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With an MBA in project management, both new and experienced business professionals can hone their skills in strategy, communication, and decision-making. These degree-seekers also learn the intricacies of overseeing project-based budgets, a strong draw for employers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), project management specialists made an average annual salary of $80,220 as of May 2019. With a 5% growth rate projected across all management positions between 2019 and 2029, a project management MBA positions graduates to take advantage of a dynamic field.
Degree-seekers can anchor their research using our list of top project management MBA programs. The list provides in-depth details about each school, allowing for easy comparisons. This page also covers degree expectations and potential careers in project management.
AdvertisementOnlineMBA.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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What Is Project Management?
Project management enjoys a history as long as civilization — for example, the Great Pyramid of Giza made its debut in 2570 BC. However, modern project management did not begin until the 20th century. In 1956, the American Association of Cost Engineers formed as the first professional organization focused on project management.
Modern project managers can follow a variety of career paths in construction, technology, advertising, and engineering. They also work as consultants, and can advance to high-level executive positions.
Project managers set goals and plans, monitor project progress, and ensure everything continues to operate smoothly after project implementation. This crucial bird’s-eye view of a large undertaking can apply to construction and capital projects, computer systems, and the management of entire corporations.
The BLS reported that nearly 1.3 million project management and business operations specialists worked in the U.S. as of May 2019. This number does not account for project management professionals with other titles. Top industries for project management specialists include management, consulting, computer systems, and government.
Successful project managers need to communicate well and possess strong leadership skills, as they often supervise teams of personnel. With an MBA in project management, graduates enter the workforce with the confidence necessary to secure the positions they seek.
Why Get a Project Management MBA?
By pursuing a project management MBA, students build leadership skills that employers value. Degree-seekers can select project management as an MBA concentration, adding skills like corporate communication and planning to a core business curriculum. The MBA provides a well-rounded approach to business education, setting graduates on a path to career success.
Other benefits of earning an MBA in project management include:
Advancement Opportunities
Students hoping to advance to positions in executive leadership may want to pursue a concentration in project management. The concentration emphasizes the intricacies of decision-making while overseeing the many moving parts of a large project.
Skill Building
Project managers need to demonstrate confidence as they oversee large tasks. By developing the knowledge and experience they need to break big projects into actionable tasks, MBA graduates enter the workforce with the assurance they need to succeed.
Flexibility
Project management applies to diverse areas of business. Computer and information systems are an ever-changing arena, and organizations need project managers to help them keep up with the times. Construction and government projects likewise need strong project leadership to make sure they proceed smoothly.
Top Online MBA in Project Management Program Rankings
Creighton University, a private Jesuit university in Omaha, Nebraska, provides an online MBA with an available focus in project management. Creighton adapts its program to both new and experienced business students pursuing management-level careers and salaries. Creighton MBA alumni report an annual median salary 20% higher than the national median salary for MBA graduates.
Creighton's 33-credit program includes four core courses in business intelligence and analytics, business policy and managerial action, business ethics, and leadership and organizational behavior. Students complete an additional seven courses tailored to each student's background and goals.
Students without business backgrounds complete four functional core courses, while students with business backgrounds pursue coursework in a focus area. Project management courses include project management fundamentals, business process management, and a project management capstone.
Students can complete this program in just over two years, taking courses online, on campus, or both. Eligible applicants must hold bachelor's degrees demonstrating a minimum 3.0 GPA, plus completion of an undergraduate statistics course or a related tutorial. Application materials include a resume, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. Creighton also requires GMAT scores from students lacking U.S. bachelor's degrees or minimum 3.0 GPAs. Some students undergo interviews as well.
Maryville University provides an online project management MBA, which prepares students for project management careers in various industries.
This 39-credit curriculum includes 24 credits of business core courses, 12 concentration credits, and a three-credit capstone course. Project management courses cover project stages from initiation and planning to termination. Students learn to organize projects, manage teams, and allocate resources.
This accelerated program can take as few as 14 months. Eligible applicants hold accredited bachelor's degrees, admission does not require business experience or GMAT scores. Applicants submit personal statements and official transcripts, but no application fees. Maryville's online MBA students choose from six possible start dates each year.
The online MBA concentration in project management offered by Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, emphasizes global business perspectives, industry-relevant specializations, and collaborative learning. The project management concentration prepares students for the Project Management Institute's certification exams. According to Norwich's student consumer data, 90% of Norwich MBA graduates report career advancement after graduation.
Norwich's 36-credit online MBA entails six, 11-week online courses, which students take one at time. Core courses include three six-credit courses on strategic resources management, managerial finance, and strategic marketing and operations management. The three six-credit concentration courses focus on project management-related strategy, leadership, communication, and techniques.
By the end of their last course, students pursuing concentrations complete independent research projects involving case studies of corporate partners (often the students' own employers). Norwich's MBA also includes a one-week residency at the end of the program. Students usually complete this online MBA in about 18 months.
Norwich offers four start dates per year. MBA applicants need accredited bachelor's degrees, resumes, letters of intent, and official transcripts.
Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, offers a project management MBA that teaches students essential skills in business analysis, organization, scheduling, and negotiation. Endicott's MBA also engages students with networking, mentorship, and internship opportunities through its curriculum and career center.
This 42-credit curriculum involves 12 core courses and four concentration courses. Core coursework includes managerial economics, accounting, finance, and decision-making. Coursework also covers management of information systems, marketing, and operations. Students may complete at least one concentration. Project management concentration coursework facilitates the hands-on application of project management principles, tools, and practices.
Students may complete this self-paced program in just 18 months. Application materials include transcripts, essays, and recommendations. Some students may also undergo interviews.
Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, features an online MBA in project management serving working professionals seeking career advancement. Lewis prides itself on its diverse student body and low student-to-faculty ratio, and its MBA curriculum cultivates skills in business analysis, communication, and problem-solving.
Lewis' 36-credit MBA involves 24 core course credits, nine concentration credits, and one three-credit elective. Project management courses cover strategic outsourcing, Six Sigma principles, and advanced project management tools and practices. Students without satisfactory grades (B- or better) in business prerequisites take up to 21 additional foundational course credits or demonstrate proficiency through exams.
Lewis runs five eight-week terms during the academic year and it admits students on a rolling basis. Lewis does not require GRE/GMAT scores.
The online MBA in project management offered by DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, cultivates skills in workflow, project planning, and project execution. DeSales' MBA has received top rankings from U.S. News & World Report.
The part-time accelerated 12-course MBA curriculum entails seven core business courses, four project management-related courses, and one policy and strategy capstone course. Project management coursework covers project initiation, project methodologies, risk management, and contract management. Students who have not completed business degrees may take extra courses or qualify for waivers through competency testing. Online MBA students can take courses fully online in synchronous or asynchronous formats.
DeSales requires MBA students to hold accredited undergraduate degrees demonstrating a minimum 3.0 GPA. Application materials include resumes, GMAT scores, recommendations, and personal statements. Some students receive GMAT waivers.
The University of Mary, a private Benedictine school located near Bismarck, North Dakota, offers an online MBA in project management tailored to current or aspiring business professionals. This MBA program cultivates advanced quantitative and qualitative skills for managing business operations and processes.
Mary's MBA emphasizes finance, economics, accounting, and decision-making aligned with Benedictine values. This program counts for 700 hours toward project management certification educational requirements.
The 36-credit MBA curriculum contains 27 credits of core courses, including leadership and management theory, ethics, business research and writing, and a capstone course. An additional nine credits of project management concentration courses cover project management stages and skills, including project initiation, planning, execution, and control.
This program follows the traditional academic calendar and takes two academic years (four semesters) to complete. Students get summer and winter breaks off school, and they may attend courses online or on campus in the evenings at any of Mary's six campuses.
Applicants need a minimum 2.75 GPA and bachelor's degrees from regionally accredited schools. Mary accepts students on a rolling basis every five weeks.
The online MBA program at Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, features an interdisciplinary online MBA in project management curriculum serving working professionals. According to WU's MBA program website, 80% of recent MBA graduates receive job promotions, and more than 50% of these graduates make annual salaries exceeding $75,000.
WU's 36-credit project management MBA requires nine business management courses and three concentration courses. Core course topics include applied economics, accounting concepts and applications, management information systems, and international business. Project management coursework covers project procurement, contract negotiation, and risk and budget management. WU's MBA students also apply new knowledge and engage with Pittsburgh business professionals through an internship/capstone project experience.
Students may complete this MBA in 1-2 years. Students can attend WU's eight-week courses online or on campus. Applicants submit resumes, essays, and official transcripts. Qualified applicants demonstrate business experience, regionally accredited bachelor's degrees, 3.0 minimum GPAs, and prerequisite coursework in business. WU admits some less-qualified students on a conditional basis.
Robert Morris University, a private university in Moon, Pennsylvania, features an online MBA with a project management certificate that serves professionals seeking career transition or promotion. Each course in RMU's interdisciplinary program is team-taught by two faculty from different disciplines.
This 30-credit, 10-course MBA includes core coursework that emphasizes global perspectives, data analysis for decision-making, and strategic knowledge integration through a capstone project. Students seeking the project management certificate also complete related electives.
Students can complete this MBA in less than two years through eight-week accelerated courses. Students wishing to complete some courses on campus may attend weekly sessions in the evenings.
A private university in Southfield, Michigan, Lawrence Technological University boasts a project management online MBA devoted to preparing managers for booming, project-intensive industries such as healthcare and IT.
LTU's 36-credit MBA curriculum includes 27 business core credits and nine project management course credits. One of 2019's best online MBAs, according to U.S. News & World Report, this program's emphasis on interpersonal dynamics, agile methodologies, and outsourced project management distinguishes it from competitors.
Students also learn current project management software and gain an understanding of the Project Management Body of Knowledge and International Standards, produced by the Project Management Institute.
Students can complete this program in about two years. Eligible applicants boast accredited bachelor's degrees demonstrating a minimum 3.0 GPA, but LTU may admit less-qualified students on a provisional basis.
Pennsylvania State University runs an online MBA in project management, which bases its pedagogy around the principles of engagement, collaboration, and integration. The Penn State MBA also prioritizes principles and best practices in modern management.
This 48-credit program requires 39 credits of core courses and nine credits in project management, which may include cost and value management, planning and resource management, and commercial law and project procurement.
Penn State MBA students complete a five-day residency at the start of their program, but remaining courses run online. Classes occur asynchronously with optional synchronous discussions. Interested students may sign up for week-long global immersion trips.
Applicants must hold bachelor's degrees from regionally accredited schools, and Penn State prioritizes candidates with professional experience and math, economics, and accounting coursework from prior degrees.
Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, boasts an online MBA with a project management emphasis, serving current or aspiring project managers in various industries.
Webster's 39-credit MBA entails 27 core credits and 12 elective credits. Wester's core courses cover accounting, finance, and statistics, while project management electives include project procurement and project management advances. The MBA also requires a capstone course, in which students apply project management skills to real-life scenarios.
Students lacking satisfactory prerequisite coursework take an additional nine credits in business foundations or demonstrate proficiency through testing.
Students complete Wester's nine-week MBA courses either entirely online or through hybrid attendance formats. Enrollees may attend part or full time, choosing the pace that best fits their schedules and career goals.
East Carolina University offers an online MBA with a certificate in project management for professionals seeking advancement to managerial positions in their industries.
This 57-credit MBA curriculum comprises seven foundational business courses, eight core MBA courses, and four project management courses. Students with prior business degrees may obtain waivers for foundation courses. ECU's core MBA courses cover organizational behavior, management science, and marketing strategy, while project management concentration courses examine project-related leadership, communication, monitoring, and controlling.
ECU MBA students may take up to five courses per semester, attending either fully online or through a blend of online and on-campus attendance. MBA applicants need accredited bachelor's degrees and at least one of the following: five or more years' professional experience, a minimum 2.7 GPA, enrollment in a UNC graduate degree program, or a prior graduate degree. Applicants submit GMAT scores and transcripts.
The Nathan M. Bisk College of Business at Florida Institute of Technology, a private nonprofit university in Melbourne, Florida, features a 36-credit online MBA with a project management specialization. Deemed one of the best online MBA programs by U.S. News & World Report, Florida Tech's program emphasizes case studies, leadership skills, and teamwork.
This 36-credit, online MBA involves 21 core MBA credits and 12 specialization-related credits, focused on project management areas such as time, cost, and quality management. Students learn the best tools and practices for each phase of the project lifecycle. MBA students apply new knowledge and skills through a three-credit strategic management capstone.
MBA students may attend Florida Tech's accelerated, eight-week courses in an asynchronous format or through a blended course format. ECU also offers an information technology project management MBA for professionals interested in the IT industry.
Top-rated by Princeton Review, the University of Hartford's Barney School of Business offers an online MBA in project management. This program serves working professionals seeking career transition or advancement into management roles. UHart's project management MBA also prepares learners for the Project Management Institute's project management professional certification or certified associate in project management certification.
UHart's 36-credit, 100% online MBA consists of 12 courses, including nine required core courses in business disciplines and three concentration courses in project management. Concentration courses cover innovation, risk management, Six Sigma, and leadership as these apply to project management situations. To graduate, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and complete a capstone course focused on strategic business decisions.
This accelerated MBA offers seven-week courses throughout the year. Students may enroll on a part- or full-time basis, with part-time students usually finishing in about 24 months.
Applicants submit letters of intent, resumes, transcripts, and GMAT scores. Experienced professionals and students with a minimum 3.0 GPA may qualify for GMAT waivers.
The Feliciano School of Business at Montclair State University offers a part-time online MBA in project management for full-time working professionals. This 100% online, 39-credit MBA comprises 30 core credits and nine project management-related credits.
The required core curriculum incorporates business-related disciplines such as accounting, marketing, and economics, and the project management curriculum covers risk analysis, systems development life cycle management, leadership, and agile systems development management. Students without prior coursework in business fundamentals complete self-paced modules online before enrolling in MBA courses.
Online students complete Montclair's eight-week courses asynchronously, and part-time students usually finish the accelerated MBA in 24-27 months. Montclair offers six start dates per year. Applicants with a minimum 3.0 GPA and bachelor's or master's degrees do not need to submit GMAT scores.
Bellevue University provides an online MBA in project management, which cultivates problem-solving and decision-making skills. This program also prepares students for Project Management Institute professional certifications.
Bellevue's 36-credit curriculum features 27 core MBA credits and nine concentration electives in topics such as project risk management, project communications, IT project management, and project management in global and virtual environments. Coursework takes place online, with blended attendance options available, as well. Eligible Bellevue MBA applicants' transcripts must demonstrate regionally accredited bachelor's degrees with a minimum 2.5 GPA on recent coursework.
Trevecca Nazarene University, a Christian liberal arts school in Nashville, Tennessee, offers an online MBA in project management focused on ethical business decision-making, collaboration, and mentorship. Students benefit from cohort-based learning and an optional professional mentoring program, which connects students to Nashville professionals.
Core courses examine topics such as business analytics, management information systems, business ethics, and global and economic environment. Project management courses develop skills in time management, communications, and budgeting for project and program management.
Trevecca MBA students complete this part-time accelerated MBA by taking one intensive course each term for 24 months. Students can attend asynchronous courses entirely online, but interested students may take on-campus classes in the evenings, as well.
Eligible applicants hold bachelor's degrees from accredited institutions demonstrating a minimum 2.75 GPA, plus satisfactory performance in college-level math and English. Trevecca does not require GMAT scores or application fees.
Dallas Baptist University's online MBA in project management integrates theory and practice, emphasizing decision-making based in Christian values. DBU's program develops useful skills for defining, planning, organizing, and managing projects.
This 36-credit curriculum includes 24 core business management credits and 12 concentration credits. DBU's project management courses engage concepts and skills in risk management, configuration management, budgeting, and earned value. In partnership with corporate partners, this MBA helps students complete an experiential capstone project involving risk assessment and decision-making in real business contexts.
Applicants submit official transcripts demonstrating bachelor's degrees from regionally accredited schools. Other factors influencing admission include a minimum 3.0 GPA, evidence of sound character, and DBU mission-fit. Applicants also need one of the following: a 425 minimum GMAT score, five years' leadership experience, or 12 hours of graduate credits and good GPAs. Some students receive provisional admission at the discretion of the graduate school.
The online MBA at City University of Seattle offers an emphasis in project management. This emphasis provides credits toward Project Management Institute professional certification. The university's interdisciplinary degree program encourages networking and qualifies graduates for work in various industries and disciplines.
The 48- to 51-credit curriculum requires one waivable foundational course, 12 core business courses, and four project management courses. Students learn tools and skills for project-related planning and control, financial management, integration, and performance measurement. Interested students participate in an internship.
Students can complete their MBA degrees online, through mixed modes, or through weekend intensives in Seattle.
A private, nonprofit university based in Edmond, Oklahoma, Oklahoma Christian University runs an online MBA with a project management track. OC's program best serves working professionals aligned with Christian values.
OC's MBA students complete nine business core courses in topics like managerial ethics, information technology and the future, managerial economics, and leader effectiveness. Learners may transfer up to six prior equivalent credits toward these requirements. OC's project management track entails an additional nine credits in project and technology management, quality assurance and control, and management science and operations.
Students without prerequisites from undergraduate business-related degrees complete an additional four courses.
MBA applicants submit official transcripts demonstrating a minimum 2.5 GPA and bachelor's degrees from regionally accredited institutions. Application materials include recommendations, resumes, and GMAT scores. Demonstration of a minimum 3.25 GPA, a minimum 3.0 GPA plus five years' experience, or at least nine graduate credits from an accredited university can qualify applicants for GMAT waivers.
Designed by local project management experts, University of Wisconsin at Whitewater's online MBA offers an emphasis in project management, which cultivates global thinking, ethical behavior, and innovative leadership. MBA students practice critical thinking, negotiation, teamwork, and self-assessment. UWW's MBA in project management page boasts 2016-17 survey data indicating a 100% placement rate for its MBA graduates.
UWW's 36-credit curriculum follows guidelines from the Project Management Body of Knowledge. This program credits graduates with 35 hours toward the Project Management Institute's project management professional credential and 23 hours toward associate in project management certification. Project management emphasis students complete 24 breadth credits, nine emphasis credits, and three elective credits. Students interested in earning a second emphasis complete just six additional credits.
Students lacking business prerequisites take up to 14 additional credits of common knowledge courses, as needed. UWW MBA students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to graduate. UWW offers full-time and part-time attendance options.
Cornerstone University, a nondenominational Christian liberal arts university, offers an MBA with a project management specialization. The degree teaches students the systematic processes involved in project design, risk and resource management, and quality assurance. This online MBA program also fulfills 35 hours of education requirements for project management professional certification.
This 38-credit MBA curriculum consists of 29 core course credits and nine concentration credits. Core courses cover business management fundamentals, while concentration courses include communications and risk management and cost, quality, and team management.
Students move through this program in cohorts of 12-15 peers. CU's accelerated courses last 6-8 weeks, and the entire MBA takes about 78 weeks to complete.
Serving busy professionals, the online MBA offered by Northwest University -- a private, Christian school located in Kirkland, Washington -- boasts Christian values and small class sizes. It also utilizes cohort learning to foster community. According to NU's MBA website, the Puget Sound Business Journal ranked NU's MBA among the top 10 MBA programs in Washington State for 2018.
NU's 39-credit MBA offers a focus in project management, which integrates business management fundamentals such as business innovation and research, international business, managerial accounting, and project management coursework. Interested students may participate in international trips, offered annually. This part-time accelerated program takes about two years and features eight-week courses, which students complete one at a time in an online, asynchronous format.
Eligible applicants submit official transcripts demonstrating a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants with GPAs of 2.7-2.99 may apply for probationary admission. NU's enrollment representatives walk each applicant through the remaining application requirements and submission process. Applicants with a minimum 3.2 GPA or two years' professional experience need not submit GMAT scores.
The online MBA offered by Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire, builds skills in business planning, data analysis, problem-solving, and teamwork. Students become familiar with legal and ethical decision-making principles, business communication best practices, and global business dynamics. The available concentration in project management includes an additional nine credits of coursework, focused on project planning, measurement, time management, and budgeting.
This 36-credit program includes 27 core business management credits and nine concentration credits. Students without prior business coursework complete up to 15 additional credits in foundation courses. Project management students select real-world projects tailored to their interests, and they graduate with a completed business plan. SNHU's project management MBA curriculum also satisfies educational requirements for project management professional certification.
Classes take place asynchronously, and students can complete this program in 15 months by taking two courses during each of five annual 10-week terms. SNHU does not require GMAT/GRE scores.
What to Expect From an Online MBA in Project Management
An online project management MBA teaches best practices in project strategy, goal-setting, and assessment. Participants often engage in hands-on experiences as they learn to communicate with other managers, delegate tasks, and understand where a project fits into the overall company. Many project management MBA programs prepare students for industry certifications through the Project Management Institute (PMI).
A typical project management MBA requires 35-45 credits, which students can complete in as few as 16 months. Enrollees can choose from online, in-person, and blended formats. Some online programs run courses asynchronously, enabling participants to access materials at their convenience. Others require real-time online meetings. Degree-seekers may pursue similar project management concentrations alongside a master of science.
Admission requirements may include GMAT scores, GPA minimums, work experience, and business course prerequisites.
The MBA Admission Process
Project management MBA applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Some schools set minimum GPA requirements in the neighborhood of 2.75-3.0, while others view grades holistically in context of the whole application. Students may need to submit GMAT or GRE scores, though not all programs require them.
One of the larger variances in admission requirements exists between programs that cater to experienced business professionals, and those that accommodate any academic background. The former may require prerequisite courses in accounting, statistics, and economics, plus three or more years of work experience. The latter programs tend to provide the essential foundational courses, and require little to no previous work experience.
When applying to an MBA in project management, prospective students may need to submit a personal statement, resume, and recommendation letters. Many schools require application fees.
Prospective students interested in project management may encounter the major in different forms. A master of science in project management focuses exclusively on topics like supply chain, product development, and risk management. These programs typically emphasize particular areas of project management, such as technology, or offer specific concentrations like agile project management and business analysis.
Degree-seekers may also find project management attached to another degree type as a concentration. For example, a school might offer a master of science in leadership and organization development with a concentration in project management. Such a program would focus on the main topic, providing in-depth leadership concepts and adding a smaller credit load related to project management.
These options may still lead to PMI professional certifications. Unlike the MBA, however, the curriculum may not provide general business knowledge in crucial areas like finance and accounting. Students looking to obtain solid business skills that apply to many industries and occupations should consider the wide breadth of knowledge an MBA in project management can provide.
Degree-seekers with an interest in business leadership may question whether to pursue a general MBA or an MBA emphasizing project management. While similarities exist between the two paths, students can consider their career goals and personal interests to select the right program.
Because an MBA in project management provides integrated business knowledge, students can enjoy flexibility even with a specialization. Their understanding of the many moving parts involved in a large task make project management graduates attractive candidates for executive organizational leadership.
Students who know they want to pursue such roles, or who aim for construction or IT management, may want to pursue the concentration. Those less certain of their career goals may prefer the general MBA.
Comparing Project Management MBAs to General MBA Programs
MBA in Project Management
General MBA
Completion Time
16-30 months
16-24 months
Credits for Graduation
35-45 credits
32-48 credits
Curriculum
Core business courses in strategic management, accounting, and marketing; concentration courses such as project initiation, project planning, and supply chain management.
Strategic management, accounting, marketing, operations management, brand management, and entrepreneurship; electives include negotiation and customer analysis.
Careers
Management consultant, construction manager, supply chain manager, marketing manager, IT manager, quality assurance manager, chief executive officer
Management consultant, marketing manager, chief executive officer, IT manager, financial manager, human resources manager
Student Goals
May enter seeking to hone skill sets for a particular job, or a profession they already hold.
May enter without much business knowledge, or looking for the most flexible career options.
Each online project management MBA program presents its own curriculum, designed to meet the specific needs of its student body. Still, learners can expect to encounter similar coursework among many programs. Foundational business courses represent the core of most MBA programs, with specialization options branching out from there.
Some programs offer elective choices, allowing students to select from two or more courses to fulfill a particular requirement. Many programs also require capstone projects. Coursework frequently encountered in an MBA in project management program includes:
Often appearing as an MBA core requirement, this course teaches students to prepare financial reports, assess them, and use the data to direct company operations. Topics include accounting for financial strategy and decision-making, resource control, planning, and evaluation. Students also engage with accounting software tools.
Building on foundations in business operations, microeconomics, and macroeconomics, this course applies theory to hands-on managerial decision-making. Subjects cover the impact of market fluctuations on business operations and the analysis of business problems through an economic lens. This course usually appears as part of the MBA core.
A staple of the project management concentration, project initiation focuses on setting up project goals that align with overall organizational goals. Enrollees learn to choose a project, communicate its value to directors and investors, and handle legal questions. The course may also cover methods for assembling business cases, statements of work, and project charters.
This required core course teaches students to identify the major aspects of a project, list potential roadblocks, and assemble a team. Topics may also include negotiation, conflict resolution, effective communication, and further legal considerations.
This course addresses project changes such as schedule shifts. Topics include quality control, budget management, and techniques for effectively closing out a project. Students may also learn lean and Six Sigma methodologies for waste elimination.
How Much Will an MBA in Project Management Cost?
Program cost is an important factor for many prospective students. While tuition costs vary widely, degree-seekers can expect to find online project management MBA programs in the range of about $20,000-$50,000. Prospective students must also budget for books and materials, cost of living, and travel costs associated with programs that include on-campus visits.
Many factors can influence tuition costs, including state residency status, school prestige, and program type. Private schools often charge higher tuition than public schools, for example, and some schools apply reduced rates to online learners regardless of residency status.
For assistance in funding their education, students should fill out a FAFSA to qualify for government grants and loans. They may also seek out need and merit-based scholarships from professional societies, corporate foundations, and nonprofit organizations.
Project management MBA programs prepare graduates to work in a variety of lucrative business occupations. With the knowledge and experience the degree provides, graduates can choose from many types of companies and industries.
Top industries for project management specialists include scientific and technical consulting, higher education, and government. Careers for graduates with an MBA in project management include:
Architectural and Engineering Manager
Often employed in government, manufacturing, and engineering services, these professionals develop new products. They assemble recommendations for staffing, equipment, and scheduling, including a budget for the whole project. They also hire project staff and oversee their work. Adept in business, they may handle construction operations, manage production plants, and oversee quality assurance departments.
Required Education: Bachelor’s degree; master’s often preferred
Many construction managers run their own businesses as contractors. These professionals also work for specialty trade contractors and nonresidential business construction companies. They oversee entire construction projects from concept to completion, often serving as a main point of communication for their clients. They estimate project costs and schedules, hire subcontractors, ensure that their project meets relevant regulations, and troubleshoot problems.
Sometimes known as IT project managers or computer and information systems managers, IT managers coordinate technology for their organizations. They set goals, implement strategies, and make sure computer systems operate smoothly. They need to understand a company’s overall goals so they can research and select systems to help meet them. These professionals often work in industries such as computer systems design, finance, and insurance.
Required Education: Bachelor’s degree; master’s often preferred
Chief executives supervise their company’s overall direction. Their responsibilities include establishing policies, setting goals, and working with directors to ensure staff meet those goals. They design and approve strategies, receive reports from managers, and may report on the company’s progress to a board of directors. They oversee all budgets and financial operations, analyze reports, and make top-level decisions for optimizing operations.
Required Education: Bachelor’s degree; master’s often preferred
Degree-seekers can use the list of the top project management MBA programs as a solid starting point for finding great schools. Every prospective student prioritizes different objectives, however, and clarifying priorities can help narrow down the list of potential schools.
Accreditation should rank high on every prospective student’s list of considerations. National and regional accreditation apply to the institution as a whole, with regional accreditation widely accepted as the more rigorous standard. Many employers do not recognize degrees from schools without regional accreditation. For program-specific standards, aspiring MBA students can look for accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
The length of a program is another important factor for many students. Professionals already working full time may prefer a longer timeline. Those hoping to enter the workforce sooner might opt for accelerated programs, or schools that allow them to take more credits at once.
A strong alumni network can help graduates secure jobs. Many degree-seekers look for programs with alumni connections to major companies. Program participants may also want to consider whether they can access the school’s career resources, attend networking events from a distance, and participate in student chapters of professional associations.
Why You Should Get Your MBA in Project Management Online
Online education provides flexibility for both students and academic programs. As online study grows in popularity, options abound across a variety of disciplines. With an MBA, learners can enjoy the same breadth of concentration options and rigorous programming as those offered by in-person programs.
With an MBA in project management, students can engage in distance learning without worrying about fulfilling crucial in-person components. MBA students can often gain significant experience by meeting with colleagues and business partners online.
When considering an online MBA in project management, students should ensure they can motivate themselves to complete work outside of a classroom environment. Synchronous class meetings or periodic in-person residencies can energize those who thrive in communities, while asynchronously presented materials may suit those who work best on their own.
Because an online MBA demands the same commitment as an on-campus program, students should honestly assess their own capabilities before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with an MBA in project management?
Project management MBA graduates enjoy a wide variety of career opportunities. With a strong knowledge base in business foundations, they can manage departments or advance into upper management to oversee whole organizations. Popular career paths for project managers include architectural and engineering manager, construction manager, IT manager, management analyst, and chief executive officer.
Is PMP better than an MBA?
Project management professional (PMP) certification is a widely recognized industry credential. Many MBA programs actually lead toward PMP certification, making the two educational paths complementary rather than exclusionary. With an MBA plus a PMP, project managers offer employers a foundation of business experience that extends beyond their specialization.
Is an MBA in project management worth it?
With an MBA in project management, graduates qualify for an exciting variety of potentially lucrative jobs. Many employers prefer a master’s degree for positions such as IT manager, architectural and engineering manager, and top executive. The salary potential is a strong draw; chief executive officers, for example, earned an annual median salary of $184,460 as of May 2019.
What kind of project management degrees are there?
The master of science in project management zooms in on the specialty with a highly focused curriculum. A master of science in leadership may also offer concentrations in project management. With the MBA, students complete a business core, taking courses like accounting and strategic management alongside their concentration courses.
Do project managers need an MBA?
Project managers may qualify for some jobs with a bachelor’s degree, depending on the employer and the level. With an MBA, though, graduates typically secure faster advancement and higher-level jobs. Some big companies require managers to hold an MBA, and many employers list the degree as a preference.
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