Hi all, I've been looking for distance / online project management programs for awhile. I've 2.5 years of experience managing projects. I'm thinking of boosting my qualification a bit for a higher position. I was wondering if anyone can share some feedback on the following programs: 1. Stanford Advanced Certificate in PM 2. UBC Certificate in PM 3. University of Aberdeen MSc. in PM 4. University of Liverpool MSc. in PM 5. Northeastern University MS in PM 6. Penn State Master of PM I hope to attend: 1. A school with great reputation 2. Below $30k 3. A program that is recognized globally Thanks in advance!
What about professional qualifications like PMP or Prince2? Cheaper and definitively recognized in the industry...
I have done some research on PMP exam. It seems very hard without any prior knowledge in PM. I do have experience but no knowledge in the theory stuff. So I am thinking of doing a cert / degree course, which will give me a good foundation + the qualification I need.
I really do not want to talk you out of your idea of pursuing a master, but from my understanding the PMP is exactly for people like you. A few years of work experience in project management that now need a theoretical foundation of the work experience. Its pretty cheap, there are tried and tested self-learn sets and it does not take as long as a master - I really would think about it again. Generally I can refer you to Liverpool, in case you choose the school we both would get a discount of 5 credit points, worth around 800USD.
If a DETC accredited school would work for you AGU offers both certificates and masters degrees in project Management. American Graduate University If your PM experience involves contracting with the federal govt (USA) then I suggest you avoid non-USA schools because PM with the US government involve complying with Federal Acquisition Regulations.
The first thing you have to decide is whether you need a Masters degree or whether a cert will suffice. As another member has already stated, there's a big difference between the two (cost, time committment, etc.) The last time I checked there was a relatively high class cert program at Vanderbilt. There are also a bunch of MBA programs with PM specialization potential. https://sites.google.com/site/aggietechie/home/dlmba
I'm going through this program right now at Purdue. Under $25,000. Project Management MS Plan of Study at Purdue University
Dovetailing off Ian’s AGU proposal; a few additional options… Catholic University of America: M.M. in Federal Acquisition and Contract Management Online Master Webster University: M.A. in Procurement and Acquisition Management Online Master Florida Institute of Technology: M.S. in Acquisition and Contract Management Masters in Acquisition and Contract Management | Florida Institute of Technology University of West Florida: M.S.A. in Acquisition and Contract Administration Masters in Acquisition and Contract Management | Florida Institute of Technology A guide to acquisition-related academic courses and programs: http://www.fai.gov/pdfs/guide.pdf