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Yes, you can get a master's degree in project management completely online. In fact, by enrolling in an online program, you'll gain experience in working virtually, which is a skill you may be able to apply later. You'll work with teams that are spread out across locations, utilize online written communication tactics, and navigate common hurdles, such as time zone differences.

Project managers have a broad set of responsibilities within a professional organization. They develop project scopes, organize finances, monitor deadlines, and lead teams to the finish line 鈥� all while solving complex problems throughout the life of the project. Given the importance of the role and the wide-ranging duties involved, you may want to master the necessary skills by pursuing a master's degree in project management.

In addition to the technical skills needed to oversee important projects, a project management master's degree helps you develop essential soft skills like communication, analysis, organization, and leadership. Earning this degree online offers several more benefits, including potentially lower costs and experience in working virtually 鈥� something many project managers are required to do in the modern business environment.

Most project management (PM) programs lead to a Master of Science in Project Management. However, you also have the option of earning a master's in business or information systems with a concentration in project management.

Deciding whether to go back to school to earn a project management master's degree 鈥� either through a traditional on-campus program or through distance learning 鈥� is an important decision. You'll want to carefully review several considerations before choosing a program.

The accreditation status of each of the schools you're considering attending is probably one of the most critical factors to explore. All of the schools on our list of the best online master's degrees in project management are institutionally accredited. This means that each school has been evaluated by an independent agency and proven to meet national standards, ensuring that you're getting a high-quality education. Enrollment in an accredited project management program qualifies you for financial aid and allows you to transfer credits to another school if needed. 

In addition to institutional-level accreditation, individual project management master's programs can earn programmatic accreditation. The (PMI) is the approved accrediting agency for all project management programs in higher education. To be accredited by the PMI, a project management program must be designed to train professionals to follow industry-standard methods and practices. 

If you're considering earning your master鈥檚 in project management online, you may want to research several aspects of each program before enrolling. Below are some key questions to ask:

• Can you devote yourself to your coursework full time? If needed, make sure the program can be completed on a part-time basis so that you can maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Will the online program help prepare you for certification? Many project management professionals seek some type of certification to make themselves more competitive in the job market. Possibilities include (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Master Project Manager (MPM), and CompTIA Project+.
• Are the online classes synchronous or asynchronous? With synchronous classes, you'll usually have to log in at specific times to view lectures and participate in live class discussions and other learning activities. With asynchronous classes, you'll be able to complete each week's assignments on your own schedule.

Beyond accreditation status and online course format, there are several other points to consider when choosing a master's in project management program. Specifically, you may first want to establish a cost estimate for earning this graduate degree and your budget. 

If you want to save money on your master's degree, an online program may be your best option. Some schools charge lower tuition fees for distance learning students, which could significantly reduce the cost of the degree. As an online student, you'll also save money by avoiding college room and board or transportation costs. 

You can also minimize your financial investment by applying for financial aid. Be sure to fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form as well as applications for private scholarships. The Project Management Institute, for example, offers several . 

If you are on a budget, check our our lists of the most affordable management master's degrees and affordable MBAs.

To be accepted into a master's in project management program, you'll need an undergraduate degree in a related field, such as a bachelor's in project management, bachelor's in business, or a degree in finance. Depending on the school you're applying to, your official college transcripts from your undergraduate degree may need to show that you maintained a GPA of 2.8 or possibly higher. Some schools may also require high scores on the GMAT or GRE entrance exam.

Graduate programs in project management generally require the completion of 24-36 credit hours. Given this broad range, some full-time students may be able to earn the degree in 18 months to two years, and part-time students may be able to finish in two to three years. 

Toward the end of each program, you'll have a chance to put your skills to the test with a capstone project. This usually entails real-world project oversight in a team environment with the purpose of developing a portfolio for your future employers. Some programs may also include an internship.

The curriculum for a PM master's revolves around the specific project management skills you'll need to be a team leader and business management expert. You'll learn ways to manage and mitigate risk, analyze financial reports, communicate with stakeholders, and develop complex schedules with numerous moving parts. There will also be courses covering the fundamentals of common project management methods, such as Scrum and Agile.

Let's take a closer look at some common core courses found in an in-person or online project management master's program:

• Project Risk Management: Risks are inherent with every project, regardless of scale. In a risk management course you'll learn about methodologies for risk analysis as well as the skills and tools required to mitigate the inevitable challenges, threats, and issues that come with complex projects.
• Agile Project Management: At its most basic level, Agile is a set of processes and techniques that focuses on teams producing some type of project. Agile plays such an important role in project management that there are specific courses where you'll learn the associated methodologies, including its overarching philosophies.
• Project Leadership: Courses in project leadership or project governance teach the skills needed to actively lead groups of people by employing effective strategies and adaptable communications. You'll learn to identify and negotiate expectations while facilitating teamwork. Topics typically include project planning, motivation, and conflict resolution.
• Project Scope and Scheduling: This course will teach you how to properly plan for an upcoming project, including understanding its scope and the best ways to allocate resources, organize documents, utilize scheduling tools, and predict budgets.
• Quality Management: You'll need to know how to maintain project quality along with efficiency. This course explores the qualitative methods used to ensure the best possible project outcome through identifying standards, monitoring control, and analyzing dependencies.

Some 鈥� but not all 鈥� project management degree programs have been designated as STEM degrees. Because this designation may impact an international student's visa, it's important to confirm each school's status before enrolling. 

A traditional or online master's degree in project management can open the door to a variety of career opportunities across sectors. Graduates will gain a wide range of expertise in people management, communication, risk analysis, scheduling, and financial oversight. These skills are increasingly valuable in business, allowing professionals to join a company even without an expert-level knowledge of their specific product. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), graduate students who've earned project management master's degrees may be qualified for the following occupations:

• oversee an entire project's scope, including budgeting, scheduling, procurement, and customer service. Specialists may also be considered senior project managers and take on additional duties, such as training new employees and acting as the main point of contact for clients. For senior-level roles, some employers may require a master's degree and several years of work experience.
• When you search for project manager roles, many will fall within the field of IT. generally work within software and website development while still adhering to traditional PM duties, such as scheduling, risk analysis, budgeting, milestone tracking, and problem-solving. Employers will likely require prerequisite skills in software development along with a master's degree.
• use their knowledge of project management techniques to organize and improve the efficiency of organizations. They're hired to maximize growth as well as increase productivity and performance.

Earning a master's degree in project management requires a major investment of time and money, so deciding to go back to school for this degree deserves careful consideration. Only you can determine if this is the right step for you based on your personal circumstances and career goals. However, taking a look at the potential benefits and possible drawbacks of a master's in project management may help you make the best choice:

Potential Benefits

• are much higher than the average U.S. salary. Project management specialists, for example, earn a median salary of $102,320 per year. While the top 10% of these earners make more than $167,970.
• A project management master's degree can allow you to work in a wide variety of industries. Most programs take a comprehensive approach, helping you learn how to manage people, utilize practical business tactics, and employ valuable software.
• Many project manager-related roles are growing at a fast rate. Careers in this field are growing at a rate of 7%, which is over double the national rate across all U.S. jobs. Demand runs deeper than even the U.S. numbers suggest. PMI's 2021 Talent Gap report projects the global economy will need , requiring 2.3 million people to enter project-oriented roles every year just to keep pace.

Potential Drawbacks

• A master's degree is an expensive endeavor. Even if you take your courses online, which can be slightly less expensive than on-campus, you can still expect to spend over in total.
• Many project manager roles require experience on top of a degree. This means that some employers value practical skills 鈥� which can only be achieved from work experience and certificates 鈥� over theoretical and academic achievements.
• A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is more widely recognized than a master's in project management. Employers know what comes with an MBA, but they may be less knowledgeable about the credentials that come with a project management master's degree.

Master's programs can be difficult to achieve while adding tens of thousands of dollars to your overall education costs. But if you're a dedicated student with some work experience, you can expect to land a role earning far more than the average U.S. salary. Even more encouraging is the wide range of skills you learn in a project management master's program, which are amplified by the act of learning in a remote, online environment.

According to a , PMP-certified project professionals report earning 17% more than their non-certified peers, and in the U.S. the gap is wider still: a median salary of $135,000, 24% higher than non-certified respondents. Since a graduate degree builds toward PMP eligibility, the certification premium is one of the clearest returns a project management master's can set up.