A bachelor's degree program in project management (PM) is generally required for a career in this popular and fast-growing field. Typical core courses in a PM bachelor's degree program cover topics like estimating, budgeting and quality assurance, among others. Read on for more information.
Pursuing a Career in Project Management
Project managers plan, schedule and set budgets and deadlines for projects in a variety of fields, including marketing, information technology (IT), construction and engineering. The Project Management Institute (PMI) defines project management as a focused effort to plan and complete a specific task by the deadline and within the allotted budget.
Project managers' responsibilities vary depending on the industry in which they work. For example, a project manager in construction may have an assignment involving the building or remodeling of a home or commercial structure, while an IT project manager might be assigned to manage the implementation of a new software system.
Earning potential for project managers varies by industry and geographic location, but the position tends to be well-paid. A June 2019 report from PayScale.com stated that the median annual salary for a project manager was $73,349.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisDegree">Important Facts About This Degree</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Continuing Education </td><td> Certifications such as the Project Management Professional, Certified Associate in Project Management are available</td></tr>
<tr><td> Programs </td><td> Internships are offered by some companies</td></tr>
<tr><td> Online Availability </td><td> Bachelor's programs are offered (often accompanied by hands-on courses)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Site Manager, Project Leader, IT Project Manager, Project Engineer</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---EarningABachelorSDegreeInProjectManagement">Earning a Bachelor's Degree in Project Management</h3><p>According to the University of Houston, project management professionals must typically have at least a bachelor's degree, though some positions may require a master's degree. This is a recent change in the field, whose early groundbreakers entered the field without formal training. Several universities offer Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in project management, and a business administration degree with a concentration in project management can also prepare you for a PM career. Other options for entering the field include earning a degree in a field like engineering or construction science and then obtaining a PM certificate or minor. Students who are specifically interested in the IT field may also select an IT bachelor's degree program that offers a concentration in project management.
</p><p>Typically, a bachelor's degree consists of between 124 and 128 credit hours, a portion of which is in subjects like math, science and English. The remaining required hours consist of upper-level classes in the student's specialization. Topics generally covered in project management programs include risk management, communications and procurement. Here are some examples of specific core courses:
</p><ul><li>Fundamentals of project management
</li><li>Project estimation and budgeting
</li><li>Project integration and scope management
</li><li>Human resource project management
</li><li>Project performance and quality assurance</li></ul>
