Education Requirements for Becoming a Project Manager

<p><table border="0"> <tr><td><img src="/cimages/multimages/2/adobestock_162945068.jpeg" alt="project manager hard at work at his cluttered desk on a job site" /></td></tr> </table> </p> <p>Project managers lead teams in different departments to complete business projects on time and under budget. </p> <p>If you're a detail-oriented leader with great planning and organizational skills, this might just be the career for you. </p> <p>Project managers are in high demand for this fast-growing field, so keep reading to learn what it takes to become a project manager. </p> <h3 id="section---JobOutlook">Job Outlook</h3> <p>The BLS projects that employment of project managers will grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031. </p> <p>This growth rate is about on par with the average for all occupations nationwide. </p> <p>PMI predicts growth in seven sectors at a rate of 33%, creating 22 million new jobs. Most of this growth is in China and India, however. </p> <p>Regardless, project management is in high demand and the career has the potential for a global reach. </p> <p>Experienced and educated project managers are more likely to be in higher demand and command much higher salaries. </p> <p>Read below about the <b>steps you can take to ensure you meet the education requirements for becoming a project manager</b>. </p> <h2 id="section---Step1EarnABachelorSDegree">Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree</h2> <p>While there's technically no degree required to become a project manager, most project managers have at least a bachelor's degree. </p> <p>You can get a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Project_Management_Bachelors_Degree.html">degree specifically in project management</a>, but <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Business_Majors_Your_Salary_and_Career_Questions_Answered.html">business</a> and <a href="https://learn.org/directory/category/Computer_Science.html">computer science</a> are also popular options. </p> <p>A degree in project management gives you exposure to the popular methods used in project management circles. </p> <p>Some project managers have a degree related to the industry they work in, such as an <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Bachelors_Degrees_in_Civil_Engineering_Program_FAQs.html">engineering degree in the construction industry</a>. </p> <h2 id="section---Step2GainExperienceAsAProjectManager">Step 2: Gain Experience as a Project Manager</h2> <p>PMI requires at least 36 months of experience as a project manager before you're eligible to sit for the certification exam. </p> <p>If you get a bachelor's degree in project management, your school will likely have internship opportunities. </p> <p>For people who want to transition into project management from another role, look for opportunities in your current workplace. </p> <p>Network with project managers and join professional associations to find additional project management opportunities. </p> <h2 id="section---Step3BecomeACertifiedProjectManager">Step 3: Become a Certified Project Manager</h2> <p>With a degree and some experience, you can take the exam for <a href="https://learn.org/articles/best_online_project_management_certificate_programs.html">project management professional (PMP) certification</a>. </p> <p>The credential is offered by PMI and requires project managers to pass a 180-question exam. </p> <p>The median salary for PMP-certified project managers is 32% higher than those without certification. </p> <p>PMI also offers CAPM (certified associate in project management) for project managers with less than three years of experience. </p> <h2 id="section---Step4ConsiderAMasterSDegree">Step 4: Consider a Master's Degree</h2> <p>Beyond certification, a master's degree in project management is the next step in career advancement. </p> <p>Project managers with a master's degree earn a median salary of $120,000, compared to $110,250 with a bachelor's degree. </p> <p>As many as 34% of all new project management job openings require or prefer candidates with master's degrees. </p> <p>Employers might also consider candidates who have a master's degree in business administration (MBA). </p> <h2 id="section---BecomingAProjectManager">Becoming a Project Manager</h2> <p>Project managers work in a lot of different industries and complete different types of projects using different organizational methods. </p> <p>This varied career has become quite trendy. The high demand for project managers has many people transitioning from other fields. </p> <p>Whatever your background and experience, there are several different paths you can follow to break into the project management business. </p> <h3 id="section---JobDuties">Job Duties</h3> <p>Project managers typically start a project by defining its scope and goals so they can create a plan and timeline for completion. </p> <p>While a project is ongoing, the project manager is responsible for keeping everything on track and troubleshooting problems. </p> <p>To close out a project, the project manager will also be responsible for final reports, financial statements, contracts, and other documents. </p> <p>On a daily basis, a project manager might be responsible for any of the following: </p> <ul><li>communicating with clients on project requirements </li><li>developing project plans </li><li>choosing vendors or consultants for various projects </li><li>assigning duties to project staff or teams </li><li>working with project staff or teams to troubleshoot problems </li><li>monitoring project costs and milestones </li><li>proposing and reviewing changes to plans </li></ul><p>Specific methods used for project management tend to vary depending on the industry in which the project manager is employed. </p> <h3 id="section---WorkEnvironment">Work Environment</h3> <p>Project managers typically work in an office setting, although they might also travel to meet with clients. </p> <p>They usually work full-time during normal business hours, although some flexibility might be required for some projects. </p> <p>Longer hours to meet deadlines or to accommodate last-minute changes aren't uncommon. </p> <p>Because project management is a global profession, odd hours might be necessary to work with clients in different global time zones. </p> <p>Project managers work in a variety of different industries, with most of them in tech and others in construction, manufacturing, or finance. </p> <h3 id="section---AveragePay">Average Pay</h3> <p><a href="https://learn.org/articles/Project_Manager_Salary_and_Career_FAQs.html">Project managers make an average of $101,610 a year</a>, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). </p> <p>Project managers with less than three years of experience make an average of $78,279, according to Project Management Institute (PMI). </p> <p>The BLS average falls in line with project managers who have five to 10 years of experience, according to PMI's survey. </p> <p>Top paying states for project managers include New Jersey, California, New York, Washington, and Virginia. </p> <p>Project management is a global profession, and countries with the highest average salaries include Switzerland and Australia. </p> <h2 id="section---LearnAboutBecomingAProjectManagerToday">Learn About Becoming a Project Manager Today</h2> <p>Contact <i>Best Accredited Colleges</i> today if you want more information on becoming a project manager.</p>