Unlocking Career Growth Through Program Manager Certification

If implementing big-picture strategies and coordinating related projects and teams gets your heart pumping, then you may want to consider program manager certification. This valuable training can help you expand your leadership abilities in your current role or transition to a new one. Learn more about program manager certification, the types of people it can benefit, and the steps you can take to get this training.

What is program manager certification?

A program manager certification shows your current or prospective employer that you have undertaken advanced training and validates that you have the knowledge and skills it takes to meet strategic organizational objectives and coordinate multiple projects successfully. Earning a program manager certification can build your leadership skills, enhance your career profile among work colleagues, and advance your career and salary within an organization. 

Who should consider becoming a certified program manager?

Becoming a certified program manager requires a combination of education and practical experience. Generally speaking, you should consider program manager certification if:

• You want to expand your current project manager role

• You want to transition into a program management position within your company

• You want to get a program management position with a new company

Program manager salary 

According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for program managers in the US totals $88,197 per year as of February 2025 [1]. This figure represents the base salary, which does not include extra pay like annual bonuses or profit sharing. 

How to earn your program manager certification

You can obtain a Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification through the Project Management Institute (PMI), a nonprofit organization that promotes the profession of project management across the globe. 

Prerequisites you need to earn the PgMP through PMI include either:

• A high school diploma or associate degree

• Four years of experience as a project manager or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification 

• Seven years of experience as a program manager within the last 15 years

Or

• A bachelor’s degree

• Four years of experience as a project manager or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

• Four years of experience as a program manager within the last 15 years

Once you’ve determined you’re eligible for the PgMP certification, you can take the following steps to get the training:

• Complete an application online by clicking the apply button here, and pay for the exam ($800 for members of PMI and $1,000 for non-members [2].

• Schedule the exam at one of the approved Pearson testing centers worldwide or schedule a time to take it from home with monitoring from an approved online proctor.

• Take an optional course designed to help you study for the exam.

• Take the exam (170 questions in 240 minutes [2]).

Strategies for preparing for the program manager certification exam

Preparing for any kind of certification exam in advance can help ensure success. To increase the odds that you’ll successfully earn the credential, consider these key strategies:

Utilize related study guides and prep courses.

The PMI website offers abundant resources to help you study for the PgMP exam preparation. These include:

• A study guide

• Practice exams

• Flashcards

• A prep course

Develop a study plan.

A successful study plan starts with a comfortable and productive place to study, like your bedroom, home office, or a corner table in a local coffee shop. Because this test covers a range of advanced concepts and practices in program management, you’ll want to begin studying several months in advance of the exam and set up a regular study schedule.

Focus on key concepts.

It helps to become well-versed in certain program management domains to prepare for the PgMP exam. Explore five of these domains and estimated quantities of related test questions indicated by percentages [2].

1. Program life cycle: The various stages of a program from beginning to end, 44 percent

2. Stakeholder management: The ability to identify, understand, and communicate with stakeholders during the course of a program life cycle, 16 percent 

3. Strategic program management: The alignment of program elements and procedures with organizational objectives, 15 percent

4. Governance: The processes of program oversight and decision-making, 14 percent

5. Benefits management: The ability to identify and manage the benefits a program needs for success, 11 percent

Program manager career possibilities

As a certified program manager, you can work in a variety of different industries. These might include:

• Business

• Construction

• Engineering

• Finance

• Health care 

• Information technology

• Law

• Manufacturing

You’ll also develop a variety of skills that may transfer over to other positions. Some of these include:

• Analytical thinking

• Conflict resolution

• Organizational skills

• Negotiation skills

• People management

• Problem-solving

• Resource management

• Team building

• Visualization skills

To understand what types of positions you can hold within a program manager career trajectory, explore these three examples. 

1. Project manager

Average annual salary: $83,703[3]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in business, computer science, or engineering

In this position, you would oversee and manage all the elements and processes of a project from beginning to end. You’ll collaborate with others working on the project, communicate with stakeholders, and handle project elements like budgeting and delivering the finished result on time.

2. IT program manager

Average annual salary: $136,774 [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science

In this position, you would be in charge of tech-related programs and making sure they align with the company’s objectives. You’ll create and implement frameworks, select participants to collaborate with, oversee budgeting, and define the project’s scope.

3. Senior program manager

Average annual salary: $138,985 [5]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in business, computer science, or engineering; some employers may require a Master's in Business Administration (MBA)

In this position, you would be in charge of program planning and execution and possibly lead teams through the process. You’ll make sure that all program practices align with company goals and strategies.

Job outlook for program managers

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in management should grow at a rate that is faster than average from 2023 to 2033 compared to other types of jobs [6]. BLS also anticipates a 17 percent growth in jobs for computer and information systems managers during the same period [7]. This data demonstrates the strong growth potential for program management professionals with the right skill set. 

Build program management skills on Coursera

As a program manager of a company, you’ll play an important role in project coordination, organizational strategy, and leadership.

To help build the knowledge and skills you need to become a certified program manager, consider taking the IBM Program Manager Professional Certificate (which helps prepare you for the PgMP exam) or the Leading People and Teams Specialization from the University of Michigan on Coursera. If you need to refresh your project management skills, you’ll also find a variety of options on Coursera, including Google Project Management: Professional Certificate, IBM Project Manager Professional Certificate, and the Project Management Specialization from the University of Colorado at Boulder.