A career in project management gives you a way to put your leadership skills to use while also helping a business, non-profit organization, or some other type of company achieve their goals. You don’t necessarily have to earn a master’s degree in order to do this kind of work. However, there are notable benefits to earning this type of degree. Why study a master’s in project management? Keep the following in mind when you’re deciding whether or not to look for online degree programs in this field.
Is a Master’s in Project Management Worth It?
Should you spend time and effort working toward earning your master’s degree in project management? You might be unsure if this type of degree is required for doing this kind of work. Since earning your master’s is a big commitment, it’s important to ensure you’re making the right choice. The good news is that holding this degree can pay off in terms of job satisfaction, job opportunities, and more. Project management professionals who have earned a master’s degree can look forward to thriving careers in just about any industry.
Top Benefits of a Master’s in Project Management
Although it isn’t required, taking the time to earn a master’s in project management is a smart educational investment. Being able to handle all aspects of a project is an important skillset to have but holding an advanced degree helps you stand head and shoulders above the competition. When you focus on earning your master’s degree in this field, you can look forward to benefits like these:
- Career Advancement
Project management is in demand in several industries due to the nature of this work. Both non-profit and for-profit organizations need individuals who are able to manage projects from start to finish, including the planning and development stages as well as the execution stage. From allocating resources to managing timelines and budgeting, project managers have a lot of responsibilities to handle.
When you work in this type of job, you may come across key advancement opportunities, such as taking on a senior position in project management at your organization. In order to boost your chance to land one of these higher positions, a project management skillset can help set you apart from the competition. A master’s degree effectively demonstrates you’re willing to go above and beyond in this type of career. Keep in mind that having access to these advanced positions means you could increase your earning potential while also enjoying a successful career.
- Work in Different Industries
Graduates who have a master’s degree in project management can choose from a wide range of industries to work in. Many types of industries and businesses rely on project management processes to make improvements where needed, expand their client base, boost profits, and achieve other goals. If you’re planning to become a project manager, think about the kinds of interests you have and where and how you want to put your hard-earned skills to use.
Project managers can work in many industries, including software development, marketing, construction, consulting, energy, healthcare, information technology, and more. This diversity allows you to choose the industry that best fits your interests and goals so that you can build your ideal career. When you’re working on your degree, you’ll have time to think about which industry you would like to work in as a project manager.
- Improve Your Current Skills
When you study for a bachelor’s degree in project management, you learn the skills needed for this kind of work. If you already have this degree, you can still benefit from going on to earn your master’s degree. During this advanced program, you’ll have a chance to work on improving the skills you’ve already learned. Whether you want to further develop your skills in communication, risk management, critical thinking, quality management, or cost management, a master’s degree program provides you with many opportunities to do so.
During this program, you will have assignments and projects to complete for school while also being able to develop skills in real-life back on the job. This added practice can help you sharpen your full set of project management skills, which can help you thrive in this type of career.
- Real-Life Experience While Earning Your Degree
If you’ve already started working as a project manager after earning a bachelor’s degree, you’ll get to enjoy one of the biggest benefits of earning a master’s degree. Being employed while working toward your degree provides you with a chance to gain real-life experience and academic knowledge. You can take what you’re learning in your master’s degree program and put it to use at your job. Likewise, you can use real-life experiences at work to better understand what you’re learning.
For example, you can think of a situation at work where you had to practice risk management and apply that experience to a school project or assignment. You can also keep these experiences in mind when studying for exams. This gives you a clear advantage over those who have not started working in project management.
- Earn Your PMP Certification
The Project Management Professional exam isn’t technically a requirement for working as a project manager. However, successfully passing this exam and earning your PMP certification can be a big benefit in terms of advanced job opportunities and higher salaries. This exam is a well-respected assessment that shows employers how dedicated you are at excelling in this type of work and keeping up to date with industry standards. Although this exam is not a requirement, it can help boost your career and give you a competitive edge over others.
When you look for master’s degree programs in project management, check for ones that include a PMP exam preparation course. Taking one of these valuable courses can help ensure that you’re ready to take this exam.
- High Demand for Project Managers
Since projects are a common part of day-to-day operations in many for-profit and non-profit businesses, having an advanced degree in project management can improve your career prospects. This kind of degree can give employers a positive impression of you and ensure that your resume stands out from other job applicants. Keep in mind, according to Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap 2017-2027, a report commissioned by the Project Management Institute (PMI), there will be a significant demand for qualified project management professionals. Job opportunities are out there and will be for the foreseeable future.
Throughout many industries, including construction and information technology, the need for skilled and qualified project managers has remained steady and could increase in the coming years. This demand for project management helps make a master’s degree program a smart investment for those who want to succeed in this type of work.
- Learn from Experts
While you should have learned the basic skills needed for project management during a bachelor’s degree program, a master’s degree gives you a chance to learn from experts in this kind of work. When you work toward earning this advanced degree, you’ll have opportunities to gain in-depth knowledge that you might not have had before. These experts can guide you in developing and improving project management skills while also answering questions you might have about doing this kind of work.
Being able to learn from experienced project management can ensure that you’re able to earn your degree and build a fulfilling career. From faculty to professionals in the field, you can expect to learn during class and on the job.
If you’re considering earning your master’s degree in project management, please contact Post University today. We offer an online Master of Science in Project Management that includes problem-based learning to help you develop the right set of skills for this kind of career. Our school also offers a PMP exam preparation course to help you get ready to take this assessment.
Thank you for reading! The views and information provided in this post do not reflect Post University programs and/or outcomes directly. If you are interested in learning more about our programs, you can find a complete list of our programs on our website or reach out directly!