Online Project Management Degrees - MBA & Master's Programs

Is an Online Project Management Program Right for Me?

Online project management degree programs can be an attractive option for those who do not have the time for a traditional on-campus program. Students with personal commitments, working professionals, or those who live far away from the university may find these programs especially valuable.

Students looking for online project management programs must also research the program’s campus visitation requirements thoroughly. Some schools require students to attend on-campus orientations, while others may ask students to attend on-campus intensives at regular intervals, for example, once per year or once per semester. Students may also be asked to present their capstone project on campus.

While online programs provide maximum flexibility, they also place the baton of responsibility in the student's hands when it comes to managing their study schedule and other commitments. Without a proper structure and study plan, students might lag behind and not get the most value out of an online program.

An important factor for succeeding in an online program is participating in class discussions and corresponding with professors about progress. Some programs offer live classes where students can interact with their peers and faculty members. All in all, an online program will work exceptionally well for independent doers and learners who require flexibility.

Featured Online Engineering Project Management Degrees

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online MBA in project management, ideal for professionals in the field of consulting, manufacturing, construction, and IT development. In this affordable program, students will gain business acumen and skills while learning to plan, observe, measure, and handle a project from start to end.

The 30-credit curriculum explores topics in project management and quantitative analysis. Students develop core business skills in economics, finance, human resources, mathematics, and statistics so that they can successfully define the scope of a project, learn the process of hitting project goals, and calculate the cost and resources a project demands.

SNHU is a Registered Education Provider (REP) of the Project Management Institute (PMI). This means that the program is certified by the world's largest project management member association and prepares students to take the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam. Upon completion of the program, graduates may find positions as project managers, team leaders, test managers, project planners, and project cost estimators.

Apart from an MBA in project management, students can also choose to pursue an online MBA in engineering management at SNHU. This program is suitable for architectural and engineering managers. It covers topics such as project management for engineering managers, systems thinking for engineering managers, and systems engineering and business practices.

• Location: Manchester, NH
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); ACBSP
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
• Estimated Tuition: $627 per credit

University of Southern Indiana

The University of Southern Indiana’s online master of business administration (MBA) offers a concentration in engineering management. The program prepares students for successful careers in technology, construction, manufacturing, development, and research. They can pursue leadership roles in supply chain distribution, project management, and quality control.

The 30-credit program includes 21 hours of core courses and nine hours of concentration coursework. The core curriculum includes courses such as leadership skills and innovation; accounting for decision making and control; information systems and technology; managerial economics; and marketing strategies. The engineering management concentration explores the principles and practices of project management, quality management, and supply chain management.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree, a GPA of at least 2.5, and submission of GMAT/GRE scores (waivers are available). TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of international students whose native language is not English.

Graduates of this program will be ready to take up roles such as engineering managers, construction managers, architectural managers, IT managers, and industrial managers.

• Location: Evansville, IN
• Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 11 months
• Estimated Tuition: $430 per credit

Boston University

Boston University’s Metropolitan College offers an online master of science in project management. The PMI-accredited program explores a blend of business and management strategies and provides practical opportunities to manage complex projects.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree in any field of study from a regionally accredited college or university, a completed application, college transcripts, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, a current resume, and official English proficiency exam results for international students.

The 40-credit program introduces students to financial concepts; quantitative and qualitative decision-making; global supply chains; agile project management; project communications and leadership; and project risk and cost management. The program teaches students how to plan, execute, monitor, and control the outcomes of a project. They also learn about project cost estimation and control.

A master of science in project management can give students a competitive edge that helps them stand out in a competitive job market. Graduates of this program can take up roles as business continuity planners, management analysts, emergency management directors, operations research analysts, or construction managers.

• Location: Boston, MA
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International); PMI
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 20 months
• Estimated Tuition: $955 per credit

George Washington University

George Washington University’s online master of science program in project management is one of the oldest programs of its kind. Taught by faculty experienced in construction and engineering, the program helps students develop advanced project management skills.

The 36-credit program requires students to attend a mandatory on-campus orientation at the beginning of the program. The curriculum consists of 30 credits of core courses and six elective credits to teach students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Students learn the core principles of project management through courses such as introduction to project management; project management finance; project portfolio management; and planning and scheduling. They also understand statistics, organization management, leadership, decision-making, and risk management.

To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and strong academic performance from a regionally accredited college or university, and professional interest in project management. They should submit a completed online application, transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, official GMAT or GRE scores (waivers available), two letters of recommendation, a current resume, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students.

The program prepares students to become educators, practitioners, and leaders in the field of project management.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Full-time students (18 to 24 months); part-time students (30 to 48 months)
• Estimated Tuition: $1,885 per credit

Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers an online master of engineering degree in engineering management. The program helps students apply their current skills and experience to lead teams and projects in engineering. Students use their technical expertise to solve issues related to management. With a blend of engineering and management topics, the curriculum prepares students to address challenges and lead future teams.

Students are required to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer engineering, software engineering, or a related field and a minimum GPA of 3.0 before applying. Application requirements include a Graduate admission application, a personal statement, official transcripts, and a current resume. Applicants whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency.

The 30-credit program focuses on task management and team development. Students explore topics such as financial engineering; information systems engineering; project management; and quality management. They also delve into technology management; operations research; and technology entrepreneurship.

Along with building on their technical abilities, students also develop leadership skills. Graduates tend to work in roles as systems and software managers, strategic technology developers, architectural managers, engineering educators, and engineering administrators.

• Location: Tempe, AZ
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: $1,009 per credit

Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State’s online master of engineering management program trains business-savvy engineering managers by teaching them the technical know-how and providing them with business skills. The online courses are taught by the same faculty that teaches on-campus. The program is ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

The 33-credit program combines business and management perspectives, along with a focus on creative problem-solving. Some of the courses included are ethics and values in science; engineering management science; decision and risk analysis; engineering for energy and environment; and organizational behavior.

Applicants to the program must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, official transcripts from each institution attended, a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, a letter of recommendation, a current resume, statement of purpose, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants.

In addition to learning engineering skills, this program also helps students develop an ear for problem-solving, take complex decisions, and learn how to manage risk. It can prepare them to pursue engineering management roles.

• Location: University Park, PA
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: $1,007 per credit

Liberty University

Liberty University offers a fully online master of business administration in project management program, helping students advance their understanding of project management. Students will learn about managing teams, developing project plans, performance measurement, quality control, evaluation, managing risk, and effective outsourcing. Courses in this program are taught by business professionals with real-world, practical experience.

The major admission requirements for the program include a regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of 3.0, official college transcripts, and proof of English proficiency for international students.

Consisting of 45 credits, the program includes courses such as advanced project management; global project management; operations management; international business; business research methods; legal issues in business; managerial finance; and strategic marketing management, among others.

Graduates of this program can take up roles such as assistant project managers, project schedulers, business marketers, and senior project managers.

• Location: Lynchburg, VA
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
• Estimated Tuition: $565 per credit