M.S. in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The CMHC program at Missouri State University leads to a Master of Science (M.S.) degre...
M.S. in Project Management
Springfield, Missouri
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Project Management at Missouri State is a 30-36 credit hour program that typically takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete for full-time students. It's built for individuals holding a bachelor's degree in various fields, including technology, business administration, liberal arts, applied and natural sciences, or engineering, who are currently in or aspiring to project management roles. The program offers both a "Seminar Option" (36 credit hours) and a "Thesis Option" (33 credit hours), allowing students to choose the path that best suits their career goals. An accelerated master's option is also available for qualified Missouri State undergraduate students.
STEM-designated: Yes, the M.S. in Project Management program at Missouri State University is a STEM-designated program. This is a significant advantage, particularly for international students, as it typically allows for an extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) period in the United States after graduation. The STEM OPT extension provides international graduates with more opportunities for practical work experience in their field, enhancing their post-graduation career flexibility and marketability.
AACSB Accredited: While Missouri State University's College of Business holds AACSB accreditation for its business programs (like the MBA), the M.S. in Project Management itself is not typically eligible for AACSB accreditation as it falls under a broader interdisciplinary and applied STEM category. Instead, the Master of Science in Project Management program is notably accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC). This accreditation is highly specialized and signifies that the program meets rigorous global standards for project management education, directly aligning with industry expectations.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the M.S. in Project Management is built upon the PMI's PMBOK® and includes a core set of courses and electives. Core courses (21 hours) typically cover foundational areas such as "Foundations of Project Management," "Project Risk and Quality Management," "Project Leadership and Communications Management," "Program and Portfolio Management," "Project Schedule and Cost Management," "Agile Management of Innovation and Technology Seminar" (which fulfills the research requirement), and a "Project Management Capstone." Students then select 9 hours of approved graduate-level electives, at least one of which must be a TCM (Technology and Construction Management) course. The program culminates in a comprehensive examination that covers the core course material.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Project Management program integrates a practical research focus through its "Agile Management of Innovation and Technology Seminar," which fulfills the program's research requirement. While not a traditional academic thesis in all cases (unless the thesis option is chosen), this seminar emphasizes the application of research principles to real-world project management challenges. The curriculum also encourages critical thinking, data analysis, and the application of best practices derived from ongoing research in the field. Faculty members often have practical experience and contribute to the body of knowledge in project management, guiding students in understanding and leveraging current industry insights.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a core strength of the M.S. in Project Management program. The curriculum is directly aligned with the Project Management Institute's PMBOK®, ensuring that graduates are equipped with skills and knowledge directly applicable to industry demands. The program's faculty often have extensive professional experience in project management. Furthermore, Missouri State University hosts the Center for Project Innovation and Management Education (C-PRIME), which actively supports community engagement by facilitating project-based consulting and research opportunities relevant to industry needs. This strong connection to the professional world prepares students to address real-world project challenges and fosters valuable networking opportunities.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Project Management program at Missouri State University inherently embraces a global perspective. Project management is a universally applied discipline, crucial for managing projects across diverse industries and geographical locations. The program emphasizes preparing individuals to meet "intense global competition demands" for new projects and business development. It acknowledges the global nature of project management leadership and the need for standardized yet adaptable approaches. The university's efforts to provide a flexible learning environment, including online options, cater to a global student body, further enriching the classroom with diverse international perspectives on project management practices and challenges.
Location
Springfield, Missouri
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 15914
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $72
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Standardized Test Requirements
- GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Minimum score of 290 required.
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): Minimum score of 500 required.
Missouri State University offers several scholarship opportunities designed specifically to support international students in pursuing their higher education goals. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership qualities, and contributions to campus life, helping reduce the financial burden for international learners.
International Excellence Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship awards to outstanding first-time international freshmen. The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years. Eligibility is based on strong academic records, and recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving the award.
International Leadership Scholarship: Targeting international freshmen who demonstrate exceptional leadership and academic achievement. It is renewable for up to four years. Applicants are required to submit an essay highlighting their leadership experiences and vision. The scholarship is competitive, with only about 10 awards granted each year.
Additional Scholarships and Grants: Besides the primary scholarships, Missouri State University provides various other financial awards through departmental scholarships, honors programs, and special initiatives. Some scholarships may require separate applications or nominations based on the student's major or area of study.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Project Management from Missouri State University provides graduates with a comprehensive and industry-aligned skill set, preparing them to effectively lead and manage projects across diverse sectors.
Project Manager: This is the most direct career path, involving the overall planning, execution, and closing of projects. Project managers ensure projects stay on schedule, within budget, and meet specified requirements, working in nearly every industry from IT and construction to healthcare and marketing.
Program Manager: With several years of project management experience, graduates can advance to program manager roles. A program manager oversees a group of related projects that contribute to a larger strategic objective, coordinating interdependent projects and managing resources across them.
Portfolio Manager: At a more strategic level, portfolio managers oversee the entire collection of projects and programs within an organization. They ensure that all initiatives align with the organization's strategic goals and optimize resource allocation across the portfolio.
IT Project Manager: Specializing in the technology sector, IT project managers oversee software development, system implementations, network upgrades, and other IT-related initiatives. They bridge the gap between technical teams and business objectives.
Construction Project Manager: These professionals manage all phases of construction projects, from planning and design to execution and completion. They coordinate with architects, engineers, subcontractors, and clients to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Healthcare Project Manager: In the rapidly growing healthcare sector, project managers lead initiatives aimed at improving patient care, implementing new medical technologies, managing facility expansions, or optimizing operational processes within hospitals, clinics, or pharmaceutical companies.
Agile Coach/Scrum Master: For organizations adopting agile methodologies, an M.S. in Project Management, particularly with coursework in Agile, prepares graduates to facilitate agile processes, coach teams in agile adoption, and remove impediments to project progress.
Project Management Office (PMO) Manager/Analyst: These roles involve establishing and maintaining project management standards, processes, and tools within an organization's PMO. They ensure consistency, optimize project efficiency, and provide support and training to project teams.
Management Consultant (with Project Management Focus): Graduates can leverage their project management expertise as consultants, advising various organizations on improving their project delivery capabilities, implementing best practices, and overcoming project-related challenges.
Operations Manager: Given the strong emphasis on efficiency, resource allocation, and process improvement in project management, graduates can transition into operations management roles. They oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization to ensure smooth execution and strategic alignment.
