Online Project Management Bachelor’s Degree
An accredited online project management degree enables students to work in diverse global industries as administrators and departmental leaders. Project managers enjoy high job growth; in fact, the Project Management Institute projects a 33% increase in project management positions through 2027. That means approximately 22 million new jobs worldwide.
The following guide provides students with an overview of online bachelor's in project management programs. Academic details include coursework and core competencies, and the professional outlook includes general career responsibilities and salary potential. Distance learners can also gain insight into online program requirements.
Why Earn an Online Project Management Degree?
By earning a project management degree online, students can access low and fixed-rate tuitions that often ignore residency status. Distance learners save on room and board by living at home and cut down on time spent commuting, since they rarely need to visit their schools.
In addition to affordability, the top online project management degrees come with flexible course plans. Students can pursue classes part time or full time depending on their busy work and family schedules. Learners can also enroll in an accelerated track, taking eight-week courses year round, and earn their online bachelor's degree in project management in two years.
Most colleges and universities offer asynchronous online classes powered by learning platforms like Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas. Students access course materials at their convenience as long as they meet weekly assignment and testing deadlines. Video conferencing and discussion software enables online learners to collaborate with peers and engage with instructors.
What Can I Do with an Online Project Management Bachelor's Degree?
By pursuing bachelor's degrees in project management, online students prepare for careers in industries like information technology (IT), construction, and financial services. They can also apply their skills in the engineering, aerospace defense, higher education, and healthcare fields.
For many online project management degree students, undergraduate studies are a crucial starting point for higher education or professional training. Graduates often go on to master's degrees in business administration, management, or accountancy. They may even obtain doctorates and pursue careers as dedicated researchers or postsecondary teachers.
Skills and Knowledge Gained
Through an online degree in project management, students learn to identify, analyze, and apply business concepts on limited timeframes. Students earning a bachelor's degree in project management online train through the entire project cycle, from initial conception and planning to contract negotiations. They learn to procure assets, monitor progress, and use value models to execute cost-benefit analyses.
Project management programs also build critical thinking, which is useful when making decisions. Degree candidates study leadership strategies, learning to build diverse teams to meet organizational priorities. Business ethics is another integral topic, as is communication -- students must use written, oral, and multimedia communication strategies to build team dynamics within businesses.
A strong emphasis on technological applications sets bachelor's programs apart from associate degrees in program management. Students use computer software to identify, aggregate, and analyze data, facilitating evidence-based problem-solving and risk management. Technology also allows learners to study the effects of global economic and political trends on business decisions.
Careers and Salary Potential
Diverse business roles in fields like computer technology, sales marketing, and construction require distinct skills. However, all managers must learn to complete a project on time and under budget while meeting organizational goals and stakeholder expectations. Project managers also need leadership skills to recruit, train, and oversee their employees.
The following section outlines industries and occupations that students can pursue after getting a project management online degree. Note that, depending on employer, candidates may also need advanced college credentials or professional certificates.
- IT Services: In this field, project management often entails creating communication tools for use across a company's computer network. Managers apply research and technological insights to develop company data standards and protect sensitive information.
- Construction: On construction sites, managers lead survey teams, keep projects on schedule, and finalize blueprints. They also oversee safety measures, including testing the structural strength of construction materials like sheet metal or reinforced concrete.
- Financial Services: In the financial services sector, project managers use data analysis software to identify assets. They also use their communication skills and business ethics insights to ensure that others understand and adhere to financial regulations and monetary policies.
- Engineering Services: Depending on the engineering subfield, project managers facilitate the creation of industrial and biopharmaceutical products. They also assess risk for new endeavors and evaluate the efficiency of technical processes and workflow.
- Aerospace and Defense: In this vast field, project managers apply team-building and communication skills to supervise daily operations at commercial airlines, including productions and sales. Project managers might also work in military defense, designing and testing weapons, transport, and security mechanisms.
Project Manager, IT
Annual Median Salary: $86,036
Working with network architects and program developers, IT project managers develop a company's IT standards and implement systems to meet designated goals. These professionals also oversee cybersecurity measures by implementing data encryption systems, conducting penetration tests, and training employees in IT best practices.
Project Manager, Construction
Annual Median Salary: $76,336
Construction project managers oversee large-scale building and infrastructural projects. They prepare cost estimates and budgets; procure materials, equipment, and subcontractors; and create employee schedules and project timelines. Working with architects and civil engineers, construction managers also ensure compliance with safety codes and report progress to clients.
Project Manager, Operations
Annual Median Salary: $70,527
Operations management is a large field, including industries like retail sales, healthcare, and aerospace engineering. Operations managers coordinate product manufacturing and supply chain services. They focus on project delivery, ensuring inputs -- materials, financial resources, and staff -- turn to outputs in a cost-effective and timely manner.
Project Manager, Marketing
Annual Median Salary: $59,228
Advertising project managers monitor economic and sociocultural trends, identify potential markets for services and products, and estimate the value of an organization's products in relation to their competitors. Marketing project managers also work with product development, sales, and public relations professionals to create pricing strategies and implement marketing campaigns.
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