MBA Project Management Specialization

No, you do not always need an MBA to become a project manager, though having an MBA in Project Management can help demonstrate that you’re willing to take the time to invest in your education and skillset. In many cases, it’s good to have additional credentials on your resume, as it may help you stand out to potential employers. However, having more credentials does not guarantee employment.

You can earn your MBA PM in as little as 1 year and 8 months with an accelerated schedule* or 3 years and 2 months with a normal schedule —or even more quickly with qualifying transfer credits.

*Accelerated time to complete requires at least 9 credit hours of Prior Learning Credit. Per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in an average of 10 credit hours per semester and continuous, full-time year-round enrollment with no breaks. **Normal time assumes completion of 3 semesters per year, enrollment in an average of 6 credit hours per semester and continuous, year-round enrollment with no breaks..

An MBA in Project Management is an incredibly versatile degree that can be applied both in and out of the business world. The MBA component of the degree helps you develop high-level business skills, while the project management component can help you learn how to manage complex projects across a variety of industries.

An MBA with a Specialization in Project Management is a graduate-level degree from an accredited university and helps you learn business principles and project management skills that can be applied across a variety of industries. A PMP, which stands for Project Management Professional, is a certification that is awarded by the Project Management Institute. This professional certification may help you stand out to employers but is different from a degree.

You certainly can. Online education programs here at DeVry and our Keller Graduate School of Management allow you to earn a graduate degree in a way that is aligned to your goals and your busy life. Our MBA degree can be completed as a 100% online program or, if you prefer, in a hybrid format that combines online education with an on-campus experience.⁵

To be admitted to this program, you must hold a valid bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, and provide evidence of English-language, math and verbal skills proficiency. MBA applicants need either a 2.5 or higher undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale or satisfactory scores on either the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), the GMAT (the Graduate Management Admission Test administered by the Graduate Management Admissions Council) or a Keller-administered admission exam. Visit our graduate school admissions page for more details.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of project management specialists is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations, with more than 77,000 job openings each year, on average, over this period.⁶ This growth is projected on a national level and local growth will vary by location. This projection is not specific to DeVry University graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers.

Both programs are graduate business degrees that can help you pursue career advancement opportunities. The differences lie in each program’s curriculum. While a specialized master’s degree program focuses primarily on topics that are directly related to project management, an MBA program covers a broader landscape of business administration-related subjects, such as leadership, technology and business strategy, that can help you apply your business education across a wider range of industries and career roles.