Project Management Degree

A Project Management degree online is designed to prepare students to manage and lead project teams in a variety of business areas. A Project Management degree combine business and leadership principles with project management strategies and skills. Students pursuing this specialization will gain the tools necessary to create and implement project plans from both a strategic and tactical perspective.

Your studies in your online Project Management program will cover planning and decision-making processes like initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing projects. Your coursework will help you to master typical project management responsibilities including cost estimates, budget project management, cost control, risk assessment, bid negotiation and contracts and performance reporting. Your initial courses may include micro- and macroeconomics, principles of marketing and financial management. As you advance toward your degree, your coursework may specialize in international legal and ethical business issues, materials planning, operations management and building teams and resolving conflict.

What Does a Project Manager Do?

A project manager can make a company more competitive by enabling it to operate faster and more efficiently. Project managers coordinate the work on complex projects, taking charge of each project and keeping resources and schedules on track. Often, project managers are the “face” of a project to the client and upper management. They get input and provide updates from the start of a project to completion. And for the team performing the work, the project manager provides motivation and direction to help them achieve the goal of the project—ideally, on time and under budget.

How Do I Qualify for a Project Management Degree?

Project Management degrees online are available at the following levels: bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and graduate certificate. Admissions guidelines may vary from school to school, but here are general requirements that admissions counselors consider for prospective Project Management students:

• Standardized test scores (PSAT, SAT and/or ACT)
• High school GPA
• Extracurricular activities, volunteer experience
• Previous college or university experience

If you are a non-traditional learner, management-related work experience may play a factor into your admission. Pursuing a higher-level degree, such as a master’s degree in Project Management? You will need a bachelor’s degree in management or a related field. Admissions counselors for a master’s degree program will look at your:

• Undergraduate GPA
• Relevant work and volunteer experience
• GMAT/ GRE scores

What’s the Time to Completion?

The amount of time it takes to earn an online Project Management degree depends on your degree level and how many credits you choose to take each semester.

• Associate’s degree: 2 years if full-time, longer if courses are taken part time
• Bachelor’s degree: 4 years; 2.5–3 years for accelerated programs
• Master’s degree: An additional 2 years post undergraduate studies

As a graduate of a Project Management program, you may be qualified to perform in a variety of roles in many industries, including:

• Project manager or project leader
• Cost estimator
• Quality assurance specialist
• Construction scheduler

Project Management Degree Options