How To Become a Project Manager Without a Degree

Project management is a career path that can lead to just about any industry. The responsibilities of a project management job include coordinating the team members and stakeholders involved in a project and ensuring that every stage of the project lifecycle is completed on time.

Multiple project management degree programs teach the soft and hard skills needed to perform this work, but learners don't have to be students to qualify for a project manager job. You can land a job as a project manager without a degree by completing certification programs, working on soft skills, and networking.

Can You Become a Project Manager Without a Degree?

It's possible to become a project manager without a degree, but you'll still need to pursue learning opportunities. Proper project management blends personal and technical skills, including understanding management software, risk management, and organizational skills. These skills are covered in formal project management education programs, but they can also be learned through independent study and online courses.

The largest hurdle for most aspiring project managers to overcome is gaining experience. Finding entry-level positions or internships is a good way to develop project management skills without a degree.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Project Manager Without a Degree?

Most aspiring project managers must take time to gain knowledge and experience to secure a job without a bachelor's degree; this can vary depending on the individual.

Online project management courses can range from a few hours to several months. Applicants without a degree usually need multiple certifications and some experience in a related field to display to future employers that they have the skills to be successful project managers.

Steps To Becoming a Project Manager Without a Degree

Most aspiring project managers use their degrees, even in unrelated fields, to apply for project management positions, but this isn't the only way. Learners can take advantage of online courses to hone their project management skills, but several additional steps can help increase their chances of qualifying for a project management role.

1. Gain Relevant Experience

Project management experience is one of the best replacements for a degree. Hiring managers view degrees as proof of commitment to a learning program and as a representation of the minimum skills that an applicant should have. Years of experience also can demonstrate that applicants have certain skills needed for project planning.

Learners can use internships or similar jobs to develop experience, even if they don't have official project management experience.

2. Pursue Project Management Certifications

Degrees are the main learning pathway for project managers, but professional certifications can teach learners how to use project management software and other skills associated with the role. There are free project management certificates, but many certification programs will have costs for the final exam or access to your certificate.

Project Management Professional (PMP)

The PMP certification issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is considered the best certification program in the field. This program has two qualification paths, with requirements for those with and without college degrees. Applicants without a degree must:

• be a high school graduate
• have five years of hands-on experience over eight years
• have 35 hours of project management education or a Certified Associate in Project Management certificate

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

The Certified ScrumMaster program teaches high-demand project management methodologies like leadership skills, mentorship, and agile project management. This course is a self-paced program that includes 16 hours of material.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The PMI offers the CAPM program as an introductory program. CAPM teaches many basic competencies that can help aspiring project managers prepare for job applications or further certification, like the PMP.

3. Develop Soft Skills

Project management involves many hard and technical skills around using project management software and apps, but there are several important soft skills that project managers need. Many of these skills can be learned and developed outside of a classroom.

Team Building Skills

Selecting the right team members for a project is often one of the most crucial roles of a project manager. Choosing a team requires communication skills to determine who best fills individual roles and how they fit the larger picture.

Time Management Skills

Timelines are essential to project completion. Resource management includes time management to ensure that projects are completed on time and according to initial plans.

Persuasion Skills

Sometimes problem-solving in a project involves using communication skills to persuade stakeholders. Project managers need to have the ability to get different team members to work together and commit to the project goals.

4. Network With Project Management Professionals

You can learn a lot from online courses, but talking with certified project managers will give you the most realistic view into the industry. Start locally and speak with project managers at companies near you. If you're unable to make any contacts in your immediate area, use social media sites like LinkedIn to make connections.

5. Build a Strong Portfolio

Degrees are proof of skills that a person should have. If you don't have a degree, building a relevant portfolio can help you demonstrate your skill level.

Portfolios are commonly used for creative roles, like graphic design, but many project managers might not think they have the tangible results to fill a portfolio. As you run projects, write up briefs including things like objectives, scope, and budget. If possible, use elements of the project (with permission) to display your role in the project and how you were able to lead a team and guide the project through its lifecycle.

Alternative Project Management Career Paths for Non-Degree Holders

The path to project management will be different for non-degree holders. Many positions within the field will require some kind of degree, but there are still jobs available. Aspiring project managers should consider internships and look for entry-level positions to gain experience they can leverage into full-time positions.

Project Coordinator

Project coordinators serve in an assistant role to project managers. Project coordinators help with resource management, communication, and administration tasks to help make sure that projects are completed on time. This role often requires experience, but not as much as a full project management role.

Agile Scrum Master

Scrums, in project management, are the frameworks used to break up projects into smaller sections, called sprints. Scrum masters lead standup meetings and help with planning and reviewing sprints to make sure the larger project is moving forward as it should.

Project Management Consultant

Project management consultants work with companies to develop their project management plans and departments. Working as a consultant requires communication and mentorship skills to work with teams and stakeholders in different industries. Many consultants have graduate-level degrees, but some can use certifications, experience, and a solid portfolio to secure business contracts.