Degree Overview: Master of Project Management (M.P.M.) Degree Program
Majors Overview May 27, 2015Get information about Master of Project Management (M.P.M.) degree programs and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master of Project Management (M.P.M.) Programs
Students enrolled in a Master of Project Management (M.P.M) program are taught how to organize, evaluate and complete business projects. Students can expand on the general concepts they have learned during their undergraduate studies, as well as from experience.
Project management’s financial aspects are also in the coursework – these include estimation of the project’s value and cost calculation. They also learn the human elements such as how to delegate tasks, motivate employees and maintain timelines. Various logistical, legal, and personnel obstacles that could arise during the project are in the curricula.
Schools may also offer project management as an area of concentration within a business program, such as a Master of Science in Management (M.S.M.) or Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.). Graduates may seek professional certification offered through the Project Management Institute.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree in business or a related area. Students may also have to submit GRE or GMAT scores, though schools may exempt the requirement if an incoming student has a master’s degree. Students may also have to submit a statement of goals for a future career or the program, in addition to a resume, and letters of recommendation. Applicants may be expected to have previous experience with project management.
Coursework
Coursework is devised to teach students about applying project management resources and tools to simulated or actual projects in order to determine effectiveness. Apart from coursework, group or individual projects may have to be completed. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Electronic management tools
•Strategic project approaches
•Logistics organization
•Cost control
•Project management fundamentals
•Resource management
•Team leadership
Career Choices
Since many industries, ranging from computers to construction, see project management as an important skill, various jobs may be available to program graduates. Often, career advancement to project manager positions may be achieved only through experience in those industries. Program graduates may pursue career options such as:
•Project management consultant
•Sales manager
•Chief scheduler
•Quality analyst
•Information systems manager
•Project manager
•Industrial production manager
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a job growth rate of 15% has been predicted for information systems managers. Over the same period, sales managers are expected to see an 8% growth (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Information systems managers earn an average annual wage of $120,950, while sales managers bring in $105,260 (BLS). In January 2014, project management consultants brought in an average annual wage of $85,077.
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates may seek continued education by obtaining professional certifications offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), an organization that has many certifications including scheduling and risk management concentrations. Those interested in PMI certifications must meet education and experience requirements; the requirements could change depending on specific certification levels.
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