Pennsylvania State University is also featured in our ranking Top 25 Online Master’s in Project Management Degree Programs.
Online Master’s in Project Management Degree at Pennsylvania State University
The online Master of Project Management degree at Penn State World Campus is an interdisciplinary graduate program that teaches students to use problem-based learning and provides a strong knowledge of all aspects of project management practice and theory. Students can complete the 30-credit degree in as few as two years, and the program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). In addition, PSU is a Project Management Institute (PMI) Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.). U.S. News & World Report has recognized the online master’s degree in project management from Penn State as one of the best online programs for graduate business in 2018.
Throughout the program, students will learn how to better manage their projects with regard to organization theory in project management, human relations and project teams, business and corporate strategy in project management, procurement and commercial law, and resource management, planning, and cost control. Since the 12-credit graduate certificate in project management includes the first four courses required in the master’s program, students can add this credential to their resume even before they earn the full master’s degree.
In addition, students pursuing the master’s degree in project management can tailor the curriculum to match their professional goals and personal interests. Students may choose six credits in electives from topical areas such as supply chain management, enterprise resource planning (ERP) with SAP software, enterprise architecture, or an independent study for a creative research project that is based on an organization’s current project management problem.
The program led by Dr. Jeffrey K. Pinto, an internally recognized scholar in the field of project management, and it is designed for students involved in all areas of the field, including portfolio, program, or project management as well as project execution and construction management. Graduates who earn a Master of Project Management degree from Pennsylvania State University are prepared for a number of positions, including administrative services manager, business planning analyst, sales manager, industrial production manager, master scheduler, project management analyst, computer and information systems manager, and more.
About Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University, also known as PSU or Penn State, is a doctoral, land-grant, state-related university that operates facilities and campuses across Pennsylvania. The school was founded in 1855 with a threefold mission of public service, research, and teaching. It offers continuing education, professional, graduate, and undergraduate degrees through on-campus and online programs. The school also operates two law schools, the College of Medicine, five special mission campuses, and 19 commonwealth campuses throughout the state. PSU is labeled as a “Public Ivy” institution, meaning that the quality of education at PSU is comparable to that provided by a private Ivy League school.
The university is one of the largest in the country, and its main University Park campus boasts an annual enrollment of more than 46,800 undergraduate and graduate students. Taking into consideration its online World Campus as well as its 24 other campuses, total enrollment is approximately 97,500 students. Those seeking an education from PSU can choose from more than 160 majors. Each year, Pennsylvania State University hosts the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), on the University Park campus at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Pennsylvania State University Accreditation Details
Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). In addition, the school’s online master’s degree in project management is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Accreditation is key to any institution’s operation as it assures students of a quality education and affirms that the school has submitted to a rigorous evaluation process and is operating at the highest standards of educational commitment and quality. The Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes the MSCHE as the accrediting body in several northeastern U.S. states.
Pennsylvania State University Application Requirements
In order to be admitted into the Graduate School, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. school or a post-secondary degree that is comparable to a four-year baccalaureate degree. All applications are submitted online, and students must pay a nonrefundable application fee. Penn State requires official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, regardless of the number of semesters or credits completed. An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) is also required as well as any GRE/GMAT test scores. Applicants must also provide the names and email addresses of two references whom the school will contact to fill out a brief online recommendation regarding the applicant’s commitment to success in the online program. Applicants are also required to complete a statement of purpose that addresses how their participation will contribute to the program, how the program will help them attain their career goals, their previous or current work experience, and why they have chosen to pursue the online project management degree.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Students pursuing the 30-credit master’s degree in project management from Pennsylvania State University will pay $975 per credit if they take fewer than 12 credits per semester. Full-time students who take 12 or more credits per semester will pay a flat rate of $11,700. In addition to tuition, Pennsylvania State University assesses an information technology fee each semester. Students taking nine or more credits will pay $252, students taking five to fewer than nine credits will pay $189, and students taking fewer than five credits will pay $86.
Both part- and full-time students pursuing degrees from Penn State World Campus are eligible for federal student aid. Even if a student is unsure whether he or she will qualify, all students are encouraged to apply. Applying will also ensure that students may be considered for Pennsylvania State University scholarships and other financial aid sources only available to students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Other types of financial aid may include loans, grants, and third-party assistance. Pennsylvania State University also offers extensive tuition assistance to veterans and military students as well as their spouses and dependents, including the Yellow Ribbon and ROTC programs as well as the Post-9/11 GI Bill and grant-in-aid.