Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is also featured in our ranking Top 25 Online Master’s in Project Management Degree Programs.

Online Master of Science in Project Management at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

Students pursuing an online Master of Science (MS) in Project Management at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (SMU) will learn mobile project management skills via the latest apps and software. The program prepares students to sit for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam, and the program is accredited by the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Programs, a designation held only by a handful of degree programs in the world.

The online MS in Project Management degree gives students the technical skills they need to excel in the field as well as the confidence to lead their peers both as a team and as a business. The 24-month online degree, which is aligned with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), will teach students how to lead, evaluate, implement, and define initiatives from conception to completion. In addition to preparing for the PMP exam, students will also gain the practical knowledge necessary to add greater value in their current roles as they broaden their horizons and expand their leadership skills.

The 36-credit-hour program includes 24 hours in project management classes, nine credit hours in management coursework, and a three-hour capstone course. Required core project management coursework covers topics such as earned value management for project managers, project procurement and cost management, project risk management, product integration and quality, and project leadership team and stakeholder management. Students will also take classes in technical communication, the fundamentals of project management, and planning and estimating. The management-focused courses look at areas such as managerial ethics and issues, financial management, and quantitative methods.

The online project management curriculum focuses on developing leadership qualities, including strong management principles, productivity, and cost management strategies in order to help advance graduates towards a career in project management. In addition to the curriculum, students will also complete a final capstone project that brings together application, critical analysis, and theories developed in previous coursework. Students may choose from either a project simulation of their interest or a major term paper, and they must formally present their results. Students who prefer a global focus may incorporate one of two electives that analyze business from an international perspective.

Upon graduation, students are prepared to succeed in many project management concentrations such as monitoring and evaluating, quality assurance and quality control, project management consulting, and project cycle management. Graduates have also gone on to work in cost management, strategic human resource management, talent acquisition, information security, risk management, and supply chain management.

About Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (SMU) is a private coeducational university that was founded in 1912 by Bishop Patrick Richard Heffron as a men’s college. In 1925, SMU became a four-year liberal arts college, and in 1969, the school started to offer co-ed programs. SMU operates an undergraduate campus in Winona, Minnesota, and professional and graduate programs are available at Winona as well as Oakdale, Apple Valley, Rochester, and the Twin Cities. More than 6,000 students pursue degrees from SMU each year, including 4,700 graduate students at satellite or online locations and 1,300 on-campus undergraduate students. SMU is affiliated with the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and males may study for the priesthood at the adjacent Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, which is owned and operated by the Diocese of Winona.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Accreditation Details

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HLC is responsible for the accreditation of degree-granting postsecondary educational institutions located in the North Central region, an area that includes 19 U.S. states. In addition to regional accreditation, several individual programs hold specialty accreditation from industry evaluators. The online master’s degree in project management is accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center (GAC) for Project Management Education Programs. The GAC is the world’s leading specialized accrediting body for project management programs and related degrees, accrediting at the doctoral, postgraduate, and bachelor’s levels across the globe.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Application Requirements

In order to be admitted into an online master’s degree program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, students must hold an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. They must have also earned a grade-point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. The school also requires applicants to demonstrate proficiency in the English language in order for students to succeed in graduate-level classes. A completed application package must include the application itself as well as a $25 nonrefundable application fee. The application fee is waived for SMU alumni, active-duty students, veterans, and students seeking readmission. Applicants must also arrange for all official transcripts to be sent directly to SMU from their undergraduate schools and graduate credit-granting universities. Students pursuing an online master’s degree must also submit an updated resume that includes both professional and educational experience, two letters or recommendations of reference that verify the students’ volunteer or professional experience as well as academic ability, and a written statement that includes a brief description of the students’ career goals, experience, training, and personal background.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students pursuing the online Master of Science in Project Management from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota can expect to pay $625 per credit for their degree. At 36 total credit hours, the full cost of tuition, excluding fees, textbooks, and other expenses, is $22,500. Degree-seeking graduate students who are enrolled on at least a part-time basis may be eligible to receive financial aid. In order to apply, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Grants and loans, in addition to some scholarship opportunities, are possible components of a financial aid package. In addition, if a student is a veteran, reservist, or active-duty servicemember, or if he or she is a family member of someone who has served, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota encourages him or her to reach out to the Office of Military and Veterans Services to learn more about military-based financial aid options unique to the situation.