Master’s in Project Management Online MS in Operations Degree Program

Depending on your goals, it absolutely can be. An advanced degree in project management can give you the boost of confidence you need to take your next step – and even help open doors to new career opportunities.

And regardless of your career aspirations, students in this degree program walk away with invaluable skills that can serve them across disciplines. A master's in project management helps hone your understanding of topics like quantitative analysis, management science, supply chain management, service operations and more.

In addition to professional advancement, there's research to suggest that graduate degrees could lead to higher earning potential throughout various fields and industries. In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that individuals with a master's degree earned a median weekly pay of $1,737.¹ By comparison, those with a bachelor's earned $1,493.¹

Read more about how to become a project manager.

The amount of time it takes to complete your master's in project management primarily depends on whether you're a full-time (2 courses per term) or part-time (1 course per term) student. 

At SNHU, the online MS in Project Management degree is comprised of 36 credits — so if you enroll full-time, you could complete the program in as little as 15 months. If you're enrolled part-time or take a term off here and there, the program could take a bit longer. 

And remember: there's no right or wrong way to tackle a graduate degree, so go at the pace that works best for you. 

Earning your master's in project management at Southern New Hampshire University puts you in a great position to pursue and maintain your Project Management Professional (PMP)^® certification. Because of SNHU’s relationship with the PMI®, the MS in Project Management & Operations coursework provides the knowledge, skills and resources to help you confidently prepare for the PMP^® certification exam.

As part of this program, students even have the option of taking QSO-645: Project Management for PMP® Certification, which can satisfy the 25 hours of project management education required to apply for the PMP^® certification exam.

If you choose to earn your master's in project management or a related field, there are a few additional steps needed, from there, to become a certified PMP^®. To do so, you must:

• Meet educational and professional experience requirements set by Project Management Institute (PMI)®
• Apply to take the PMP^® certification exam
• Complete and pass the PMP^® certification exam, which is a 200-question test given in one 4-hour period
• Earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every 3 years

It's important to note that some prerequisites are required before you can take the PMP^® certification exam. According to the PMI^®'s website, these prerequisites will vary depending on your highest level of education.

If, for example, you have a secondary degree – such as a high school diploma, associate degree or the global equivalent – you will also need:

• 7,500 hours leading and directing projects
• 35 hours of project management education or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)^® certification

On the other hand, if you earn a 4-year degree, you would then need:

• 4,500 hours leading and directing projects
• 35 hours of project management education or CAPM^® certification

A graduate degree is a valuable credential, and both an MBA and an MS can be great steps toward a career in project management. Let's compare the two to help you figure out which would be a better fit for you.

• An MBA is designed for those who want a deep understanding of business with the opportunity to specialize in certain areas (or concentrations) — like project management. The online MBA program at Southern New Hampshire University, for example, features several concentration options. In addition project management, the MBA allows students to hone in on areas like operations and supply chain management, entrepreneurship, accounting and lots more.
• An MS, in contrast, might be a better fit for someone who wants to focus solely on project management and less on broader business concepts. The online MS in project management program at SNHU gives you the skills you need to analyze, design, implement and manage projects for efficient operations across an array of industries. While you'll cover overarching business concepts, they're not the main focus.

When deciding which is better for you, consider your experience and career goals. If you already have professional experience as a project manager, an MBA in Project Management could be a great addition to your resume — and even open opportunities outside project management in the future, should you be interested in them.

On the other hand, if you're brand new to the project management field — or hoping to break into it — an MS in project management could give you the specialized skills you need to get started and stand out in the job market.

Both graduate degrees are strong options for a career in project management (or beyond).

Most jobs in the project management, operations and business industries require a bachelor's degree. But a master's or PMP^® could set you apart in these competitive fields and give you opportunities to advance your career even further.

If you've earned your bachelor's in project management or a related field, you may qualify for a number of entry-level jobs, including:

• Distribution manager
• Inventory control analyst
• Production planner
• Production supervisor
• Project manager
• Purchasing manager
• Quality assurance (QA) analyst
• Supply chain planner
• Supply manager
• Warehouse manager

A master's degree, on the other hand, could open up opportunities to a number of leadership roles, including:

• Business continuity manager
• Inventory control manager
• Operations planner
• Process improvement manager
• Purchasing director
• Supply chain manager

As the point person for corporate projects both big and small, you'll be responsible for coordinating schedules, evaluating cost estimates and budgets, assessing risk and more. With all these moving parts, your day-to-day will likely require any number of tools to help keep everything in order, including:

• Gantt charts. If you're already working in the industry, you've no doubt come across a Gantt chart. Built to represent a project schedule from start to finish, this chart uses a series of bars to neatly lay out the steps it takes to complete individual tasks, thereby helping teams stay aligned at every step of the process. While there are plenty of programs out there to help you create Gantt charts, you can also build these simple tools with widely available software like Google Sheets or Excel.
• Project management information systems (PMIS). A project management information system uses one or more software applications to organize all the information relevant to completing, tracking or referencing a project. Typically, a PMIS provides tools for schedule and planning, resource management, budget, integration and reporting.
• Responsibility matrixes (RACI). RACI stands for "responsible, accountable, consulted and informed." True to its name, this model uses a chart to track all responsible parties in a project, keeping everyone accountable and managing expectations for each team member involved.
• Video conferencing software. With many businesses and global brands relying heavily on remote communication, video conferencing software is an important tool in any project manager's toolkit. Not only can it reduce time-consuming email chains or IM interactions, it gives teams an opportunity to align, ask questions, and deliver updates in real time.
• Work breakdown structure (WBS). A work breakdown structure takes deliverables and divides them up into smaller components. For example, if a team is planning to host a space at a marketing conference, they might separate deliverables into categories like "furniture," "swag" and "booth." From there, each step can be identified, estimated, scheduled, and budgeted in smaller, manageable sections.

In addition to proficiency with some of or all these skills, as well as knowledge of common project management methodologies, you'll need a handful of key soft skills, including:

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Leadership
• Negotiation
• Organization
• Self-motivation

It's worth noting that many of these soft skills are essential to military service members and veterans, making this a particularly well-suited master's program for those looking to transition back into civilian life.

Southern New Hampshire University proudly supports military service members and their families with up to 30% tuition discounts, career and academic advisors with military experience, and transfer-friendly programs that award college credits for military training.

If you’re a military service member or the family member of someone who serves, and you’re interested in a bachelor’s-level program, consider our online operations management degree.