Dec 04, 2024  
2021-2022 SGPP Catalog and Handbook 
    
2021-2022 SGPP Catalog and Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Project Management, M.S.


Program Description

The Master of Science in Project Management is designed for individuals seeking advanced education for leading complex projects in a variety of work settings. Foundation courses provide core knowledge of financial and ethical business practices. Based on global project management standards, the program provides an interactive, comprehensive exploration of initiating, planning, and managing projects. Interpersonal skills, leadership, and communications are emphasized both with individuals and teams. Students must have at least one experience as a project manager or as a member of a project team. This experience may be obtained on formal or informal projects and in a variety of industries. This program is accredited by the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management (GAC),  www.pmi.org.

Mission

It is our mission to educate students to become project management professionals and future leaders in their field.

Vision

Our vision is to provide students with the ability to utilize real-world tools and techniques, along with the practical knowledge of project management best practices, in order to become project management professionals and leaders in their chosen field.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Science in Project Management program are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Initiate projects with clearly identified scope, requirements, and stakeholders.
  2. Plan complex projects using appropriate planning tools.
  3. Develop plans to implement quality and resource management processes.
  4. Manage project risk. 
  5. Manage project procurement for project resources.
  6. Manage stakeholders and communications for complex projects.
  7. Manage project cost and budget baselines.
  8. Evaluate project environment and select traditional and/or agile approaches.
  9. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
  10. Incorporate an ethical perspective in all professional activities.
  11. Work effectively with diverse populations.

Program Structure and Delivery

The Master of Science in Project Management program is delivered in an online or blended format. Courses delivered in a blended format integrate face-to-face classroom meetings and online activities or interactions in a planned, instructionally valuable manner.

Graduate Certificate Credit Use Toward Degree

Students may use all 12 credits of the Project Management Certificate   toward completing the M.S. in Project Management.

Students may substitute 6 credits from any of the following completed SMUMN certificates to replace GM660 Financial Management and GM675 Managerial Ethics and Issues. The substitutions allow these certificate students to complete the M.S. in Project Management with just 30 credits.

Degree Requirements


Required Project Management Courses 24 cr.
Required Elective Courses 3 cr.
Required Management Courses 6 cr.
Required Capstone Course 3 cr.
Total 36 cr.

 *Students who hold PMP Certification at the time they are admitted to the program may waive the PRM600 Foundations of Project Management and substitute another 3 credit course from the list provided. All PRM degree seeking students must complete 36 transcripted credits. Up to 6 credits may be transferred into the program at the time of admission if the course previously taken matches a required course.

Required Elective Courses: 3 cr.


Students choose one course of the following courses.

Required Management Courses: 6 cr.


Those students with a completed SMUMN graduate certificate listed above may substitute 6 credits from the certificate for the these two courses. All PRM certificate and students without a certificate must take these courses.

Required Capstone Course: 3 cr.


Courses Available for Those with Waived PRM600


Students may take other graduate courses in the School of Business and Technology.

Graduate Certificate to Master’s Degree


Students currently enrolled in a Saint Mary’s University graduate certificate program that can be used toward this degree are eligible to enroll in the master’s program through the Change/Add Program process. Students that have been withdrawn from the university must seek readmission through the Registrar’s office.

Faculty


The faculty members for this program have earned doctorate or master’s degrees. Faculty are selected for their combination of educational and professional experience and expertise.

Admission Requirements


Applicants may apply for admission to master degree programs at any time during the year. Students can start the blended program at the beginning of fall or spring semester.  Students can start the online program at the beginning of fall, spring, or summer semester. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework. All applicants must complete an interview with a program administrator.

Application Process


Applicants may apply for admission to master’s degree programs at any time during the year.  Applicants may have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework. Applicants may be required to complete an interview with a program administrator as part of the admission process.

Applicants must submit:

  1. Completed application form with the nonrefundable application fee (fee not required for alumni or students seeking readmission or veterans and active military personnel and their immediate family) and,
  2. An official transcript issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution. Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, or One Earth International Credential Evaluators and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards).  Evaluations from an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) will also be accepted. 
  3. A personal statement which includes:
  • brief description of the applicant’s background, training, and experience and,
  • statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and his or her reasons for seeking admission to the program and,
  • description of the areas the applicant considers to be his or her strengths and areas in which the applicant wishes to develop greater strengths and abilities and,
  • personal information the applicant wishes to share.
  1. Names of two people (including title, organization, email, phone number) who could serve as professional references, if needed, during the application review process. The best references are those who know you in a professional capacity, such as current or former supervisors.
  2. A current résumé listing educational background and work experience.

See individual programs for additional application requirements.