Master's in Project Management Online MS in Operations Program

Flexible

With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.

Affordable

As part of our mission to make higher education more accessible, we’re committed to keeping our tuition rates low. In fact, we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation.

Prior coursework and work experience could also help you save time and money. SNHU’s transfer policy allows you to transfer up to 12 credits from your previous institution. You could also earn college credit for previous work experience.

Respected

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 160,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor, which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality. 

Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

• “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
• A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
• Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium

Network

At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 300,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

93.6% of online students would recommend SNHU (according to a 2022 survey with 17,000+ respondents). Discover why SNHU may be right for you.

Experiential Learning

Education is about empowering you to advance your career. That's why, at SNHU, we offer a number of experiential learning opportunities, all built to position you for success long after you complete your degree. Some of our operations management students, for example, have competed in the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) Case Competition – a global event in collaboration with Deloitte Consulting LLP that challenges teams of participants to engage in real-world supply chain problem-solving. Student teams from universities across the globe compete for the chance to win cash prizes up to $5,000. The competition not only helps students flex both technical knowledge and soft skills, it offers valuable opportunities for networking that could lead to mentorships, internships and more.

Expanding access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials:

• Completed free application
• Undergraduate transcripts, which we can retrieve for you by submitting a transcript request form

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms.

If you’re ready to apply, follow these simple steps to get the process going:

• Complete free graduate application
• Submit undergraduate transcripts
• Work with an admission counselor to explore financial options and walk through application process

Notes: 

• Laptop or desktop?  Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility. 

• Note:  Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10. 

• Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government. 

• Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers. 

The opportunities are endless. That might sound like an overstatement, but it really is true. One of the most exciting things about a career in operations management is that there's demand for it in just about every industry imaginable.

Operations managers are needed in a number of high-demand industries, including transportation, retail, military, e-commerce, healthcare, financial services, higher education, insurance, food service, manufacturing and hospitality.

The work environments will vary by industry, too. For example, you could work in an office doing engineering project management, where you'd help lead the creation of products like machines or software applications. Alternatively, you may work in resource project management, where you'll work outdoors and on job sites to help optimize the use of natural resources and minimize waste. If you thrive on variety, you could also work in consultant project management, where you can hop from industry to industry serving clients with a host of different needs.

No matter where you choose to go or what kind of projects you want to lead, an MS in project management can help you hone the skills you need to prepare you for what's next.

Earning your master's in project management at SNHU puts you in a great position to pursue and maintain your Project Management Professional (PMP)^® certification. This program can provide the knowledge, skills and resources to help you confidently prepare for the PMP^® certification exam.

To become a certified PMP, you must:

• Meet educational and professional experience requirements set by PMI
• Apply to take the PMP certification exam
• Complete and pass the PMP 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^® 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

Not necessarily, but an advanced degree can give you the boost of confidence you need to reach your goals – and even help open doors to new career opportunities. In fact, according to a survey conducted by PMI, 47% of project managers have their master's degree.²

Dianne Swanciger, adjunct faculty member at Southern Hampshire University, can attest to this as she is one of many professionals who is opting for a master's to help them get where they want to go. “Earning my graduate degree established my level of expertise in the field,” she said. "It gave me the confidence to sit for my PMP^® certification exam and the knowledge to pass it with ease."

A graduate degree also helped her rise through the ranks of her industry – ultimately resulting in a high-impact leadership role. "It gave me the expertise to create a project management office – a new endeavor for my employer – and standardize our project management practices to align with industry best practices."

Beyond professional advancement, there is some research to suggest that graduate degrees could lead to higher earning potential throughout various fields and industries. In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that individuals with a master's degree earned a median weekly pay of $1,661.¹ By comparison, those with a bachelor's earned $1,432.¹

Read more about how to become a project manager.

Not better, just different. Let's compare, to help you figure out which option would be a better fit for you.

• A PMP is a specialized credential for those interested in the operational and project management side of the house. It is often recognized as the gold standard for project management certification, as it helps prepare professionals for success in virtually any industry. It is also "global," in that PMP's lead projects in nearly every country in the world, whereas many other certifications instead focus specifically on a particular geography or domain.
• An MBA, on the other hand, is a bit broader. It is designed for those who want a deep understanding of business with the opportunity to specialize in certain areas (or concentrations). The online MBA program at SNHU, for example, features several concentration options, including operations and supply chain management, project management, entrepreneurship, accounting and many more.

When deciding which is better for you, consider your career goals. If you're interested in making project management the focus of your career, a PMP might be the right path for you. On the other hand, if you want to get a broader understanding of business as a whole, you may want to consider pursuing an MBA. Earning your MBA gives you the flexibility to decide which area of business to specialize your degree in - one option being an MBA in Project Management.

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.

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
• Director of inventory control
• Director for strategy & operations
• Operational strategy consultant
• Operations planner
• Operations research analyst
• Process improvement manager
• Project director
• Program analyst
• Purchasing director
• Quality assurance manager
• Supply chain manager

Jill McCamant '21 already had operations experience, but knew a master's degree could take her further.

"The operations and project management program allowed me to learn more of how processes worked and how I can improve processes," she said.

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.

SNHU 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.

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet at:

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/operations-research-analysts.htm (viewed Nov. 17, 2023)
• https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/data-on-display/education-pays.htm (viewed Nov. 17, 2023)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/project-management-specialists.htm (viewed Nov. 17, 2023)

Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

² Project Management Institute, Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey – Eleventh Edition (2020), on the internet, at https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/learning/pmi-salary-survey-11th-edition-report.pdf (viewed Oct. 1, 2021)