Project Management Degree

Earn your Associates degree in project management. We used to dread when teachers would assign us "projects" in our classes, since this term summons up the connotation of a long, drawn out process with relatively little reward. But times have changed, haven't they? As we've grown, we recognize that a true project in the world of business means an opportunity to make a dramatic improvement in one particular regard or another. A project is not just a task, but an opportunity to rise to a challenge and consider the factors that are essential to our success. Start your career training in project management today!

As businesses grow and as the global community makes competition in industries even fiercer, there is a strong need for talented, educated project managers who can take certain internal and external aspects of a business's operation and transform them into a lucrative component of the company. With your Associate's Degree in project management, you will develop the problem solving and resource utilizing skills required to radically improve all kinds of different organizations.

Every business has special projects that will help them grow. And this is good news, because that means every business wants an individual like you who has an education in project management to lead the way. One particular career option for those with an Associate's degree in project management is getting hired by an expanding company that has an array of concerns that need to be addressed and an array of projects that need to be completed. Because of the quickly developing technologies, the fast-paced world of business, and the rapidly changing dynamics of international commerce, a business that wants to be successful needs an individual like you to take the helm and complete a diverse array of tasks to navigate them to success.

Getting hired by a company as part of a project management team means that you are recruited to apply your technical know-how as it relates to specific areas of expertise, and to apply your problem-solving, management, strategizing, and vision casting skills. All of these elements are transferred to you through your education.

 

Project Management Training Schools

 

The primary word in "project management" is not project. The important part of this education is equipping you with management skills that are applicable in a wide variety of settings for a wide variety of situations. Fields that you might find yourself specializing in might include emerging technology, marketing, finance, international commerce, scientific industries, healthcare, construction, and on and on. In fact, there's nearly no limit to where your skills are applicable since every industry has projects and every industry needs leaders. Not only businesses, but government positions, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations additionally need your skills to push them toward success.

The truest trick to finding your niche in the world of project management is to know what you are naturally talented in and passionate about, and work towards procuring a position inside of that industry. Many individuals with a project management background don't just end up working at one company, however. Instead, their specialized talents are often called upon on a contractual basis with an array of companies needing consultation and unique expertise for a designated period of time. Other individuals begin their own companies that provide unique services to customers. Ultimately, an Associate's Degree in project management allows an individual to embrace the position of leadership and explore a wide venue of career opportunities.

Fortunately teachers can no longer assign us homework that we don't want to do. Instead, we have the privilege of assigning ourselves projects that have the potential to make us financially success and make us happy. Make enrolling in an Associate's Degree program for project management your next big project. This will be the first project you truly take pride in doing, and the first step towards a lucrative and fulfilling future.

 

Career Options After Graduation

As a project manager you aren’t limited to a particular industry. Here are some of the top careers that many graduates go into after graduation.

Project Manager or Coordinator – The ideal goal is to jump right into a project management position after graduation but many will find that you might start out as a coordinator first in order to learn about the company and how they operate. Often you work directly under a project manager with years of experience. Take this time to learn how things are done at the company as well as even continue with your education in project management. The more education you have the better chance you’ll have in getting hired.

Construction Manager – In the construction industry project management is a vital role. Being able to coordinate out deadlines, vendors, external contracts are all part of role of a construction manager. The skills you learned in school will come into play if this is the field you choose to enter.

Distribution Manager – Often large suppliers or manufactures ship worldwide. These shipments or distribution centers contain departments that specifically handle all shipments. Quality people are needed that are trained in project management to work in these centers.

Cost Estimator – Cost analysts play a big role in project management. Companies hire estimators to come in and check inventory, reduce overhead, lower product costs even overhead.

Quality Assurance Manager – Not only are QA analysts needed to control the quality of the goods or services you are providing but large manufacturers hire assurance managers to make sure the products they are providing their customers are built to exact specifications.

 

Courses Taken in your Associate’s Program

When researching colleges for your Associate’s Degree in Project Management you’ll find that most have a common core set of courses you’ll take (usually 10 courses) and then you’ll take general education courses what will be enough for you to reach the 60 credit hours needed for your project management degree. Below are some of your more common core courses you’ll take.

- Ethics
- Management & Marketing
- Leadership Management
- Intro to Project Management
- Quality Control
- International Business
- Project Accounting
- Contract Management
- Organizational Leadership Behavior

 

Project Management Sources
Project Management - Updated February 3, 2019
Project Manager - Last Visited January 22, 2019
American Management Association - Last Updated December 3, 2018