Project Management

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Is a Masters of Project Management Valuable?

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Gregory Wagner Woodstock, Ga, United States
Hello fellow PMs,

I am currently 3 years into my profession as a project manager, and I am currently studying for my PMP. As I look into my future educational aspirations, I would like to know if anyone here has obtained their masters in project management or in another disciple (i.e. general business, IT, etc) and if you believe that obtaining your masters helped you in your career.

With all the project management, leadership, and IT certifications out there is a masters still valuable and is it still recognized as important by employers? Further, is a masters something that might be valuable for someone looking to eventually move into a senior or director role?

For those who went through a masters program, I would also love to know if there are any programs that you would recommend or anything that I should look for (positive or negative) in a program?

Thank you as always!

P.S. For context, I work in financial technology and I have a bachelors in psychology.
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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Gregory

Whitle valuable, I find the Masters in Project Management or other Specializations too general. If you want to pursue anythign after the PMP, I recommend looking at industry specific credentials.

RK
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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada
Gregory -

A Masters degree has to be about more than just the immediate benefits given the cost & effort involved. I would say that there are certain companies where getting past a certain level in the leadership structure requires an advanced degree - in engineering or technology companies that might be an M. Sc. whereas in business roles that might be an M.B.A.

If there is a particular topic which you are passionate about in the PM domain, a Masters program would give you the opportunity to do a deep dive into it from a research perspective whereas a certification program would not.

Kiron
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1 reply by Gregory Wagner
Aug 04, 2023 11:48 AM
Gregory Wagner
...
Hello Kiron,

Thank you for your insight! I would agree that a masters degree would help move into the upper leadership levels like director or VP, but I also know a lot of people at that level who do not have masters level degrees. Regardless, I do think that a masters program needs to be more than just checking off a box, but instead a program that gives valuable knowledge and insight that certifications will not offer.

Thank you again for your insight, and I will keep this in mind while considering my future educational goals!
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Gregory Wagner Woodstock, Ga, United States
Aug 04, 2023 7:32 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
Gregory -

A Masters degree has to be about more than just the immediate benefits given the cost & effort involved. I would say that there are certain companies where getting past a certain level in the leadership structure requires an advanced degree - in engineering or technology companies that might be an M. Sc. whereas in business roles that might be an M.B.A.

If there is a particular topic which you are passionate about in the PM domain, a Masters program would give you the opportunity to do a deep dive into it from a research perspective whereas a certification program would not.

Kiron
Hello Kiron,

Thank you for your insight! I would agree that a masters degree would help move into the upper leadership levels like director or VP, but I also know a lot of people at that level who do not have masters level degrees. Regardless, I do think that a masters program needs to be more than just checking off a box, but instead a program that gives valuable knowledge and insight that certifications will not offer.

Thank you again for your insight, and I will keep this in mind while considering my future educational goals!

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