Are Online Project Management Degrees Legit?

Before you start working to obtain an online project management degree, you may have a few questions you want answered. In particular: Are online PM degrees legit?

Yes, there are many legitimate online project management degree programs available. Project management is a popular online degree, and there can be many benefits to completing your education online.

Online project management degrees come in multiple degree levels, with the most common being:

• online associate in project management
• online bachelor's in project management
• online MBA in project management

Do Employers Respect Online Project Management Degrees?

Online project management degrees provide an accessible way for busy, nontraditional students to get their education. However many are concerned that employers won't respect their online degree once it's time to get a job.

Online degree programs have been around for a while, and with the world becoming more reliant on technology, they aren't going away. As time goes on, more and more employers are hiring online graduates and finding that these job candidates are every bit as skilled as the ones who hold traditional degrees.

This is also true for project management. Many reputable schools offer online project management programs, so an increasing number of job seekers are entering the market with an online degree. Generally speaking, most employers will respect this degree as long as it comes from a reputable school.

What To Look for in an Online Project Management Degree Program

It's important to carefully choose the school where you get your online degree. Here are some criteria to consider as you make your decision.

Accreditation

All schools that offer legitimate degrees are accredited. There are different accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Common ones include the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Higher Learning Commission.

Reputation

A school's reputation goes beyond its accreditation. Reputable schools are known for having top-quality academic standards, a high graduation rate, and a high average GPA, among other factors. Always try to choose a school with a reputation that's well-known and good.

Graduation Rates

Graduation rates can indicate the overall academic health of a school. If the majority of students are graduating, the school likely has a good curriculum, competent faculty, and plenty of support services available. When choosing your school, always try to pick a school with a high graduation rate.

Differences Between Online and Traditional Project Management Degrees

Online project management degrees are great for busy and highly motivated students. In many cases, they allow you to complete coursework anytime and anywhere as long as you meet all deadlines. Courses are usually eight weeks long, but some schools offer shorter, longer, or self-paced class sessions.

Online project management degrees are more affordable because of reduced fees and costs associated with learning.

Traditional degree programs are typically 16 weeks long and involve a lot more structure. Students meet in classrooms at set times each day and complete additional assignments outside of class. Traditional programs are great for students who need structure or enjoy the social atmosphere of a traditional classroom.

Differences between these two types of programs include:

• learning environment
• social interaction
• flexibility vs. structure
• course length

Benefits of Earning Your Project Management Degree at an Online School

Flexible scheduling is often seen as one of the biggest benefits of getting an online degree. Learners can study on their schedule, allowing them to keep full-time jobs, spend time with family, and fulfill other commitments they may have.

If you excel in an environment where you can study on your own and still complete assignments on time, then an online project management degree will help you develop skills you will use on the job. These skills include:

• time management
• planning
• goal-setting

Finally, getting an online degree may be less expensive than getting a traditional degree. This is because many schools charge lower rates and fewer fees for online programs. Even those that don't provide discounts may cost less because you won't have to commute to school or live on campus.

Featured Online Project Management Degree Programs

The following schools offer legitimate and well-respected online degrees in project management.

1. Liberty University

Liberty University, located in Virginia, offers hundreds of undergraduate and graduate degree programs both on-campus and online. It is a reputable private school accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The following project management degree programs are available:

• online BS in business administration and data analysis - project management concentration
• online MS in project management
• online MBA in project management
• online DBA in project management

Additionally, project management is offered as a specialization in the school's marketing, healthcare administration, and engineering management master's degree programs.

2. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public school located in the Phoenix metro area. This well-known school provides a wealth of online degree programs and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Four project management degree programs are available:

• online BS in project management
• online BAS in project management
• online BA in organizational leadership - project management concentration
• online Master of Project Management (MPM)

3. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University is a prestigious private school in Missouri. Various online degree programs are available, and the school is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Three project management degrees can be completed at this school:

• online BS in project management
• online accelerated BS to MS in project management
• online MS in project management

4. Herzing University

Herzing University is a private school with various physical campuses and an online division. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Students can complete the following project management degrees:

• online BS in project management
• online MBA in project management

5. Southern New Hampshire University

A private school in New Hampshire, Southern New Hampshire University places a strong emphasis on its online degree programs. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Several project management degrees are available, including:

• online BS in business administration - project management concentration
• online BS in data analytics - project management concentration
• online BS in operations management - project management concentration
• online MBA - project management
• online MS in project management and operations