Master's in Project Management Online MS in Operations

Flexible

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

Affordable

Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 12 credits from your previous institution.

Respected

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.

Recently, Southern New Hampshire University 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 200,000 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 your industry. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.

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.

Military Friendly

SNHU is a proud military supporter. In fact, we first launched our online programs in 1995 to give active-duty military service members a pathway to education. Today, we continue that tradition by offering 30% tuition discounts for service members and their families, college credits for military training and the support of academic and career advisors with military backgrounds.

See why 96% of students would recommend SNHU.*

Part of our mission to expand 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 — with no GRE or GMAT required.

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

Simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions, and walk you through the application process, which includes:

• Completing a graduate application
• Providing undergraduate transcripts

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 will help you hone the skills you need to prepare you for what's next.

To earn and maintain your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, you'll need to:

• Fill out an application
• Pass the PMP exam
• Earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every 3 years

It's important to note that some prerequisites are required before you can sit for the PMP exam. According to the Project Management Institute (PMI) 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 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 by the Project Management Institute (PMI), 46% of project managers have their master's (by comparison, 43% of respondents reported having a bachelor's).³

Dianne Swanciger, adjunct faculty member at Southern Hampshire University, can attest to this as she is one of many professionals who are 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 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that individuals with a master's degree earned a median weekly pay of $1,434.² By comparison, those with a bachelor's earned $1,198.²

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 PMPs 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 more broad. 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.

That all depends on what you'd like to do.

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

• 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 realtime.
• 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 30% tuition discounts, career and academic advisors with military experience, and transfer-friendly programs that awards 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 bachelor's in operations management.