Bachelor's degrees in project management prepare students to coordinate and direct project-based operations for organizations. The best undergraduate project management degrees provide a foundation in business strategy, goal setting, and problem-solving.
Project managers possess strong communication, organizational, and leadership qualities. They must regularly work to support their teams and delegate tasks to meet deadlines.
Project managers can work in any industry that relies on project-based work. Some of the top industries for project managers include computer systems design, engineering, and business construction.
This page offers insight on what to expect from bachelor's in project management degrees. Continue reading to learn about popular project management courses and career prospects after graduation.
Why Enroll in an Undergrad Project Management Program?
Completing a degree in project management can provide graduates with leadership skills, high salary potential, and opportunities for impactful work. Candidates with a knack for leadership or management may be well-suited to this program.
Leadership Skills: Earning a degree in project management prepares graduates to lead and manage teams in various settings. In their studies, enrollees learn to coordinate activities, assign tasks, and evaluate performance. These highly transferable skills prepare graduates to enter nearly any work environment.
Salary Potential: Project managers may pursue high salaries for their leadership responsibilities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary of$94,500 for project managers with the top ten percentile earning as much as $159,140. Completing a top undergraduate project management degree is the first step in attaining those salary figures.
Impactful Work: Project managers directly impact their organizations' success. They often hold responsibilities for following timelines, resolving issues, and meeting company goals. These challenging careers require high accountability but may offer high reward.
Why You Should Get Your Project Management Degree Online
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools expanded their online learning and distance education opportunities. Remote students can select the program format that best meets their needs, including synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid options.
Online project management degrees may also offer some time and cost-saving benefits:
Online learning allows students greater flexibility in balancing work and family obligations.
Studying project management remotely gives students greater access to top schools without needing to relocate closer to campus.
Online learners can avoid costs related to commuting and on-campus fees.
Curriculum
Project management curriculum varies by program but degree-seekers can generally expect to receive a strong foundation in business and management principles. Popular project management courses include principles of management, operations management, leading global projects, principles of marketing, and purchasing and sourcing management.
What to Expect From Online Project Management Programs
Online and in-person project management programs often share the same curriculum. Students can also expect similar learning opportunities, challenges, and assessments with both online and traditional learning.
However, online learners should prepare for some key differences. For example, remote learners must work independently and motivate themselves to study without instructors or peers. Online degree-seekers may also need to designate a specific study space in their homes to stay organized and complete school work.
Undergraduate degrees in project management can prepare graduates to pursue business careers and act as stepping stones to further educational opportunities. Pursuing an MBA in project management helps professionals hone their leadership skills and prepare for higher levels of responsibility in the workforce.
These degrees share a goal of educating effective project managers, but they differ in several aspects. Read more about these degrees below.
| Bachelor Degree | MBA | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Bachelor's degrees focus on developing leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. | MBA degrees focus on managing teams, measuring performance, practicing quality control, and managing risk both nationally and globally. |
| Admission Requirements |
|
|
| Average Cost | $28,123/year | $19,314/year |
| Length of Study | 3-4 years | 1-2 years |
| Average Credit Load | 120-140 credits | 30-45 credits |
Source: NCES
Should I Get an MBA in Project Management
An MBA in project management can communicate to employers that applicants have a higher level of proficiency and job readiness. MBA degrees cover business administration and project management, offering graduates a well-rounded skill set for leadership and management roles.
MBA degrees tend to meet the preferred qualifications for many hiring organizations while bachelor's degrees often meet the minimum requirements. Earning a graduate degree can give you a competitive edge in the job market and salary negotiations.
Career Opportunities After Graduation
Bachelor's in project management degrees help prepare graduates for a wide variety of business management roles. Graduates learn valuable business knowledge plus communication and leadership skills, which can apply across industries and satisfy many employer preferences.
Some of the highest paying roles in business project management include training and development managers and public relations and fundraising managers. Keep reading to learn more about career opportunities after graduation.
Project Manager
Project managers plan strategies, define goals, and follow timelines for the projects they supervise. These professionals also document findings, assign tasks, manage budgets, and allocate resources to ensure project success.
Required Education: Bachelor's in project management or related field
Average Annual Salary:$75,950 as of May 2022
Training and Development Managers
Training and development managers design and implement education and skills training programs. They often assess staff training needs and then plan, coordinate, and direct training projects for an organization.
Required Education: Bachelor's in business related field
Job Outlook (2020-30):+11%
Median Annual Salary:$120,130
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
Public relations managers organize projects that enhance the public image of their employer or client. Fundraising managers direct campaign projects that generate income for their organizations.
Required Education: Bachelor's in business related field
Job Outlook (2020-30):+13%
Median/Average Annual Salary:$119,860
Marketing Communications Director
Marketing communications directors oversee a company's marketing projects. They collaborate with teams to plan campaigns and analyze market data to best meet company goals.
Required Education: Bachelor's in business-related field
Average Annual Salary:$85,520 as of May 2022
Advertising and Promotions Manager
Advertising and promotions managers develop campaigns that draw attention to their organization's products and services. These professionals create and implement marketing projects and promotional strategies to help their company reach its goals.
Required Education: Bachelor's in business related field
Average Annual Salary:$65,350 as of May 2022
Top Five Online Undergraduate Programs in Project Management
This ranking explores five of 2022's best online bachelor's degrees in project management (PM). We rank programs based on factors such as academics and affordability.
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