A Google Project Management Certificate is a valuable asset for anyone looking to increase their skillset without spending a fortune. With this certification, you can demonstrate your abilities with modern project management techniques and show employers that you are up-to-date on the latest industry trends.
Not only will it give you an edge over other job candidates, but it will also enable you to become a more effective leader in any organization. I’ve used the business skills I learned in this program to run my blog more efficiently, organize client projects, and plan personal events.s
This post will debunk the myth that this program is free! Have no fear, this program is still an affordable way to develop new business skills. I will also share tips on how to make this program more budget-friendly.
Table of Contents
- Is the Google Project Management Certificate Free?
- How Much Does the Google Project Management Certificate Cost?
- What is the Cheapest Way to Earn the Google Project Management Certificate?
- Google’s PMP Certification is One of the Cheapest
- Final Thoughts on Google’s Project Management Certificate
Is the Google Project Management Certificate Free?
The Google Project Management Certificate program is not free because you have to pay for a monthly subscription to Coursera.
When the Google Project Management Certificate first came out a few years ago, I saw a lot of marketing that implied that this program was free. Coursera has a one-week free trial that you can use to try out the program; I believe this is the source of a lot of confusion.
Though some people tried to power through the program in one week, it is highly unlikely that you can complete it before the free trial is over. This is especially true if you are actually trying to learn and not just rushing through the material!
To complete this course, you will likely need to pay Coursera’s monthly subscription at least once. If you follow the 6-month timeline that Google recommends, then you will need to pay the subscription cost 6 times.
How Much Does the Google Project Management Certificate Cost?
The Google Project Management Certificate course costs $49 per month. It will cost you a total of $294 if you take the recommended 6 months to complete the program. There is no fee for the certificate itself once you earn it.
As you can see, the cost of the certificate is really up to you and your timelines. Despite the associated cost of obtaining the credential, learning skills that are applicable in any job market could ultimately provide long-term benefits professionally and personally.
What is the Cheapest Way to Earn the Google Project Management Certificate?
The cheapest way that you can earn this certificate is by treating it like a full-time course and working on it 40 hours a week.
Google designed the program to take 6 months if you are studying 10 hours per week or less. So if you sit down and treat studying like a full-time student then you can move through the course quickly.
Here is a breakdown of how much time Google estimates each course will take you:
- Foundations of Project Management- 18 hours
- Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project– 22 hours
- Project Planning: Putting it All Together– 29 hours
- Project Execution: Running the Project– 26 hours
- Agile Project Management– 26 hours
- Capstone: Applying Project Management in the Real World– 35 hours
As you can see, the total hours Google estimates this will take you is 156. If you are able to complete 40 hours a week it will take you 3.9 months to complete the certification.
When I was taking the classes, I found that I could do a week’s worth of work in one to two days. This means that it would take me about 1 week per course. If I had maintained that pace, I would have finished the 6 course program in 1.5 months.
Google Project Management Certificate Cost by Number of Months
To save money on the Google Project Management Course, you should complete as many course hours as possible.
I based the chart below on Google’s recommended completion time. If you are familiar with the basics of project management already, you will be able to finish the course quicker.
That being said, some projects are peer reviewed and can take up to 24 hours for the content to be marked as reviewed. These projects can take even longer if you have to redo the project as well, so make sure you leave a little wiggle room in your schedule!
|
Hours per week |
Months to Completion |
Coursera Cost |
|
5 hours |
8 | $392 |
|
10 hours |
4 | $196 |
|
20 hours |
2 | $98 |
|
30 hours |
1.5 | $98* |
|
40 hours | 1 | $49 |
Google’s PMP Certification is One of the Cheapest
Though Google’s PM Certification will likely cost you a few hundred dollars, you will find that it is actually one of the cheaper options. This certificate is also very beginner friendly! Most other certificates require prior work experience before you can even take the exam.
Please keep in mind that while this certificate is provided by Google, it is not officially recognized as a standalone professional certification like other certifications.
Here is a PMP cost comparison chart for some of the popular certifications:
| Certification | Summary | Total Cost Estimate |
| Google Project Management Certificate | The Google Project Management Certificate (via Coursera) is designed to provide learners with the essential skills and knowledge to manage projects effectively using Google’s tools and best practices. | $49-$392 |
| Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® | Offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the CAPM certification is suitable for individuals starting their career in project management. | $225- $300 |
| Project Management Professional (PMP)® | Also provided by PMI, the PMP certification is widely recognized and demonstrates expertise in project management. The cost varies depending on your PMI membership status. | $405-$575 |
Final Thoughts on Google’s Project Management Certificate
Overall, Google’s Project Management Certificate is a great way to learn the fundamentals of project management and gain valuable skills.
Depending on how many hours per week you are able to commit, it can take anywhere from 1-8 months to complete the course. This means the price can range from $49-$392.
I hope this article has helped you decide if completing Google’s Project Management Certificate is right for you!
Are you planning on taking the Google Project Management Certificate on Coursera? If you’ve already taken this course, how long did it take you to finish?
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