Do you have a master’s degree in project management or not

by Akshat Narwal · Published 11/05/2023 · Updated 30/05/2023

Do you have a master’s degree in project management or not

If you google “master’s in project management,” it will bring up more than 3 million results from universities in the United States and the rest of the world. It is clear that these results do not include only educational programs, but even so, it is overwhelming.

If you try to narrow the search results by going to a site like gradschools.com and using the keywords “Business & MBA” and “project management,” you’ll get just over 300 results. Something better but not exactly straightforward.

Finding the right program is a big project. There are two questions you need to ask yourself before taking action:

(1) Is doing a Master in Project Management (MPM) what you want? Would you instead take alternative routes, such as an MBA, or get hands-on training in project management?

(2) If you decide to do a master’s degree in project

management, what are your requirements when choosing a program?

Do you have a master’s degree in project management or not

The Great Debate Over Project Management Degrees

There are conflicting opinions about whether it is worth spending the time and money to pursue a master’s degree in project management. According to a US News article, 43% of project managers in the United States have only a college degree.

If you’re up to date on the project management degree debate, you know that there are different opinions about the value of a degree. Some will advise you to do a master’s degree in project management, while others will tell you that it is better to do an MBA or other alternative degrees (for example, a certificate in project management) instead of all of the above. . Then others appear who advise you not to bother taking any of the above since experience is worth much more than any degree.

Do you still need clarification?

We have searched in forums and articles, and we have tried to reach a consensus about the general opinion of professionals in this field regarding the need to do a master’s degree in project management or not:

Pros and cons of a master’s degree in project management

Pros:

Employment Opportunities “After completing a Master’s in Project Management over the past five years, I believe students who pass this program are much more likely to find a job upon completion. “

— JD McKenna, Project Manager, USA

“I have a master’s degree in project management, and this qualification stands out the most on my resume when I apply for good jobs. I know many people with MBAs are still in low-income management positions. ” qualification. A master’s degree in this great field is highly desired and stands out more than a master’s degree in directing.”

— Anonymous, USA

“My recommendation would be somewhere in between. I recommend getting a master’s degree in project management [focused] on your field of expertise or interest. “

— Paul D. Giammalvo, Ph.D., project manager, Indonesia

Reasoned execution

“Now I’m a project manager (with a degree). The master’s has helped me better understand why we do things the way we do, and it has helped me communicate [decisions]… The master’s in project management is exciting. It allows you to meet students with other project management backgrounds to learn from, and it’s challenging and personally rewarding.”

– Anonymous

“I have a master’s degree in management and another in project management. I’m afraid I have to disagree that these two degrees are the same. My conclusion is that training never hurts; that’s why I advise taking a master’s degree. It may not assure you your next job. But it will help you when you have to navigate that job.”

— Dave Violette, Program Manager, USA

“For those going through a master’s program, who already have a few years of work experience, a certificate in project management, and some specific experiences managing large or complex projects, doing a master’s in project management will have more weight in the face of whoever is going to hire you. In addition, it will offer you a greater return on investment, not only an economic return on investment but the ability to get more out of your resume… A master’s degree in management of projects would be an excellent complement to your professional career”.

— Mark Price Perry, Vice President of Customer Care, USA

Cons:

Experience and achievements count more.

“Good project managers are made by constantly practicing and improving. Yes, they have to know the theory, but their professionalism comes from applying, adapting, and improving it. For this reason, I don’t think just studying theory will help you level up.”. “

— Stan Yanakiev, IT project manager, Bulgaria

“The qualification has not helped me at all to get a job, only in combination with the experience (how do you get it initially) or the degree… To advance your career, I am convinced that a master’s degree in project management does not have that determinant factor that we expect as recognition of our efforts”.

– Anonymous

“I would be skeptical of a project manager candidate with a master’s degree in project management and lacked experience. Higher grades become important after some experience in the field .”

— Mark Price Perry, Vice President of Customer Care, USA

” I would value experience more than a Master’s degree. I would also recommend looking at practical courses. You can get into PRINCE2 without prior experience, which will be cheaper than a Master’s degree.”

— Elizabeth Harrin, OTOBOS Group Director, UK

“I liken project management to riding a bike. Now you can read all the books on the subject you want, but once you get on and ride, you will only know the theory and not the practice… As someone in the business of hiring managers, I‘m looking for experience, training, and qualifications. Even for people in training, I’m not necessarily looking for experience in project management. Still, it’s okay if they’ve been involved in teams in a project environment since this kind of environment is completely different than a typical operating environment.”

—Julie Goff, Australia

A master’s degree in management (MBA) is more recognized

” Experience and achievements count for more than a degree in project management. Therefore, I would recommend doing a master’s degree in management first. Project management is a good field, but for your career, choose something like finance, marketing, management of supply chains, or IT management”.

— Satnam Bansal, Commercial Director, USA

“I’ve noticed that university project management courses are generally geared towards the construction industry. So all the examples revolved around building something. An MBA it’s more recognized than a master’s degree in project management, and it also ensures people who are in a business that they can understand where they’re coming from.”

—Julie Goff, Australia

The most important thing is to have a strong and positive character

“Let me add another attribute that I think is more important than experience and qualifications. A project manager’s job is very dynamic and requires dealing with all kinds of situations. In other words, a project manager is dedicated to solving problems. Therefore, a project manager must have a positive and strong character to withstand work pressure “.

Other factors to consider when selecting a program

If you’ve gone through a long, exhausting, and painstaking process of applying for a college training program, keep this in mind: College is often even more competitive.

Before deciding on a program, you must know the possible return on investment when completing your master’s degree. Make a long-term plan and draw a roadmap for the next ten years of your professional career. Is a master’s degree what will help you reach the end of your 10-year plan? What do you hope to gain from the degree? Are you better off with an MBA or project management to complete your 10-year plan?

After compiling the advice found in forums and articles, we present a series of factors that you should take into account when requesting access to training programs:

Master’s Degree in Project Management, Master’s Degree in Management (MBA), or Certificate in Project Management

Browsing the discussion forums that discuss the issue of whether or not to get a master’s in project management, we saw that there were a lot of great business leaders who were advised to get a master’s in project management or management. Consider all the options. Furthermore, most people recommend having a combination of two or three degrees.

Master’s in Project Management vs. MBA: Both degrees have lasting value and demonstrate dedication to your profession. A master’s in project management is an excellent choice for people who want to delve into the details and nuances of the work. At the same time, an MBA is a path you should take if you want to enter higher levels of management because they require a broader knowledge of business, a more open mind, and the language spoken among executives.

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Master’s in Project Management vs. Certified in Project Management: Both are good options for people who want to be better project managers. Getting a master’s in project management is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to be a project manager for the next ten years. If you plan on staying in project management for a while, or if you wish to defer completing an entire degree, a project manager certificate may be enough to provide you with the knowledge you need for the next 3-5 years of your career.

Online or face-

to-face With the advent of the Internet, more and more universities offer online programs. If you want to access specific university resources without the inconvenience of moving around the country or the world, consider the option of online training. Remember that you will miss out on access to the library, convenient tutoring hours, and delicious junk food from the canteen.

General or specialized

Some master’s programs give you a general knowledge of project management and its responsibilities. Other programs are specific to each sector (construction, IT, etc.). If you know what field you will work in and plan to stay in it for the long term, a specialized master’s program may be the best option. Another tip: Some programs offer a general master’s degree in project management, but many classes focus on a specific industry. Study the course offerings before opting for a program.

Theory or practice

With a wide range of master’s degrees in project management, some universities focus on theory (essays, term papers, or theses), and others prefer hands-on learning (creating project plans, developing project schedules, budget control, etc.). Stay away from the first training program you find or the first one that accepts you; make sure that they offer you a type of training according to your objectives.

Is a change management certificate worth it? »

Change management is becoming increasingly competitive due to the excellent job prospects in this field.

There are several things to consider when trying to decide the answer to this question: “Is a change management certificate worth it?” The factors to consider are:

Will you learn more with instructor-led training than on your own?
What’s the point of getting hands-on experience in the classroom before leading your first significant change project?
Do you want to get started in change management training?
Do you plan to get into change management consulting one day?

Taking change management courses to get certified could set you apart from other qualified candidate who doesn’t have a certification. Additionally, a change management certification can be invaluable if you want to gain an edge in an increasingly competitive field and have less hands-on experience than you would like.

Change management courses teach you all the fundamentals and can often provide hands-on experience in creating and implementing a change management strategy that will empower you. The confidence you need to interview for a change management role and to implement these strategies as part of managing your projects.

In the coming weeks, we will present the two main certifications requested in job offers, their advantages, and disadvantages, as well as the people who could benefit from them, namely: