Online Project Management Degree

Project Management Degree Overview

Listed below are colleges and universities that offer online degrees, certificates, and diplomas in the major of Project Management and a detailed list of the programs offered. Tuition, financial aid, course offerings, online classes, adult education, and distance learning options are available by request.

Project Management: Because Time Doesn’t Grow On Trees

While most employees in a business are crunching the numbers to fit the company budget. There is one department that is counting the minutes instead. Time is money, is their motto and it cant be wasted with the chaos of an office that lacks direction.

Working hard doesnt always mean an office is working smart, and this ring leader is out to prove the point. Say goodbye to long meetings, inter-office spam, and bottle-neck processes say hello to a project manager.

Career Outlook for Project Managers

Because every industryfrom agricultural engineering to web developmentuses project managers to plan, organize and lead a variety of projects, the demand for skilled project managers is high. Membership in the Project Management Institute, the largest project management association in the United States, has more than quadrupled in 6 years, growing from about 43,000 members in 1999 to more than 208,000 in 2005.

Pay Your Dues and Get Experience

It is important to realize that very few people start out with a career in project management. If you are interested in starting down this particular career path, you can start out by applying for assistant positions on a project team. Through these types of jobs you will gain the experience and knowledge necessary to eventually lead your own team. Start off by getting as much experience in as many areas as you possibly can, and especially try to gain experience in leadership roles.

Salary Forecast for Project Management

According to a 2006 survey by the Project Management Institute, full-time project managers in the United States reported median annual earnings of $96,000, including salary and bonuses. That means that half of the project managers surveyed earned more than that amount, and half earned less.

It is important to remember that earnings for project managers are contingent upon education, experience, and locationthe same factors that affect earnings for almost any career. Project managers in urban areas typically earn considerably more than those in rural areas.

Most receive bonuses in addition to their salary, usually upon the completion of a successful project. However, experience is one of the most important factors of earnings. Entry-level project managers should expect lower earnings while they are learning the ropes, which is standard in most career fields.

Education Requirements for Project Managers

Bachelor’s Degree

There are no specific degree requirements for project managers, although a bachelors degree is the first step . Those who desire to be project managers ought to seek a degree in the specific field where they want to work in as a project manager.

Courses that would be good to take include:

• Planning
• Scheduling
• Managing
• Finance
• Risk Management

Master’s and Certification

Due to the range of career fields in need of project managers, there is not one degree better than another. Those who already work in a specific field in which they plan to become project managers, or those who have already been promoted to leadership positions, can pursue a master’s degree in project management. Porter also adds, PMP (Project Management Professional) certification and CAPM (Certified Associate Project Manager) certification would be a sure way to improve your salary.

Skill-Set Needed

People who are con?dent and extroverted, and who interact comfortably with people and groups are excellent candidates for project management. Project managers are ideally a balance between assertive and approachable, so that they can reach goals while collaborating with the people on their team.

Similarly, dealing well with risk and stress is imperative. There are numerous ways that project managers (or their team) can make mistakes. Project managers must be able to handle the frustration that might occur when risks and failures happen and interfere with a project.