Things to know before becoming a PMP – Part Two

Now, many universities have degree programs in project management. I used to teach a masters program at one. There is no comparison between the breadth of education you get at this level versus a PMP. Consider that for PMP Prep you are likely to attend a 35-hour class. During that time, the instructor has to teach and test you on nine separate knowledge areas. Additionally, you have to spend a certain amount of time discussing the test itself, how to prepare for it, the test environment, etc. So if that takes, say, two hours, you now have a 33 hour class. That leaves about 3 ½ hours to learn each knowledge area. Compare that with what you will study at a university. When I was teaching there, I taught one class just on risk for 10 weeks at 3 hours per week. So that was 30 hours on risk versus 3 ½ hours in a PMP class! So it’s clear that you’ll get a more in-depth presentation in any university-level class. And that’s ok because the masters’ class and the PMP class are designed to do very different things. The masters’ class is there to help you learn and expand your PM knowledge and skills. The PMP class is there to refresh you in areas that you should already be familiar with and prep you on what you need to pass the test.  (And BTW, neither will teach you how to manage or motivate people. You’ll have to learn that on your own).

So, why would you need the certification if you’ve already gotten a degree in PM from a university? Well, strictly speaking, to do your job you don’t. You’ve probably learned quite a bit to get you through the day effectively. And so maybe then the only reason to get certification is to make yourself even more marketable. Because even with all your education and new-found skills, you’re going to be out there competing in the marketplace with other candidates who have exactly the same higher education and lots of professional experience.  And if a hiring manager evaluates two otherwise equally qualified candidates, she is likely going to go for the one that has the PMP. It’s an extra screening device for her, something that tells her that you are really committed to your career and willing to do what it takes to stay conversant in your profession. (Or just as likely, it’s the only certification she’s heard of).

But we’re not done with your self-evaluation of whether or not you should get your PMP. One other issue I noted above is that some will say the certification is watered-down, that too many people have gotten it and that the criteria are not challenging enough to attain one. In truth, I have no solid argument against any of these points. A lot of people do have the certification and it is not nearly as hard to get as, say, a Certified Public Accountant. (Whose test covers four sections and is 14 hours long as opposed to 4). Do I wish PMI would increase the number of hours of study and/or difficulty of the exam? Sure. I think that would quell a lot of the concerns of the project management community and also really test whether a project manager is ready.  But until and unless PMI decides to do that, we have what we have.

So unless you have enough money to pay for both a university-level degree in project management and certification, you may have to make a decision. That decision is do you spend the money to learn your job better (degree) or do you make yourself more marketable and pick up what skills you can (PMP)? That choice is yours and I can’t help you decide that. But I’ll say this – in a slack economy, being marketable is a clear advantage.  (All of this is over and above whether you have to get the PMP because your boss says you must. I teach a lot of people in corporations who are mandated to get the certification.)

Speaking of money, I’d like to make one other point. A recent PMI survey I saw said that the median income for PMI-certified project managers in the US was $107,000 (USD) while that for non-certified PM’s was $92,465 (USD). And to pick just one non-US country, the median income for PMI-certified project managers in Spain was 52,000€ and that for non-certified PM’s was 44,000€. Interestingly, having a PM degree or not having a PM degree made very little difference.

(Coming next, the most frequently asked questions) 

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