Best Online Project Management Bachelor's Degrees

Project management degree programs help equip students with the needed management, leadership, organization, and technical skills needed to oversee a wide range of projects for their organization. Online degree and certificate programs in the field are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels and can usually be finished fully online. Some of these programs may conclude with a culminating experience and/or provide students the chance to focus their studies through electives and/or specializations. Find out what online degrees are available and some of the common characteristics of these programs.

Online Associate Degrees in Project Management

There are not usually any online associate degree programs available specifically in project management. However, there are at least a couple of online associate degree programs in logistics and operations management that include coursework in project management. Another related degree option may be an online associate degree in business administration. Online programs in logistics and operations can be completed in 2 years and place an emphasis on preparing students for a career. The curriculum for the program focuses on project management, supply-chain performance, logistics, and distribution.

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Project Management

Online bachelor's degree programs in project management are commonly offered as a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in the field or as a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in the field. These programs typically require between 120 and 180 credits of coursework and are designed to help prepare students for their career and professional certifications in project management. Depending on the program, students may be able to choose from various areas of specialization to help apply project management concepts to different industries and prepare for specific careers. Some of these online degree programs may conclude with a capstone experience and/or a practicum experience for hands-on learning.

Online Master's Degrees in Project Management

Students can usually pursue an online Master of Project Management or Master of Science (MS) in Project Management, but there are some online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree programs available with a concentration in the field. These online degree programs may require between 30 and 40 credits of coursework and may take between 18 and 24 months to complete. Some of these programs may allow students to earn a graduate certificate in project management throughout the coursework of the degree program for an added benefit to a resume. These programs usually include electives to allow students to take courses in various areas of interest. Many of these programs align the curriculum with standards for professional certification in the field to help prepare students for certification exams.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Project Management

At the doctoral level, students can pursue an online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Project Management or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Project Management. Some of these programs may require 2 or 3 in-person residencies and students typically are required to complete a dissertation. Depending on the program, students may complete 60 or more credits of coursework and may be able to finish their degree in as little as 3 years. The curriculum is usually highly customizable for this degree level and may include core courses, specialization courses, and/or electives. Students in these programs commonly have a mentor relationship with a faculty member or other academic mentor as they complete their program and research.

Online Certificates in Project Management

Online certificate programs in project management are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some of these programs may range between 16 and 18 credits of coursework and can typically be completed in 1 year or less, with some allowing students to finish in as little as 4 to 9 months. Depending on the school, the format may be self-paced and/or help students prepare for professional project management certifications. Students may be allowed to transfer some credits into the certificate program and/or count credits from the certificate toward a degree program in the field.

Project management is often available as its own concentration for online bachelor's degree programs in areas like business administration or information systems. However, there are a few online bachelor's degree programs in project management or programs in business with a concentration in project management that may offer additional specialization areas within the field of project management. These specializations usually help students learn and apply project management skills to a specific industry. This further prepares students for project management careers in a particular industry. Students are usually required to take some additional courses within their specialization area. Some of these available online specialization areas for project management include:

• Marketing
• Healthcare management
• Human resource management
• Information technology management
• Management leadership
• Accounting
• Public relations
• Criminology
• Emergency management

Like most bachelor's degree programs, students in online project management programs usually need to complete general education courses in addition to core project management classes and electives. Depending on the degree program, students may also need to complete courses in a chosen specialization and/or another core subject, such as business or information systems for those degrees that offer a concentration in project management. Some of these programs may finish with a capstone course where students may be required to develop a project plan for a business. Other programs may also offer a final practicum experience to give students real-world experience working with project management professionals. Although not as common, some online bachelor's degree programs in project management may also offer students the chance to take the QSO-345: Project Management for CAPM Certification course to help prepare for professional certification. While course titles and exact requirements vary by program, students in project management programs are likely to take courses in areas like:

• Project management
• Operations management
• Project quality management
• Leadership
• Resource estimating/scheduling
• Project contracting
• Project management tools
• Project risk management
• Communications
• Project procurement

Online bachelor's degree programs in project management usually take 4 years to complete, similar to other bachelor's degree programs. However, online students may be able to accelerate the time to degree completion in several different ways. For instance, most online bachelor's programs in the field accept transfer credit, with some programs accepting up to 90 credits toward the degree, to help students finish faster. Those with an associate degree may be able to finish their degree in an accelerated cohort format. Other ways to save time and money, depending on the institution, may include credits for military or prior learning experiences, professional certification in the field, and/or participating in a school's fast track option where students test out of courses.

Regional accreditation for an institution not only indicates a quality education at various degree levels, but it also allows students to apply for financial aid and transfer credit. Depending on the employer, applicants with a degree from an accredited school may also be preferred. Regional accreditation may be awarded to schools with online project management bachelor's programs from organizations like the Higher Learning Commission or the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Online bachelor's programs in project management are also examples of degree programs that have an additional level of accreditation that is subject-specific. This accreditation helps students know that they are enrolled in a program that has met project management-specific academic guidelines. These guidelines are typically set by the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC) that is part of the Project Management Institute (PMI) that provides professional certification in the field of project management. This accreditation also indicates that the curriculum for these degree programs are closely aligned with the requirements and preparation needed for these professional certifications.

The PMI is the premier organization that offers professional certifications in the field of project management. Professionals can pursue certifications like the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) designations, as well as certifications in specific areas of project management, like the Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) or the PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) designations. The requirements to qualify for these certifications vary by certification and level of education, but generally require a combination of education and professional work experience. Once a professional qualifies, they must pass an exam that may take 3 to 4 hours to complete. Recertification requirements must be met every 3 to 5 years, depending on the certification, and typically require a re-exam or professional development units (PDUs).

There are additional groups that offer certifications in the field of project management as well, such as the International Project Management Association (IPMA). The IPMA has certifications available at different levels, like the Certified Project Director (Level A) or Certified Project Manager (Level C). These certifications do require a recertification process.

There are many different top executive and leadership positions in organizations of various industries that would benefit from having a background in project management. While a project manager's job duties may vary by industry and organization, in general, these professionals ensure that projects for the organization are accomplished. While many different positions may utilize skills in project management, such as operations managers, there are some differences in these positions. A big difference between a project manager vs. an operations manager is the focus of their work, where a project manager sees a specific project to completion from start to finish and an operations manager has a broader outlook managing daily activities and operations but still may oversee projects.

The job requirements and salaries of project management professionals vary greatly by position as well. For example, students wishing to become an IT project manager will likely need some different skills than students wanting to become a project coordinator for human resources or healthcare fields. Salary for these professionals generally increases with education and/or experience. For instance, the salary of students with an MBA in Project Management will likely be higher than those in entry-level positions. Some examples of job titles for graduates with a bachelor's in project management may include:

• Project manager
• Operations manager
• Program manager
• Operations research analysts
• Construction managers
• Management analysts
• Emergency management directors

How to Become a Top Executive

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), top executives include positions like general and operations managers, managing directors, city managers, and more. Many, if not all, of whom would greatly benefit from a background in project management and/or utilize project management on a regular basis. Education and experience requirements may vary by position, but in general, top executives need at least a bachelor's degree and several years of work experience. Some employers may prefer those with a master's degree, such as an MBA. These professionals may work their way up in their organization from lower-level management positions.

The job duties of top executives vary based on the position and organization, but usually, these professionals help set goals for an organization and develop plans, policies, and strategies to help the organization reach these goals. This may require them to oversee staff, manage budgets, analyze performance indicators, and find places for improvement. As of 2019, the BLS reported that top executives made a median annual salary of $103,230 and had a job outlook of 4% from 2019 to 2029.

How to Become a Management Analyst

Management analysts also usually need to have a bachelor's degree and some work experience. An MBA may be preferred by some employers, but a bachelor's degree is common for entry-level positions. These analysts usually have a background and work experience in the specific area of management that they focus on, such as project management, information technology, or accounting. To be competitive in the field, some management analysts may pursue their Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation from the Institute of Management Consultants USA (IMC USA) once they have met education and work experience requirements.

Management analysts are consultants who work to identify ways for an organization to become more efficient and profitable. These analysts may work with personnel and analyze financial data to find solutions to problems and ways to cut costs. Usually, their findings are written up in reports. The BLS reported that these professionals made a median annual salary of $85,260, as of 2019, and had a job outlook of 11% from 2019 to 2029.

Different forms of financial aid, such as loans, grants, and scholarships, are often available to help students afford their postsecondary education. There are several steps to the process of securing funding for school, the first of which is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA notifies students of what federal loans and/or grants they may be able to accept based on household income. Usually, the next step is researching and applying for scholarships from schools and programs of interests and/or outside organizations. Scholarships may be awarded based on a number of factors, including need, academic record, and demographics.

Some scholarships may also be awarded to students interested in studying a particular field, such as project management. These awards may be offered by schools with programs in the field and/or professional organizations in the field. In the case of project management, a couple of examples of available scholarships include:

• Fluor Project Management Scholarships- These awards are open to engineering students at Texas A&M University who are interested in studying project management within the field of engineering. Aimed at students from underrepresented populations, this scholarship is available to students who have demonstrated leadership skills.
• Project Management Institute Education Foundation (PMIEF) James R. Snyder International Student Paper of the Year Award- This award is given to current college students who are in good standing and have written a winning paper with new concepts in the field of project management.

Students trying to decide between multiple project management schools and programs may first want to determine whether they want to earn a degree specifically in project management or one in another field, such as business, with a concentration in project management. Online bachelor's programs specifically in project management are likely to go more in-depth when exploring the field, while programs in other areas may provide a broader overview of project management but may prepare students for a wider range of career options. Students may also want to look for a program that offers a specific specialization that is of interest and/or aligns with a student's career goals. Some students may also want a program that provides hands-on learning experiences through a capstone and/or practicum experience.

There are several other factors that may be more aligned with personal preferences and/or needs. For example, many students need to compare the cost of programs and find one that fits within their budget. Accreditation is another factor that some students may value and search for programs that have the additional GAC accreditation. Finally, students may search for programs that offer small class sizes, flexible course formats, and/or other resources to online students.

It is important for professionals in any field to continue to learn and advance their careers, as well as network with other colleagues in their field. This is commonly done through professional organizations, and there are several groups available specifically for professionals working in the field of project management. These groups provide an array of resources for professionals, as well as unique experiences and learning opportunities. Some examples of project management organizations include:

• Project Management Institute- PMI not only provides several professional certifications in the field, but a number of events, webinars, online courses, and other resources intended to further advance professionals' knowledge in the field. Professionals can become members of the group and explore the organization's website for jobs, publications, case studies, and more.
• Association for Project Managers- The APM was established in 1990 and aims to promote the field specifically in the fields of design and construction. The group's website provides publications and seminars on various topics within project management.
• International Project Management Association- The IPMA is an international group that offers professional certifications in the field, training and professional development opportunities, and updated news in the field of project management. The organization also offers a number of events and webinars.