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GRADUATE PROGRAM

Master of Project Management

30 total credits | average 2 years to complete

26
DAYS
Left to Apply
8
JAN
Start Date
Format
Online
Tuition
$36,510
Courses
10 courses
Term

Spring 2024

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Deepen Your Expertise to Elevate Your Career

The fast-growing field of project management spans every industry. Develop the soft and hard skills you need to stand out in this role when you combine our leadership development and state-of-the-art technical curriculum. Courses taught through the Wake SPS Project Management program address the skills and provide the knowledge to prepare you for additional industry certifications and credentials, including (but not limited to) the Professional ScrumMaster certification exam offered by scrum.org. 

Complete this Master’s degree program in just two years, 100% online with optional residency weekends. You can adjust your pace to graduate faster or take more time if needed. Our courses are designed to work around your schedule. 

Admission Criteria

To enroll in the Master of Project Management program a candidate must complete an online application, in which they will submit:  

  • A resume 
  • A bachelor’s degree transcript from an accredited college or university* 

Also, candidates must complete a virtual interview with a Student Success Manager. 

*An unofficial transcript is acceptable for admission; an official transcript is due by the start of the first course. 

Career Prospects and Outcomes

Project management skills are increasing in demand. Emerge from our Master of Project Management program prepared to manage and organize the project life cycle from initiation to completion as well as recommend effective approaches and strategies for project execution. Aquire the specialized knowledge and techniques that are central to Agile methodologies and get introduced to Scrum. Master the “people side” of the practice of project management and become a more effective leader in managing organizational change and addressing interpersonal and resource conflicts.

In your PM role, set the tone and establish best practices for teams in corporate offices or agile startup environments. 

The People Behind the Program

To accelerate your career growth, reach your professional goals, and expand your network, we created the Project Management Programmatic Advisory Board (PAB) to bring knowledge from experts in the field into the classroom. These board members are committed to your academic excellence and keeping Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies graduates industry–competitive and globally impactful. 

Core Courses

There are 8 required core courses including the Capstone course. Students may choose 2 electives.

Students must begin the PM program with PM 710-Project Management Essentials. Outside of pre-requisites, there is no prescribed order for the courses, you may take them in the order that works for you when your selection is available.

  • Project Management Essentials

    This course introduces the foundational concepts of project management. It provides an overview of the PM lifecycle as defined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge. Several PM knowledge areas such as risk, scope, schedule, quality, monitoring, and communication, among others, will be introduced. Distinctions between project, program, and portfolio management are explored.

  • Mastering the Project Life Cycle 

    The course pursues a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the different phases of a project from initiation to closure, with an emphasis on the myriad of factors that contribute to successful project management (PM) throughout the life cycle. Students will leave with a set of best practices for effective PM in setup, planning and execution.

  • Agile Fundamentals 

    Grasp the foundational concepts of Agile, an iterative approach to project management. This course is an introductory consideration of Scrum, including Scrum events and artifacts, the anatomy of a sprint, the roles of a Scrum Master and Scrum team members, as well as release planning.

  • Portfolio and Project Management 

    This course focuses on managing and coordinating multiple organizational projects. Students will develop the ability to build and manage a project portfolio, including consideration of project alignment, organizational goals, performance maximization, risk minimization, and program success. Particular attention is given to the differentiating aspects of program governance and compliance within organizational, industry, and legal requirements.

  • Negotiation and Conflict Management 

    With an emphasis on the project management work environment, explore the determinants of successful negotiations. Learn a process-oriented approach with an emphasis on the practical application of proven frameworks and theories. In this course, you’ll learn about and explore the nature and common causes of conflict that can derail projects, gaining practical guidance for identifying and addressing the root causes of conflict.

  • Advanced Agile: Frameworks and Techniques 

    Continue building on the foundation established in the “Agile Fundamentals” course by placing an emphasis on building the practical skills necessary for leading agile projects in organizations. In addition, you’ll learn about continuous improvement through retrospectives, lean-agile thinking, and the use of agile metrics.

  • Leadership & Change Management

    Explore the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to successfully undertake change. This course delves into the leadership principles, styles, frameworks, and skills required to guide, motivate, and direct teams. Learners will develop the ability to prepare, support, and assist individuals, teams, and organizations in organizational change.

  • Capstone in Project Management

    An immersive hands-on course for students to apply the principles, best practices, techniques, and frameworks they have learned throughout previous coursework to actual project management context in an organization of their choosing.

    • Electives

    Students in the Master of Project Management program may choose 2 electives.

    Electives can be taken at any time during the program when your selection is available.

  • Lean Six Sigma

    Continuous improvement projects (CIPs) are vital for professionals to understand as companies pursue their business goals. Students will tap into the essentials of lean management and Six Sigma quality with a focus on leveraging various improvement methods and becoming more effective with their project work.

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) Leadership Preparation

    The Project Management Professional (PMP) Leadership Preparation course is designed to prepare project managers to be exceptional project leaders for their organizations. Obtaining leading industry certification is important for many. This course provides the knowledge and skills aligned with the PMI PMP Exam Content Outline (ECO), including universal competencies for all project managers; predictive, agile, or hybrid.

  • ScrumMaster Leadership Preparation

    Use the skills and knowledge from your Agile and Project Management courses to prepare for the Professional ScrumMaster certification exam offered by scrum.org.

  • Leading Construction and Engineering Projects

    Develop an in-depth knowledge of industry-specific subjects in construction and engineering design, planning, and safety. Students will gain a deep understanding of project estimation, construction ethics, and writing contracts.

    • Meet Project Management Faculty

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    Certificate in Project Management

    If you are looking for a shorter commitment or faster timeline to up-skilling in Project Management, check out our online certificate in Project Management. You will take 4 courses from the Project Management degree program and be ready to implement your new PM skills today!

    Learn More

    Paying for School

    There are several financial assistance options available for you to start this journey and see your career take off.

    The SPS Office of Financial Aid is here to help you navigate various funding resources through scholarship opportunities, the FAFSA, and more.

    Learn More

    The Art and Science of Project Management

    “The Wake Forest Program truly bridges both the art and the science of project management to deliver leaders, not just technically proficient managers, to organizations.  These are the skills that define successful change execution and enable companies to grow responsibly and thrive in the market.”
    -Brien Boswell, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Bank of America
    Program Advisory Board Member for Project Management

    Brien Boswell

    Wake to What’s Next