The Top Project Management MBA Online Programs

Many companies today are starting to realize that outsourcing is not always the best solution to completing projects. Often the savings achieved are outweighed by a decrease in quality due to the loss of direct oversight. Despite advances in communication technology, nothing can replace face-to-face interaction. As more processes return in-house, project managers are needed to ensure high quality results, completed on time and on budget. Students can obtain the skills necessary to fill these leadership roles by pursuing an online Master of Business Administration in Project Management.

The best online MBA in project management schools prepare students to manage every stage of a project, including planning, procurement, risk management and delivery. Schools with top online project management MBA rankings also give students the opportunity to participate in management simulations so they can get valuable feedback on their approach to a project. After graduating from a project management MBA online program, students will have the leadership skills and expertise that companies are looking for to meet their business goals.

How can I tell if an online MBA project management degree is right for me?

Students with a desire to lead, to plan strategy and to manage resources are best suited to pursue an accredited online Master of Business Administration in Project Management.

Additional common characteristics amongst many online MBA project management students include:

• A flair for establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
• An aptitude for organizing, planning, and prioritizing work
• A flair for scheduling work and activities
• An aptitude for getting information
• A capability for resolving conflicts and negotiating with others

How long does it take to earn an MBA online project management degree?

A project management MBA degree online takes approximately the same time to finish as any other MBA online. This degree on average takes two years of full-time study to earn. However, some institutions have part-time or accelerated programs that give students the ability to finish the program at their own pace.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA project management schools online?

Accredited online MBA project management programs generally require students to have an undergraduate degree prior to enrolling in the MBA program. Some schools that have an MBA project management online program favor applicants who have degrees in related fields such as consulting, business management, business administration, and business.

In addition to requiring students to have a bachelor’s degree, many online MBA in project management programs base admission on the following criteria:

• Personal interviews
• Essays
• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)
• References or Letters of Recommendation

What courses will I take in project management MBA programs online?

Online MBA project management programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) typically begin a student’s first year with core management courses covering a wide range of skills. AACSB online MBA courses typically include managerial accounting, financial management, operations management, global economics and information technology.

During their second year, students at online project management MBA schools take classes that focus primarily on the different stages of project management. The typical project management MBA online curriculum includes courses such as organizational behavior, project initiation, project planning, legal considerations in project management and managing project teams.

In addition to coursework, internships are also done by some students in online project management MBA programs. Such an internship can be important in that it not only gives students an opportunity to practically apply the business and project management skills they are learning in an actual business setting, but it can also serve as an introduction into a particular business or company.

What are the best online MBA in project management books I should consider reading?

Some books students interested in project management MBA careers may find on point are:

1. Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management (Theory in Practice) (Scott Berkun) – A former Microsoft project manager presents several different project management philosophies that are applicable to both technical and non-technical readers.

2. The One-Page Project Manager: Communicate and Manage Any Project With a Single Sheet of Paper (Clark A. Campbell) – This book describes how to cut down the length of communication while still conveying essential details in order save both time and effort.

3. Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Project Management (Greg Horine) – This book is a great place to start for students beginning an MBA project management online program as it provides a step by step guide for project management, from procurement to delivery.

4. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us (Daniel H. Pink) – Human drive is explored in this book, dispelling the common belief that financial and material rewards are the best way to motivate employees.

5. The Lazy Project Manager: How to be twice as productive and still leave the office early (Peter Taylor) – The author of this book explains the techniques he uses to focus on the important aspects of life and work in order to increase productivity.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue project management MBA jobs?

The project management MBA salary a graduate can earn depends greatly on the industry he or she enters. Additionally, different industries offer a range in the number of positions available. For example, training and development managers had around 29,000 jobs in 2010 while there were around 523,000 jobs for construction managers in the same year. The following jobs are just a few examples of the work a student with an MBA online project management degree can pursue:

• Construction Manager – $83,860
• Training and Development Managers – $89,170
• Web Project Manager – $85,000
• IT Project Manager – $102,000

The recession has forced many companies to place a strong emphasis on cost control. As a result, the demand for graduates of project management MBA schools online is very high. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment growth for training and development managers to be 15% between 2010 and 2020. Even with the recent collapse of the housing market, employment for construction managers is still expected to grow 17%, about as fast as the average of all other occupations. This is largely due to both the demand for retrofitting buildings with green technology and U.S. infrastructure maintenance projects.

Many employers prefer graduates who have earned their degrees from a program that has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accredited project management MBA programs are believed to provide students with a quality education.

What are the top online schools to pursue an online Project Management MBA degree?

• American InterContinental University
• Walden University
• Jones International University
• Ashford University
• California Intercontinental University