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What is Project Management?

Project Management is a multidisciplinary field of study emphasizing the organization of work and resources to achieve specific business goals.  More specifically, project management is the end-to-end planning of an event, project, or activity.  Project Management culls resources to initiate, plan, organize, track, communicate, control, and bring a project from inception through completion.  A project manager may work alone, with a small group of cross-functional team members, or as part of a larger corporate project.

The curricular design behind Project Management help to prepare students to design, organize, and complete projects of all sizes.  This is accomplished by exposing students to a variety of classes and problem solving skills.  Required business skills of a project manager include academic programs like: communications, customer service, logistics,  finance, accounting, marketing, law, information technology, forecasting, human resources, time management, sales, and leadership.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$57,566

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

35.62%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

1,197,400

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Project Management Degree

Harvard University Harvard University is home to World’s leading research facilities and institutes that continue to serve an outstanding contribution to science and to society’s major and leading concerns. It is hailed as one of the top-performing universities in the country which offers a variety of degrees both encompassing graduate and undergraduate study.

Harvard offers a graduate certificate for any student interested to further their knowledge and understanding of project management. This graduate certification involves technical and business management skills that help to students to execute, monitor, and close a project. The curriculum follows the university’s project management’s talent triangle.

Acceptance Rate

4.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Georgetown University is a leading research institution committed to serve students with an education that prioritize their students’ welfare and engagements on top of their mission. Their research institute is among the most trusted and hailed research facilities in the world alongside with the country’s high-ranking university.

Any qualified person who wishes to proceed with a master’s degree in project management can access Georgetown’s leading curriculum for project management degree. The university aims to provide students with comprehensive training in the implementation, planning and decision-making of complex issues. It provides students with training experience in course work, hands-on practice and practical experience.

Acceptance Rate

14.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

The University of Southern California is known for its rigorous education offered to its students. It is the oldest research institution found in the West which has been successful in providing excellent research outputs in its selected fields.

The University of Southern California offers a top ranked degree in project management. This main research content includes extensive training on the core principles of PM, as well as a series of projects, concepts and methodology. Graduates of this course are expected to complete a project portfolio that includes all basic and complex levels of project management.

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The historical university of Virginia is a public university founded by the late president Thomas Jefferson in 1819. Since its establishment, the university has been setting higher standards with its excellent and strict education system and achievements.  The top rated project management degree at UVA’s main campus is an outstanding program with a growing academic reputation. It offers a comprehensive course in PM which includes initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing. Students in the this program will receive comprehensive and conscious training to master the core concepts and principles of management excellence in project management.

Acceptance Rate

23.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Brandeis University is a private institution on a global level. Brandeis is distinct for its community-rooted purpose and excellent research facility designed to meet the 21st century demands.

At Brandeis University, they offer Master degrees in program and project management. The master study for project management follows a curriculum of seven required courses and three electives. The required courses are: The Human Side of Project Leadership, Program Management: Theory and Practice, Negotiating and Conflict Resolution, Risk Management in Projects and Programs, Project Scheduling and Cost Management, Foundations of Project Management, and Communication for Effective Leadership.

Acceptance Rate

29.9

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Lehigh University is a private university located in Bethlehem Pennsylvania and has been recognized to be the world’s leading and premier research universities. It aims to foster learning focusing on intellectual rigor, collaborative opportunities, and entrepreneurial mentality.

Lehigh University offers a notable program for project management courses to students of the same interest. Students can attain an executive certificate in Project Management from the University’s Business Department. The certificate is attained and awarded to an individual upon the completion of the required units and educational instruction of two years.

Acceptance Rate

32.1

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Steven’s Institute of Technology is a research institute committed to provide their student with endless opportunities in research-based programs and fields. Its goal is to apply a system-based approach to hone the understanding of complex ideas and topics.

Steven’s Institute of Technology provides an executive certificate for Project Management program. The certification guarantee covers a wide range of PM aspects, including the theory and application of its core ideas. It requires the completion of four courses to obtain and obtain a certificate.

Acceptance Rate

39.96

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

GWU or George Washington University is known for its long history of excellence and many outstanding alumni who have influenced the country's success. At GW, we welcome and encourage students to follow these exemplary personal steps in their chosen fields and courses.

George Washington University offers an innovative program for Project Management majors. This will involve balancing practice and theory, project management techniques, and other advanced subjects. This is an ideal plan for all those who wish to study in depth in PM.

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The American University is a non-profit university located in Washington, DC and is known for its distinguished contribution and service in upholding the country’s education system to a higher level and greater heights. It offers training and challenging degrees and courses in various fields and topics. 

The goal of American University (AU) is to provide their students with a certain degree of confidence in project management through their energetic and unparalleled training. AU hopes to help students develop their understanding and self-confidence to help them hone their skills in the core competence of PM. It is expected to provide students with stress-free and beneficial learning opportunities.

Acceptance Rate

36.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

The University of Connecticut is considered as the country’s high-ranking university with its top-notch research programs, and innovative and experimental approaches. The university, its faculty, staff, and administrators are committed to establishing an educational platform to hone and nurture students so that they can have a better tomorrow.

UC’s School of Business offers a progressive program in analytics and project management. In this program, students in project management are expected to gain an advantage through their industry-driven courses. It is an accredited program is that ranked as one of the TOP Data Analytics in USA and TOP 20 Master’s of Business Analytics program.

Acceptance Rate

49.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

The Saint Louis University is a premiere Catholic University and one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious institutions. It prides itself with their transformative, rigorous education that aims to help students develop a much bolder and more open perspective.

A certificate in professional studies in Project Management is one of the available programs in SLU. This is an 18-credit program offers the students with much flexible to help you achieve your personal goal. Students can start at SLU at any time if they want to continue.

Acceptance Rate

58.28

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

WIT or Wentworth Institute of Technology is a private university in Boston, Massachusetts. It is home to leading programs in the fields of science, technology and engineering.

Wentworth Institute of Technology offers a promising master’s degree in project management, encouraging students to learn by doing. In a world where the project economy leads the business industry, mastering the science behind project management is crucial for business enthusiasts. At Wentworth Institute of Technology, it teaches students the basic principles of project management, including other related topics.

Acceptance Rate

68.55

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The University of Dayton is a private school in Ohio. One of Dayton's iconic features is its affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church, which greatly affected its overall mission.

Dayton provides a certificate in project management plan, which aims to prepare students for the courage to welcome the contemporary business world and is fully equipped. This is an independent business plan consisting of several prerequisites and requirements and nine credit hours of graduate students. In addition, it also helps students expand their knowledge of project management by applying for other related project management courses.

Acceptance Rate

72.03

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Elmhurst College (Elmhurst College) is a private college that hopes to stimulate students' intellectual inspiration and growth. At Elmhurst, the university is committed to making a huge contribution and changing influence on a global scale and level.

Business students who wish to complete the project management course can choose to enter the Elmhurst project management graduate course. This provides a certificate program that utilizes all four courses in the main project management program. Students are expected to master and master a variety of different skills, including presentation, overview, identification, recognition, assessment and application of skills and techniques tailored to PM success.

Acceptance Rate

67.78

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Creighton University is a private Jesuit institution that follows the principles of Jesuit Catholicism as its governing principle. It offers a rigorous education in law, business, arts, and sciences.

The Creighton University offers a deliberate and innovative course in Project Management under their Center for Professional and Corporate Excellence. In this program made by Creighton for PM learners to lead cross-functional teams and help them attain exceptional results. In general, the entire course is consistent with the mainstream industry in the business.

Acceptance Rate

73.71

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Lewis University is a private university, under the influence and influence of Catholicism and its rule. It focuses on providing services to diverse student groups through comprehensive liberal arts and professional education courses.

The University of Lewis Business School offers a Master’s degree in Project Management. The master's program provides courses aimed at attracting, developing courses and community participation, and establishing an online college. Students are required to learn to organize, demonstrate, display and evaluate projects.

Acceptance Rate

63.9

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The Meredith College is a women’s private institution located in Raleigh in North Carolina. It promotes education that promotes the inculcation of integrity and leadership at the core of its educational experience.

Meredith College offers a comprehensive MBA in project management. It is designed to teach student to learn the core principles of planning and defining projects along with improving the cost, delivery, and quality. To be considered a student a 33-hour MBA at Meredith.

Acceptance Rate

64.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Milwaukee School of Engineering provides a variety of educational opportunities for students to aid them in their growth and development. The school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and operated as a private institution. Approximately 2,600 students are enrolled yearly at MSOE.

Students may pick from several areas of study, including but not limited to:

  • Engineering
  • Health And Clinical Professions
  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Engineering Technology
  • Communications And Journalism

Students applying for admission are generally asked to submit an application, transcripts, standardized test scores and any requested application essays, which will then be reviewed by the admissions office. Either the ACT or SAT exam can be taken to apply to this school. Scores in a range of 24 - 29 on the ACT or 1150 - 1380 on the SAT are recommended to increase the chance of admission. This school accepts approximately 60% of students applying yearly. Of those applicants accepted, around 32% of students enrolled. More information regarding admissions can be found here.

The cost of tuition is nearly $34,000 per year. Tuition prices may change for a variety of reasons, and that is why students should visit the school's net price calculator to identify their cost of attendance. Housing may be available for students that would like to live on-campus for around a cost of $5,500 each year. Financial aid may be offered to students that meet the necessary requirements.

The mascot for Milwaukee School of Engineering is the "Raiders", and they participate in intercollegiate athletic programs through the NCAA. Available sports offered:

  • Baseball (NCAA Division III)
  • Basketball (NCAA Division III)
  • Track & Field (NCAA Division III)
  • Golf (NCAA Division III)
  • Ice Hockey (NCAA Division III)

Students can visit the school's http://www.msoe.edu to see additional information.

Acceptance Rate

61.71

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

West Chester University in Pennsylvania is a public university that offers a large number of degrees for all interested students who want to enter the department. It’s a community of educators who are committed to dedicate their program to help students’ academic excellence in both areas in their personal and professional endeavors.

At West Chester University in Pennsylvania, students can study project management courses and receive a diploma. Explore all the core principles and concepts of PM and teach them to students according to their plan. The students in this course are expected to acquire advertising knowledge in terms of competence, which will prepare them for the actual business environment.

Acceptance Rate

75.32

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Christian Brothers University is a Catholic university located in the center of Tennessee. It creates a life-long opportunity that supports students into their life-long endeavors and chosen field. CBU provides a graduate certificate in project management.

The postgraduate certificate is characterized by its inclusive and comprehensive curriculum, which welcomes both beginners and experts in the field. In order to be considered as a qualified student for a graduate certificate in Project Management, an applicant must hold a degree from a well-regarded and accredited university.

Acceptance Rate

50.15

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

The University of Redlands is a non-profit private university, known for its extensive and excellent level of education, and has a history of more than a century. In Redlands, students are taught to achieve outstanding academic achievement through active interaction, communication and introspection.

The demand for project management is high and complicated, and many people are interested in taking courses under the program. The University of Redlands has an unparalleled and unparalleled faculty, providing a unique graduate certificate program for business students majoring in project management. Graduates of these students can provide experts with better opportunities and portfolios that can be used in the real world.

Acceptance Rate

76.41

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Rochester Institute of Technology is a world-renowned private institution located in New York. It is an award-winning institution that has won about 14 Pulitzer Prizes and is constantly working on innovations and timeless inventions in its systems.  Any business student with enough qualifications can pursue a free-standing course of a graduate certificate in Project Management at RIT. To be considered as a qualified student for RIT’s graduate certificate in PM, they must have a baccalaureate degree from any accredited college or university. All in all, the program aims to prepare students for practical applications of execution, planning, and sequencing in the business field.

Acceptance Rate

70.73

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Townson University offers a top-rated project management degree that offers in-class learning or a hybrid learning model that blends the best of hands-on learning with lectures.  The PMP program blends critical thinking skills with business acumen to sharpen skills while preparing students for the PMP or CAPM examination.  The Townson University PMP program is a melding on comprehensive training in the latest concepts, practices, and methods in project management.  To learn more, please request admissions information from the school today.

Acceptance Rate

76.31

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Nebraska Wesleyan University offers qualified students a strong business administration degree program.  The NWU degree stands out given the curricular strength and foundational knowledge students obtain in the program.  After graduation, students are equipped to step into a variety careers that span from project management to entrepreneurship pathways.   Alternatively, NWU students may elect to pursue an MBA instead of jumping straight into work.  A dual degree program can help accelerate the time to completion depending on the program selected at NWU.

Acceptance Rate

67.78

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The breadth and depth of academic programs at Drexel University allow students to select the best match in a crowded academic field.  The degree programs at Drexel span from operations management to nutrition and from physics to computer science.  Interested students can visit the Drexel website to learn more about the myriad programs offered or schedule a school visit as applicable.  Get in touch with the admissions team at Drexel today to learn more about the programs you may qualify for at this top-tier school.

Acceptance Rate

74.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

What Do Project Managers Do?

Project managers across various industries are charged with understanding required activities, coordinating resources, progress tracking, communicating, collaborating, and completing tasks of all sizes within a small or large organization.

Project managers must have a wide range of core skills to accomplish required activities that may include: strategic analysis, leadership, team development, motivating others, scheduling, budgeting, quality control, project cost management, materials management, strategic planning, time management, and organizational skills.

Students will need to be flexible, goal oriented, and task focused. Upon completion of a degree program, students should be able to perform the following priority tasks:

  • Analyze project through ethical lens to accomplish goals in an equitable, fair manner
  • Lead project team development and effectively communicate upper management business strategies
  • Utilize PM best practices to design, plan, coordinate, execute, manage, and close a well-documented business project
  • Coalesce organizational strategies with project management activities to help company attain short-term and long-term goals
  • Leverage business data by utilizing technology solutions to enhance efficiencies and reduce costs
  • Understand and apply project management principles to applicable business problems
  • Understand project risks, communicate pitfalls and mitigate problems

Top Project Management Degrees

Degrees in Project Management (PM) can be earned at a number of levels from a variety of accredited universities and colleges around the country.  Undergraduate and graduate degree programs can be earned in a traditional classroom setting, online, or via a hybrid learning model.

Online degrees in project management allow students flexibility and independence to earn a number of different types of degrees.  In fact, as the fastest growing segment of higher education learning modalities, distance learning is expected to continue growing for the foreseeable future.

To help you determine best PM college program for you, we have created a summary of the most popular programs below.

Project Management Associate Degrees

Associate degrees in PM are designed by colleges to be completed in 2-years based on full-time study.  An associate degree can be conferred as either an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) depending on the emphasis of the program.

Students should expect to take a combination of business-based classes along with general education courses.  Liberal arts and general education classes are designed to help students think differently about the world around them and build a holistic set of thinking skills.  General education classes may include English composition, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and creative writing.

Core classes in an AA or AS program will vary from school to school.  However, students can expect a similar set of coursework towards degree completion.  Examples of core classes at this level include:

  • Project Planning
  • Introduction to PM
  • Project Execution and Control
  • Introduction to Microsoft Project
  • Project Procurement
  • Project Risk
  • Cost Management
  • Leadership
  • Project Quality Management & Procedures
  • Advanced PM
  • Project Scheduling
  • Project HR Management
  • Communications for PM’s
  • Project Contracts & Legal Implications

Project Management Bachelor Degrees

Online bachelor degrees in project management are plentiful from colleges across the country.  Bachelor degrees can be conferred as a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA).  How a school confers a degree is dependent upon the curricular design of the program and its core components.

Much like an associate’s degree, a bachelor degree blends liberal arts coursework with core business classes.  However, students can expect a bachelor degree to take around four-years to complete based on full-time enrollment.  Part-time students should expect the degree program to take longer to complete as a function of pace and the school’s requirements.

Upper-level courses you may find in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree program include:

Project Management Master Degrees

Graduate degrees in project management can be conferred as a Master of Science (MS) or Master of Business Administration (MBA).  Students should expect a master’s degree to take 1-2 years to complete depending on the program.  Most MBA programs allow students to select a series of PM electives to create a customized graduate degree program while other schools have a predetermined set of courses as part of the degree path.

Upper level courses will vary by school but may include an emphasis on case studies in PM, project planning, financial management, project optimization, project integration, manufacturing projects, and technology projects.  Online MBA programs can come in a variety of variations that allow for working professionals to upskill while working by taking classes at night and/or weekends.

Employment Information for Project Managers

Project managers are individuals well-versed in business and technical facets. Their objectives are to keenly understand the scope of a project, assemble resources, manage tasks, communicate, and complete activities to meet business objectives. The end-to-end solutions required of a project manager make them highly flexible resources for large and small corporations. Students graduating with a degree in project management can enter the workforce as a PM or toggle to similar vocations. Examples may include: business management, leadership, public speaking, marketing, public relations, advertising, human resources, recruiting, finance, and sales management.

Project Management Careers

Careers in project management can span virtually any industry across all sectors of the economy. Employers can include professional management companies, scientific organizations, technical services, multinational organizations, financial institutions, retailers, manufacturing companies, and government agencies. To help you understand a range of career that exist for graduates, we have assembled a list of titles from current PMs across the country. The most common titles for graduate and undergraduate students include:

  • Business Analyst
  • Computer and Information Systems Manager
  • Human Resources Director
  • Senior Lead Project Manager
  • Sales Director
  • Marketing Manager
  • Program Manager
  • CEO, COO, CMO
  • Business Consultant
  • Information Technology Project Manager
  • Technical Services Manager

Project Manager Salary & Job Growth

Project management is clustered together by the BLS in the business management occupation sector. Management jobs in the U.S. are among the highest paid and most in-demand jobs in the country. Approximately 807,000 new jobs in management will be created in the coming and compensated accordingly.

Average salary for business managers is currently $102,590 and one of the best paying occupations. Growth rates for project managers will vary by sector and industry. Project managers specializing in market research will see a 19% increase in jobs while human resource managers expect a 9% bump in jobs during this timeframe.

Resources for Project Managers

Students and working professionals looking for additional information outside academia can connect with a number of high quality organizations and associations. Top ranked PM associations include the following entities that provide tools, resources, and career opportunities within the industry.

  • Project Management Institute (PMI)
  • Association for Project Managers (APM)
  • American Management Association (AMA)
  • Association for Project Management (APM)
  • International Project Management Association (IPMA)

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