Graduate Degree in Project Management - Cont.

I plan on selecting one of these schools within two weeks to pursue my Master's in Project Management.

Northeastern University - Master of Science in Project Management: Northeastern College of Professional Studies
I like Northeastern University for a number of reasons. The only issue I can find is that they require you to select a Specialization Track (15-16 qtr hrs) and I cannot figure out the best track to take. Below are the Specializations. Are there any Information Security certified CISSP or CISA gurus out there? If so could click on the link above and tell me is the Information Security Management Speicalization worth pursuing. Also what about the Geographic Information Systems track? I know Boeing has some GIS jobs. Also the US Defense Mapping Agency is here in St. Louis and they arre always looking for GIS personnel. I can always choose the Leadership, or Orgizational Communications Specialization also.

1. Construction Management Specialization
2. Organizational Communication Specialization
3. Organizational Change Specialization
4. Geographic Information Systems Specialization
5. Clinical Trial Design Specialization
6. Information Security Management Specialization
7. Leadership Specialization

Brandeis University - Master of Science in Management of Projects and Progams | Rabb Graduate Professional Studies | Brandeis University
I like that the Brandeis program is 10 classes and 30 hours. I like that they are offering classes in virtual communications since I work in a virtual environment. The reputation of the school is good but I still do not know a lot about the school


Washington University
Graduate Studies in Project Management - Sever Institute of Continuing Studies - Washington University
Wash U for the most part is off my list. However I'm going to the campus next Tuesday for a PM informational presentation on the program. My only beef with the program is that I do not want to take fours years to complete it. The program will cost over $55k when it's all said and done with. Supposedly Boeing negotiated a lower tuition rate as part of their new preferred provider list. I contacted Wash U and they said they do not know anything about it. I contacted Boeing and they haven't responded back yet. If I could take 4 classes per year and finish in three years I would consider going to this school.

Dave

 

Wash U is hands down the best school on your list. Brandeis and Northeastern are both based here in Boston and Brandeis is definitely the more prestigious of the two schools as a whole, but I don't know much about either school's PM programs. All three are reputable and I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
If I was choosing; Wash U, Brandeis, Northeastern in that order.

 

AUTiger00 - Because of the tuition constraints (15k) per year would it change you mind about Wash U? Wash U Master's program has been in existence since 2009.

Wash U - Time to Complete 4 years
Brandeis - 2 - 2 1/2 years
Northeastern - 2 years

Dave

 

As far as a specialization, I would stick with Leadership.

The problem with the others is that you face the possibility of being pigeon-holed, especially if you're experience is in that same domain. and even though its a Masters in "PM" with a specialization, project management is still defined by context and domain. One size does not fit all. Leadership is the most transferable of those then.

Second would be Organizational Communication or Change. 90% of a PM's job is communication. If you can demonstrate education in communications, especially in cross-functional/departmental contexts you'll be better off.

 

I would have ended up choosing Leadership. I actually applied this morning to Brandies University. Why Brandeis? I feel it's the best bang for the buck academically and also for my sanity. I like it that there is not a lot of fluff and extra classes that most PM programs have but do not need. The MS PM program is 10 classes and 30 sem hours. No GRE, GMAT and one letter of recommendation. The terms are trimesters. There are three 10-wk terms. There is approximately a 1 1/2 month break in between each term. I plan on taking two classes at a time. I can bust my butt for 10 weeks and then take over a month off and then start up again. I also talked to the program director this morning. They are in the process of revamping the curriculum for the better. There is one issue remaining that I hope to receive answers on sometime next week about employee-school tuition voucher payments.

Dave

 

Personally, I'd probably still choose WashU, but you can't really go wrong with any of them. Brandeis is a good choice and it saves you substantial time. I would have assumed the programs would be similarly priced, but your response implies that Brandeis is less expensive. Between the time and money savings, I can't say you made a bad decision with Brandeis.

 

Wash U is an excellent school. They wouldn't accept any transfer credit. I asked Wash U about the new discounted rate that supposedly Boeing and Wash U negotiated. Wash U said they didn't know what I was talking about. So I asked Boeing and the program coordinator stated, "Corporate agreements have been signed with many, but not all, of the Preferred School Partners. The agreements vary as to the schools partnerships capabilities and specific programs that many include tuition or fee reductions. When researching schools you should ask the school if any tuition discounts have been negotiated with Boeing." What kind of crap is this? I did ask the school and they said they didn't know. You think Boeing would know. I would have considered Wash U if I could have taken 4 classes per year and finish in 3 years like you can at George Washington University. You are paying for the name. I've always heard that George Washington University has the best PM program anyways. I guess it's all subjective. My wife would have made my life hell going to school for four years, lol. Brandeis is $934per hour. So based on the 30 hours it would cost $28,020. Wash U would cost $50,220.It's possible also that Brandeis may accept my Organizational Leadership graduate course that I completed at Webster University as transfer credit. We will see.

Dave