Ontario has dozens of project management programs, from three-course online certificates to full-time graduate certificates with co-op terms. They differ in price, depth, timing and, after a PMI rule change this year, in whether their live classes count toward the PMP. Here is how to compare them.
Three types of program
College graduate certificates are full programs, usually two or three semesters, for people who already hold a diploma or degree. Examples include project management graduate certificates at Humber, Centennial (online), Sheridan, Durham (weekend delivery), Algonquin, Georgian (IT focus), Seneca (environmental focus) and George Brown. Construction-specific options include Centennial’s Construction Project Management graduate certificate, which is three semesters and carries CCA Gold Seal accreditation.
University continuing education certificates are part-time, course-by-course programs: Toronto Metropolitan University’s Chang School (with an architecture, engineering and construction stream), McMaster Continuing Education, Waterloo’s WatSPEED, Western Continuing Studies, and York’s Schulich Masters Certificate in Project Management.
Short executive programs, such as Queen’s two-day Project Leadership program, are for working managers earning professional development units, not for meeting the PMP’s 35 training hours.
View the data
| Program | Published cost |
|---|---|
| McMaster Continuing Ed certificate (3 courses) | $2,457 |
| Centennial PM graduate certificate, online | $5,565 |
| Dalhousie Open Learning PM certificate | $5,891 |
| Sheridan PM graduate certificate | $7,293 |
| Centennial Construction PM graduate certificate | $8,769 |
Other published figures: Humber’s graduate certificate listed $6,904.92 for 2024/25; TMU’s certificate runs about $6,100 to $7,200; Western’s about $4,300 to $7,190; George Brown’s graduate certificate page shows $5,044 to $5,449 depending on intake.
The PMI question to ask every school
From late in the fourth quarter of 2026, PMI will count live instructor-led PMP training only if it comes from a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP) or an eligible accredited university. Self-paced training is unaffected. On their own pages, Humber, Georgian (as of 2025) and WatSPEED describe themselves as ATPs, and Schulich’s certificate says it is approved under PMI’s ATP program. Others use different wording, such as “Registered Education Provider”. If the PMP is your goal, ask the school in writing whether its classes will count after PMI’s change.
Check that the program is running
Several Ontario programs have paused intakes. When we checked, Conestoga’s Project Management and Construction Project Management graduate certificates were not accepting applications, and Mohawk’s page said it was not currently offering its program. Confirm the intake before you plan around it.
What to look for in a construction program
If you are heading into construction, three things matter more than the brand. Check whether the courses are accredited for CCA Gold Seal credits (Centennial’s Construction Project Management program is, for example). Look for co-op or work-integrated learning that puts you on real projects. And ask which credentials the program prepares you for: CAPM and PMP, CIQS designations, Gold Seal, or all of them.
How to choose
- Working full-time? Look at online and part-time continuing education certificates, or weekend graduate certificates.
- Switching careers? A full graduate certificate with co-op or work-integrated learning builds both skills and a first Canadian reference.
- Heading into construction? Choose a construction PM program with Gold Seal-accredited courses, so the credits count toward certification later.
- Want the PMP soon? Prioritize an ATP or plan to use self-paced training for your 35 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Will a college certificate cover the PMP’s 35 hours?
Many programs say so; George Brown and Seneca, for example, state that graduates meet or exceed the hours. After PMI’s late-2026 change, live classes count only if the provider is an Authorized Training Partner or an eligible accredited university, so check before you enrol.
Can I study online?
Yes. Centennial’s graduate certificate is fully online and asynchronous, George Brown offers an online version with live evening and weekend classes, and Waterloo’s WatSPEED certificate is live virtual.
How long do these programs take?
College graduate certificates usually run two or three semesters. McMaster’s certificate is three 10-week courses taken within three years, and Western’s four courses take 18 to 36 months.
Project Management Careers in Canada: the series
- PM certifications recognized in Canada
- PMP in Canada: requirements, cost and exam
- CAPM vs PMP: which first
- Construction credentials: Gold Seal, PQS, AACE
- PM certificates at Ontario colleges and universities (you are here)
- Graduate degrees in project management
- The PM career path and wages
- Construction career paths by role
- How to become a project scheduler
- Internationally trained PMs: getting recognized
Sources: McMaster Continuing Education; Centennial: Project Management (Online); Centennial: Construction Project Management; Sheridan: Project Management; Dalhousie Open Learning; Humber: Project Management; George Brown: Project Management; TMU Chang School; Western Continuing Studies; Waterloo WatSPEED; Schulich ExecEd; Georgian College; Queen’s Smith ExecEd; Conestoga; Mohawk; PMI blog (May 4, 2026). Chart and cover: Benjamin R. Consulting.