To be a successful product manager, you need to be persuasive, authoritative, able to see the big picture, and determined to achieve your goals.
And one of the best ways to learn these skills is to take a product management course or get a certification.
Courses and certifications are an excellent opportunity to grow as a product manager, even if you're already in a role you enjoy. They can increase your negotiating power, help you land new and better gigs, and, most importantly, make you a more successful manager overall.
This post will look at some of the best product management certifications and courses out there.
True: you don’t need a qualification or certification to be a successful product manager.
But having one to your name can help advance your career, stand out from the crowd, and give you greater confidence and credibility.
So, to help you get started on your journey, we’ve scoured the vast range of options and narrowed the list down to the 16 best product management courses.
Scroll down to find all the details you need, from pricing and location to duration.
1. Product Owner Certificate - PMHQ
This course teaches you the fundamentals of Agile Methodology to help you become a great Product Owner. Product Manager HQ offers several different certifications and resources for product managers to level up their skills. Product Manager HQ features top-level online courses geared towards professionals who want to step up their product owner careers.
Product Manager HQ runs the world’s first and largest online Slack community for product managers with thousands of global members from 500+ companies worldwide and has been featured by Forbes as a top community for tech entrepreneurs/product people.
Product Manager HQ is also hosting a one-week PM course that teaches the fundamentals of product management, how to launch your own side project, and a lot more. However, the course that caught our eye is their top-rated product owner certification.
Pros
This is one of the best values available when it comes to product management certifications. You get 90+ lectures, 10+ hours of content, 5+ Product Owner templates, and instructor feedback on your writing, all for the price of $499.
You also get access to Product Manager HQ’s massive Slack community with over 9,000 product people from around the world.
Cons
While the PMHQ's offering is great for new product managers, it's not recommended for those who are already certified or hold a position as a product manager. For these individuals, much of the information will be redundant.
2. Product Manager Certification - Product School
The Product Management Certificate from Product School is another valuable offering that gives students insights from industry experts. You'll hear lectures from product leaders at Google, Amazon, Meta, and Uber.
Founded in 2014, Product School is a leader in Product Management training, so their Product Manager Certificate must make it first on our list.
During their 40-hour product management class, you will learn how to:
Build digital products from end to end
Lead cross-functional teams
Bulletproof your resume
Practice mock interviews
Some of their featured instructors include Todd Yellin (VP of Product at Netflix,) Helen Sims (Airbnb's product lead), and Tiffany Dockery (Instagram's product lead), among other fantastic industry leaders.
Product School offers 3 separate certificates that are designed to be taken consecutively: PMC™, PEC™, and PLC™. The pricing for the Product Management Certificate (PMC™) is $4,199, and you will get access to one certificate, 2 months of live online training, 3-month access to events, 3-month access to the jobs board, 3-month access to curriculum updates, and 3-month access to all on-demand courses. Or you could also earn all 3 certificates for $9,999. Financial aid is available. What's more, Product School has access to 1000+ hiring partners, global alumni of 20.000+, and a product community of one million. They also offer a ton of free product resources like the product job portal, their fantastic blog, and the upcoming ProductCon conference.
Pros
You can choose from three different certification options depending on your level of experience, so there's something for everyone.
And, as mentioned, you'll get access to true experts in the field.
Cons
You'll need to meet prerequisites for each of their certifications, so you might be locked into choosing one over another.
Courses start at $4,499, and that price increases if you don’t pay upfront.
3. MicroMasters Program in Digital Transformation Leadership by Boston University (edX)
This nine-month program combines Boston University’s previous MicroMasters courses, Digital Product Management and Digital Leadership. This reimagined course will take you through five graduate-level courses where you’ll learn about agile development, rapid prototyping, how to lead people and teams, how to develop strategies for growth and innovation, and more.
Boston University’s Product Management MicroMasters program aims to give you hands-on experience in:
Building product roadmaps
Agile product management practices for software/digital products
Guiding the development of products from the original idea through essential processes (research, rapid prototyping, etc.)
Approaches to marketing on social media
Ways to convey the value of a product to other managers, salespeople, and target customers
Life-cycle management processes, such as versioning
Recognizing the diverse practices used by product managers throughout different markets and companies
The Digital Product Management Certification by Boston University consists of five courses, each lasting between six and eight weeks. It costs $1995 and offers content including Business Analytics, Product Analytics and Driving Digital Innovation.
This certification is a MicroMasters, which is recognized by employers as a valid credential and can accelerate a Master’s degree (should you choose to undertake one). Lastly, the program is part of the BUx initiative, which means it can be taken online from wherever you are!
Pros
The course offers broad coverage of the basics of product management and digital leadership.
This edX course is technically free. You can access the course material using their free “Audit Track”. However, you won't receive a certification if you participate for free. But having the option is great for those on a budget.
You can apply credits earned on this course towards a Master of Science in Digital Technology at Questrom School of Business at Boston University.
Cons
The material covered is geared toward beginners, so it might not be ideal for those with product management experience.
4. Product Strategy (Northwestern Kellogg School of Management)
Another pricey but quality product management course is offered by the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management. This course provides a "cradle-to-grave" curriculum, giving you everything you need to know to launch and maintain a product.
This Northwestern Kellogg School of Management program is designed to give you the skills to.
Identify and analyze new opportunities for products effectively
Build a product strategy with the 7-Elements Framework
Determine the advantages and drawbacks of multiple business models and how to switch to another one as needed
Create detailed buyer personas to develop a deeper understanding of target audiences
Delve into real-world case studies incorporating the faculty’s own time with major names like Facebook and Microsoft
This consists of eight modules, including Understanding Product Strategy, Analyzing Product Opportunities, Designing the Business Model, Agile Product Development, Taking Products to Market, and others.
The Product Strategy program includes Applied Learning Opportunities, in which you’ll have the chance to work on various exercises. These lead to hands-on experience and a working understanding of key processes.
A passing grade of 80 percent will earn you a certificate from Kellogg Executive Education. The school works with Emeritus, an online education provider, allowing you to take this remotely.
Pros
Throughout this course, you'll engage with case studies from real-world examples that the instructors have dealt with from clients like AT&T and Microsoft.
You'll also learn go-to-market strategies and how to analyze business opportunities.
The course is offered in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese.
Cons
This is an expensive course, at $2,850.
This program isn't necessarily for beginners. While they accept those who aren't in a formal product management role, they expect everyone to have some experience in the area.
5. Digital Product Management Certification: Modern Fundamentals by University of Virginia (Coursera)
Perhaps the best value offering on this list of product management certifications is the University of Virginia's Modern Fundamentals course on Coursera. Much like the Boston University edX course, you can audit this course for free and you can pay to earn a certificate with a Coursera Plus membership.
The University of Virginia works with Coursera to offer this online program. It will:
Show you how to manage your product successfully, with a tight focus and strategy.
Help you manage new products and explore concepts for future releases.
Demonstrate how to take advantage of modern product management techniques.
Manage existing products for maximum value.
The University of Virginia claims that more than 30 percent of people completing the program went on to start new careers or received a tangible benefit in their work.
But will it work for you?
Completing this program will equip you with an insight into the latest product management methods and working models. You’ll also learn how to focus on keeping products as competitive as they can be in thriving markets, identifying their USPs for maximum impact.
This program is available online, includes flexible deadlines, and takes around 19 hours to complete over a suggested period of four weeks. The most surprising thing, though, has to be the price: it costs just $79, and financial aid is available.
Pros
This is a great program for beginners on a budget.
You'll learn plenty of essential skills, including how to amplify existing products' performance, manage new products, and work in a lean startup.
Cons
This is a true beginner's course, so more advanced PMs should look elsewhere.
It's less personal than other courses due to the high enrollment volume.
6. Brand and Product Management Certification Course (Coursera)
Another flexible and great course available on Coursera is the Brand and Product Management Certification course offered by IE University’s Business School. This program covers more advanced topics and is the first in a series of courses that you can take, making it great for those who are looking to level up their career.
IE University’s Business School provides this online Brand and Product Management program through Coursera. It consists of six modules, beginning with a concrete exploration of managing products throughout their life-cycle and ending with driving employees to deliver their best for the good of the brand.
You will learn:
How to understand product strategy concepts
How to define product strategies effectively
How to recognize the key elements of a brand strategy and formulate your own
Communicating brand and product value to different audiences
Building a brand portfolio to increase value
This program takes around 13 hours to complete and benefits from flexible deadlines to align with your own schedule. No pricing information is available, but you can enroll for free and financial aid is available.
Nearly half of participants have started new careers after finishing the course, while more than 20 percent secured promotions or pay rises. Nice!
Pros
More advanced subject matter means that this is a great option for those who already have a background in product management.
The hours are few and flexible, and you receive a shareable certificate.
This is a great all-around investment for product managers.
Cons
Beginners may be a bit off-put by the material being covered in this course.
This course is part of a five-part specialization. This may be a plus for some, while others may feel it leaves the course feeling incomplete by its end.
7. The Certified Product Manager Credentials (AIPMM)
The Certified Product Manager Credentials from AIPMM are widely recognized by product managers worldwide. You can choose from a range of certifications from AIPMM, including Certified Product Manager, Certified Product Marketing Manager, and Agile Certified Product Manager and Product Owner.
The AIPMM (Association of International Product Marketing & Management) is the world’s biggest community of professionals working in product management, brand management, and other related sectors. And the AIPMM Certified Product Manager (CPM) credentials are recognized as reliable indicators of skill and achievement.
There are multiple credentials to choose from:
Certified Product Manager: championing products during their life cycle and related responsibilities
Certified Product Marketing Manager: committed to outbound activities
Agile Certified Product Manager and Product Owner: develop a deep understanding of Agile techniques and their role in successful product lifecycles
These credentials can be undertaken online through various providers around the world, and there are no prerequisites for anyone who wants to take part.
Prices vary, but as an example, 280 Group charges $1,495 for the Certified Product Manager online course and exam. This includes 18 modules and typically takes 15-20 hours to complete.
Pros
These courses cover several key skills, making them broad and great for building a foundation for your PM career.
The certification you receive is also more well-known than others on this list, so it can further advance your career.
Cons
Different providers run these courses in a variety of online and in-person settings. Pricing varies based on the course provider and mode of study.
Because there are several different providers, not all enrolees will have the same learning experience.
8. Software Product Management by University of Alberta (Coursera)
The third and final certification course from Coursera to make it on this list of product management courses is the Software Product Management by the University of Alberta. This program centers around software development, making it an excellent specialty course for digital product managers.
The University of Alberta’s Software Product Management certification course is available via Coursera, to be completed online. This program is structured to help you master different Agile software practices, with an emphasis on using management techniques in realistic role-play situations that software product managers are likely to face.
The Software Product Management certification specialization includes the following courses.
Introduction to Software Product Management
Software Processes and Agile Practices
Client Needs and Software Requirements
Agile Planning for Software Products
Reviews & Metrics for Software Improvements
Software Product Management Capstone
After finishing this product management course, you’ll be equipped to use Agile software development techniques, converse with clients, manage a product development team, and more.
Any of the modules may be completed individually rather than as part of the full specialization.
And upon successfully completing the full program, you’ll receive a certificate from the University of Alberta.
The Software Product Management certification program takes 24 weeks to complete, and while there’s no pricing information available, financial aid is an option.
Pros
This is one of the few specialized courses on this list, so if you're looking to take on product management in a technology-centric sector, then this is likely the course for you.
Cons
This course is one of the longest on this list. It's expected to take six months to complete, so if you're looking for a fast means of certification, this isn't it.
9. Product Management Certification with Lean, Agile, and System Design Thinking (edX)
Another edX course, this program covers specific types of design thinking. Namely, lean, agile, and systems thinking. These are each strategies that you can employ to create harmony within your team and to encourage focus.
Boston University’s Product Management Certification with Lean, Agile, and System Design Thinking course is part of the MicroMasters Program.
If you successfully pass and achieve your agile product management certification — as you surely will! — you’ll come away with the following skills:
Product line planning and roadmapping alternatives
Generating ideas, determining customer needs, overseeing minimal viable products (MVPs)
Launching products with go-to-market strategies that convey the product’s value
In-depth performance management, including tracking system-performance metrics, organizing social media, and taking ownership of profits or losses
Completing this product management course will earn you a signed certificate carrying the institution’s recognizable logo (for a fee), and it lasts six weeks in total (around four to eight hours per week).
It’s free to undertake and can be completed online. But, this does mean you need to be available as and when the course is running — if flexibility is key for you, it may be worth looking elsewhere.
Pros
The course is free to audit and self-paced, making it a great option for people on a budget and with tricky schedules.
The skills you’ll learn in this course (lean, agile, and system design thinking) are very valuable and marketable.
Cons
Just like with the other edX course, the price to upgrade to a shareable certificate is steep — you'll need to pay around $400 for the certification.
10. Product Management Program (Berkeley Executive Education)
It should be no surprise that the product management course from Berkeley is one of the most immersive and feature-packed programs on this list. It includes a six-week online component and a five-day in-person commitment.
The Product Management Program from Berkeley Executive Education is in two sections. The first covers a six-week online part, made up of video lectures, surveys, exercises, and group-based discussions. The second is a five-day “immersive” experience.
This program will help you:
Optimize products and their profitability, using pricing systems and tools
Decide which ideas are worth pursuing by analyzing ideas and opportunities
Communicate with senior managers/leaders and put ideas across successfully
Communicate your business model and plans for new opportunities to any audience as required
Gain insights into audiences and integrate research results into driving innovation
Main topics of focus include Innovation Capabilities, Peer Coach program, Evaluating Your Business Model, Data-Based Decision-Making, Pricing Strategies, Segmentation and Targeting, and more.
This five-day product management course takes place in Berkeley, California, though the online component can be completed remotely and counts toward a Certificate of Business Excellence.
But here’s the stinger: this one costs $7,950 overall.
Pros
Berkeley's product management course includes custom video content, discussions with classmates, surveys, exercises, and even a simulation game.
Berkeley has heavily invested in making this course great, so you’ll get your money’s worth.
Cons
But you’ll need to pay up for this course because it’s the most expensive course on this list. It costs $7,950, putting it out of reach for many.
The in-person commitment makes it harder for students who don’t live near Northern California or can’t easily travel to participate.
11. Product Management 101 (Udemy)
This Udemy online course is focused on shaping you into a strategic product manager, able to work with development teams effectively and create groundbreaking products over time.
It’s aimed at product managers with varying degrees of experience, from zero to five years on the job. You’ll gain a solid foundation upon which to build or advance your career, depending on your current status.
The core elements of the course include:
The strategic role of product management
Balancing the strategic and the tactical
Marketing analysis
Customer analysis
Prioritization and roadmapping
Discovery and delivery
Launch planning
Positioning and communicating product
Pricing process
Buyer’s journey
This product management course comprises more than four hours of on-demand video, 53 downloadable resources, and more. You’ll receive a certificate of completion, and have full lifetime access to the materials. The course costs around $17 from Udemy direct.
12. Become a Product Manager Course — Learn the Skills & Get the Job (Udemy)
The next Udemy course, Become a Product manager - Learn the Skills & Get the Job, is spread across videos, activities, and more.
If you choose this course, you’ll develop an understanding of product life cycles, identifying valuable ideas worth dedicating resources to, competitor comparisons, determining customer pain points, appreciating modern product development processes used by Fortune 500 companies, and much, much more.
This product management certification course is designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to find the right product management role for you. This is a great choice whether you’re starting out in your career or want to make a switch.
Areas covered include:
Introduction to Product Management
Ideas and User Needs
Competitive and Market Analysis
Customer Development
Designing and Running Experiments
Conceptualizing the Solution
Metrics for Product Managers - Defining Success and Measuring Results
Working with People and Stakeholders
Technology for Product Managers
How to Get the Job in Product Management
This includes 13 hours of on-demand video, dozens of articles and downloadable resources, and full lifetime access. It costs around $18 from Udemy direct, and successful completion earns a certificate to be proud of!
13. The Complete Product Management Course (Udemy)
Another Udemy course, this time providing you with an opportunity to learn the main skills required for product management. This spans key elements from ideation and wireframing to leadership techniques.
During this course, you’ll learn:
How to become an Agile product owner, harnessing tools like Pivotal Tracker and Popplet
Ways to analyze the market, spot gaps in competitor portfolios, identify trends, and more
How to lead designers and developers effectively
Techniques for managing and communicating with stakeholders
Strategies for acing product management interviews, and how to stand apart from other job candidates
Insights from case studies, exploring major products such as NASA’s app and Getaround
This is aimed at professionals looking to shift gears into product management, entrepreneurs who want to build revolutionary products, and product managers who believe they need to expand their knowledge.
The Complete Product Management Course takes place online and is priced at around $17 from Udemy direct. It includes more than five hours of video and downloadable resources. Successfully completing the course will earn you a certificate, as you’d expect.
14. Certified Product Manager (280Group)
280Group’s Certified Product Manager course incorporates 18 learning modules, various interactive exercises, quizzes, and other helpful components. Put simply, the course educates you on the essential skills every effective product manager depends on, across two sections.
The first focuses on the material from 280Group’s Optimal Product Management and Product Marketing. The second is designed to help you pass the Certified Product Manager exam the first time.
This exam is administered by AIPMM, and (as mentioned earlier) the resulting credential is recognized and respected worldwide.
Topics covered include:
Becoming a Strategic Product Manager (strategic analysis, product adoption, etc.)
Market Research (definitions and methods, voice of the customer, data analysis)
Roadmaps
Develop
Qualify
Launch
Market Strategy
The online course is available for $1,495 from 280Group direct, though you can add optional extras such as Virtual Instructor Review.
15. Product Management: Career Preparation for Success (Udemy)
Yet another course from the prolific (and clearly busy!) Udemy team: Career Preparation for Success is a guide to help you secure and prepare for a first product manager role. After completing the course, beginners can expect to hit the ground running!
The three-hour course covers.
The day-to-day work of a product manager
Presenting yourself as the right candidate for a role
Learning the product management process for seamless integration into the business
The most common interview questions for prospective product managers
In-depth job description from real product managers
The course videos introduce you to product managers’ working routines and standard processes, touching on effective communication, mastering tools required for the job, roadmapping, and more.
It costs around $17 from Udemy direct, to be completed online.
16. MS in Product Management (Carnegie Mellon University)
Lastly, Carnegie Mellon University is one of the most well-known educational institutions in the world, and its Master of Science in Product Management is a one-year program structured to launch you into a successful career.
This product management certification program covers:
Essential technical skills for effective product management
Leadership development for overseeing and managing teams of different sizes
Cultivating the necessary business acumen for a career in product management
Digital service innovation
Organizational behavior
Human-computer interaction for product management
An approved internship in product management
The program takes place at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), though the summer semester does involve some online video.
This course is for those who really want to invest in their product management career — it’s the most time-intensive and expensive of all the accreditations in this line-up.
The cost of the full program is around $27,000, but completing it will earn you a prestigious Master of Science degree from this renowned university.
Ready to get your head in the books?
So, that’s it — there are the 16 best product management certifications that are really worth your time.
Each of these courses offers real benefits to your self-development, career prospects, and working knowledge of product management.
The sheer amount of online product management certification programs, too, means you can be as flexible as you need to, learning at your own pace however suits your schedule.
Product managers are growing increasingly important for companies across the globe, helping brands bring groundbreaking products to market. And earning a certification makes you a stronger candidate to play a pivotal part in that process.
So, consider your options carefully and pick a course that’s right for you.
And on that note — good luck, and don’t forget to check out more articles just like over at our blog by clicking here!
Give your career in product management a jumpstart
Whether you're an experienced product manager or you're looking to make the transition, you should be able to find a course in this list that suits your needs. These aren't just courses that will cover what you need to know — they will also provide you with the certification you need to advance your career.
Of course, courses and certifications aren't the be-all and end-all of being a successful product manager. You'll likely find yourself leaning on resources, educational tools, and support systems throughout your career.
Our product management templates are a great tool we'd like to offer you in your journey. These will help you create roadmaps, workflows, and more during your tenure as a product manager.
And for some free insights and education, be sure to read through the airfocus blog, our extensive glossary, and Product Learn, where you can read all about product management from experienced product managers.
Andrei Tiburca
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Experience the new way of doing product management