Master in Project Management

The Master of Science in Project Management (M.S.P.M.), also known as Master in Project Management (M.P.M.) is a professional advanced degree in project management.

Candidates of M.P.M. programs are required to have at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and significant work experience (12 years on average). Most programs require 36-42 graduate credits and a thesis or final project. While programs may vary, most curricula are designed to provide professionals with the knowledge, skills and abilities to lead and manage effectively. Students normally engage in the study of concepts, methodologies and analytical techniques necessary for successful leadership of programs/projects within complex organizations. Curricula typically focus on problem solving and decision-making using case studies, teaming exercises, hands-on applications, active participation, research and integrative exercises. Lecture and laboratory sessions require the application of critical thinking to problem solving within notional and actual situations.

Boston University in the United States and through its Brussels campus in Belgium offers a Post-Graduate Certificate in Project Management that is recognized by the Project Management Institute and can be credited towards the CAPM credential as well as a Master of Science in Management degree. Norwegian Technical and Natural Science University (NTNU) conducts a Masters of Science Program in project Management which complies with EuroMPM program. University of Limerick in Ireland offers a Masters in Project Management (MPM). This could be considered an MBA with Project Management although there is more emphasis on the soft skills required to make the project manager a better leader. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania, USA, offers a Master of Science Degree in Information Technology Project Management as well as three Specialized Certificates in IT Project Management. Harrisburg University’s program is a Registered Education Provider for the Project Management Institute and courses taken prepare students for the exam. The COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad offers a Masters Program in Project Management (MPM).The University of Aberdeen, Scotland, provides an MSc in Project Management as well.

There are also nearly twenty programs worldwide that are considered globally accredited by PMI. This distinction represents a thorough academic evaluation by PMI and is different than the Registered Education Provider designation. In theory, these programs truly are the best project management education providers in the world. Students who complete a PMI GAC degree program earn 1500 hours of project management experience toward sitting for the PMP exam (http://www.pmi.org/CareerDevelopment/Pages/What-Accreditation-Means.aspx). Several schools that offer GAC degree programs are University of Wisconsin-Platteville (www.uwplatt.edu/disted), University of Texas-Dallas (www.som.utdallas.edu), and University of Alaska-Anchorage (www.uaa.alaska.edu).