Northeastern University is also featured in our ranking Top 25 Online Master’s in Project Management Degree Programs.
Online Master of Science in Project Management Degree at Northeastern University
The online Master of Science (M.S.) in Project Management degree at Northeastern University focuses on each phase of this business discipline. These phases include project presentation and evaluation, negotiation and conflict resolution, budget management, scheduling, cost and risk estimation, and project definition. The curriculum also draws on real-world case studies that show various tools and techniques for economically and successfully managing short- and long-term projects.
The 45- to 47-quarter-hour master’s degree in project management consists of 24 to 25 quarter hours, and the curriculum covers topics such as project quality management, project scheduling and cost planning, risk management, project scope management, project management practices, and foundations of project management. In addition, students must choose two three-quarter-hour courses such as Portfolio Management in the Enterprise Environment, Global Project Management, Managing Troubled Projects, or Project Evaluation and Assessment. The degree requires students to complete six or seven credit hours in electives, and students can choose from topics that cover communication skills, leading remote project teams, ethical leadership, personal and career development, integrative experiential learning, or negotiation, mediation, and facilitation.
Students who complete the M.S. in Project Management program will develop specialized knowledge and be able to effectively manage and lead sometimes complex, interrelated projects while simultaneously avoiding common project management pitfalls. Graduates will also have an integrative yet broad knowledge of how to manage performance metrics, quality, risk, and project scopes while effectively communicating with project stakeholders. In addition, the program focuses on the need for social responsibility and ethics in the field of project management as defined in the Project Management Institute Code of Ethics. Moreover, graduates will have developed the communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills necessary to lead projects in a dynamic, complex project environment.
In addition to taking core project management courses, students may also choose a 15- to 16-quarter-hour specialization track to extend their knowledge in areas of interest. Examples include risk management, information technology project management and understanding projects from both a financial and an organizational perspective. Other areas of interest include geographic information systems, leadership, construction management, clinical trial design, organizational communication, and leading and managing technical projects. The specific number of quarter hours required for each concentration will vary depending on the specific specialization chosen. However, students must earn a total of 45 to 47 quarter hours in order to earn the M.S. in Project Management degree.
About Northeastern University
Northeastern University (NU), located in Boston Massachusetts, was established in 1898. The private research university is categorized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning as an R1 institution, meaning that it has high research activity. Students may pursue both graduate and undergraduate degree programs on its main campus in Boston, and its satellite campuses in San Jose California, Seattle, Washington, Charlotte, North Carolina, or Toronto, Canada exclusively offer graduate degrees. Approximately enrollment hovers around 7,000 graduate students and 18,000 undergraduate students. Notable alumni include talk show host Wendy Williams, co-founder of Twitter Biz Stone, singer JoJo, baseball player Carlos Pena, and co-founder of Napster Shawn Fanning.
Northeastern University also features one of the largest co-op/internship programs in the world. This integration of classroom study with professional experience connects students with more than 3,100 partners across all seven continents. The co-op program has been a fundamental component of the school’s curriculum for more than a century, setting NU apart from other universities, and while students are not required to participate, they may gain vital experience by doing so. The Princeton Review ranked Northeastern first on its “Best Schools for Internships” list, and the school has consistently ranked in the top five for more than 10 years. Northeastern also offers a comprehensive study abroad program that spans more than 170 colleges and universities.
Northeastern University Accreditation Details
Northeastern University has been accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) since receiving its initial accreditation in 1940. In addition, the Master of Science in Project Management degree is accredited by the Project Management Institute’s Global Accreditation Center (GAC). The GAC is the world’s leading specialized accrediting body for all project management degrees and related programs, accrediting academics at the doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s levels. Regional and specialized accreditation both involve a peer-review process through which an institution is evaluated based on the quality of its faculty, students, academic programs, on-campus and online resources, project objectives, and mission.
Northeastern University Application Requirements
Students seeking admission into the online master’s degree in project management at Northeastern University must submit a completed application as well as official documentation demonstrating the completion of an undergraduate degree and transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Although students may scan these documents for initial admission consideration, official transcripts that are in a sealed envelope from the previous university will be required before the applicant is formally accepted into the program. Students must also write a 500- to 1,000-word statement of purpose that identifies their expectations from the program and their educational goals. The school requires a professional, current resume that displays education history, relevant experience, and job responsibilities, and proof of English language proficiency is necessary only for students for whom English is not their primary language.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The online Master of Science in Project Management degree within the College of Professional Studies costs $671 per credit hour. Many students, both part- and full-time will qualify for some type of financial aid and/or scholarships. Northeastern encourages all students who apply for admission into the online program to seek out these opportunities by first completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The school offers a monthly payment plan that allows students to divide their education costs into convenient, manageable monthly installments as well as several types of financial aid to help pay for the cost of the degree. Possible forms of financial aid include employer reimbursement, supplemental loans, scholarships, and grants from state and/or federal sources. In addition, Northeastern University offers educational benefits for veterans and military servicemembers who are pursuing online degrees by recognizing the Yellow Ribbon Program and other educational military resources.