I'm looking at a couple of schools that offer Msc in Project Management and am curious to see what people think. Is it worth the money? What are the pros and cons? Saving Changes...
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Patrick DiceyManager, Customer Project Management| CentralSquare TechnologiesOrlando, Fl, United States
I have a MS-Technology Management which is similar... I learned a lot and felt it was beneficial. However, I don't see many positions that care about 'higher level' degrees so not sure how much value you really get out of it. Bachelors with PMP seems to be the standard set of requirements.
If you are interested in pursuing executive-level positions in your career, I would say that is where it would become an asset.
Good luck!
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1 reply by Stephen Mills-Hughes
May 11, 2016 4:50 PM
Stephen Mills-Hughes
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Patrick,
Thanks for the response. You mention a Bachelors with PMP -- can I ask, any recommendations?
Stephen, I agree with Patrick. Master's degree would be an asset for higher level positions. It really depends on your career aspirations but, an MBA might be more versatile/valuable than an Msc..
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1 reply by Stephen Mills-Hughes
May 11, 2016 4:49 PM
Stephen Mills-Hughes
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Samuel,
Thanks for the honest feedback -- i do appreciate it.
Stephen, I agree with Patrick. Master's degree would be an asset for higher level positions. It really depends on your career aspirations but, an MBA might be more versatile/valuable than an Msc..
Samuel,
Thanks for the honest feedback -- i do appreciate it.
I have a MS-Technology Management which is similar... I learned a lot and felt it was beneficial. However, I don't see many positions that care about 'higher level' degrees so not sure how much value you really get out of it. Bachelors with PMP seems to be the standard set of requirements.
If you are interested in pursuing executive-level positions in your career, I would say that is where it would become an asset.
Good luck!
Patrick,
Thanks for the response. You mention a Bachelors with PMP -- can I ask, any recommendations?
Regards,
Stephen
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2 replies by John Briesemeister and Patrick Dicey
May 12, 2016 7:02 AM
John Briesemeister
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Stephen,
I would strongly recommend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where I just finished my MS in Project Management. It is not just the knowledge gained, but the interaction with other students on group assignments that adds to the academic information. I hope this helps you.
John
May 12, 2016 10:11 AM
Patrick Dicey
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Hello Stephen,
Recommendation for a bachelors? If I were to do it again, I would get some sort of engineering... mechanical or electrical. I don't agree with it, but some companies will not hire a PM unless they have a technical degree. Otherwise, business is a good option. I have a general business degree which covers all the major areas (management, marketing, finance, accounting, etc).
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
I personally believe it is worth it - UBC has a good program which I myself wants to apply for hopefully. Saving Changes...
John BriesemeisterPower Plant Steam Turbine Systems Specialist| GNPower Dinginin LLCSaint Augustine, Fl, United States
May 11, 2016 4:50 PM
Replying to Stephen Mills-Hughes
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Patrick,
Thanks for the response. You mention a Bachelors with PMP -- can I ask, any recommendations?
Regards,
Stephen
Stephen,
I would strongly recommend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where I just finished my MS in Project Management. It is not just the knowledge gained, but the interaction with other students on group assignments that adds to the academic information. I hope this helps you.
John Saving Changes...
Linda ZinnDirector, Enterprise Project Management Office| FlightSafety InternationalRutherford, Nj, United States
I think it is a great investment. I have my MSPM from The George Washington University. It was a great program and they offer it online. I had been doing project management for about 6 years prior to starting and 8 years by the time I was done with the degree. Throughout the program and definitely when I was done with the capstone course, I seriously thought to myself that "Wow, I only thought I was doing project management for all those years, I really had no clue."
I also took some graduate courses at Stevens Institute of Technology in their Enterprise Project Mgmt program but honestly thought the classes at GWU were more PM focused. I got some great things from Stevens but had I not taken the GWU program I don't think I would be a better PM as a result of them.
Unfortunately, many companies are starting to realize that you can buy your PMP (pay to learn how to pass the test) and that PMI doesn't really check your experience and qualifications. It's becoming a watered down credential (sorry if I upset some of you) I have worked with PMPs that like me, thought they were doing project management, but were really just managing a check list and asking people for status and couldn't but together a solid project schedule or budget to save their life.
If you go the route of a masters degree from a credible program/university you will really have an understanding and background that can be applied to any position, not just a career in PM. I also have an MBA and can say I use my MSPM skills much more than I do my MBA ones.
Hope this helps and good luck! Saving Changes...
Patrick DiceyManager, Customer Project Management| CentralSquare TechnologiesOrlando, Fl, United States
May 11, 2016 4:50 PM
Replying to Stephen Mills-Hughes
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Patrick,
Thanks for the response. You mention a Bachelors with PMP -- can I ask, any recommendations?
Regards,
Stephen
Hello Stephen,
Recommendation for a bachelors? If I were to do it again, I would get some sort of engineering... mechanical or electrical. I don't agree with it, but some companies will not hire a PM unless they have a technical degree. Otherwise, business is a good option. I have a general business degree which covers all the major areas (management, marketing, finance, accounting, etc).
Cheers,
Patrick Saving Changes...
Julia CunninghamManager Project Management| BattelleRichland, Wa, United States
I think it is a great investment, especially if your company pays for job-related education. I got a MPM from Western Carolina University. It was one of only two programs accredited by PMI at that time (which will give you a clue as to how long ago it was).
It was online, and I had classmates from around the world, which gave a great perspective to the multiple projects we worked on throughout the program.
Quite a few of us made it to campus for graduation, which was the first time many of us met in person. I would encourage you to check it out. Saving Changes...
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