Project Management Graduate Degree Programs & Schools in Illinois

What is a Master’s in Project Management?

A Master’s in Project Management (MPM) is a graduate degree for PM professionals. Students enter with a Bachelor’s degree and pursue advanced project management coursework.

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Many candidates earn a Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM). Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs may also offer a project management concentration.

In either program, you'll learn how to manage a project's timeline and resources. And, you’ll study the role of project management in achieving an organization’s goals.

What are Career Paths for Master’s in Project Management Degrees?

After earning a Master’s in Project Management, you could pursue a project management career path in many industries. These include IT, Engineering, Pharma, and Construction.

Depending on the industry, Project Manager roles may be growing. For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics IT Project Manager roles are projected to grow 17% by 2033, faster than average for all jobs. Also, the BLS reported that Construction Manager roles may grow 9% in the same timeframe, also faster than average.

Do I Need Project Management Certification?

Project Management certification may be voluntary, depending on your employer. That said, the Project Management Institute (PMI) states that certified PMPs may earn an average of 20% more than non-certified professionals.

Remember, professional certification is not the same as earning a graduate certificate in Project Management. A graduate certificate is a non degree education program. Certification is an earned credential that helps prove your professional competencies.

PMI awards the following certifications for Project Managers:

• Project Management Professional (PMP). An industry standard, this certification covers management of projects and teams.
• Program Management Professional (PgMP). This certification is aimed at those who manage more complex projects and programs. It touches on organizational results and strategy.
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). This certification covers industry basics, including terminology and processes. It is not as in-depth as the PMP.
• PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP). This certification is aimed at those who use Agile principles and practices. Agile project management is a method that involves organizing projects into small parts.

Other organizations offer certifications that may interest Project Managers. For example, the Scrum Alliance awards Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification. Like PMI-ACP, this pertains to Agile practices of project management.

What is an MBA in Project Management?

An MBA in Project Management is a graduate business degree. The program features core business courses, plus concentration courses on leading and managing projects.

MBA programs often overlap with MS in Project Management programs. But, an MBA usually focuses on how project management fits into a big-picture business strategy. An MS could delve more into project management functions, plus techniques for leading successful projects. In other words, an MBA looks at project management on the macro level, while an MS takes the micro approach.

What Jobs Can You Get with A Master’s in Project Management?

Project Managers who hold an MS or MBA in Project Management could work in industries ranging from Engineering to IT. For example, IT Project Managers often earn an MBA.

Though PMs work in different fields, they may use similar techniques to orchestrate projects. They plan project scope and needs, plus manage workers to get the job done. They also handle vendors and make sure the project stays under budget.

Project management professionals work in many industries. These include IT, Healthcare, Engineering, Construction, and more. For example, industries that employ the most General and Operations Managers include:

• Management of Companies and Enterprises
• Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
• Computer Systems Design and Related Services
• Local Government

Top Masters Degrees in Project Management in Illinois

Project Management graduate degrees are reported by the National Center for Education Statistics under the category of Business, management, marketing, and personal and culinary services.

The most recent data (2013) shows there were 726 Project Management degrees awarded to U.S. graduate students. The majority (99.5%) of these graduate programs were at the Master’s level.

How does a Master’s in Project Management differ from an MBA in Project Management?

Depending on your intended career path, either an MBA or MS in Project Management could help you prepare.

An MBA with a concentration in Project Management tends to consider PM as part of a larger business strategy. You may take more core business courses than PM courses. And, you may focus more on PM theory than functions and techniques.

An MS in Project Management also covers business strategy. But, this program may focus more on how to carry out that strategy at the project level. You may look more closely at how to manage scope, timeline, budget, and quality. You may also take some general business courses, but the focus will be on PM.

How does a Master’s in Project Management differ from an MBA in Project Management?

Depending on your intended career path, either an MBA or MS in Project Management could help you prepare.

An MBA with a concentration in Project Management tends to consider PM as part of a larger business strategy. You may take more core business courses than PM courses. And, you may focus more on PM theory than functions and techniques.

An MS in Project Management also covers business strategy. But, this program may focus more on how to carry out that strategy at the project level. You may look more closely at how to manage scope, timeline, budget, and quality. You may also take some general business courses, but the focus will be on PM.

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You could also find graduate Project Management graduate programs at the doctoral level. For instance, a PhD in Project Management program involves scholarly research and writing, along with applied theory. Expect to take courses on qualitative research methods, along with PM and business courses.

Online PhD in Project Management programs focus more on research than Master’s programs do. While PM Master’s programs could wrap up with a capstone, in a PhD you’ll need to research and write a dissertation. If you’re interested in going beyond management skill areas to devise original solutions, earning a PhD could be ideal. Otherwise, a Master’s program may cover what you need to know.

What are Master’s in Project Management courses and curriculum?

In a Master’s in Project Management program, coursework tends to span all phases of a project. You may learn about human resources, risk management, and the technology you need for the job. You could also learn how to evaluate and report on project outcomes.

Courses you could take include:

• Planning and Resource Management
• Business Analyses
• Professional Communications
• Operations Strategy
• Project, Program, and Portfolio Management
• Cost Estimation and Forecasting
• Schedule Management
• Quality and Process Improvement

Project Management programs could also offer concentrations in a particular industry or skill area. So, you may be able to take courses specific to your career goals. Possible concentrations include Construction Management, Enterprise Architecture, Supply Chain Management, and more.

Finally, many programs include a capstone. This project brings the chance to put together everything you’ve learned in the program, plus conduct research in an area of interest.

What Requirements Are Needed?

Admissions requirements for Master’s in Project Management programs may include:

• Application
• Official transcripts of previous education
• Minimum GPA
• Resume
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement or essay
• Prerequisite business courses
• GMAT or GRE scores

Requirements vary by institution. For instance, many programs do not require GMAT or GRE scores.

Graduation requirements for earning your Master’s in Project Management also vary. Most programs call for 30 to 45 credits of coursework. You may need to earn a minimum GPA in your courses. You’ll often need to complete and present a capstone project. And, some programs require an internship.

Accredited Project Management Graduate Programs

The Global Accreditation Center (GAC) of the Project Management Institute (PMI) accredits programs at the following levels:

• Bachelor’s
• Postgraduate
• Doctoral

Project, program, and portfolio management programs are eligible. The GAC accreditation confirms that programs meet global quality standards. It also ensures the institution and its faculty are committed to ongoing evaluation and improvement.

If you’re interested in earning PMP certification, graduating from an accredited program could be a good start. That said, it’s not a requirement.

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) also accredits Project Management programs. ACBSP focuses on teaching excellence, student outcomes, and continuous improvement.

Unaccredited programs may still offer a quality education. But, add accreditation to your list of factors to consider as you research PM programs.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Master’s or MBA in Project Management?

A Master’s or MBA in Project Management usually takes one to two years to earn. Most programs are 30 to 45 credits.

How Much Does a Master’s in Project Management Cost?

The average cost of earning a graduate degree from a public institution is $11,617 per year. You could find programs both more affordable and more expensive than the average.

Below, we’ve included the graduate tuition costs of 4 institutions with Project Management Graduate Programs as reported by the NCES. We compared those costs to the typically most affordable and most expensive college options, also reported by NCES.

written by Shannon Fandler

Popular Schools with Project Management Graduate Programs in Illinois

GradSchools.com offers 6 Graduate Schools with Project Management Graduate Programs in Illinois