Online MBA Programs in Project Management

An online master’s of business administration (MBA) is a convenient alternative to on-campus learning, assisting students to become motivational leaders who create change and lead successful companies. These leaders can span all facets of an organization, from finance and engineering to marketing and human resources. One profession, in particular, is seeing a spike in demand: the project manager.

Project managers are becoming a growing presence in the workforce, found in various organizations. They ensure the successful execution of multiple projects by reducing the risk of failure and minimizing costs, inspiring and motivating employees, and building productive and efficient teams.

Common industries for project managers include construction, business, healthcare engineering, marketing, and information systems. In addition, small startups, major corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies all need project management, and even the military needs useful organizational leadership experts. According to a recent report by the world’s largest project management member association, Project Management Institute (PMI), the project management field is expected to grow by 33 percent, and employers will need nearly 88 million individuals in project management-oriented roles.

Project management positions attract candidates due to their strategic responsibilities, expertise, and high salaries. In 2023, project managers in construction earned a median salary of $101,480 per year, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Similarly, the BLS estimates that project managers in human resources earn a median salary of $130,000, and computer and information systems managers can make close to $164,000.

Students in MBA programs focusing on project management will learn how to start, plan, and deliver projects that meet a company’s goals and success strategy. They will know how to oversee projects throughout the stages, from conceptualization and development to execution and post-project evaluation. Typical courses include integration of leadership elements, effective communications, supply chain management, resource management, financial analysis, and risk analysis. They will graduate with the skills and knowledge required for many top-level positions and managerial roles.

Most MBAs in project management require a commitment of 18 to 24 months. To be considered for admission, some schools require previous work experience. Students can complete most online MBAs virtually, but some require one-week on-campus residencies to augment their degrees.

This guide highlights distance-based MBA project management programs and features three outstanding faculty members teaching in these programs.

Featured Project Management Programs
Grand Canyon University Online MBA - Project Management View Full Profile
Purdue Global Online MBA - Project Management View Full Profile
Southern New Hampshire University Online MBA In Project Management View Full Profile
Lamar University Program Certificate - Construction Proj Mgmt View Full Profile
University of Southern Indiana Online MBA - Project Management View Full Profile
Boston University Graduate Certificate - Project Management View Full Profile
Boston University Graduate Certificate - Project, Program & Portfolio Management View Full Profile
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN Southern New Hampshire University Online MS - Construction Management

Featured Online MBA in Project Management Programs

Purdue Global offers online MBA programs focusing on project management. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 2.5 or GRE or GMAT scores. No work experience or GRE/GMAT scores are required.

Core courses in the online MBA program include business perspectives; business communications; business analytics; financial accounting principles and analysis; measurement and decision-making; strategic human resource management; marketing management; economics for global decision-makers; financial management; designing, improving, and implementing processes; managing the value chain; strategic management; ethics in business and society; leadership strategies for a changing world; and an MBA capstone.

Project management concentration courses include strategic project selection and initiation; project planning and the project plan; project execution with monitoring and control; and project closing, ethics, and professional responsibilities.

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Format: Online
Tuition: $485 per credit
Program length: Two years

Maryville University offers a 39-credit MBA program that does not require students to have previous work experience. Instead, the curriculum is designed to develop the business expertise necessary for graduates to stand out from the competition via a practical and hands-on curriculum. Students can choose from nine concentrations: accounting, cybersecurity, health administration, IT, project management, general management, financial services, human resources management, and a general MBA.

Students complete 24 credit hours in foundational topics like business ethics and corporate financial policies. Following those courses, they can take electives that apply to their concentration of choice. In addition, students will complete 12 credits in project management, process and operations management, supply chain management, and enterprise planning and control for the project management track. Students will complete the program with a three-credit capstone. This program does not require any campus visits, and applicants do not have to submit GMAT or GRE test scores.

Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Format: Online
Tuition: $749 per credit
Program length: One year

SNHU’s online MBA in project management is a 36-credit program that students can complete in as little as 15 months with two courses per term. SNHU is a registered education provider (REP) of the Project Management Institute (PMI), and students must take a project management professional (PMP) certification course to take the PMP exam.

MBA students can also obtain an additional graduate certificate in project management, where students will manage a project through its entire lifecycle—from initiation to completion.

Concentration courses within the MBA program include a project management seminar, business economics, marketing, and strategy, leading in an organization, ethics, corporate culture, and responsibility. GMAT scores and prior work experience are not required for admission; however, a GPA of 2.7 or higher is necessary to enter the program.

Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and Project Management Institute (PMI)
Format: Online
Tuition: $637 per credit
Program length: 15 months

Grand Canyon University’s online MBA in project management is a great choice for those looking to further their careers through the lens of a Christian worldview. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage projects of all sizes and types successfully. Core courses include leadership and organizations; accounting practices; finance principle; and applied business probability. In addition, project management courses include fundamentals of project management; and agile project management.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, a minimum GPA of 2.8, and the GMAT and GRE are not required. After completing the program, graduates often pursue jobs as project managers, program directors, or consultants.

Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Format: Online
Tuition: $640 per credit
Program length: 18 to 24 months

The Romain College of Business at the University of Southern Indiana offers an MBA in project management designed to prepare students for leadership roles in this growing field. The program includes common courses such as accounting, finance, and marketing and specialized courses in project management. Four start dates are available throughout the year for students’ convenience.

Project management courses include problem-solving, quality control, time management, project management techniques, and resource management. This curriculum is aligned with the Project Management Institute (PMI), which enables graduates to take the industry-level certification upon completing the program.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA and GMAT scores with a waiver available for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. After graduation, many graduates pursue jobs in project management, consulting, or other business fields.

Location: Evansville, Indiana
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Format: Online
Tuition: $450 per credit
Program length: 11 months

Ohio University’s online MBA in project management offers students the opportunity to pursue a specialized track within their MBA program. Typical courses in this specialization include project management I and II and change and risk management. Courses are taught through the Blackboard learning management platform with asynchronous classes and time-based quizzes and activities. In addition, students can interact with their professors via virtual office hours. Students taking one course per seven-week term can graduate in two years.

Admission requirements for this program are generally the same as for Ohio University’s other online MBA programs; however, students must submit additional materials such as a resume, three letters of recommendation, a goal statement, and official transcripts. After graduating from this program, graduates may pursue careers in project management, consulting, or other related fields.

Location: Athens, Ohio
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Format: Online
Tuition: $1,051 per credit
Program length: Two years

Lamar University’s project management MBA program focuses specifically on construction project management. In the 30-credit online program, students will learn how to manage time, cost, quality, sustainability, risk, safety, and employees for large-scale projects in the construction industry. In addition, they learn about legal and safety practices specific to the industry, budgeting, sustainable design, marketing, strategy, and international business.

The curriculum for this online program includes five prerequisite courses for those with non-business undergraduate degrees, eight core MBA courses, and six construction project management courses. The latter include construction planning and scheduling, construction project management, legal practices in construction, construction safety management, construction cost estimating and analysis, and a sustainable built environment.

Location: Beaumont, Texas
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Format: Online
Tuition: $421 per credit (in-state); $888 per credit (out-of-state)
Program length: 12 months

Boston University Metropolitan College provides various online master’s programs, including an innovative master of science in project management. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. No work experience or GMAT/GRE test scores are required.

BUMC’s online MS in project management has courses in financial concepts; quantitative and qualitative decision-making; global supply chains; the innovation process: developing new products and services; project management; and project communications management. Also, students must choose two of the following: project risk and cost management; project and program governance; project management; and agile project management.

Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Format: Online
Tuition: $955 per credit
Program length: 18 months

Capella University offers a wealth of online MBA programs, including a specialization in project management. There are two formats for the programs: GuidedPath and FlexPath. The former is a more traditional, grades-based approach, while the latter is designed for self-motivated students who pay per session, and complete as many classes in each session as they’re able. The GuidedPath programs require candidates to have a 2.3 GPA, and the FlexPath requires at least a 2.8.

Core courses in the online MBA programs include marketing management; MBA leadership; accounting methods for leaders; applied managerial finance; business strategy; applied business analytics; and operations management for leaders. The project management concentration adds classes in project management, planning, execution, and control; project budgeting, procurement, and quality; project risk assessment and control.

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Format: Online
Tuition: Please view full profile for details
Program length: Contact the school for a customized assessment

Walden University is a fully online institution that offers two project management MBAs, one competency-based, meaning the program focuses on demonstrating skills rather than completing courses. These programs are designed to prepare students for leadership roles in project management.

The competency-based project management program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully manage projects from conception to completion at the enterprise level. Standard courses in the program include project planning, scheduling, and control; risk management; and cost estimation.

Admission requirements for the program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Graduates of the program often pursue careers as project managers, program managers, and consulting professionals.

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Format: Online
Tuition: $1,020 per credit
Program length: 1.5 to two years

Strayer University’s online MBA in project management is an excellent choice for students pursuing careers in this growing field. The program offers standard management principles, financial accounting, and project management courses. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required for admission, but the GMAT is not required.

Students in this online program can complete a degree in one year by taking three courses in one quarter and two in the following quarters. Online courses are offered in real-time online, and students must participate actively. In addition, Strayer University offers online mentoring, technical support, and access to a student services coach.

Location: Washington, D.C.
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Format: Online
Tuition: Please view full profile for details
Program length: Contact the school for a customized assessment

Carlow University offers an online MBA with a specialization in project management. The program is designed for working professionals and can be completed in as little as 15 months. The project management specialty courses include project management I: introduction; project management II: agile; and project management III: capstone.

The curriculum includes core MBA courses such as finance, accounting, marketing, and organizational behavior. In addition, students take specialized courses in project management topics such as risk management, cost estimation, and quality control. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree and at least 2-3 years of work experience. GMAT or GRE scores are not required for admission. After graduating from this program, many students pursue careers in project management, consulting, or other business roles.

Location: Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Format: Online
Tuition: $902 per credit
Program length: 15 months

Norwich University offers a 36-credit online MBA in project management program where students can complete a general MBA degree or opt into one of six concentrations—project management, construction management, energy management, supply chain management, and logistics, finance, or organizational leadership. The program is designed for full-time employees to complement their daily work schedule. It comprises six courses delivered through an online classroom over 11 weeks.

Students complete an independent research project in their concentration of choice in collaboration with their employer or other approved multi-national organizations. The project management portion of the curriculum is accredited by the PMI and includes topics on project management techniques, tools, best practices, leadership, communication, teams, and strategy. A one-week on-campus residency is required to complete the course. To be accepted into the program, students must have two years of work experience and a GPA of 2.75 or higher. No GMAT is required.

Location: Northfield, Vermont
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and Project Management Institute (PMI)
Format: Online with a one-week on-campus residency
Tuition: $799 per credit
Program length: 18 to 24 months

Spring Hill College offers an online MBA with a specialization in project management. This program is designed for working professionals who want to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue careers in project management. The program curriculum covers project planning, execution, control, risk management, and stakeholder communication.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, a minimum GPA of 3.0, a current resume, and three years of professional work experience. Applicants with less than three years of work experience must submit GMAT or GRE scores. MBA graduates with this specialization find careers in various industries, including construction, engineering, and IT. They may also pursue Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and find roles in project management, program management, or project coordination.

Location: Mobile, Alabama
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Format: Online
Tuition: $540 per credit
Program length: 10 months

Aspen University’s online MBA in project management offers opportunities for those looking to enter or advance their corporate careers in project management. This degree program encompasses planning, execution, hiring, and budgeting for enterprise-level projects. This program is entirely online, does not require on-campus residencies, and can be completed in 18 months.

Common courses in this program include management; marketing management; business ethics; eBusiness, and quantitative analysis. Courses in the project management specialization can lead to Project Management Institute (PMI) certification.

Admission requirements for this program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, official transcripts, and an application. The GRE and GMAT are not required for admission. After graduating from this program, graduates will be prepared to pursue careers in project management, consulting, or other related fields for various industries.

Location: Denver, Colorado
Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Format: Online
Tuition: $325 per credit
Program length: 18 months

Located in St. Charles, Missouri, Lindenwood University offers an online MBA in project management. Regardless of specialization, all students take core courses in managerial accounting; financial policy; business policies and strategies; and marketing principles and issues.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. GMAT scores are required for those with a GPA of lower than 3.0. Applicants without a business-related bachelor’s degree must complete 18 credits of foundational courses. After graduating from this program, graduates often pursue careers in supply chain management, project management, or administrative services management.

Location: St. Charles, Missouri
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Format: Online
Tuition: $555 per credit
Program length: 15 to 36 months

Florida Tech’s PMI-accredited project management MBA program gives students hands-on experience planning and managing projects in a modern business environment. Students can complete the 36-credit curriculum entirely online over six 14-week trimesters.

The program is designed for students wishing to obtain positions as environmental project managers, senior program managers, quality assurance managers, or project management consultants, among others. Throughout the program, students will learn how and when to use specific tools and techniques according to the project stage, and they will deepen their knowledge in topics like scope, time, cost, and quality management. Coursework prepares students to sit for the PMP certification examination. No GRE or GMAT is required for admission.

Location: Melbourne, Florida
Accreditation: International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), PMI
Format: Online
Tuition: $896 per credit
Program length: Two years

Admission Requirements for Online MBA Programs in Project Management

The programs featured above require several application conditions for students to be considered for admission. Some of those requirements include:

  • Between two and five years of professional work experience
  • A competitive GPA from a bachelor’s degree in business, management, or human resources
  • GMAT test scores, which may be waived under certain conditions
  • A personal statement of goals and objectives
  • Essays
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Application fee

Professors to Know in Online MBA Programs in Project Management

  • Craig Escamilla, MBA Lamar University

    Craig Escamilla is a management professor in the marketing and management department at Lamar University. He was previously executive director of the Symphony of Southeast Texas (professional regional symphony orchestra) before teaching at the Lamar University College of Business. He was named an outstanding young professional under 40 in Southeast Texas. A self-proclaimed advocate for new technology, Mr. Escamilla is interested in understanding how to create the best online educational experience possible for students. He earned his undergraduate and MBA degrees at Lamar University.

  • Lance Kaltenbaugh, EdD, MEd Ashland University

    Dr. Lance Kaltenbaugh is the interim associate dean and has been an associate professor of sports management at Ashland University since 2000. His areas of expertise focus on sports and recreation management and leadership. In 2021 he was named an Outstanding Faculty Member and received an Academic Mentor Award in 2006.

    In addition, Dr. Kaltenbaugh is the director of graduate programs, the internship coordinator for sports management, and a faculty advisor for the sports business club at Ashland University. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s of education in therapeutic recreation and recreation management from the University of Toledo and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Akron.

  • Jignya Patel, PhD, MBA Florida Institute of Technology

    Dr. Jignya Patel is an associate professor of information systems at the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology. Dr. Patel is also the director of the business applied program and the FIT institutional review board chairperson. Her research areas include unintended or negative effects of IT use on individuals.

    She has published extensively in journals such as Information Technology & People and the Journal of Information Technology Management. Dr. Patel teaches management information systems, IT project management, ERP systems, and business analytics and intelligence. She holds a PhD from the University of Memphis in management information systems and an MBA from the University of North Alabama.

Farheen Gani
Farheen Gani
Writer

Farheen Gani is an expert in online MBA programs, having covered MBA programs in computer science, economics, healthcare management, and fraud and forensics, among others, since 2018. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).