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Specialized business degrees in Project Management programs equip graduates with the skills to oversee projects with a broad perspective while paying close attention to every stage of the process, from human resources to planning to execution and management.
With such project management skills gained from project management education programs, graduates become qualified for entry-level jobs and advance within an organization. They may also opt to pursue bachelor’s degree programs in Business Management, Business Administration, or other degrees relevant to Project Management.
You may also be able to get work, internships, and experience. If you decide to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Project Management later, you’ll have the choice to work. At the same time, you finish school, potentially drastically reducing the amount of debt you accumulate when you graduate.
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- Associates Degree in Economics
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- Retail Management Degree Online
- Sports Management Associates Degree
Take a look: The Best Online Schools for Bachelor’s in Project Management Degree Programs
Methodology
Numerous industries now utilize the theories and applications of Project Management to improve their overall operations.
While only a few colleges offer a curriculum leading to an associate degree in Project Management—which is usually a bachelor’s degree major—we managed to put together ten associate programs that provide the fundamentals of the discipline and produce work-eligible graduates.
Each online Project Management degree at the associate’s level on our list, which is offered by some of America’s best colleges, is a standout with these academic features:
- Awarded to graduates as an Associate of Project Management degree, delivered as an online or hybrid program,
- Features the fundamental theories and applications of Project Management that are useful in planning, reviewing, and finally executing or implementing projects in businesses and organizations across all industries, should students opt for entry-level work upon graduation,
- May or may not offer a Transfer Pathways program for an easy transition from the associate’s to the bachelor’s degree,
- Utilizes a Learning Management System through which online learners access their associate’s degree coursework conveniently and attend or participate in virtual Project Management classes,
- Seasoned project managers who earned Project Management degrees and are now experts as online teachers,
- Offers financial aid programs for eligible online learners,
- Received approval from accrediting bodies, verifying the school and the program’s adherence to prevailing academic standards,
- Affiliated with Project Management associations or groups,
- Positively reviewed by Project Management majors or alumni who now take on excellent job positions in the industry.
Visit our Methodology page for the ranking process we use to come up with our list of the best programs.
The Best Online Project Management Associate Degrees
Saint Paul College
Saint Paul College is a public community and technical college in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school offers an online option for students who want to acquire an Associate of Applied Science in Project Management. Their associate degree programs have been accredited by the ACBSP-Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
An online degree in St. Paul College’s Associate of Applied Science in Project Management program will help you acquire the abilities and information necessary to successfully start, organize, and implement projects. With that, you’ll be prepared to ensure that an organization meets its goals as a project manager who is responsible for directing the planning, executing, quality-assuring, and status-reporting phases of any project you are working with.
This program requires 60 credits, with 16 credits dedicated to core Project Management courses, including:
- Financial Accounting
- Business Info Applications
- Introduction to Business
- Business Communications
- Business Ethics
The AAS in Project Management degree also offers a set of transferable skills in management, human resources, finance, bargaining, decision-making, and leadership.
Davis College
Before actually deciding to enroll in an online program for a degree in Associate in Project Management at Davis College, you have the option to take their online 3-minute assessment quiz to help you decide whether the program is, in fact, the best fit for you.
Throughout your Project Management project management online degree program, you will be taking a lot of engaging and exciting courses that will cover a wide range of topics. Your ability to utilize quantitative and qualitative information, skills, tools, and methodologies to manage projects in a variety of fields and jobs will be enhanced after completing the following courses, which are required in the 24-month online program:
- Principles of Selling
- International Business
- Management Principles
- Project Management Fundamentals
- AGILE Fundamentals
- SCRUM Fundamentals
Davis College provides exceptional support to its learners, making sure that you get all the experience you need through an externship at the near completion of the program to laying out resources to help you land a career in the field. Additionally, you will gain access to techniques for job searching, developing your portfolio, and more.
Since 1991, the institution has been continuously accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), on top of being among the first business schools to receive their accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Business Schools in 1953.
Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College offers a fully online program for a degree in Project Management Associate in Applied Science, which is internationally accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC).
With the online program from Columbia Basin College, you get more than theoretical knowledge. The curriculum for the associate’s degree in Project Management provides real-world scenarios and equips the students with practical experiences to prepare them for actual practice, making them job-ready.
When you decide to pursue the Project Management associate degree, you’ll be required to complete a total of 90 credits for the program. The significant courses you’ll be taking include:
- Project Planning
- Project Execution and Control
- Project Procurement
- Capstone Project Management
There are a total of eight major courses with five credits each and an addition of six major support courses with five credits each. The remaining 20 credits are assigned to general education courses and electives.
The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) provides students from migrant or seasonal farmwork backgrounds with a quarterly payment for additional college costs as well as tuition and book help.
Central New Mexico Community College
The largest community college in New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College, offers an Associate of Applied Science – Business Administration with a Project Management Concentration.
The AAS Business Administration with a Project Management Concentration program puts emphasis on learning about contract management, scheduling, estimating, critical path scheduling, and project oversight to produce effective and successful project managers. With that, as a business administration student in the College expect to be exposed to practical experiences in the industry, volunteer work, and real-world research.
The 61-credit program may be taken part-time or full-time and is designed for immediate employment or an easy transfer to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Here are some of the courses you are required to take:
- Business Professionalism
- Fundamentals of Information Literacy and Systems
- Project Management Fundamentals
- Human Resource Management
- Business Capstone
- Project Management Applications
You may start the program at any term and complete it in an entirely online setting.
The Rust Opportunity Assistance Fund may be an available financial solution if you encounter an unanticipated financial issue (especially one connected to COVID-19). The Rust Opportunity Assistance Fund is designed to help you finish your coursework and earn a CNM certificate or degree by providing financial support. Students may opt for FAFSA assistance, too.
Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology
Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology developed a 75-week program for a degree in Associate of Applied Science in Data and Project Management.
The Data and Project Management program provides training for the knowledge and abilities you need in order to enter employment in a range of entry-level positions in businesses in the information technology industry and healthcare-related industries.
Data and Project Management support professionals for setting up a database environment, designing databases, acquiring data, wrangling it, analyzing it, and visualizing it to different audiences as part of the decision-making process and developing a comprehensive understanding of the data.
The curriculum covers a comprehensive range of instruction in subjects like English, psychology, speech, and other “soft skills” that aid students in relating to their peers and effectively communicating for the benefit of the project.
Courses include:
- Healthcare Business Accounting and Human Resources
- Introduction to Data Science, Analytics, Wrangling, and Visualization
- Data Foundations and Applications
When you complete the Data and Project Management Program from Cambridge College, you become prepared to sit for certification exams, such as:
- Certified Associate in Project Management Exam,
- SQL Certification exam,
- CompTIA A+, and
- Google IT Support Professional Certification Exam.
Cambridge takes part in the Federal Title IV financial assistance programs, offering students workplace reimbursement programs, military benefits, agency sponsorship, and other educational funding options.
Georgia Military College
Accredited by The SACSCOC-Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Georgia Military College is an excellent option if you want to take up an Associate of Applied Science in Operations Management degree. The AAS program may be taken entirely online through the Global Online College.
The AAS in Operations Management program is a business degree that will train you on how to understand the technical and managerial aspects of business operations, such as designing, producing, and delivering products and services, and which are skills you will need.
By the end of the program, you will be able to assess basic management concepts and procedures related to planning, organizing, leading, and controlling companies.
You will be prepared for employment options and fulfill the academic criteria for continuing to a bachelor’s degree in applied science in business management or supply chain management and logistics at GMC by earning an AAS degree in operations management.
Graduates may also transfer credits to an online bachelor’s degree program in business, operations management, or a field of study linked to supply chain management or logistics.
At Georgia Military College, financial assistance awards are determined on academic merit and/or need. Aid for students may come in the form of bursaries, grants, loans, or employment opportunities.
Wake Tech Community College
The Business Administration: Project Management associate degree of Wake Tech Community College is developed to offer students the information and abilities needed for employment and professional success in the expanding Project Management industry. In order to successfully complete a project, you will learn to define, initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and control every part of the project.
The curriculum for the associate’s program is created with a blend of theory and real-world application that is in line with entrepreneurship, business, and industry. Accounting, finance, economics, business ethics, and human capital management will all be covered throughout the 67-credit program, in addition to the following core courses:
- Introduction to Business
- Principles of Management
- Principles of Financial Accounting
- Business Law
Upon completing the program, you will be able to use your abilities to apply to the principles and practices aligned with the Project Management Institute and earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree. The school and its associate program are accredited by the SACSCOC.
Wake Tech provides a Tuition Payment Plan to divide every semester’s tuition and costs among numerous installments, in addition to financial help to lower the cost of attendance.
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Public community college Fayetteville Technical Community College is in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It is recognized by the SACSCOC and a North Carolina Community College System member. It offers the online Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration: Operations Management.
The Operations Management concentration’s curriculum in the Business Administration program is created to train students in the technical and management facets of operations for the manufacturing and service sectors.
To complete the 64-credit program, you are expected to take the following classes:
- Introduction to Operations Management
- Operation and Production Planning
- Principles of Operations Management
FTCC students may apply for FAFSA to help fund their associate’s degree education.
Another Great Resource: AN ENTREPRENEURS’ GUIDE TO SMALL-BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Popular Project Management Certifications (And Their Costs)
A great way to improve your credentials and portfolio is by obtaining a Project Management Certification on top of your associate’s degree.
Here are the certificates you may earn as a Project Manager:
Certified Associate of Project Management (CAPM)
The CAPM – Certified Associate of Project Management is a globally recognized credential that provides access to opportunities in the field of Project Management at any level of your career. Your certification path begins with this.
Only a high school graduation or its equivalent, with roughly 1,500 hours of Project Management experience or 23 hours of Project Management instruction. It provides you with the fundamentals and allows you to set yourself apart from other people who are seeking to break into the industry.
Cost: Depending on whether you are a Project Management Institute member, there are different exam fees. For Project Management Institute members, the exam costs $225; for non-members, it costs $300
Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMI designed the Project Management Professional Certification to honor project managers who have demonstrated their proficiency in managing projects successfully. PMI is the world’s foremost authority on Project Management. Project managers with the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential belong to an exclusive group. It demonstrates project leadership skills and experience in any working method.
The PMI Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is the basis for the exam, which calls for a high school diploma or the equivalent, 60 months of Project Management experience, 35 hours of Project Management instruction, or a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) credential.
You might get hired with just a 36-month Project Management experience if you have a four-year degree.
You will then need to pass a 180-question exam to become certified as a PMP. Each test question may be connected to actual Project Management experiences because project leaders developed the PMP exam for project leaders.
Cost: The PMP exam costs $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.
CompTIA Project+ Certification
CompTIA Project+ is another entry-level certification that is advised for individuals with one year of experience managing a small- to medium-sized project because it has fewer criteria than CAPM. With this qualification, you’ve made the knowledge and abilities necessary to manage a project successfully and opened the door to a career in Project Management.
Cost: $285
Career Opportunities for Online Associates in Project Management Graduates
Human Resource Specialist
Average Salary: $73,080
The management of human resources operations is the duty of HR specialists. They are in charge of creating firm policies, keeping track of personnel information, creating compensation plans, developing employee training materials, and ensuring a safe and secure workplace.
Their responsibilities may also include forming teams, assigning different members personalized tasks, and taking charge to ensure the competence and effectiveness of each employee.
Understanding labor laws and regulations is crucial for HR professionals if they want to pay potential employees fairly while maintaining a competitive wage.
Project Associate
Average Salary: $56,678
A project associate is a specialist who makes sure that a project’s operations are carried out correctly and efficiently. Project associates must keep up-to-date project pending lists and meeting agendas in addition to supporting assigned projects with administrative coordination.
Invoices from consultants, subcontractors, and vendors must be examined and processed to make sure they adhere to the project’s specifications. Project associates should help track and record project deliverables in conjunction with the senior project officer.
Some of their responsibilities include directing the coordination of development and testing operations between the mainframe and open systems programming teams. They are also tasked with monitoring project timelines, gathering project data, developing project metrics, and sending regular project progress updates.
Customer Service Supervisor
Average Salary: $74,224
Customer service supervisors are in charge of the entire workforce. They carry out tasks that include soliciting comments, planning timetables, and resolving customer service issues. By informing staff of the changes, a customer service supervisor can help with the creation and execution of service policies.
They may also help staff members complete tasks. They can also keep records of the actions in their department so they can compile reports for top management.
Office Manager
Average Salary: $83,085
Office managers plan and coordinate internal processes and activities. In order to achieve this, they might prepare payroll, manage group communication, establish file systems, examine and approve suppliers, or delegate clerical tasks. To maintain effective operations for the entire office crew, an office manager might collaborate closely with other office departments like human resources.
Operations Manager
Average Salary: $114,019
Operations managers monitor staff productivity, effectiveness, and satisfaction as members of the executive team of a corporation. They study the organizational structure of the business and look for solutions to improve the caliber and output of employees’ labor. Operational policies and plans are often developed by operations managers to keep the business running smoothly.
A lot of them will work closely with human resources managers to create recruiting, training, and hiring plans that make it easier for them to find and hire qualified people. To ensure that the business maintains strong financial standing, it will also handle a variety of firm financial operations, including auditing, reporting, and budgeting.
Associate Analyst
Average Salary: $79,504
Associate analysts, sometimes known as junior analysts, support companies or clients with their data collection and research needs. To assist the management team of a company in making wise decisions, they frequently gather data and give it to a senior analyst. Associate analysts come in four different categories: business associate analysts, market research associate analysts, and investment associate analysts.
Administrative Assistant
Average Salary: $45,098
In their workplaces, administrative assistants regularly complete routine and demanding jobs for other professionals. To organize files, write letters, and compile reports or other papers, they collaborate closely with administrators and other staff members. Among other clerical tasks, they are responsible for monitoring calendars, sorting mail, and creating bills. They could also be in charge of organizing and executing meetings and preparing events.
A business professional needs support from an administrative assistant to keep organized and accomplish chores so they can concentrate on more complex projects. Their responsibilities include welcoming office visitors, setting up meetings for Administrators, and writing paperwork on their behalf.
Project Coordinator
Average Salary: $59,263
A project coordinator supports a project manager with administrative work and makes sure that projects are finished on time and within budget. You may work on particular initiatives, or you could help the whole company. Project managers can be found in a wide variety of companies, including architecture firms, agricultural businesses, technology corporations, healthcare organizations, and construction companies.
Project coordinators frequently receive on-the-job training that is geared mainly toward preparing for the position. You might collaborate with the departing team member, or you might be under the direction of a project manager. After being shadowed and guided, you need to feel confident carrying out duties on your own.
Sales Manager
Average Salary: $130,302
A sales manager is in charge of developing and managing a group of capable sales representatives who will help them achieve their sales objectives. Sales managers use their leadership abilities to bolster and uplift their team in addition to increasing sales.
Most sales managers begin their careers in sales. It’s not necessary to have prior expertise in the same field. Sales managers may have prior work experience as purchasing agents, wholesale representatives, real estate agents, or other related positions.
Federal Assistant
Average Salary: $59,682
A federal assistant is a specialist in the administration who assists government funding initiatives. They might make sure that documents connected to federal grant programs are organized and filed efficiently. This may also entail managing the calendar, making travel plans, and tracking report progress for an entire staff.
Federal assistants can serve as a point of contact for other departments, personnel, parents, and their local community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors must be considered when deciding on an online Project Management program or school?
When looking for the best associate degree program and college for your Project Management profession, you’ll have a variety of options. However, it’s a good idea to confirm that both the program and the institution are accredited before deciding on choosing one. If you wish to continue your education later, this will guarantee that your credits will transfer to a four-year college or university.
By looking at the institution’s accreditation, educators and businesses may confirm that it offers accurate, pertinent, and high-quality coursework. Many significant businesses and organizations only hire graduates who have earned online Project Management degrees from accredited schools.
Every online college has an available fundamental academic advisor. However, some online colleges offer extra student services to aid in students’ success. Students should think about the kind of assistance they require and then search for a program in that vein. Mentorship programs, internship placement, virtual tutoring, and career services are all popular options for online students.
Do Associates in Project Management students need certification for employment?
Project Managers are not required to be certified, but certifications are an excellent boost to their credentials! However, certain businesses favor hiring project managers who have completed traditional or online project management certificate programs, which are available to students at every level of education and experience.
Does an online Associate in Project Management really offer flexible class schedules?
Some colleges and universities provide full-time and part-time schedules and allow their students the flexibility to learn at their speed because the education is totally offered online. Choosing a part-time plan will logically take more time because you’ll have to complete the necessary credit hours over a more extended period of time. Additionally, some schools offer daytime and nighttime schedules for their classes.
What’s an Associate’s in Project Management worth these days?
An Associate Degree in Project Management is an excellent academic investment if you wish to take on entry-level positions. With a bachelor’s degree that you can obtain using transferable credits and ample experience in your belt, you can climb your way up to managerial roles.
If you wish to switch to this field from a different sector, an Associate in Project Management is a good starting point as well, along with relevant certifications.
How much will an Associate of Project Management cost you?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual tuition for an associate’s degree in Project Management is $3,621. However, when lodging costs, books, supplies, and other charges are taken into account, an Associate in Project Management program typically costs about $11,391 per year.
There is a difference of more than $3,000 between the average cost of an Associate Degree in Project Management and that of a Bachelor’s in Project Management. A four-year degree program will cost you at least that much more.
Should you decide to fortify your portfolio after obtaining your associate degree, you may also consider the fees to sit for a certification examination.
How long will it take to complete an Associate online program in Project Management?
It usually takes 60–90 credits of courses to earn an online associate’s degree in Project Management. In two years, on average, students who are enrolled full-time should already graduate. Programs with accelerated pace options are available at some colleges allowing for completion in as little as 18 months. Part-time students, however, may have to take additional semesters to be able to complete the required credits.
Additionally, the time it takes to complete an associate degree depends on a variety of factors. These considerations include the ability of students to transfer previous college credits, whether a program grants credit for prior learning and the maximum amount of credits a student may enroll in at once. Consult the admissions advisors if you require details on the program schedule.
What financing options do students of Associate Degrees in Online Project Management programs have?
Scholarships, federal grants, private or public loans, and other financial aid are all choices available for paying for an associate’s degree in Project Management. For an Associate’s in Project Management degree program, the majority of colleges provide financial help. As choices differ amongst institutions, it is crucial to double-check your school’s alternatives for paying for your associate degree.
What makes a Project Management Certificate different from an Associate’s in Project Management?
A Project Management certificate and an associate degree are primarily distinguished by the length of time required to complete each. The average time to earn a Project Management certificate is only a few months, as opposed to the two years it takes to earn an associate degree.
You can further your Project Management career by earning a certificate or an associate degree in the field. Because you obtain more Project Management education hours with a degree than a certificate, it is beneficial if you want to pursue additional school or higher-level employment. If you just want to enter the Project Management field as soon as possible, a certificate is preferable to a degree.
Before you go, check this out: The Best Online Schools for Master’s in Project Management