The 12 Best Online Courses To Take For Event Planning [2024]

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Updated: January 20th, 2022

The event planning industry has expanded significantly over the past decade. Event management has become a critical skill for entrepreneurs.

Event planner certifications are designed to help you prepare for events of all sizes.

Whether you are in wedding planning, leisure events planning, political events planning, or corporate events planning, becoming a certified event planner is a great way to set yourself apart in a very competitive industry.

In this post, we highlight the top event planning courses that you can take to advance your skills and become an expert in the field.

These event planning certifications are ideal for beginners and experienced professionals looking to advance their careers. Each one covers different modules within the events planning and events management industry.

1. Event Planning, Marketing & Management Course (Udemy)

This is a fantastic course for event planners as it explains how to create successful corporate or leisure events.

In this course, you will learn how to price your upcoming events, and get professional advice on how to market the events.

By the end of this course, the learners will feel empowered, and ready to venture into the event planning marketplaces. The learners will receive a certificate of completion via email.

Key Highlights

This course is known to be one of the most affordable event planning courses on the internet
Includes 31 downloadable course resources
You will be awarded a certificate of completion
Applicable for all types of event planning (both corporate and leisure)

Duration: 4 hours

Price: $21.99-$41.99

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

2. Event Planning Foundations (LinkedIn Learning)

Are you aspiring to take your event planning talent to the next level? The event planning foundations course is designed to introduce you to the fundamental concepts of event planning.

The course covers event planning foundations, and the fundamental concepts you need to apply into event planning. You will learn how to choose the right venue, the best practices for pricing your event planning gigs, and how to understand your audience.

Key Highlights

This course is ideal for beginners wanting to venture into the event planning business.
The course covers the key skills you need to ensure successful event planning.
Learners will receive a course certificate upon course completion.

Duration: 1 Hour

Price: $18.99

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

3. Event Planning 101 (Universal Class)

Event Planning 101 is an online course explaining some of the crucial details of how to run your event planning business.

The course provides a basic understanding of what event planners actually do to manage an event. It also explores how to plan special parties and celebration event planner basics.

The events planning course is ideal for those who have no experience at all and want to break into the field.

Key Highlights

Describes what an event planner does to ensure the success of an event.
The course covers the importance of networking to market the event planning business.
Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Self Paced Course with 24/7 availability.

Duration: 6 Months

Price: $95

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

4. Complete Event Planning and Organization course (Udemy)

The complete event planning and organization course will cover how to meet the event goals successfully, without breaking your timetable and budget. The event-planning course targets professionals and leaders who want to make out of their events planning business.

Ideally, the learners will learn how to lead a team and organize events that meet their goals.

In addition, the course covers essential budgeting techniques for event planners as well as how to manage events like a pro, without missing any crucial deadlines.

Key Highlights

5 hours of on-demand video accessible 24/7.
10 downloadable resources and 22 articles.
Access on mobile and TV.
Learners are awarded a certificate upon successful course completion.

Duration: 5 hours and 7 minutes.

Price: $11.99

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

5. Event Planning: Learn How To Plan A Great Event (Udemy)

The event planning course explains everything you need to include in your events plan. The event planning workshop teaches you how to plan the event, research the audience, acquire permits, licenses, and festival insurance.

Moreover, the course covers great details and provides real-world examples from which the event planning students can learn.

At the end of this event planners course, you will learn what to expect in order to plan and produce a successful event or festival.

Key Highlights

The events planning course features a combination of tutorials, presentations, exercises, and interviews with event planning professionals.
The course features 13 sections, 65 lectures delivered in 13 hours and 39 minutes.
Ideal for beginners who want to improve their event management skills.

Duration: 13 hours and 39 minutes

Price: $11.99

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

6 Master's Certificate in Event Management (International Institute of Event Management)

The international institute of event management offers the Masters Certificate in Event Management, a course available in two modules. The learners can enroll for the complete program at $995 or choose the pay-by-installment plan available at $195 per module.

The advanced events planning course consist of six modules. To receive the certification, the learners must complete the six modules. It is suitable for early-stage event planners and experienced professionals looking to further their career.

Key Highlights

The most advanced program offered by the International Institute of Event Management.
The self-Paced program is suitable for beginners and experienced event planners.
The candidate is awarded a Master's Certificate in Event Management and also qualifies for the GCPE® Global Certification in Professional Events.

Duration: Self Paced Program

Price: $995 for complete program / $1170 for the Pay-by-Installment @ $195 per Module.

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

7. Certificate Program in Event Management (International Institute of Event Management)

The Certificate in Event Management is designed by the International Institute of Event Management.

It is a comprehensive, self-paced event planning course, designed for the early-stage and experienced professionals looking to explore opportunities in corporate event management.

The program features three modules, and it is a stepping-stone for those wishing to enroll for the Master's Certificate in Event Management.

Key Highlights

Students should have a high school diploma or equivalent and possess proficiency in reading and writing the English language.
Students can purchase complete program @ $495 or pay-by-installment @ $195 per module.
Learners should complete the three modules to receive the certification.

Duration: Self-Paced Program

Price: $495 for complete program / $585 for the Pay-by-Installment @ $195 per Module

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

8. How to Run Successful Events: Management Planning Marketing (Udemy)

The events management course covers how to plan events, event marketing, and sponsorship, and explains the legal requirements for operating events planning business.

By undertaking this events planning course, the learners will have a clear understanding of the events planning business and grasp the important concepts to help them operate small or large events.

The course is ideal for anyone looking to launch an event planning business.

Key Highlights

You will learn how to research and understand your audience
The course comes in 16 sections, and 20 lectures
Students have access to downloadable course resources

Duration: 51 Minutes

Price: $11.99

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

9. Event Planning Certificate (Emory University)

The event-planning course by Emory University explores the aesthetic details to ensure successful event planning and management.

Upon completion, the students will acquire the skills required to handle event-planning challenges and take on the opportunities related to events management.

Ideally, the course covers what students need to manage and implement the elements of event planning and management.

This course is ideal for:

Event Planning professionals looking to add an educational credential
CMP seekers in need of education hours
Students exploring a career shift into the event planning industry
Event hobbyists seeking tips to elevate personal events

Key Highlights

Learn how to create top-quality events and how to develop effective event objectives.
To receive the certificate, students must complete all core courses and one elective course.
Anyone can register for the course regardless of affiliation with Emory University.

Duration: 6-18 Months

Price: $2,375

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

10. Corporate Event Planning Course (QC Event School)

This corporate event planning course by QC event school provides the learners with complete skills to help them tackle corporate events professionally.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to plan and manage all types of corporate events for your clients no matter their industry.

This certification course for event planners lets you work out events logistics, and also covers how to align the events with customers' goals.

Key Highlights

The course lets you find opportunities in a wide range of industries.
Upon course completion, the learners receive an internationally recognized certification.
QC Event School sends you all the learning materials, including electronic books and videos.
This certification course teaches you how to plan and manage all types of corporate events for your clients.

Duration: Up to 2 years to complete the course

Price: $949 when you pay in full, $1349 when you pay over 18 months in installments.

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

11. EVM 405 - Event Management and Leadership (Bryant University)

Whether you intend to start an event planning and management business or you are working for an event planning firm, this Event Management and Leadership certification course are ideal for you.

The course gives you insights into the skills you need to be successful in managing events and managing your events staff.

The course also covers financial management skills, contract management, as well as hospitality management to guide you throughout your career.

Key Highlights

Explains the responsibility of event leaders to address environmental issues.
Covers financial management concepts.
You must complete 5 modules.

Duration: Self-Paced Course

Price: $699

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

12. Event Planner Certification (Management and Strategy Institute)

The Event planner certification equips you with the skills you need to ensure successful event planning. It is crafted to show you the skills you need to effectively run events no matter the size.

Whether you intend to start an events planning and management business or you are hoping to secure a job, this course is ideal for you.

The course includes access to online study materials so you can prepare for the exams. Students receive certificates upon completion of the course requirements.

Key Highlights

Self-paced events planning certification course
MSI offers digital books and additional revision materials
The certification exam is timed with a limit of 3 hours.

Duration: Self-Paced

Price: $299.95

You can check out their official website here to learn more details about their offering.

How Do I Become a Certified Event Planner?

To become a certified events planner, you need to enroll in relevant courses and take the certification exam.

Ideally, there are a lot of different certifications and programs available to help you achieve your career and professional goals.

Upon successful completion of the course/program requirements, the certifying institution will issue you the relevant events planning certification. Make sure you enroll

What does a certified event planner do?

Certified events planner organizes small and large-scale events for leisure or corporate customers. The certified professionals can secure a job and work with, and for a variety of clients.

How long does it take to study event planning?

Generally, the course length depends on the course level. Some basic certifications may require a few hours to complete, while other courses take months to complete and become a certified professional.

How much does event planning course cost

A certificate program in event planning might cost $1,000 to $4,000 based on how comprehensive the program is.

For a degree program, expect to pay at least $15,000 to $25,000 (tuition only) and as much as $30,000 to $50,000 or more depending on the university

How Much Do Event Planner Jobs Pay per Hour?

As of Nov 30, 2021, the average hourly pay for an Event Planner in the United States is $24.03 an hour.

meet the author

Samantha Walls

I'm Sam Walls, COO of Starter Story - a platform and community for entrepreneurs and future founders to learn what it takes to build a great business. I joined the Starter Story team approximately 3 years ago, with the goal of providing our readers with the best, most valuable, and inspirational content on the internet.

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