Find your perfect college degree
A Master’s degree in Project Management is an asset to its holder! Whatever industry you are connected with, you can look forward to a rewarding career if you earn a master’s degree in the management of projects.
According to the BLS, the annual median salary of project managers in the US as of May 2022 was $95,370.
Overview:
Project management is an essential tool for the efficient operation of most businesses and industries. A project manager leads different teams that do different tasks – but they have a common purpose – to meet company goals using their expertise in planning, business analysis, resource management, and problem-solving. Ideally, the most qualified personnel to fill this critical position is someone with a master’s degree.
Quick audio summary:
The Work of a Project Manager, in a Nutshell
Project management specialists like project managers and consultants are highly sought-after professionals. Enterprises like manufacturing, finance, Information Technology, etc. benefit from the expertise of professionals in this field; the reason why they have a bright career outlook.
With a critical role in the modern workplace, project management specialists set and achieve goals to allow their organizations to succeed.
A master’s in project management degree program teaches and trains you to be an effective leader of diverse groups, solicitor of ideas, manager of resources, and user of tools and techniques to achieve specific goals. It can provide you with the knowledge, experience, and the right connections to establish a great and fulfilling career.
METHODOLOGY
To advance your career in Project Management, choose a reputable online program at the master’s degree level! On our list are the country’s well-respected institutions offering the program, all of which share salient characteristics that speak of academic excellence:
- Fully or partially online Master’s in Project Management that affords adult professionals the convenience and flexibility,
- Rigorous coursework that rivals the top-rated programs offered in-person, with emphasis on the principles of leadership, management, negotiation, and planning for projects of all types and scales, to equip students for career advancement,
- Reliable online learning management system and platform that promotes an atmosphere that is conducive to learning,
- Project professionals as faculty and teaching staff, to ensure that students learn from experienced and esteemed experts in the field,
- Student assistance, career counseling, and other support programs that assist students in their learning process and help them navigate their career options,
- Proper accreditation from academic agencies and membership in organizations promoting Project Management as a core discipline,
- Positive reviews from the academic publications and rankings.
To learn more, see our Methodology page.
10 Best Online Master of Science in Project Management Programs
The University of Texas at Dallas – Naveen Jindal School of Management
Richardson, TX
Online Master’s Degree in Project Management
The master’s degree in project management online program at the University of Texas is designed to improve your ability to succeed in a business environment.
This online program is accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the entity that authorizes the university to issue professional development units to project management professionals (PMP) who want to participate in the Continuing Certification Requirement Program of the PMI.
The online project management students at the University of Texas will learn to manage projects to meet the needs of stakeholders. Additionally, you will develop organizational skills which give you the ability to lead project teams and successfully engage with stakeholders. This master’s degree will help you understand business management principles that you can use to make sound management decisions.
Did You Know?
Almost 50% of the University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management’s student population of 9,000 are graduate students.
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
Master of Science in Project Management
The Master of Science in Project Management that Liberty University offers is delivered via on-campus and 100% online formats. It is designed for students who have a passion for developing strategic and innovative solutions in the workplace.
Earning an online master’s in project management degree at Liberty University will equip you with planning, communication, negotiation, scheduling, risk management, and leadership skills. These attributes are essential in your quest for career advancement in your chosen field.
Did You Know?
A young stroke survivor used Liberty University’s online course as part of his therapy. He graduated with an Associate of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in business in May 2022.
Boston University Metropolitan College
Boston, MA
Master of Science in Project Management
Boston University Metropolitan College’s Master of Science in Project Management is available both on-campus and 100% online. It offers unique opportunities for students to learn about business and management principles and strategies. It equips them with the knowledge and skills to manage complex projects.
The program allows you to facilitate an open line of communication between your team and your clients and enables you to meet your goals amid the competing demands involving cost, time, scope, and quality. It can open doors for you toward several career paths in many different industries.
Did You Know?
A whopping 75% of Boston University undergraduate students enrolled at the university for one common reason – the university guarantees on-campus housing for all four years of their undergraduate studies.
City University of Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Master of Science in Project Management
The City University of Seattle designs its online Master’s in Project Management education programs for individuals with undergraduate degrees who want a career in helping businesses grow.
The program intends to develop and hone your knowledge and skills in communication, business and project management, and leadership. These are project management skills that will give you the capability to lead teams and formulate solutions to real-world business problems.
At the City University of Seattle’s Project Management department, you will be working closely with faculty who are experts in supply chain management, planning, budgeting, scheduling, and communicating with people. You will learn a lot from them on a personal level. You can use these skills to ensure the proper execution of plans to achieve your goals and objectives.
Did You Know?
The City University of Seattle is a Project Management Institute (PMI) Registered Education Provider. Its master’s in project management courses are counted as credits for the continuing education of project management professionals (PMP).
Colorado State University Global
Greenwood Village, CO
Online Master’s Degree in Project Management
The Master of Project Management degree at Colorado State University is a combination of the study of project and business management, leadership, major business disciplines, communication, and the development of essential skills you’ll need to excel in high-performing business organizations.
As project management students at CSU, you will develop the skills needed to analyze, consolidate, and apply project and business management concepts to attain business and organization objectives.
It is a master’s degree program that acknowledges, promotes, and applies the best practices of project management. This includes planning, asset procurement, contract management, leadership, and finance and risk management. These are essential knowledge and skills you’ll need to realize your dream career.
Did You Know?
CSU Global is the first non-profit online university in the United States.
Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts
Online Master’s in Project and Program Management
Brandeis University’s online Master’s in Project and Program Management is designed to develop you into an effective team leader who can deliver results to achieve the goals of your organization. With the help of proven and active faculty, the university’s online project management program commits to giving you the knowledge and skills to apply the latest project management techniques to successfully deliver timely results.
The university’s online master’s in project management believes in the four essential attributes of an invaluable project manager: Keeping projects within budget, efficient program management, flawless execution, and timely delivery. These will become your core values when you complete Brandeis University’s Masters in Project and Program Management degree.
Did You Know?
Brandeis University is named in honor of Louis Dembitz Brandeis (1856-1941), the first justice of the U.S. Supreme Court of Jewish origin.
Penn State World Campus – Behrend College
University Park, PA
Master of Project Management (M.P.M.)
The Master of Project Management at Penn State-World Campus is delivered 100% online. It is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. Being accredited by the AACSB is a feat only 5% of business schools have achieved. Additionally, Penn State or the State University of Pennsylvania is also accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) as a Registered Education Provider.
Penn State believes that successful projects happen because of effective project managers. Most projects regardless of size have restrictions such as time and budget. They require a specific set of skills like resource and project planning, effective communication, excellent project and risk management, leadership, and supply chain management.
Penn-State’s 30-credit online master’s in project management is the key that working professionals like you could use to develop their knowledge and skills to manage complex projects.
Did You Know?
Wall Street Journal ranks Penn State as number one in its survey of business recruiters on the best colleges and universities in the US that produce graduates who have the highest potential to succeed.
Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC
Master of Science in Project Management
Charleston Southern University’s Master of Science in Project Management program is designed for students who aspire to succeed in the modern marketplace. It is an online program that fosters the university’s commitment to be of service to society and the business community. The program aims to give working and nontraditional students a shot at a master’s degree to realize their personal and professional goals.
Completing a Master of Science in Project Management degree at Charleston Southern University will help to enhance your value as a part of an organization. It provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to complete projects that can help to enhance company productivity. These are critical thinking, real-world business problem-solving, effective communication, and an understanding of the global economy.
Did You Know?
Offering courses in an asynchronous format, Charleston University’s online graduate degree programs are one of the most affordable yet flexible in the United States.
College of St. Scholastica School of Business
Duluth, MN
Master of Science in Project Management
The online MS in Project Management at the College of St. Scholastica School of Business emphasizes leadership and cognizance of effective business strategies. These are among the essential aspects of effective project team stewardship. As a project manager, you will lead team members from different disciplines to achieve the same purpose – complete the project and make sure it is in accordance with the company’s scope, schedule, and budget.
As an online project management student of the College of St. Scholastica, you will develop and sharpen your abilities to become an effective project manager. These are planning effective communication, project and risk management, and flexibility to work with people from different levels of the organization.
These are the keys you can use to achieve project goals and meet the needs of stakeholders. The program is accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center.
Did You Know?
Almost all students of St. Scholastica’s distance Master of Science in Project Management program work full-time. It is proof that with online education, students don’t need to quit their jobs and other commitments to pursue their educational goals.
Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies
Washington D.C.
Online Master’s in Project Management
The online Master’s in Project Management at Georgetown University is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to manage projects and lead project teams. It focuses on developing your leadership and communication skills and makes you ready to take on any project that is intended to solve identified problems of your organization. The program also allows you to achieve specific goals and objectives within a given time, scope, and budget.
As a student of Georgetown’s master’s in project management online program, you will be guided by experienced faculty and industry advisors in constructing ethical infrastructures.
During your stay, you will develop specific skills including communicating, negotiating, persuading, and influencing – to overcome real-world business problems and apply strategic solutions to attain specific objectives within time and budget constraints. It has gone through a comprehensive review and subsequent approval by PMI.
Did You Know?
The online classes of Georgetown University are the same as its on-campus classes. They offer the same academic content, award an equal number of credits, feature the same faculty, and promote the same learning objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Project Management?
Project management is the process of using management skills, specific knowledge, tools, and techniques to achieve definite goals and attain valuable results within given limitations which include time, scope, and budget.
What are the roles of Project Managers?
Project managers develop strategies for effective project management procedures. They set and manage deadlines, formulate instructions, and lay down budgets to ensure the timely completion of a project at the least possible cost.
They are the professionals who are tasked to oversee projects from start to finish. They’re also involved in planning projects and making necessary follow-ups to ensure progression.
Staff involved in the management or monitoring of projects are expected to spend time interacting with co-workers and top management. They’re also involved in several meetings to keep management and all stakeholders informed of the status, constraints, and direction of the project.
Several industries including construction and energy require their project management professional to travel. Project managers whose projects are stationed in different sites need to travel to see the progress of the project and meet the members of the project teams.
While online communication is highly available in most parts of the world, face-to-face meetings with project team members are necessary. It allows members to personally raise their concerns and recommendations. It raises their morale and touches their sense of being valued. It can inspire teamwork and motivate the team to work more efficiently.
As such, individuals with specific traits like leadership, open-mindedness, good communication, excellent organization, and sound financial management skills do well with project management jobs.
Does choosing a project management master’s degree program and school matter?
The short and direct answer is Yes.
As we all know, the quality of education is an important component of a person’s work performance and potential for professional growth. It is the main reason why as an aspiring project manager, you must do a careful, intelligent, and objective evaluation of the colleges or universities you wish to enroll in.
Several colleges and universities are offering Master of Science in Project Management online programs, but not all of them get the same appeal and interest from individuals who want to pursue a graduate degree. Many students nowadays are driven by a desire for career fulfillment but they’re not merely looking for any online program; they’re looking for quality education that can enhance career opportunities.
Fresh graduates with master’s degrees are welcome to take entry-level positions. But as they accumulate years of project management experience, many of them become department managers, portfolio managers, or consultants.
It is hard evidence that experience can lead to the mastery of a trade or profession, but a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge learned in school is the key to your first big step toward professional success. Again, choosing the right online graduate school does make a difference.
A master’s in project management degree qualifies you for a seat in Project Management Institute (PMI) exams for Project Management Professionals (PMP). Passing this test makes you a certified project management professional which can be your ticket to a higher median salary.
Why should I enroll in an online Master’s in Project Management program?
Earning an online master’s degree in project management doesn’t only make your resume more attractive; it provides you with the skills that qualify you for promotions and better job prospects. While you can still apply for entry-level jobs with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in project management can help you stand out and enhance your chances for career advancement.
Here’s a little catch. Enroll in a reputable graduate school to make sure that your online master’s degree is recognized. While distance learning is already widely recognized, getting a degree from a respected institution is still a prudent move as it eliminates the doubts and hesitations of prospective employers.
What will I learn from a Master of Science in Project Management online program?
While each university gives different titles to their respective project management courses, their core courses are similar in substance. They enhance your competence in communication, leadership, analysis, management, and problem-solving.
The most common learning outcomes of online master’s in project management programs include knowledge of market analysis, organizational skills, critical thinking, and awareness of project management core principles.
What are the requirements for admission into a Master’s in Project Management online program?
The best way to know the specific requirements for admission into an online Master’s in Project Management program is to visit the website of the college or university offering the degree and see their admission requirements. But generally, these are the common requirements you may comply with:
- Completion of an undergraduate degree
- Standardized test scores such as the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
- Professional Experience of at least two years
- Undergraduate GPA (Grade Point Average)
- Recommendation Letters
- Interview
There is little to zero difference between on-campus and online master’s in project management programs in terms of course offerings, faculty, and admission requirements. This goes to prove that most schools offering online education are seriously concerned about the quality of education they provide.
What industries require the services of Master of Science in Project Management graduates?
Graduates with a master of science in project management are highly needed in many industries. Their knowledge gives them the ability to identify, analyze, and formulate solutions to problems. These skills make graduates more attractive to employers.
It’s the reason why holders of online project management degrees are welcome to work in many different industries. If you possess a good amount of knowledge and experience in project management, you can choose an industry that fits your dream career and enjoy a happy professional life.
What skills will I develop as a student of Master of Science in Project Management?
As a student of MS in Project Management, it is quite clear that you aspire to be a part of the project team of an established business. If you already are, you may be aspiring to level up to a leadership position. For these reasons, most colleges and universities offering MS in Project Management both online and on-campus include these core courses in their curriculum:
- Entrepreneurship
- Strategic Management
- Leadership, Accounting
- Bank Strategy and Management
- Managerial Economics
- HR Management
- Introduction to International Business
To help you accomplish company projects and achieve company goals on schedule and within budget, most MS in Project Management programs are designed to help you develop these essential skills:
- Effective Communication
- Planning
- Time Management and Scheduling
- Leadership
- Negotiation
- Risk Management
- Critical Thinking
Do employers recognize Master’s in Project Management degrees that are earned online?
Before the advent of the age of information, it was difficult or impossible for individuals with work, family, or other commitments to pursue a master’s degree in Project Management. The need to study on campus was simply unavoidable as project management education programs were taught solely on campus. This constraint disappeared with the introduction of online or distance education.
Thanks to internet technology, students now have an opportunity to learn from online education programs and earn a master’s degree without physically going to the campus. Your critical task would be choosing the college or university that offers the right curriculum, and the capability to provide you with a high-quality education and training.
That said, the job you get depends on the school where you completed your online project management degree. Results of a study found that 83% of business executives see that online degrees have the same value as their on-campus counterparts – if they are produced by “well-known” or popular colleges or universities.
If your online project management degree comes from a school that isn’t known for producing outstanding students, it may not be recognized as having the same value, and your chances of getting noticed by ace companies might just get smaller.
With that said, choosing a college or university is a critical component of your decision to enroll in a master’s in project management online program. It’s the reason why you must research, read articles like this, and visit the websites of schools included in the lists. Having the right information will always lead to the right moves and the right moves will always lead you in the right direction.
Key Takeaways
As a graduate of a master’s in project management degree, your knowledge and skills are needed in several industries regardless of size. Industries like marketing, software development, information technology, construction, and healthcare – you name it – all need the expertise of project management specialists. You’ll never run out of job opportunities as a graduate of a master’s in project management degree.
If you aspire to pursue a master’s in project management degree but are precluded from doing so by work, time, family, distance, and other constraints, enrolling in online programs such as a Master’s in Project Management program can help you achieve your goals.
Some salient benefits of enrolling in Master’s in Project Management online programs include:
- The opportunity to level up your education without sacrificing your job and other commitments,
- The opportunity to enhance your credentials,
- Several opportunities for career growth, and
- The opportunity to earn more!
Your job market as a graduate of a master’s degree in Project Management from a reputable school is vast and almost endless. As a working student and professional, consider your sacrifices as little steps toward the fulfillment of your career plan. Be thankful that the degree you’ve been aspiring for is already available online.
Enroll in a trusted online master’s in project management program now and enjoy a career that can change your life.
