Project Management (M.S.)

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.

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.

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.

Curriculum

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