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5 Free Scrum Master Courses With Certificates in 2024

Learn how to enhance your career with Scrum, a powerful project management framework for high-paying leadership roles.

Leadership Topics

05 Oct 2024 — 6 min read

A professional learning Scrum methodologies to achieve project goals. Photo by Lala Azizli / Unsplash.

If you're aspiring to become a project manager, product manager, agile coach, or even a data analyst or software developer, you’ve likely come across the term “Scrum.” It’s a widely adopted framework in today’s fast-paced business environment, and being proficient in Scrum is quickly becoming a high-income skill that can lead to numerous career opportunities. But if you haven’t heard of Scrum, or are still unfamiliar with it, now is the time to dive in and discover why mastering it could unlock substantial job opportunities.

What Is Scrum?

Scrum is an agile project management framework used primarily to help teams work efficiently and collaboratively. According to Scrum.org, Scrum is “a way to get work done as a team in small pieces at a time, with continuous experimentation and feedback loops along the way to learn and improve as you go.” It emphasizes collaboration, flexibility, and the delivery of high-value outcomes through short, iterative work cycles.

This agile approach allows teams to adapt quickly to changes, test ideas rapidly, and deliver continuous improvements, making it particularly relevant in today’s fast-evolving industries.

Why Is Scrum Called ‘Scrum’?

The name “Scrum” originated from an analogy in a 1986 Harvard Business Review article titled “The New New Product Development Game.” The article, co-authored by Hirotaka Takeuchi and Ikujiro Nonaka, compared aspects of product development to the game of rugby, where a “scrum” is a play in which team members work together, with their heads down, to restart play. This emphasis on teamwork and close collaboration is reflected in the Scrum framework, which also stresses group efforts in tackling complex challenges.

Why Is Scrum Important?

Scrum has become an indispensable tool in many industries, especially for organizations looking to improve adaptability, efficiency, and quality. The framework is designed to boost productivity and reduce wasted resources while ensuring teams work collaboratively toward a common goal. By adopting Scrum, companies experience faster project deliveries, reduced costs, and more effective use of resources, making it an essential skill for anyone looking to enhance their leadership and management capabilities.

Having a Scrum certification on your resume signals to employers that you possess the necessary skills to lead agile teams and deliver projects in an efficient and adaptive manner. Whether you’re aiming for a project management role, looking to break into product development, or just wanting to expand your technical expertise, Scrum certification opens up a wealth of career opportunities.

What Jobs Can I Get With a Scrum Certification?

A Scrum certification can be your ticket to a variety of high-paying job opportunities, many of which offer the flexibility to work remotely. Scrum training can prepare you for roles such as:

Product Owner
Project Manager
Product Manager
Agile Coach
Software Developer
UX/UI Designer
IT Manager
Marketing Manager
Operations Manager
Supply Chain Manager

With salaries often surpassing $100,000 annually in these roles, Scrum certification could be a transformative career move.

Top Scrum Master Certifications

If you’re ready to advance your career, some of the most recognized Scrum Master certifications, according to job listings, include:

Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)
SAFe Scrum Master (SSM)
Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO)
Certified Scrum Developer (CSD)

However, many of these certifications come with a price tag, especially the exams. But don’t worry—there are several free Scrum Master courses that can provide a solid foundation in Scrum, allowing you to kickstart your learning journey without the financial burden.

5 Free Scrum Master Courses With Certificates

Here are five free Scrum Master courses that offer certificates upon completion, helping you lay the groundwork for more advanced certifications in the future:

Introduction to Agile Development and Scrum – IBM, via Coursera
This course introduces the principles of Agile development and Scrum, providing foundational knowledge for anyone new to the framework.
Google Agile Project Management – Google, via Coursera
Gain a deeper understanding of Agile project management with a focus on real-world applications. Google’s course is a popular choice for those seeking to transition into project management.
IBM Product Manager Certification – IBM, via Coursera
Focused on product management, this course is a great option if you’re looking to blend Scrum practices with product ownership skills.
Scrum Master Training – Alison
Alison offers a free training course covering the basics of Scrum, including its roles, events, and artifacts. The course is designed for beginners and includes a certification upon completion.
Scrum: Advanced – LinkedIn Learning
Although this course is free for LinkedIn Premium members, it provides in-depth training on advanced Scrum techniques, perfect for those who already have some Scrum experience and want to elevate their knowledge.

Why You Should Start With Free Courses

While many top-tier Scrum certifications require a fee, beginning with free courses allows you to build a solid foundation without financial stress. Once you’re ready, you can move on to paid certifications to further boost your qualifications and marketability. Additionally, these courses offer flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace and start building the skills that will set you apart in a competitive job market.

Start Your Scrum Journey Today

In 2024, understanding Scrum and earning a certification in the framework can greatly enhance your career prospects. Whether you're aiming to become a project manager, product owner, or agile coach, free Scrum courses provide a fantastic starting point to help you master this essential skill and position yourself for leadership roles in the near future. Select a course that fits your learning style, allocate dedicated time for your studies, and embark on your journey toward becoming a certified Scrum Master.

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