Master of Science (MS) Degree Program in Project Management Overview
Majors Overview June 1, 2015Get information about Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs in Project Management and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master of Science (M.S.) Programs in Project Management
Students who seek to become effective leaders by enhancing their decision-making skills may benefit by enrolling in master’s degree programs in project management that offer training in project design, development, cost, and implementation. Most programs can be completed by students in about two years and may require an internship. In some programs, a comprehensive final project may also be required. The program could qualify graduates for professional certification as a mode of career advancement.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree, and applicants to some programs are also expected to possess relevant work experience. Candidates may have to submit scores from either the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), in addition to transcripts from previous college coursework.
Coursework
Students enrolled in the 2-year degree programs in this field are typically required to complete 30-36 semester hours of coursework. They may also have to participate in internships or capstone projects to showcase the skills and knowledge necessary for overseeing projects in a real-world environment. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Quality assurance
•System analysis and design
•Organizational analysis
•Organizational leadership
•Project finance
•Risk evaluation
•Computational management
•Consumer analysis
•Human resource management
•Employee development
Career Choices
Program graduates may seek project management opportunities in numerous industries, including technology, business, or government. They may opt for possible job titles such as:
•Project analyst
•Quality management coordinator
•Business planning specialist
•Project manager
Wage Outlook
In March 2014, most business development specialists brought in an average annual wage ranging between $33,958 and $77,506. Project analysts, production managers, and quality assurance managers earned within respective wage ranges of $44,117-$89,483, $33,657-$81,030, and $44,097-$104,626.
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates may opt for continued education by volunteering for professional certification as offered by organizations like the Project Management Institute (PMI). This organization offers certified credentials such as Scheduling Professional, Agile Certified Practitioner, and Risk Management Professional.
Graduates can also stay updated with the latest developments in project development through attendance at seminars and professional lectures offered by schools, companies, and professional associations. They may also choose to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Project Management that could lead to a career in academia or research.