Srinivas Attili ⋅ Herndon, VA IBM ⋅ 12 years experience

Sergio - As we discussed during our face to face to session, if the goal is to get PMP certified, I recommend taking the PMI PMP exam after you gain a couple of years experience in the industry. As a first step take a look at the PMI PMP application on PMI's website. It gives you an overview of the types of experiences required across different phases of a project. As you work, you can shape your experiences to match the requirements. Also, I suggest looking at the CAPM credential which can be considered as a stepping stone for the PMP credential.
I am PMP certified and coached several to attain certification -- I can tell you this -- you cant pass the exam by studying a book or just with experience. You need the combination -- you need to study for the exam and have the required experience to relate to many situational questions. I suggest looking through your employer's e-learning site for the prerequisite courses. I suggest taking those pre-requisite courses right away.

Joe Paschall ⋅ Madison, AL nLogic, LLC ⋅ 26 years experience

There are endless pathways to the PMP for transitioners, and there are many prep or certificate courses that provide excellent education but at cost in time and money. The shortest/cheapest distance involves the purchase of a single study guide (I used Crowe's "The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try") and a few months of self-study (90 days for me). Any senior enlisted or officer can easily substantiate the experience requirements despite having not been called a "project manager" because we all manage things that meet the PMBOK standard for a project. An inspection, a training exercise, a military ball, a deployment prep- all can be termed as "projects". The 35 hrs of education reqt can be met by ongoing college courses in any management field (I used an MBA class) or an inexpensive on-line prep cse tailored to meet the reqt. The bottom line- do not be deterred by the perception that the PMP pursuit need be very costly. If you are driven enough for self-study and assuming you test well enough, you can attain it within a few months. Granted the exam is tricky, so for many folks who get Test Anxiety, it can be a bridge too far. It's not about money or experience though- just drive.

Venky Addanki ⋅ Vienna, VA Accenture ⋅ 15 years experience

I would strongly recommend NVCC
http://www.nvcc.edu/wdce/annandale/certificate/pjmgcert.asp

John Stevens ⋅ Middletown, MD ⋅ 20 years experience

I took Villinova's on-line course last year and highly recommend it.

http://www.villanovau.com/online-courses/pmp-certification.aspx

Mark Pledger ⋅ Gaithersburg, MD IBM ⋅ 20 years experience

There are plenty of them around, online and classroom style. I'd start with local PMI Chapters to get a few recommendations.

manchun kumar ⋅ Arlington, VA JanBask LLC ⋅ 8 years experience

Hi Sergio Chavez,

You can join https://www.janbasktraining.com for Project management Course in Virginia.
1. Agile
2. Scrum Master
3. PMP

Jake Miller ⋅ New York, NY Undiclosed ⋅ 3 years experience

Hey, if you are still looking out for PMP training in Washington DC , you can get trained by us,
check out greycampus,com
or send in your queries to jake@greycmapus.com

Dov Kawamoto ⋅ Woodbridge, VA U.S. Marine Corps, Major ⋅ 15 years served

If you want an inperson class, without having to drive to the beltway, Trio-Consulting in Woodbridge/Lakeridge offers a PMP boot camp as well as Six Sigma, and is also a DAU provider.
http://www.trio-consulting.com/course/trio-pmp-boot-camp/
http://www.trio-consulting.com/single-class/acq-201b-2/all/

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Google VCTP Syracuse. 100% free, no GI Bill, one exam fee covered.

Kenneth Williams ⋅ Manasquan, NJ U.S. Air Force, Master Sergeant ⋅ 21 years served

I would look at online cources, search using "PMI courses".

Andrew McCann ⋅ Rockville, MD URS ⋅ 25 years experience

Connect to Julie Desot through LinkedIn, she's putting together some study guides. Our PMI chapter in Montgomery County organizes some classes, check out our website. Some of the courses are on-line.
http://www.pmimontgomerycountymd.org/

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

also see:
https://acp-advisornet.org/question/903/veterans-career-transition-program-at-syracuse-u.-free-it-certs-applications-due-aug.-26-2013/p1

and

"A Checklist For Veterans: "How to Learn More About the Project Management Professional (PMP) Cert." Please let me know how it can be improved, and I'll edit and improve the post.

https://acp-advisornet.org/question/927/a-checklist-for-veterans-how-to-learn-more-about-the-project-management-professional-pmp-cert.

Robin Hamilton ⋅ Macungie, PA Xerox ⋅ 20 years experience

I am currently in the process of achieving my PMP. I've used Skillsoft courses to review the book information (PMBOK Fifth Guide Edition) because the PMBOK itself is very dry reading. I'm also taking a one month online program from PMStudy.com. I will be taking as many practice tests and test questions as I can get my hands on.

In addition to the study portion, as was alluded to above by Cindi G., I believe you do need real-time project experience. The good news is that any endeavor can be implemented using project methodology including non-profit or volunteer work.

Best of luck to you!

Cyndi G. ⋅ Stirling, NJ Hewlett-Packard ⋅ 22 years experience

I am recently PMP certified and have worked as a program/project manager for Hewlett-Packard for a long time. It should be noted that while I am an employee of Hewlett-Packard, the opinions expressed here are my personal opinions and do not reflect the opinions of HP. I took the PMP certification test in November 2012. Preparation for me involved a very effective 4 day classroom boot camp crash course from Simplilearn (www.simplilearn.com) followed by about 4 weeks of study of the PMBok and review of Simplilearn course materials (they give you online tutorials of each section, slides, a copy of the PMBok and multiple timed practice tests). The best part about a boot camp is having several days of focused education on the PMBok with an instructor that can give you additional insights and examples. By taking the 4 day course I also earned the necessary PDUs to allow me to sign up for the test. The PMI.org site will have recommendations for accredited courses. I see Simplilearn has both classroom versions offered around the U.S. (e.g. Washington, DC) and less expensive online versions of the course I took. Personally I found the live instructor kept me focused at least for 4 days, and he was a practicing project management professional so he could give real-life examples.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Srinivas,

Great answer.

I believe that many Veterans are well suited for successful career as Project Management Professionals (PMPs). But I think there is a need for a more clearly outline pathway for a Veteran to achieve this objective.

What should Veterans do in order to get those first 2 years of relevant civilian work experience?

Can you offer any ideas on a long-term pathway we can develop or outline for Veterans, with the goal of enabling Veterans to successfully transition to civilian careers as Project Management Professionals (and eventually earn the CAPM and PMP certifications)?

Any suggestions? Apprenticeships? Paid internships? Firms at which Veterans should apply?

Laurie Kirk ⋅ Tampa, FL Bristol-Myers Squibb ⋅ 30 years experience

Try contacting these folks - they previously sent me details of a PMP course in Arlington, VA:
Eva James [eva.james@pmtrainingacademy.com

Cale Herndon ⋅ Cary, NC U.S. Army, Captain ⋅ 8 years served

I don't know about the Marine Corps, but the Army offers the cousework online through "Army Ed Online".

James New ⋅ Kansas City, MO U.S. Army, Lieutenant Colonel ⋅ 25 years served

These are great answers. Join your local PMI Chapter. Also check out PMP Training classes by Rita Mulcahy. Do A goggle search for her classes. Also network with others who have taken the test and pass and find out what worked for them.

Fred Jackson ⋅ Kirkland, WA U.S. Air Force, Colonel ⋅ 30 years served

Sergio: I did my coursework online, took the test and passed the first time. I am also a PMI member and recommend checking with the local chapter in your area in you're looking for the traditional classroom experience. Also, make a point to see if the institution you're considering will take the GI Bill; it's a benefit you earned and should use. Best of luck.

Sarah Mandell ⋅ Pittsburgh, PA formerly with IBM ⋅ 10 years experience

You may want to trying the following resources as I am going through the process at the moment...I am taking courses (three, one in a row) online from Villanova University, which will lead to a Master's Certificate. I am a member of PMI and my local chapter (Pittsburgh) and am taking classes/workshops through them, and I will ba attending a boot camp for review before the exam at my local communicate college in the spring.