Master's in Project Management

Manage exciting projects and put your career on a winning track.

At University of the Cumberlands, our executive master’s in project management degree program is intentionally designed to help working professionals like you further your education and advance your current business career. With an executive MSPM, you’ll gain the expertise you need to lead, manage, and coordinate complex initiatives. You’ll also develop crucial business skills in problem solving, decision making, team building and management, risk and quality management, monitoring and controlling projects, budgeting and cost management, and more! Through hands-on practicum or internship experience, in addition to online coursework and on-campus residency weekends, you’ll have the opportunity to practice real-world business scenarios that will prepare you to take the lead in future decision-making contexts across diverse industries.

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

100%

Accredited Program

Anchor: Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

Executive Master of Science in Project Management

UC’s executive MSPM program will equip you with the skills needed to succeed in a project management capacity — and stand out to today’s employers in the highly competitive business world. You’ll learn approved theories and practical tactics for managing projects in and out of the corporate environment. Handling work projects, large and small, from start to finish will become your specialty.

Course Requirements

Core Courses (31 hours)

BADM 532 Organizational Behavior
BADM 537 Legal/Ethical/Social Environment
BADM 623 Project Management Processes
BADM 627 Project Risk and Quality Management
BADM 628 Project Human Resources and Stakeholder Management
BADM 633 Planning the Project
BADM 634 Initiating the Project
BADM 635 Executing the Project
BADM 636 Monitoring/Controlling and Closing the Project
BADM 637 Strategic Application in Project Management

Capstone Course (1 hour)

BADM 699 Capstone (1 credit hour) or INTR 599 Applied Learning Practicum (1 hour)

**Executive format students can take the course or INTR 599 as part of their program degree requirements. The Computer and Information Sciences Department, the School of Business, and the Leadership graduate (Masters and Doctorate) executive format programs have an applied learning component (internship/practicum) that is an integral (essential) part of the established curriculum. Due to the applied learning component required for the degree program, executive format students must enroll in INTR every term of enrollment.

Note: All students completing the Executive Master of Science in Project Management degree will complete a written Comprehensive Examination in the last semester of their academic program as a graduation requirement.

Anchor: Executive Student Resources

Executive students walking toward graduation ceremony

Executive Student Resources

UC's Department of International Graduate Services enjoys providing support resources for our international students. Find tutorials and information regarding offices and policies for the International Graduate Students and programs.

View Executive Student Resources

Executive Program Format

Our Executive Programs include hybrid course days designed for international graduate students studying in the U.S., or domestic students seeking a hybrid-format program. We strive to incorporate professional experience and real-world application of course curriculum into our programs to enhance the learning experience. Practical Training is an integral part of program coursework and available to all students. At the University of the Cumberlands our degree programs focus on quality education at an affordable price.

Executive Program students take three (3) courses per semester. The program semester is based on the existing UC semester calendar, with three (3) annual semesters: fall, spring, and summer. Two of the courses each semester focus on the specific program content. Additionally, students will be required to attend an intensive residency weekend as part of their course enrollment each term. The third class includes an Applied Learning Practicum, in which students apply what they are learning in their other two courses to the real world via work or internship experiences.

Residency FAQs

What are the residency weekend dates?

Residency Session dates are determined by the course that you are registered for. It is very important that you make note of the class you registered for, as well as the designated residency weekend for that course as each course will only meet one weekend for the duration of the semester.

Will I attend residency sessions for the same amount of time?

Even though we will only be meeting one weekend per semester, we will have the same number of contact hours with you. This will enable the instructors to make residency weekends much more valuable. This change will allow us to have meaningful projects on residency weekends.

How do I know which residency to go to?

You can view your semester schedule in your self-service portal in your Student Profile. Once you log into your MyUC account, click on Academics, then click on Current Schedule. Your schedule details will indicate the date and location of your residency weekend.

You can find information on the residency site locations on our website.

Are all three days mandatory?

Yes, all three days are mandatory, and requests to arrive late or leave early will not be approved. Should you not be in attendance for the full session, you will be counted absent for the entire session. Please plan travel accordingly!

What is UC's residency attendance policy?

Attendance to each executive residency class session is mandatory. Students may make up no more than one (1) residency session throughout the duration of their academic program. Missing a second residency will result in the student being dismissed from the university.

A missed session will result in the student attending a make-up session, and paying a $300 residency make-up fee. In addition, the student may be asked for documentation from the program department providing an explanation as to why the scheduled residency session was missed. Make-up sessions must be completed prior to the end of the term. Noncompliance with this policy will result in dismissal from the executive program.

Make-up residency sessions – where are they?

Make-up residency sessions will be held at our campus in Williamsburg, KY. You will be contacted with the time and dates after your absence is reported. There will only be one (1) residency make-up session offered each semester. Failure to attend all days of the makeup session will result in receiving a failing grade for the course, as well as potential dismissal from the University, and SEVIS termination.

What if I can't be there all three days?

If you cannot be in attendance for all three days then you will be counted absent for the entire residency weekend and be required to attend the make-up residency and pay the $300 make-up fee.

When can I register for the next semester?

The Department of International Graduate Services will contact you via your UC student email as registration for the next term approaches. Please remember that you are required to register for (one) main class, (one) online class, and Applied Learning Practicum each semester in order to maintain your F1 status – late registration will not be accepted and can result in the termination of your student status.

Once you register for a class you will want to make note of the residency weekend that your class is scheduled, as that is the only session for that class that will be scheduled for the semester. You will need to be sure to plan your travel accordingly to ensure that you are in attendance for the full residency session.

Registration is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once a course is full, there will not be additional seats added, as we cannot exceed classroom seating capacity; therefore, it is advised that you register for classes as much in advance as possible. As a reminder, students cannot register for future semesters until their current tuition balance is paid in full.

When will facilities be available to me on residency weekends?

*Please note all times are in local time zone*

Friday

Facility will open at 4:00 p.m.

Saturday

Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.

Sunday

Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.

We ask that you please take note of the above-mentioned times and schedule your travel accordingly.

When will residency sessions be in the future?

*These dates have been set; however, if any changes are made, they will be made prior to registration for that semester. Not all dates are available at each residency location.

Fall 2023 (August 28 – December 15)

Spring 2024 (January 8th – April 26th)

Summer 2024 (May 6th – August 23rd)

Fall 2024 (August 26th – December 13th)

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

Acquire relevant knowledge and competencies in the business world.

Evaluate your personal values and connect them to ethical work behaviors.

Practice effective business-related professional skills, especially those key to managing projects well.

Develop advanced analytical and critical-thinking skills to evaluate information, solve problems, and make sound decisions.

Research issues and questions relevant to the project management practice.

Anchor: Career Outcomes

Project Management Careers & Outcomes

Project Management Specialist: $94,500

Project management specialists coordinate the budget, schedule, staffing, and other details of a project.

Logistician: $77,030

Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain.

Information System Manager: $159,010

Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.

Management Analyst: $93,000

Management analysts recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency.

Development Manager: $120,130

Training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization’s staff.

Financial Manager: $131,710

Financial managers create financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

What is an executive master's in project management?

University of the Cumberalnds' executive master’s in project management is a graduate degree program intended for working professionals who have earned their undergraduate degree in business or another relevant field and are looking for the education — and credentials — to lead complex projects in their respective careers.

What can I do with an executive MSPM degree?

With an executive MSPM degree, you’ll be fully equipped with the skills needed to serve in a variety of project management and leadership roles. You may also consider a career as a logistician, improving product distribution challenges, increasing efficiency, and improving the processes of your company. According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, project management specialist and information technology project manager career paths should grow faster than average over the next decade!

Is a PMP equivalent to an executive MSPM?

While becoming a PMP may be a worthy investment in your career, it's important to note that it is not the equivalent of earning an executive MSPM. Why? Because a PMP certifies your existing knowledge and skills, while an executive MSPM program is designed to offer a comprehensive education in the theory and practice of project management.

How do I know whether a PMP or an executive MSPM is right for me?

If you’re a professional who already has the requisite education and work experience, earning PMP certification could help boost your career prospects. But if you’re hoping to build new skills in project management, deepen your knowledge in preparation for advanced career opportunities, or make a career pivot, earning an executive MSPM may be the ideal next step. And many project managers earn both!

Is an executive master's in project management worth it?

For many, the answer is yes. Consider the following potential advantages of earning your executive MSPM: Roles that call for project management skills may come with a bigger salary, you’ll learn in-demand leadership and management skills you can apply in diverse industries and organizations, and earning an executive MSPM can give you the career boost you need to move into a project manager role.

How affordable is this program?

All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.