The chief purpose of an online Master’s in Project Management program is for a student to gain a comprehensive understanding of the concepts, expertise, and practical applications involved in the successful completion of any project. It also develops a student’s writing, analytical, research, and managerial skills. A good and efficient Project Leader or Manager should handle all aspects of a project from start to finish, including aspects such as procurement, tendering, budgeting, marketing, cost analysis and management, time and people management, problem-solving, reporting, and data analysis. In short, graduates of a Project Management degree will need to know and oversee different kinds of projects from conception to completion.

Masters in Project Management Degree Types

Online Master’s in Project Management are by and large available in three forms: MS (Master of Science), MBA (Master of Business Administration), and MA (Master of Arts). Although they are all similar in many ways, some differences set them apart.

Specializations in Masters in Project Management Programs

Specializations in addition to an online Master’s in Project Management are almost certain to widen employment opportunities, elicit higher pay, and, of course, drive career growth. Any specialization will add value to the Master’s Degree and is a great way to fulfill personal interests and professional goals. Here are a few popular specializations available from a wide range of options:

Transport Management	Construction Management	Real Estate Development	Information Technology
This specialization provides a broad, realistic overview of the methods and tools used to assess, enforce, and manage road, rail, and air transportation facilities and operations.	This specialization studies the planning, scheduling, and construction of projects from inception to completion using effective engineering and management methodologies. The course also teaches how to monitor the time, expense, and quality of construction projects.	This specialization includes the study of real estate projects concerning site selection, financial feasibility, project finance, and asset management, along with an emphasis on the collaborative existence and performance of project teams.	This specialization concentrates on software applications and the management of data. Students learn how to plan, manage, lead and implement a software development or IT project from concept to deployment, using industry-specific tools and methodologies.

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Online Masters in Project Management Programs

The best online Master’s in Project Management courses lay a foundation on which electives and specializations are built. In certain cases, a Capstone Course is the final learning experience through which one can investigate a practical issue in the chosen field of research. Across degree types, core subjects in an online Master’s in Project Management are similar in a sense but may vary by college and program. Generally, these core subjects include:

• Organization Theory and Behavior
• Statistics for Managerial Decision Making
• Leadership Development
• Building the 21^st Century Organization
• Principles of Financing for Organizations
• Financial Decision Making for Managers
• Communication
• Negotiations
• Asset Management and Strategic Planning
• Project Scheduling
• Cost Engineering and Control

Students have a choice of a wide array of Electives, which include:

• Managing Technology for Strategic Value
• Business Forecasting and Planning
• Advanced Methods for Complex Projects
• Agile Techniques and Practices in Project Management

Apart from Core Courses and Electives, Master’s in Project Management also extend by Concentrations, such as:

• Principles of Project Management
• Project Contracts and Procurement
• Project Risk and Quality Management
• Project Management Dynamics

Upon graduation, students of any Master’s in Project Management program will:

• Demonstrate the ability needed to generate project management outputs according to well-established methods for conducting projects within a company.
• Create project-based solutions to organization issues and possibilities to accomplish the strategic efficiency goals of a company.
• Take care of specific tasks from initiation to closure that meet stakeholder demands and accomplish the objectives of the project.
• Efficiently create a task monitoring life process for projects that will include initiation, planning, implementation, tracking and controlling, and completion.
• Demonstrate knowledge of advanced tools for cost estimation and control of Projects, timeline development, monitoring and communication protocols, and templates for effective project management and coordination of activities.

Accreditation for Online Masters in Project Management Programs

In addition to endorsing the depth of one’s knowledge on Project Management, accredited online Master’s in Project Management Programs guarantee authenticity and recognition to the degree by the industry. Students should always opt for accredited Programs over unaccredited ones to add credence and value to the degree. In the case of online Master’s in Project Management Programs, many colleges have their courses accredited by agencies such as Project Management Institute’s Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC), Higher Learning Commission (HCI), and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Know and understand why accredited programs are preferred when applying for an Online Masters in Project Management Degree.

Timeline for graduation from Online Masters in Project Management Programs

Many schools offer part-time online Master’s in Project Management programs to accommodate working professionals, taking up to two years to complete. Full-time programs are best for non-working students because they can finish the course anywhere between 9 and 12 months. For those schools that follow the credits system, 30 to 40 credits are expected to be completed between 18 and 24 months, extendable to a maximum of 36 months.

Online Masters in Project Management Programs Admission Requirements

Similar to most other Master’s Programs, online Master’s in Project Management programs have comparable admission needs. Apart from the completed application form with an application fee, students must submit their Academic Transcripts and references, a Résumé or Statement of Purpose, and perhaps even an Essay or Personal Statement. Applicants must typically have a Bachelor’s Degree and should have maintained a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher. Some Colleges may call for a GMAT or GRE score, especially if the candidate’s Grade Point Average is inadequate. Here is a ready reckoner for admission requirements to a Master’s in Project Management Program:

• Completed Application Form & Application Fee
• Academic Transcripts
• Professional of Academic Letters of Recommendation
• Bachelor’s degree preferably in a field related to Human Resources or Business Administration.
• A Résumé or Statement of Purpose
• An Essay or Personal Statement that describes the applicant’s relevant work experience and ultimate career goals
• GPA of 3.0 or higher
• GMAT or GRE score, if sought

Note: It is not uncommon for Colleges to demand work experience (in a relevant field of business) of at least three years or more.

Only a handful of Programs require the submission of standardized test scores of GMAT or GRE when applying for an Online Masters in Project Management. Applicants who have a good GPA and substantial and relevant work experience in Business Administration or a related field are typically not required to take these tests or submit these scores. In certain cases where the program demands a GMAT or GRE score, the college tends to have a waiver option, which one must ask for.