Top 10 Change Management Courses
Below, we will look at the 10 best change management courses for anyone looking to enter the change management field or further enhance their careers.
1. Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP)
Requirements: Four-year degree (or international equivalent) and three years (4,200 hours) of change management experience or secondary education (or international equivalent) and five years (7,000 hours) of change management experience. Completion of 21 hours of instructor-led change management training in the past seven years.
- Available online: Yes
- Duration: Three hours, 150 questions
- Renewal: Every three years
- Exam fee: $595 for ACMP members, $745 for non-members
The Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) offers the Certified Change Management Professional certification, which is the most widely recognized certification for change leaders.
The certification is based on ACMP’s Standard for Change Management and covers the practices, processes, tasks and activities in the Standard. Once acquired, the certification will indicate that you have the skills to guide organizations through change initiatives. The certification is globally recognized and grants credentials in line with ISO and ANSI standards.
2. Prosci Change Management Certification
Requirements: No prerequisites
- Available online: Yes
- Duration: Three days
- Renewal: Valid for life
- Exam fee: $4,500 for online instructor-led training, $4,850 for in-person training
The Prosci Change Management Certification is based on the organization’s ADKAR model and is generally regarded as one of the best certifications around. The three-day course arms individuals with all the change management tools they’ll need to apply Prosci’s methodology and implement change effectively.
The course is aimed at change leaders, project managers and IT professionals. It defines change management, describes the value of change, explains the Prosci ADKAR and Prosci three-phase process and helps you formulate the foundation of a change management plan. It’s not cheap, but the three-day course will help you implement a change process in any industry.
3. Association for Talent Development (ATD) Change Management Certification
Requirements: No prerequisites
- Available online: Yes
- Duration: Four 3.5-hour online courses over roughly 10 days
- Renewal: No renewal
- Exam fee: $1,875 for ATD members, $2,125 for non-members
The Association for Talent Development (ATD) Change Management Certification is for professionals working in human resources and leaders who implement organizational change. No prerequisites are required for the course, the certification does not need to be renewed and the course is aligned with the ACMP standard.
The online course will help you explore the dynamics of change based on current research and systems theory and understand how to analyze an organization’s need for change, establish a change management team, generate stakeholder buy-in and facilitate a change initiative based on the ATD change model. The course is ideal for those who work in a constantly changing corporate environment.
4. APGM Organizational Change Management Foundation Certification
Requirements: Training courses are encouraged, but not required.
- Available online: Yes
- Duration: 40-minute exam
- Renewal: Does not expire
- Exam fee: Course fees vary by provider; exam cost is approximately $364
If you’re looking to move into the world of change management, the APGM Organizational Change Management Foundation certificate is for you. This certificate will show prospective and current employers that you can process organizational change, help people adapt to change, develop strategies to keep people motivated, explain different change processes and keep stakeholders engaged.
You do not need to take the APGM Organizational Change Management Foundation course to be eligible for the exam, but it is encouraged. The closed-book exam lasts 40 minutes, and you must correctly answer 25 of 50 questions to pass. If you’re ready to start your change management career, you should look into the Change Management Foundation Certificate.
5. Cornell University Change Management Certification
Requirements: No prerequisites
- Available online: Yes
- Duration: Six two-week courses
- Renewal: No renewal
- Exam fee: $3,900
The Cornell University Change Management Certification is a 100% online course that lasts three months. There are no prerequisites and no certificate renewals. Individuals will learn how to navigate power relationships, develop negotiating skills and lead strategic and organizational change programs. The course is ideal for everyone from senior leaders to those aspiring to leadership roles.
6. Change Management Specialist (CMS)
Requirements: No prerequisites
- Available online: Yes
- Duration: Self-paced
- Renewal: No renewal
- Exam fee: $299.95
The Management and Strategy Institute (MSI) offers the $299.95 Change Management Specialist (CMS) course, which comes with all the course materials you need for the exam. The course is designed to help you learn how to create and manage change programs, persuade people to accept change, respond to change resistance and more. It is ideal for those with limited experience.
7. Certified Problem and Change Manager (CPCM)
Requirements: No prerequisites, but coursework is recommended.
- Available online: Yes
- Duration: 10-15 hours
- Renewal: Valid for life
- Exam fee: Standard package with e-course but no exam voucher $50, Premium package with e-course and exam voucher $188, exam voucher $128
The Global Association for Quality Management offers the Certified Problem and Change Manager (CPCM) certification for those who want to learn how to deal with change and help others. The course will help you deal with anger from those resisting change, set plans, enlist the help of others and manage stressors. The certification is valid for life, and there are no prerequisites.
8. Certified Local Change Agent (CLCA)
Requirements: CLCA coursework
- Available online: Yes
- Duration: Two days
- Renewal: No renewal
- Exam fee: Course cost varies by provider
If you hold a supporting role and would like to learn about colleague support, help develop local change plans, mitigate resistance and develop personal and interpersonal skills, APMG International’s entry-level Certified Local Change Agent (CLCA) certificate is for you. The two-day course provides you with a lifetime certificate and has no prerequisites.
9. Change Management Institute (CMI) Accreditation
For experienced professionals who want to stand out from the crowd, the Change Management Institute (CMI) offers three levels of accreditation: Foundation, Specialist and Master. The three levels are based on the institute’s Change Manager Competency Models and the Change Management Body of Knowledge (CMBOK).
The Foundation-level accreditation requires a written application with a managerial reference. One to two years of change manager experience will be beneficial. Specialist-level participants will benefit from having three to six years of change manager experience. Applicants must complete a written application, and reference checks are conducted. Applicants must take the Specialist assessment and participate in a virtual interview.
Master-level applicants will benefit from having seven years or more of change manager experience and an extensive project portfolio. You must also submit an application, provide references, take the Master competency model assessment, pass a virtual interview and complete a virtual evaluation. If you’re highly experienced, these courses could be for you.
10. Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP)
Requirements: Four-year college or university degree, 36 months of experience leading projects in the last eight years and 35 hours of project management training or CAPM certification or high school or secondary education diploma,60 months of experience leading projects in the last eight years and35 hours of project management training or CAPM certification.
- Available online: Yes
- Duration: Exam lasts 230 minutes
- Renewal: Every three years
- Exam fee: $405 for PMI members and $575 for non-members. PMP exam prep classes are $639.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers the globally recognized Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which is for those who wish to show employers that they can manage projects and change in multiple industries.
The certification shows that you’re capable of motivating others through all project phases; that you can use traditional, agile methods and hybrid work approaches; and that you can impact overall organizational goals. You can take a prep course, which is recommended, or jump straight into the 180-question exam if you meet the requirements.