Some people are naturally skilled in project planning and execution, but even with this skill set, they will need additional training to become a project manager. Aspiring project managers in North Carolina can pursue online project management degrees through multiple higher education institutions.
Online project management certificate programs and degree programs should serve two functions. First, it should teach you some of the fundamentals of a project management career. Online courses should teach learners how to develop a project, guide its execution, complete it, and monitor results. Second, project management degrees should also serve as exam prep.
The most recognized accreditation group in the project management community is the Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMI has two main certifications: The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and the Project Management Professional (PMP). The PMI recognizes the top online project management degrees for North Carolina-based students.
The Top Online Project Management Degree Programs in North Carolina
The rise of online degree programs has created new opportunities for students to work on personal and professional development opportunities, without the time and finances needed from traditional on-campus learning. Students in North Carolina have access to several project management courses that can prepare them for project management careers and to take credential exams.
Students should use several methodologies to review the top online project management degrees. First, find a program that aligns with the Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). The PMBOK is a book of best practices that the PMI publishes. Degree programs based on the PMBOK are the best preparation for the PMP certification exams.
Other factors to consider include flexible scheduling, financial aid opportunities, and whether the program includes real-world learning experiences and hands-on coursework.
Wake Forest
The Master of Project Management degree program at Wake Forest is designed to foster the hard and soft skills needed to be an effective project manager. Students will work to understand the technical side of project execution, like scheduling and budgeting, as well as the communication and leadership skills needed to coordinate stakeholders inside and outside of the project team.
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina offers a self-paced project management master's degree that takes most students around one year to complete. This program builds on previous learning and experience to further develop project managers to work on projects with international involvement.
Students also will gain access to various networking opportunities to connect with their peers.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill can pursue an online MBA with a concentration in management and leadership. This degree includes a strong focus on the people side of projects. Students will learn the skills needed to work with the project team as well as relevant project managers outside of the team.
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University provides students with an undergraduate management degree opportunity. This online degree is identical to the on-campus degree and students will learn essential project coordination skills like project risk management, budgeting, and scheduling.
This program includes 120 credit hours of liberal studies, electives, business, and major-specific courses.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
The online MBA from UNC Wilmington has a STEM focus, which can help prepare students for the specific requirements of STEM project management. This degree program includes coursework on project scheduling, as well as one of 11 specializations to prepare for specific fields. Students can complete this self-paced program in under one year.
Duke University
The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University has a Master of Science in quantitative management in business analytics. Modern project management requires an understanding of the information systems used to make decisions.
This degree covers many of the skills that are needed to work in project management, even if the focus is on business as a whole and not just project lifecycles.
University of North Carolina Charlotte
The Business Administration degree offered at UNC Charlotte is a Bachelor of Science degree. This degree is offered fully online and is self-paced, which allows some students to finish the degree in under two years. Students at UNC Charlotte take multiple management-focused courses that will prepare them to lead project teams.
North Carolina Central University
NCCU offers multiple fully online degrees, including a bachelor of business administration. This degree pathway uses experiential learning to prepare students to become leaders in business and other industries. NCCU also offers multiple financial aid opportunities to students to make earning your degree more affordable.
Fayetteville State University
Students at Fayetteville State University can pursue a fully online MBA with a concentration in project management. This program is designed to prepare learners for PMP certification exams.
This online MBA program is considered one of the top online project management programs in the country. Due to the flexibility of this program, students can earn their degree within a year, but students have up to 72 months to complete the program from their enrollment date.
East Carolina University
East Carolina University offered the first online MBA in North Carolina when their program went live in 2005. Students at ECU often build on their MBA with a graduate certificate program in project management, which can also be earned online through ECU. This degree program is flexible and customizable in terms of scheduling and individual courses.
FAQs About Online Project Management Degrees
Becoming a project manager involves multiple steps, which can lead to common questions. Students in North Carolina looking to complete an online project management degree program have multiple options that can help them achieve their degree and begin applying for their dream careers.
How Do I Become a Project Manager in North Carolina?
North Carolina students who want to become project managers have two main credentials that they must earn. First, students need to complete a degree program. Most students only need to complete an undergraduate degree, but some students will benefit more from an online master's degree program.
Second, students should take a project management credential from the Project Management Institute or similar organization. This credential isn't always required, but it looks good on a resume and helps display your skill level to future employers.
Is a Project Management Certificate Program Necessary?
Project management certifications aren't mandatory, but they are highly beneficial to both aspiring and current project managers. The CAPM and PMP certifications are a simple way to demonstrate your knowledge and skill level to employers and team members, but they also allow for additional learning and networking opportunities.
What Are the Prerequisites for an Online Project Management Degree in North Carolina?
The prerequisites for online project management degrees will vary based on the level of degree you're trying to earn. A bachelor's degree in project management will generally only require a high school diploma or equivalent.
For a master's degree, you will need to complete a relevant bachelor's degree. A common pathway is from a general business administration undergraduate degree to a project management master's.
