Earn an Online Project Management Degree

Project management degree online programs teach you the skills and knowledge to help businesses and organizations efficiently perform and complete successful projects. Pursuing your degree online offers you the opportunity to perform coursework around your schedule. This gives you a flexibility and freedom that traditional, on-campus programs don’t. To learn more about online project management degrees, continue reading. Then, click on any of the sponsored listings on this page for more information about specific project management degree online programs.

Project Management Degree Online

Online project management degrees teach you the many different components of project management and how to successfully apply those concepts to businesses and organizations. While researching the perfect program for you, you will see project management degrees billed under a wide variety of names. These include the following.

  • BS in Operations Management – Project Management
  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Project Management
  • BA in Business Administration – Project Management Specialization
  • BS in Project Management
  • MS in Organizational Leadership
  • MA in Organizational Management – Project Management Specialization
  • MBA in Project Management
  • DBA – Project Management – Business

This is a perfect example of how each Project Management Degree Online is unique and may have different goals. When you finish reading about each of the different degree levels in project management, click on any of the sponsored listings. You can even contact schools directly to request more information about their specific courses and program goals.

Different Degree Types

Typically, there are four different levels of degrees in project management: bachelors, certificate, masters, and doctorate. All of these degree options focus on preparing you for a role in project management, however they may have different scopes of work. For instance, a project risk and management doctorate level course will be more in depth and normally requires more independent research from students than a bachelors level course with the same name.

Bachelors in Project Management

While pursuing your online bachelors degree in project management, programs focus on preparing you for a role as a project manager. That means courses and coursework demonstrate how to effectively lead a project team and how to quickly adapt to changes in goals or business processes.

Typically, online programs provide the option for you to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis based upon your own goals and schedule. Full-time students are normally able to earn their project management bachelors degree in four years. However, that depends on individual programs and course availability.

Online Project Management Certificate Programs

Most online certificate programs in project management present students with the skills and knowledge needed to be a professional project manager. These may include establishing the structure, minimizing and responding to risks, and ensuring the project is completed on time and on budget. Typically, certificate programs also prepare you for some of the certifications offered through the Project Management Institute, which are discussed more in depth later on this page.

Most online certificate programs are designed for part-time students with full-time jobs. Therefore, earning your certificate in project management online may be the perfect solution, as you can perform your coursework around your busy schedule. Normally, you can earn your certificate in two years or less.

Online Masters in Project Management

Online masters degree programs in project management focus on providing you an in depth education on the many processes and contemporary issues that make most businesses run smoothly. This includes supply chain management, logistics, and quality control.

Normally, online masters degree programs in project management are designed for students who already have full-time jobs and are looking to attend classes on a part-time basis. Most students earn their masters degree in two years or less, but this may depend on course availability and individual programs.

Most masters degree programs require that you maintained a minimum GPA while earning your bachelors degree. That GPA varies from program to program, but most require a 2.3 GPA or higher.

Online PhD Programs in Project Management

A doctorate in project management is the terminal degree in the field, which means it is the last degree you can earn. Therefore, the scope of work and student requirements for admission and graduation are more difficult than other degree options. Coursework typically requires more independent research, writing, and critical analysis than lower degree levels. Upon completing all required courses, most programs also require that you propose, write, present, and defend a dissertation in front of a board.

Most online doctorate degree programs in project management require that you’ve earned your masters degree from an accredited university and maintained a 3.0 GPA while earning your degree. However, check with individual schools for specific GPA and admissions requirements.

Common Project Management Courses Online

Common courses you may take while pursuing your online project management degree teach you the many different components of project management, such as project contracting, scheduling, and adaptive project management. Best of all, these courses typically prepare you for project management roles in a number of different industries.

Some of the common courses in project management include:

  • Resource Estimating and Scheduling
  • Project Contracting and Procurement
  • Trends in Operations Management
  • Managing Project Risk
  • Introduction to Project Management
  • Fundamentals of Management
  • Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management
  • Project Risk and Management
  • Project and Program Governance
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Decision-Making

Some programs also require you take basic business courses. This teaches you the business background needed to apply project management knowledge to help businesses and organizations through cross-functional initiatives.

Additional Certifications in Project Management

The Project Management Institute offers a number of different project management certifications. Many of them are available to professionals in any industry and in any location. Therefore, however you choose to use your online project management degree, you may be able to benefit from a project management certification.

Some of these certifications may include any or all of the following.

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Program Management Professional (PgMP)
  • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
  • PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
  • PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)

While these certifications aren’t required, some employers may hire or promote candidates who have them. That’s because the certifications signify that you understand the global project management language and can benefit your career. In fact, PMP certification holders earn 20% more than their non-certified peers.

Potential Careers in Project Management

Upon earning your project management degree online, there are a number of careers that you may be able to pursue. Typically, this depends on the level of project management degree online you’ve earned and your professional experience. Some of these roles, and their 2015 median annual salary, are as follows.

  • Purchasing Manager: $108,120 i
  • Computer and Information Systems Manager: $131,600 ii
  • Construction Manager: $87,400 iii
  • Logisticians: $74,260 iv
  • General and Operations Manager: $97,730 v

Most of these positions require that candidates have earned a bachelors degree, though some construction managersvi and logisticiansvii can be hired with either a high school diploma or an associates degree and professional experience. Also, while many computer and information systems managers may have a bachelors degree, many organizations look for candidates with a graduate degree.viii

Take the Next Step to Earn Your Project Management Degree Online

Click on any of the sponsored listings on this page to learn more about individual online project management degree programs. This includes program descriptions, admission requirements, and common courses. Then, you can even contact the schools directly to request more information on any Project Management Degree Online. It’s a great opportunity for you to find a perfect online project management degree program for you.


[i] bls.gov/ooh/management/purchasing-managers.htm#tab-5 [ii] bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm#tab-5 [iii] bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm#tab-5 [iv] bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm#tab-5 [v] bls.gov/oes/current/oes111021.htm [vi] bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm#tab-4 [vii] bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm#tab-4 [viii] bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm#tab-4