A postgraduate degree in Project Management in USA is the latest popular course, available at many top US universities. There are two kinds of postgraduation for Project Management which are MS or MSc and MBA in Project Management (as a specialisation), you can select any of these as per your wish. Each year, many Indian and international students alike send their applications for the highly regarded MS in Project Management course in USA but only a small number of them are accepted after going through the difficult admission process.
The reason why international aspirants choose MS in Project Management (MPM) in USA is because it’s predicted that around 87.7 million applicants will be employed in different Project Management roles until 2026. The pay for those who complete a master’s degree course like this one thereabouts reaches up to USD 116,000 yearly on average.
In this blog post, let us discuss in detail the MS in Project Management course offered in USA.
Why Study for Masters In Project Management In USA?
An MS in Project Management in USA is one of the most popular courses pursued by international students.͏ ͏After completing the degree, graduates can exp͏ect job offer͏s where they can ea͏rn aroun͏d $150,000͏ (INR 1.10 crore) annually in the ͏United States. Here are s͏ome ͏benefits of pursui͏n͏g an MS in Project Managemen͏t͏ in the US:
Flexible Degree Options: For international students, project management is a 1.5 to 2-year full-time program. Some universities offer an accelerated option for an MSc in project management in the USA, such as Columbia Univers͏ity. This option is designed for working professionals who want to update their knowledge or are looking for a j͏ob switch.
High-Paying Jobs: There are various career opportunities for graduates in project management, with an average salary of͏ USD 8͏5,000 (INR 7,055,000) per year. As per the Bureau of Labor S͏tatistics, the management sector in the USA is predict͏ed to grow by 6% by 2026, and around 505,000 new job openings are anticipated͏ for project mana͏gers͏ in the upcoming 7 years.͏
Extensive Curriculum: The curriculum for a master’s degree in proj͏ect management in the USA is designed to teach international students theoretical ͏and practical aspects of the management fiel͏d͏. The curriculum is divided into core courses, capstone courses, and elect͏ives throughout the semesters.
| Types of MPM | Masters or MSc in Project Management & MBA in Project Management |
| Duration | 1.5 to 2 years |
| Mode of Conduction | Full-time | Part-time | Online |
| Average Tuition Cost | USD 17,000 to USD 70,000 |
| Top MPM Universities in USA | ASU, MSU, Boston University, NYU and others. |
| Work Experience | Required |
| Scholarships | Available for international students |
| Average Annual Salary | USD 89,000 |
| Popular Job Roles | Project Management Lead, Resources Manager, Site Manager, etc. |
Top Universities for MS in Project Management In USA
While the United States is home to some of the most esteemed universities in the world, the following institutions stand out:
- New York University
- Pennsylvania State University
- University of Maryland
- Boston University
- Northwestern University
- New York University
| New York University World Ranking 2024 | 38 |
| Program Offered | MS in Project Management |
| Duration | 1.5 – 2 Years |
| Tuition Fee | USD 43,038 per year |
- The Pennsylvania State University
| Penn State World Ranking 2024 | 83 |
| Program Offered | MS in Project Management |
| Duration | 1.5 – 2 Years |
| Tuition Fee | USD 39,198 per year |
- The University of Maryland
| The University of Maryland World Ranking 2024 | 38 |
| Program Offered | M.Eng. in Project Management |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Tuition Fee | USD 17,900 per year |
- Boston University
| Boston University World Ranking 2024 | 78 |
| Program Offered | MS in Project Management |
| Duration | 1.5 – 2 Years |
| Tuition Fee | USD 53,068 per year |
- Northwestern University
| Northwestern University World Ranking 2024 | 47 |
| Program Offered | MS in Project Management |
| Duration | 1.5 – 2 Years |
| Tuition Fee | USD 22,000 per year |
Admission Requirements for Masters in Project Management In USA
International students who want to get admitted for a Master’s in project management at a university in the US must fulfil certain eligibility criteria. These are:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Work Experience
- English Language Proficiency Scores like IELTS and TOEFL
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendation
- Work Experience Certificates (if applicable)
- Academic Transcripts
- GMAT or GRE Scores
- USA Student Visa
Let’s discuss them in detail:
1. Bachelor’s Degree
A big demand for international students is having 16 years of education, which is shown as: 10+2+4. This means they should have a bachelor’s degree lasting four years and 12 years of school education. The student must get a minimum grade of 3.0 on the scale from 4.0 to meet this requirement.
2. Work Experience
As project management is a professional degree, some universities of the USA require work experience of a minimum 2 to 3 years to do master’s in it. But this isn’t always necessary and if you have the correct mix of skills along with excitement for learning then getting admitted into an MS in Project Management can be possible.
3. English Language Proficiency Scores
For international students, they should send their English language test scores like IELTS or TOEFL. The lowest accepted score for IELTS is 6.5 and for TOEFL it’s 550.
4. GMAT or GRE Scores
For applying to graduate schools, most universities in the USA ask for a GRE or GMAT score. You need a minimum GRE score of 151-158 and GMAT must be 700 or above for a master’s in project management. Check on the official websites of universities to see their specific demands.
5. USA Student Visa
For a student visa in the US, international students must possess an acceptance letter from the university. After this is acknowledged, they will be given a certain Form I-20 by their college’s International Students Office; it acts as a paper record for data found in a database known as the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Documents Required for Project Management In USA
The following is a checklist of all the important documents that are needed for students to successfully pursue MS in Project Management in the United States
- Academic Transcripts
- LORs
- SOPs
- Proof of Funds
- Valid Passport
- English Test Scores
- Updated Resume
- Health Insurance
- Current Passport Photograph
- Valid Passport
Admission Process for Master’s Degree in Project Management in USA
To gain admission into a top US university for a master’s in project management, you must go through the following processes:
• As an inte͏rnational student, you need to identify some o͏f the best master’s p͏rograms i͏n project man͏agement a͏nd com͏p͏lete the applicatio͏n form available on the re͏spect͏ive university websites.
• Review all the necessary documents required for the master’s program you are applying to.
• Gather all the required documents, such as academic transcripts and other essential documents specified by each university.͏
• Sub͏mit y͏our Engli͏s͏h language profici͏ency test scores.
• Once you͏r application is accept͏ed by the selected universities, you͏ ͏will receive ͏an em͏ai͏l regarding admissio͏n confirma͏tion and the interview proc͏ess.
• Prepare thoroughly for the interview rounds with the university and ͏embassy representatives. You can seek assistance from a professional admission co͏unselling se͏rvice to help prepare for the interviews.
• Pos͏t the co͏mpletion of the in͏terviews, you will receive an acceptance letter from the universi͏ty if you have pas͏sed the inte͏rvi͏ew.
• You must reply with your confirmat͏ion͏ within the given timeline to secure your seat at the university and ͏pay the tuition fees.
• After completing and ensuring all the official formaliti͏es, apply for a US student visa as soon as possible, as the pr͏oce͏s͏s may take considerable time.
Cost of Studying MS in Project Management in USA for International Students
The cost of living in the USA will depend on your lifestyle choices, which city you live in, and other crucial elements. For example, the accommodation expenses can be around USD 10000 – 18000 (INR 8,300,00 to 1,494,000) every year. This also relies on different aspects like the type of student housing in USA you select; either off-campus or on-campus.
Scholarships for Project Management in USA Universities for International Students
Ambitious students who wish to pursue a promising degree like Project Management will be pleased to know that many universities in the United States offer excellent scholarship opportunities. These are:
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Benefits |
| PEO International Peace Scholarships for Women | This is specifically for female students. To be eligible, you must be in the last year of your graduation. | USD 12,500 |
| National Overseas Scholarship Scheme | Minimum 55% in UG | Varies according to programs |
| International Student Tuition Grant | Meritorious International Students | USD 2,000 |
| Dean’s Scholars Program | The minimum GPA must be 3.7. | USD 10,000 |
Future Prospects After Master in Project Management in USA
International students who finish an MS in project management from a US university can find exceptionally rewarding professional gigs that provide high salaries. The industry of project management is expected to expand by 31.34% by the year 2027 in the world. Some job opportunities and their average salary are:
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary |
| Director of Project Management Office | $145,000 |
| Program Manager | $135,000 |
| Project Management Consultant | $115,000 |
| IT Project Manager | $105,000 |
| Construction Project Manager | $98,000 |
| Engineering Project Manager | $95,000 |
| Project Coordinator | $65,000 |
| Project Scheduler | $75,000 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,000 |
| Agile Project Manager | $105,000 |
Conclusion
An MS in Project Management is among the most sought-after courses by international students in the United States. The program offers comprehensive skill development and promises an average annual salary of USD 98,000 (INR 8,134,000). A report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that 1.1 million job opportunities emerge each year within this field, making project management as one of the fastest-growing industries in the US. If you are considering pursuing a Master’s degree in Project Management in the United States, contact Admissify’s professional team of counsellors who will guide you on the right path.
FAQs
Is IELTS necessary to study in the United States?
Yes, IELTS or other English proficiency scores are important to study in the United States.
What are some high-paying jobs in Project Management?
Some of the highest-paying jobs in project management are agile project manager, engineering project manager, and marketing project manager.
How to get into top universities in the United States?
The United States is known for having an incredibly advanced academic system that helps students develop both, a theoretical understanding of the subject as well as practical skills. Thus, universities here are highly selective. It is important to have excellent grades and industry experience so as to maximise your chances.
Gaurav Kandari is a seasoned study abroad consultant with over 5 years of experience, specializing in guiding students to the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. An avid traveler, he draws on his global adventures to enrich his consulting, providing invaluable insights to aspiring scholars.
