Missouri State-MS Project Management

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by -kevin-, Sep 14, 2008.

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  1. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    There was some discussion on PM degrees and this one seems to never get mentioned (There are a couple of other degrees available as well.) I believe this degree is the least expensive of the PM degrees I have seen. In my discussion with the Business school dean if you wanted to take some classes in the CIS degree as electives for the PM degree you could but might have to pay the higher tuition and would need approval from the CIS program director.

    Best wishes,

    Distance Learning Page:

    http://msonline.missouristate.edu/courses/default.htm

    Degree:

    http://msonline.missouristate.edu/courses/MSProjectmgt.htm

    Tuition: $275 per credit

    http://msonline.missouristate.edu/admission/cost.htm
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Hi Kevin - That's a great grab you made. You're right, Missouri and other smaller programs don't often get mentioned but they should get a big mention. Big. Just look at the Peru State programs. A lot of talk due to the low cost (that's big with me).

    I have two questions (not just for Kevin):

    How does an MS in Project Mgmt program differ from an MBA with a concentration in Project Mgmt?

    I have the idea that the whole "project management" thing began in the computer/software/hardware industry and it continues to be most prevalent in that industry. Can anyone tell me about the utility of such a degree in other business areas? Is it marketable outside the computer industry?
     
  3. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Kizmet,

    the MBA is a broader degree and has more utility if you want to move into management or other industries. However, once you leave the AACSB and most ACBSP accredited schools the MBA curriculum can vary widely. Most MBA concentrations are only a few classes (3-4). (The Management concentration at UNA provided me with 5 classes and I only needed to complete 1 more to meet the 18 hour teaching requirement for adjuncting.)

    The MS in Project Management is more focused in Project Management. Project Management has been around a lot longer than software:

    http://www.lessons-from-history.com/Level%202/History_of_PM_page.html

    http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project/HA011353421033.aspx

    I use Project Management in acquisition and implementation.

    My best recommendation for anyone wanting to acquire an MBA with a PM concentration is the following:

    http://www.distance.msstate.edu/mba/mbapm.html

    I think it is important to consider where one's career goals fall before considering Project Management.

    http://www.pmi.org/BusinessSolutions/Pages/Organizational-Career-Framework.aspx

    http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/careersintechnology/p/Project_Manager.htm

    My experience as both a manager, and now as a Senior PM made me realize that I wanted to move away from the continual personnel issues of management and into a field with limited personnel responsibilities. Things are always easier to manage than people.

    my 2 cents, er..make that a nickel's, worth of stuff.

    Regards,
     
  4. eric.brown

    eric.brown New Member

    PM actually got its start in the construction, engineering and defense industries and was used heavily by government prior to showing up in the IT industry.

    My recommendation is (and has been) that if a person is absolutely interested in PM and wants to stay in that world., then a MS in PM is a good idea. If you are more interested in learning about PM and working a stint as a PM and then moving on to another role, then an MBA or MS in Management would provide a more rounded education base.

    Just my 2 cents worth.

    BTW - Great find on the Missouri State PM MS Kevin...looks like a good program
     
  5. vewdew1

    vewdew1 New Member

    That is a good find. That's an awesome price and I actually like the course makeup more than the program I've selected. Since I'm not footing the bill I went for a program that would give me graduate credit for my PMP cert (6 credits out of 36 total is a lot and puts me that much closer to finishing). If I had to pay the $595 per credit out of my own pocket, however, I'd seriously look at something like this.

    Danny
     
  6. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

  7. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    My thanks to Kevin and Eric. Clear info with citations. It doesn't get better than that.
     
  8. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Eric,

    there's a story behind finding the program. My daughter has been hounding me to complete a degree from a school that has a bear as a mascot. Then she can run around the house laughing at me and saying "Lions, and Tigers and Bears! Oh my!" Her day is coming...:)
     
  9. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Well, it could, but I'm not gonna front the tuition... :D
     
  10. eric.brown

    eric.brown New Member

    That's a good one!
     

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