Missouri State University

Missouri State University is also featured in our ranking Top 25 Online Master’s in Project Management Degree Programs.

Missouri State University Online Project Management

The Master of Science in Project Management is described as an interdisciplinary degree which offers STEM-focused education to professionals in project management positions. The program is designed for people who already possess a bachelor’s degree in an area like technology, natural sciences, engineering, liberal arts, business administration, or applied sciences. The program features instruction on “hard” and “soft” skills to help students understand how to remain within the project’s budget and on schedule. The curriculum features the Project Management Body of Knowledge, and students may use on-campus and distance-learning resources to complete the program. However, students may choose to complete the program entirely online.

Entering the program requires that students submit their GMAT or GRE scores, as well as a professional resume and a statement of purpose. Some students may qualify to skip the GMAT or GRE requirement when they can prove they earned a GPA of at least 3.00 at their undergraduate institution. Students who enter the program are expected to have proficient computer skills and students who aren’t sure they have the appropriate level of computer skills may wish to investigate the opportunities offered on campus for computer instruction. Completing the degree requires 33 to 36 hours with the length depending on whether the student chooses the thesis option or the seminar option.

Once admitted to the program, students will gain an advisor for the duration of their program if they choose the seminar option or a thesis advisor if they choose the thesis option. The degree includes 21 hours of core courses, 12 hours of elective courses, and a 3-hour seminar or 6-hour thesis class. Courses required in the program include Project Management, Project Leadership, Cost Analysis for Project Management, and Advanced Project Management. Students will also take Management of Innovation and Technology, Project Control Systems, and Project Risk Analysis. Students can choose from on-campus or distance-learning classes to fulfill their electives, but the on-campus classes aren’t required to graduate.

Some students may enter Accelerated Master of Project Management option if they’re in their junior year of undergraduate school and have a GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Students must also submit a letter of recommendation from an undergraduate advisor, create a statement of purpose, and submit a professional resume. Earning a degree in project management from Missouri State University will help students achieve their career goals, as well as help working professionals seek out greater responsibility and status within their organizations.

About Missouri State University

Missouri State University was established in 1905 and was called the Fourth District Normal School. The school’s original purpose was to train teachers. Around 23,000 students attend classes at the university, and there are around 1,100 academic staff providing instruction to those students. The Springfield, Missouri campus is urban and covers around 225 acres. The official colors of the school are maroon and white, and the sports teams are nicknamed the Bears and the Lady Bears. The school’s mascot is Boomer the Bear, and students participate in NCAA Division I games. Missouri State University is one of six schools offering graduate degrees in the state, and the school also offers a business degree to students studying in China.

Missouri State University Accreditation Details

The Higher Learning Commission has accredited Missouri State University since 1915 to award college degrees. Specific programs offered by the university are also accredited by various agencies and organizations. The College of Business and its bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Dietetic Internship Certificate Program from the School of Biomedical Sciences is accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality & Restaurant Administration is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration, and the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs has accredited the Master of Science in Project Management.

Missouri State University Application Requirements

Freshmen applicants to Missouri State University must graduate from high school having taken at least four units of English, three units of mathematics, three units of social studies, three units of science, and one unit of fine arts that may include music, dance, theater, or other similar classes. The university requires different SAT scores based on the GPA a student earns. For example, a student with a GPA of at least 3.50 would need to obtain a minimum score of 17 on the ACT or a 900 on the SAT. Meanwhile, a student with a GPA of 2.50 to 2.62 would need to obtain a 23 on the ACT or 1130 on the SAT. Students interested in graduate programs at Missouri State University must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and must have earned a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students who haven’t earned the minimum GPA may be able to apply and gain acceptance when they can provide a recommendation by the department to which they want to apply.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The typical cost for tuition and fees for Missouri residents attending Missouri State University is $7,376. With books, supplies, housing, and meals, the total rises to $17,381. For non-Missouri residents, the total cost comes to $25,331 since out-of-state students pay an additional $7,950 in tuition. Graduate students attending Missouri State University will pay a total of $22,043 if they are from Missouri and will pay $27,119 if they’re from outside the state. There are some opportunities for out-of-state students to qualify for in-state tuition through the Midwest Student Exchange Program. A graduate student may also lower the overall cost of attending school by applying for the Missouri Outreach Graduate Opportunity Scholarship.

Students who attend Missouri State University can qualify for a variety of financial aid types including loans, scholarships, grants, and Work-Study. Throughout the year, the university advertises opportunities for graduate assistants, and students may qualify for special opportunities if they attend classes on campus. After submitting a FAFSA form on time, a student will gain eligibility for federal financial aid and will receive a financial aid award letter from the university in advance of the start date for classes. In addition to receiving federal financial aid and grants like Pell Grants and Work-Study for attending Missouri State University, students may also qualify for university-based scholarships, private scholarships, or private student loans.