Project Management

Project Management

When we talked to the professionals currently hiring project managers, the big takeaway was that almost nobody is teaching project management skills in college and it's extremely challenging to hire new graduates into those roles as a result. We developed this degree to meet that gap.

The top skills we aim to develop include communication, planning, time management, risk assessment, and the programming and methodology most commonly used today. 

Why Project Management Matters

Project Managers are among the highest-paid professions in the United States - with a median salary of $116,000 - according to research conducted by Northeastern University. Furthermore, according to research performed by the Project Management Institute, employers will need to fill an average of 2.2 Million new Project-Oriented Roles Each Year through 2027. The shortfall in project management talent, could result in an estimated loss of over $208 Billion GDP globally.

This indicates a dramatic gap in project-oriented role training, which the Project Management Major is intended to fill. This program will prepare students for a role as a Project Manager upon graduation and provide them with a solid footing to pursue a role as a Program Manager as they advance in their careers. It will provide students with skills in project management, product development, and basic programming.

Faculty Contributors

Dr. Bob Barnes, Duke University - Dr. Barnes’ career spans a period of over 30 years working in new product development across a broad range of industries and disciplines, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, information technology, energy, automotive, and construction. Dr. Barnes is a former Project Management instructor and Director of Business Development at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering.

Dr. Charles Severance, University of Michigan - Dr. Charles Severance holds a PhD in Computer Science from Michigan State University. He is the former Executive Director of the Sakai Foundation, and one of the world’s leading online CS educators. His contributions and curriculum form the basis of our programming curriculum

Curriculum Highlights

The Project Management program is a part of the business school and therefore includes the standard business core curriculum. 

The Project Management core includes:

• Introduction to Project Management
• Project Planning
• Project Execution, Monitoring & Control, Implementation & Closure
• Advanced Project Management - Practicum

How does this degree align with the real world?

Certification Ready - Students who complete this program will be fully prepared for the CAPM certification, or if they’ve completed the professional requirements, the PMP certification.

Practical - Courses in this program will feature substantial project-based and hands-on work.

Job Ready - Students who complete this program will gain the necessary skills to become effective project managers.

Career Outlook

Project Managers are among the highest-paid professions in the United States - with a median salary of $116,000 - according to research conducted by Northeastern University. Furthermore, according to research performed by the Project Management Institute, employers will need to fill an average of 2.2 Million new Project-Oriented Roles Each Year through 2027.

Common job positions & pathways include: 

• Project Manager
• Technical Project Manager
• Product Manager
• Product Owner