The City University of Seattle is also featured in our ranking Top 25 Online Master’s in Project Management Degree Programs.
Online Master of Science in Project Management at the City University of Seattle
The City University of Seattle (CityU) offers the only master’s in project management degree in the Northwest that is fully online and accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The courses in the program count as PMP continuing education credits and students can earn the degree on their own time without sacrificing family or work responsibilities.
The robust course offerings go beyond the standard fundamentals of project management to provide actionable insights into real-world problems. Students can expect to gain practical skills and knowledge, including leading global and domestic teams, developing solutions to resolve problems, aligning program and project outcomes to business goals, and applying project management tools based on situational context.
The program is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree and who are looking to help business and organizations realize opportunities that can grow their companies. Students benefit from the practical, tangible skills offered in the program such as teaching the skills required for the leadership of project-focused activities in an organizational setting. This includes building a portfolio of projects based on organizational strategy as well as managing and developing the controlling, budgeting, scheduling, and planning activities to ensure that organizations are getting the most out of their projects.
The 45-credit Master of Science (M.S.) in Project Management consists of 45 credit hours. Students must first take an introduction to project management before moving on to five core courses in project financial management, project planning and control, project integration, measuring project performance for success, and managing the risks of projects and businesses. Mastery-level courses cover topics such as portfolios and programs, applying project management in situation business contexts, business fundamentals, and leading domestic and global teams. Students will also learn how to apply advanced methods and tools as well as how to communicate with stakeholders for successful projects.
The degree culminates with two “action learning project” courses in which students complete a capstone project that uses the applied action learning method. During this sequence, students move through the initiation and planning phases as well as the content execution and closeout phases of the capstone project. Emphasis is placed on reflective practice and change management as students update their plans to address what they have learned throughout the program.
The M.S. in Project Management degree will help graduates to attain senior-level jobs in information technology, healthcare, manufacturing, government, and other industries. Many alumni grow or shift into lucrative, rewarding careers as program or project managers, consultants, or business analysts shortly after graduation.
About the City University of Seattle
Commonly known as CityU, the City University of Seattle is a not-for-profit, private institution of higher learning located in Seattle, Washington. The school enrolls more than 6,700 students worldwide per year and operates the Washington Academy of Languages, the Technology Institute, and four schools: the School of Applied Leadership, the School of Arts and Sciences, the Albright School of Education, and the School of Management. CityU also offers worldwide campuses that provide online degrees and is a member of the National University System.
The school was established by Dr. Michael A. Pastore in 1973 as City College with the goal of providing higher education for working adults. Over time, the school opened additional campuses worldwide and negotiated partnerships with other universities to offer additional degree and certificate programs. CityU has produced more than 50,000 students as of 2014. In 2018, for the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked CityU’s bachelor’s degree programs among the “Best Online Programs.”
City University of Seattle Accreditation Details
The City University of Seattle is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the regional accrediting body approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Washington, Utah, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, British Columbia, and Alaska. Becoming regionally accredited is the most important means of assuring the quality of higher education through a rigorous peer-evaluation and review process. CityU has been accredited by the NWCCU since 1978, indicating that the school has not only met but will continue to meet the NWCCU’s high standards of quality for its degree programs, academics, faculty, mission, and values. In addition, CityU’s School of Management is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the project management degrees are accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
City University of Seattle Application Requirements
Graduates seeking admittance into the online master’s degree in project management must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited university and must meet CityU and program-specific admissions requirements. Applicants should keep in mind that their undergraduate degree does not necessarily need to be in the same field as the graduate program they wish to pursue, and providing scores from standardized entrance tests such as the GMAT, MAT, or GRE are not required for admission to CityU graduate programs. CityU operates on a rolling admissions policy, meaning that they accept applications and make decisions throughout the year. Once a student has decided to enroll in the online program, he or she must complete an online application or send a physical application form by mail. The school requires applicants to pay a $50 application fee, and applicants must also send official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Students pursuing the online Master of Science in Project Management degree can expect to pay $698 per credit hour for a total tuition of $31,410. Prospective students should keep in mind that this tuition figure does not include expenses such as textbooks, course materials, technology fees, and other CityU fees. However, CityU offers students access to a number of financial aid programs, including scholarships, work-study programs, loans, and grants. All of CityU’s doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate programs are eligible for financial aid. In order to begin the process of applying, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, the City University of Seattle is a military-friendly school that offers reduced military graduate and undergraduate tuition rates through the Department of Defense’s standardized Tuition Assistance (TA) program, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and other existing veterans’ programs.