Do I Need a Project Management Degree?

Becoming a project manager generally means having the right experience, skills, and expertise to get the job. For some, that might mean getting a degree to sharpen your leadership skills and business acumen; for others, it might mean working your way up from a more entry-level position on a team.

Explore the path to becoming a project manager in more detail to decide if getting a project management degree should be your next step.

Do you need a degree to be a project manager?

Not necessarily. A project management degree might make the road to managerial positions a little quicker, qualify you for more jobs, and provide a structured way to learn about this career path or the industry you want to be in. However, many project managers do not have degree in project management or other fields. Having the actual skills and experience to show you can do the job may matter just as much, or sometimes even more, in project management positions.

Which degree is best for project management?

Although you have various career paths to choose from to become a project manager, data from Zippia reveals that 68 percent of project managers have a bachelor’s degree in project management, business, computer science, or a related field. Another 14 percent have a master’s [1]. 

If you’re considering a Master of Project Management (MPM) or a Master of Business Administration (MBA), it’s important to note that each caters to a different goal. An MBA offers a broad foundation in business administration, including finance and operations, with the ability to concentrate in project management to prepare you for many different career paths. In contrast, an MPM degree offers more of a focus on project management to prepare you specifically for roles in project management.

Project management degrees: What should I major in?

As demand for project management skills grows, several schools have begun to offer project management degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, online and in-person. You may also find MBA programs with project management concentrations or professional certificates offered by academic institutions. However, project management degrees remain relatively rare in schools. A few other majors you can consider if you’re aiming to become a project manager include the following.

• Business: With a business degree, you’ll have a good grasp of accounting and finance principles and how businesses work. This will be useful when you’re a project manager who needs to keep business priorities in mind while shepherding a project to completion.

• Finance, biological science, engineering, and other industry degrees: As a project manager, it’ll be useful—and sometimes crucial—to have some background knowledge of how the industry you’re in operates. If you’re interested in a specific field, like computer science, health care, or civil engineering, majoring in a related field can be a good idea. Since many project managers work their way up from related jobs, this route might mean getting an entry-level job and becoming a project manager after gaining some years of experience.

• Organizational leadership and management: In these majors, you’ll learn how successful organizations run, develop leadership skills, and potentially equip yourself with technical skills like data analysis. All of this can inform your future work as a project manager.

• Psychology: In getting a psychology degree, you’ll learn why and how people make decisions, what can influence and motivate people, and how to think critically about human interactions. Understanding the science behind psychology can help you become a better manager, improve your communication and negotiation skills, and empathize better with your team members.

I got my degree in something else. Can I still be a project manager?

Yes. Project management has no set requirements regarding the kind of degree you need. Some places may state a preference for a certain type of degree, especially if the work you’ll be doing requires specialty knowledge. For example, a project manager in construction may need a degree in civil engineering, architecture, or a related field.

How do I become a project manager without a degree?

You can take many different routes to becoming a project manager. The following offers a few to consider if you’re looking for alternatives to a degree.

• Work your way up: Many project management professionals get their start in non-managerial positions on a team. This way, you can learn more about the industry and gain teammates' trust before becoming a project manager. Are you already in a job and ready to take the next step? Try approaching your manager to see if your workplace has any opportunities that will let you work on your project management skills. You can also try to gain project management credentials.

• Certifications and certificates: Getting a credential like a certification or Professional Certificate can show employers your level of competency and help you learn about the field in the process. If you’re starting out, consider options like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification or the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate.

• Build up project management skills: You'll need workplace skills like leadership and communication, as well as knowledge of basic concepts like Agile project management and how to budget for a project. Read more on key project management skills to see how you can fill any gaps in your knowledge.

Read more: 7 In-Demand Scrum Master Certifications

Consider a project management degree and other skill-building qualifications.

You can enter the dynamic field of project management with a varied background, although many people pursue a bachelor’s degree in project management or an MPM degree. Other options include supplementing your background with qualifications like the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate. During this program, you’ll have an opportunity to develop core skills like procurement and budgeting, use project management software, and get acquainted with Agile and Scrum methods.