Online master's degree programs in project management

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Effective leadership takes vision and focus. Project managers bring these qualities to a team, helping organizations execute complex initiatives on time and within budget. Becoming an effective project manager takes both practical experience and higher education. With a degree from one of the online master's degree programs in project management, you can develop your organizational vision and establish yourself as an expert on leading projects.

A Master of Science degree in information technology project management brings together technological expertise and business management skills. Project managers use scheduling software and technical methodologies to plan and coordinate vast projects, such as the design and implementation of a new IT system. Job skills range from data analysis to personnel management. In an IT context, project managers also rely on a broad understanding of information systems.

Online master's degree programs in project management bears some resemblance to degrees in civil engineering. In an information technology context, project management degree programs combine the logistics training of the civil engineering discipline with the technical training of computer or electrical engineering programs.

Coursework for a Master of Science in information technology project management may include classes such as:

• Enterprise system implementation
• Managerial economics
• Organization theory and design
• Project communications management
• Project risk and cost management
• Quantitative decision-making
• Technology and innovation management

Online master's degree programs in project management allow you to pursue an advanced credential while you continue to work as a professional. Programs are self-paced and conveniently accessible from any online device. For more information on online master's degrees in project management, see the Guide to Majors in Project Management.

Online master's degree programs in project management: Careers

Although no degree program can guarantee a job offer or particular salary, the Master of Science in information technology project management generally leads to a job as an IT project manager. Graduate degree holders can pursue the following potential careers:

• ERP project managers develop, plan and implement an organization's enterprise resource planning, or ERP, system.


• IT project managers oversee projects related to the upkeep and improvement of information systems, including new technology implementations, maintenance projects and software development.
  


• Project controls managers oversee scheduling, budgeting, quality review and staffing for large-scale engineering projects.


• Project directors supervise a team of project managers, coordinating all aspects of corporate projects that bring together multiple cross-functional teams.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth of computer and information systems managers including IT project managers should grow 17 percent over the 2008 to 2018 decade. The emergence of new technology will drive investment in IT management talent as organizations rely on large-scale IT projects to sustain productivity and lock in their competitive edge. The BLS reports mean earned wages of $120,640 for information systems managers in 2009.

Online master's degree programs in project management combine business acumen with highly technical skills. If this challenging field sounds right for you, now may be the time to enroll in an accredited program. Start transforming your existing skills into more advanced skills that will allow your future to unfold.

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