Project Management (M.S.)
Our STEM-designated master’s degree builds your technical, leadership, and business skills for career success as a project manager.
Project management is a dynamic and rapidly growing field, as more and more businesses, governments, and organizations of all sizes implement new, complex technologies and initiatives. Demand continues to increase significantly for trained professionals who have the skills required to successfully manage those projects.
The Master of Science in Project Management at Illinois Tech’s Stuart School of Business prepares you to launch and advance your career in this challenging and rewarding field.
Our curriculum is designed to encompass the leading industry standards, so you will develop a comprehensive skill set that combines technical and leadership skills with strategic and business management acumen. The program prepares you to apply for globally recognized certifications from the Project Management Institute (PMI), such as Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP).
At Stuart you’ll learn the latest project management ideas, skills, and technologies from industry-experienced faculty who teach with an applied approach and bring their career knowledge and understanding of the marketplace into the classroom. And you’ll benefit from a legacy of curricular innovation that seamlessly bridges business and technology, spanning more than 125 years of management and business education at Illinois Tech.
Through Illinois Tech’s one-of-a-kind Elevate program, you are guaranteed access to hands-on experiences throughout your graduate years, such as virtual and in-person internships, real-world projects, and more. You’ll also receive personalized mentorship to guide your academic studies and career planning.
Chicago is a global business and financial center with one of the most diverse regional economies in the nation, encompassing industries ranging from health care to manufacturing to banking. Stuart’s strong industry connections open up opportunities for employment and for you to network with Stuart alumni and other accomplished professionals.
Convenience for Busy Professionals
- Enroll full-time or part-time
- Evening classes at our downtown Chicago location near Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center
STEM-Designated Program
This is a STEM-designated program, and international graduates of the program are eligible to apply for an extension for Optional Practical Training, which allows selected students to stay and work in the United States for up to three years after graduation.
Program Overview
The M.S. in Project Management program prepares you for a career as a project management professional, with the skills, expertise, and industry certifications to step into pivotal management roles that are critical in driving change, increasing productivity, and delivering innovation at all types of businesses, organizations, and government entities.
Career Opportunities
The demand for professionals in project management roles is rapidly increasing around the world, according to a study released by the Project Management Institute. Project management is key to implementing new technologies across industries, with some of the fastest growth in employment for project managers occurring in sectors such as software development, health care, manufacturing, information services, finance, and insurance.
In the United States, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an overall median annual wage of $98,580 for project management specialists in 2023 and projects that employment in project management will grow six percent from 2022 to 2032.
Stuart faculty developed the M.S. in Project Management curriculum in collaboration with the program’s advisory council, who are practitioners, Project Management Institute affiliates, and major employers. The program’s curriculum focuses on mastering the ideal skill set outlined by the PMI, which includes high-level skills in technical project management, leadership, and strategic and business management. Elective courses allow you to customize your degree to match your interests and career goals.
- Full-time students are expected to enroll for three or four courses per semester and complete their degree in three semesters.
- Part-time students can enroll for as few as one course per semester.
- The program schedule has options for students to accelerate their studies. For example, full-time students may be eligible to graduate in 12 months by beginning their studies in either fall or spring and taking courses during the summer.
This program requires successful completion of at least 30 credit hours (10 courses).
Core Courses
These courses are required. Three credit hours per course (21 credit hours total)
PM 501—Project Management Essentials
PM 502—Project Scope, Quality, and Risk Management
PM 503—Project Schedule and Cost Management
PM 505—Project Finance and Procurement
PM 506—Agile Strategies and Practices
PM 507—Project Management Capstone
PM 508—High Impact Power Skills
Elective Courses
Choose any three courses. Three credit hours per course (9 credit hours total)
ITMM 571—Project Management for Information Technology Management
ITMM 574—Information Technology Management Frameworks
ITMM 587—Product Management
ITMM 537—Vendor Management and Service Level Agreements
ITMS 578—Cyber Security Management
MAX 502—Analytics for Decision Making
MAX 507—Visual Analytics—Data Analytics and Visualization
MBA 532—Artificial Intelligence
MBA 523—Negotiations and Strategic Decision Making
MBA 511—Marketing Strategy
- Completed online application
- Official transcript submission with a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- No GMAT or GRE scores required
- Experience is desirable, but not essential
- English proficiency exam, if required
Have Questions? Connect with Us
For any questions about Stuart School of Business degree programs or the application and enrollment process, contact our Director of Student Recruitment Claire Johnson.
Project Management: Ask a Professor
Virtual sessions on Thursdays at 8–8:30 a.m. CT
The job market for skilled project managers is growing rapidly, and Stuart’s STEM-designated M.S. in Project Management program is excellent preparation for launching your career in this dynamic field. Join a virtual session with Program Director Roland Calia to learn more.
Scholarships
Domestic students pursuing the M.S. in Project Management degree are eligible to apply for the Chicago Talent Pipeline Scholarship, which supports motivated individuals to advance their career paths as project management professionals. In academic year 2024–25, this scholarship awards up to $14,000 per degree.
International students pursuing the M.S. in Project Management degree are eligible to apply for the Stuart School of Business Dean’s Scholarship, which in academic year 2024–25 awards up to $14,000 for the full two-year program.
Read more about Stuart scholarship opportunities and tuition and fees:
Stuart Scholarships Tuition and Fees
Earn Globally Recognized Certifications
The M.S. in Project Management program prepares you to apply for globally recognized certifications from the Project Management Institute. PMI certification proves that you have the ability to lead projects for any organization and in any industry.
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)—Designed for professionals with three years of experience or less, the CAPM distinguishes your skill set as a project manager and is a crucial stepping-stone on your path to career advancement.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)—This recognition demonstrates that you are an experienced project management professional who has the educational background and demonstrated skills in leadership and using predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches to determine the best methods for each project.
Stuart Stands Out
Stuart is AACSB Accredited. Only 6% of Business Schools Globally Are.
—Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
Career Placement Rate
—Stuart School of Business 2022 master’s and Ph.D. graduates reporting
Only Business School in a Tech-Focused University in Chicago
Featured Faculty
Joanne E. Howard
Roland Calia
Prasad S. Kodukula
Mangaiah Chowdary Garikapati
Elizabeth J. Durango-Cohen
Siva K. Balasubramanian
Move Your Career Forward
