150 for non-members.

8. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the application of Six Sigma methodology. The certification is designed to help organizations improve their processes and products by identifying and eliminating errors, defects, and waste.

The certification process typically takes three to four months to complete depending on the individual's prior experience with Six Sigma. It consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers the fundamentals of Six Sigma, including its history, principles, tools, and techniques. After completing the course, candidates must pass an exam administered by a certified Six Sigma provider.

To get certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, individuals must demonstrate mastery of the concepts taught in the online course through successful completion of the exam. To be eligible for certification, candidates must have at least three years of work experience in a business-related field or possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

The cost for obtaining a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the provider and may include fees for registration, materials, and examination. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$2,000 USD.

9. PRINCE2® Foundation Certificate

The PRINCE2® Foundation Certificate is a globally recognized certification in project management. It is designed to provide the knowledge and understanding of the principles, processes, themes, and techniques of the PRINCE2® project management methodology.

The PRINCE2® Foundation Certificate is an entry-level qualification that provides a comprehensive introduction to the PRINCE2® methodology. To obtain this certificate, you must pass a one-hour multiple-choice exam that tests your knowledge of the PRINCE2® principles, processes, themes, and techniques. The exam consists of 75 questions with five possible answers for each question. You must score at least 55% (41 out of 75) to pass.

It typically takes two to four weeks to prepare for the exam depending on your background and experience with project management. To prepare for the exam, you can purchase official training materials from AXELOS or attend an accredited training course offered by an approved training provider.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it and who administers it. Generally speaking, it costs between $200-$400 USD to take the exam.

Once you have passed the exam and obtained your certificate, it is valid for three years before you need to renew it by passing another exam or completing a refresher course.

10. Certified Change Manager (CCM)

Certified Change Manager (CCM) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills to successfully manage change initiatives. The CCM certification is offered by the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP).

The CCM certification process involves passing an exam, which consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that test the candidate’s knowledge in areas such as change management processes, tools, techniques, and best practices. Candidates must also complete a minimum of 20 hours of professional development activities related to change management within the past three years.

The exam typically takes 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken online or at a testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on where it is taken but typically ranges from $400-$500 USD.

In order to become certified, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. Upon successful completion, candidates will receive their CCM certificate and will be listed in ACMP’s directory of Certified Change Managers.

Do You Really Need a Program Director Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual career goals. If you are looking to become a program director, then it is likely that having a Program Director Certificate would be beneficial. This certificate can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and lead a program in an effective manner. It can also demonstrate to employers that you have the professional qualifications and experience needed for the job.

On the other hand, if you are already working in a role related to program management and leadership, then having this certificate may not necessarily be required. However, if you are looking to move up in your career or apply for more advanced positions, then having this certification can be helpful in making sure that employers take your qualifications seriously. Additionally, if you are interested in teaching or consulting in the field of program management and leadership, then having this certification may give you an edge over other applicants who do not possess it.

Overall, whether or not you need a Program Director Certificate largely depends on your individual circumstances. If you feel that it could benefit your career path, then taking the time and effort to obtain one could be extremely worthwhile.

Related: Program Director Resume Examples

FAQs About Program Director Certifications

1. What are the requirements for Program Director Certification?

Answer: To become a certified Program Director, you must have a master's degree in a related field and at least five years of experience in program management or leadership. You must also pass an examination administered by a professional organization such as the International Association of Facilitators (IAF).

2. Is there an age requirement for Program Director Certification?

Answer: No, there is no age requirement for Program Director Certification. Anyone who meets the qualifications outlined above can take the exam and become certified.

3. How long does it take to get certified as a Program Director?

Answer: The certification process typically takes between six to twelve months depending on how quickly you complete the required courses and exams.

4. What are some advantages of becoming a certified Program Director?

Answer: Being a certified Program Director provides many benefits, including increased job security and better career opportunities, improved credibility among peers, access to exclusive resources and networking opportunities, and more competitive wages.

5. Are there any continuing education requirements after becoming certified as a Program Director?

Answer: Yes, it is important to maintain your certification by completing continuing education credits each year in order to stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.