Best Accelerated Project Management Degrees Online

Discover which accelerated online project management degree programs can best set you up for the career of your choice — and fast.
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Doug Wintemute is a writer who focuses on higher learning and entertainment. Since 2014, he has contributed to content and editorial work for award-winning publications. He completed his BA and MA in English at York University, graduating summa cum l...
Updated on October 2, 2023
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Margaret Weinhold is an associate editor for BestColleges, where she focuses on core content. She is passionate about increasing visibility and accessibility around higher education. Margaret holds a BA in English from the University of Virginia....
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As organizations everywhere aim to improve productivity and efficiency, project management skills and training have become very important. In an accelerated project management degree program, you'll learn how to properly manage projects and teams of various sizes and meet specific organizational goals.

Keep reading to explore different programs and the possible career pathways you can pursue.

By earning a project management degree online, you can better organize your schedule around your studies and enter the workforce more quickly.

Accelerated Project Management Degree Overview

An accelerated project management degree program is one of the fastest routes to a career in the field. While these condensed programs are more intensive, they can help you save time and even money.

How to Get a Project Management Degree Fast

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    Step One: Figure out what you want from your degree, including the type of training, curriculum focus, postgraduate career, program length, and schedule. Then prioritize and rank these requirements.
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    Step Two: List and research the schools that have project management degrees online. Take down all the information, and see how each school aligns with your wants and needs.
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    Step Three: Call or visit the schools that best meet your needs. Ask questions about the programs and support services. Find out how past graduates have done in your field.
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    Step Four: Look at the program cost and financial aid options available. To get an accurate picture of the final cost, dig into the aid requirements and get an idea of how much support you could realistically receive.
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    Step Five: Start collecting all your application materials, including transcripts, reference letters, and personal essays. This will give you a jump on the process and avoid last-minute scrambles.

Types of Accelerated Degree Programs in Project Management

You can find accelerated project management degrees at every level. Learn more about each of these degrees below.

Accelerated degree programs in project management include:

Associate Degree in Project Management

An associate degree program in project management covers the fundamentals of managing and delivering on projects. These programs often include foundational training in business, finance, and accounting as well.

Pursuing this degree will give you quick access to the field. From there, you can build on your training with professional experience or continued education.

Bachelor's Degree in Project Management

A bachelor's in project management provides comprehensive coverage of the field. You will pick up leadership, organization, risk management, and budgeting skills. You may also have the chance to specialize in a field like IT management, construction management, or nonprofit management.

Types of Bachelor's Degrees in Project Management

  • Bachelor's in Project Management
  • Bachelor's in Business Administration, Project Management Specialization

Featured Bachelor's Degrees in Project Management

With an accelerated bachelor's degree, you can qualify for many entry-level project management careers in a relatively short period of time.

Master's Degree in Project Management

A master's in project management tackles advanced topics in the field, including business analytics, project governance, and procurement and supply. These programs also offer concentrations, such as Agile project management and technical project management.

Featured Master's Degrees in Project Management

An accelerated degree at this level can help you access promotions and leadership roles with less than two years of postgraduate study.

Project Management Degree Careers

The broad applicability of online project management degrees can lead to careers in many industries. You can apply the training to management and analyst positions in construction, manufacturing, and business.

While most project management careers require an undergraduate degree at a minimum, many top employers prefer master's graduates, specifically when hiring for executive management positions.

Project Management Jobs
Jobs Median Annual Salary (May 2021)
Project Management Specialist $94,500
Cost Estimator $65,170
Logistician $77,030
Management Analyst $93,000
Operations Research Analyst $82,360
Budget Analyst $79,940
Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics

Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Project Management Degrees

Is an accelerated degree program in project management worth it?

Yes. An accelerated project management degree program can get you into the workforce as quickly as possible. You'll build applicable and in-demand skills and training in a condensed format. Not only will this save you time, but it can also fast-track you to higher earnings.

However, you do need to consider how accelerated programs add to the intensity of your studies. Your courses will be more condensed, which means more compact study schedules and shorter deadlines.

What can you do with a degree in project management?

Online project management degrees lead to project management careers in construction, human resources, and information technology. As a graduate, you can also access general management, analytical, and consulting positions.

Project management degrees also provide a solid foundation for interdisciplinary careers and more advanced degrees. You can pursue careers and degrees in various disciplines, such as business, communications, and training and development.

How long does it take to become a project manager?

You can qualify for a project management role in less than two years with an associate degree. Most positions, however, require a bachelor's degree, which will take around three years in an accelerated format.

For jobs that call for a master's degree, you can expect to study for 4-5 years in total. Some employers may require professional experience, which can add 1-5 years.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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