Find Your PhD in Project Management Online
Strategic project managers are needed to run organizations efficiently in the private and public sectors. Working professionals can find an online doctorate in project management that develops the research skills to solve high-level business problems.
Management roles aren’t for everyone, but for prospective leaders who thrive in positions of guidance and authority, project management offers a satisfying career.
While you may already hold a management degree, a PhD project management online confers the skills necessary to work in high-level executive roles that require advanced problem-solving, modern leadership strategies, and stellar communication.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median national salary of $95,370 per year for project management specialists of all educational levels, with a better-than-average job outlook from 2022 to 2032.
The salary and projected job growth for project managers make now a great time to earn a doctorate in project management online. Many colleges offer affordable and flexible online degrees, even at the doctorate level, allowing you to balance education with work, hobbies, and family.
You’re likely wondering how online doctoral degrees work and which schools offer the best programs, and this guide was designed to answer these questions. Read on so you can make the wisest decision about your education.
Program Profiles: Online PhDs in Project Management
While online education has become much more common, online PhDs—especially from quality, accredited institutions—are a little rarer.
We curated these spotlights on the best-in-class programs so you can earn your PhD project management online, prioritizing affordability, flexibility, and accreditation.
Your academic aspirations are high, and taking on an advanced leadership role requires a quality education. These three top-rated schools offer that while accommodating your already-packed schedule.
Suppose you’re struggling to find a project management course that suits your active lifestyle. In that case, the National University allows you to earn your Doctor of Philosophy in business administration with a specialization in project management on your own time.
This Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)-accredited program is offered 100% online, and you can start at any time of the year. Ten specializations are available, including project management, and rigorous course requirements include four dissertation research courses, ensuring you get a top-quality education.
Admission requires a master’s degree from another accredited institution. With 20 courses and 60 credit hours, the doctorate in project management online can be completed in as few as three years or up to six years. Take your time if needed, or turbocharge the next step in your career.
Program Highlights:
PhD in Business Administration, Project Management specialization
- Credits: 60
- Length: Three to six years
- Cost: $733/credit
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: ACBSP
- Academic Counseling: Yes
- Career Placement: Yes
- Student/Faculty Ratio: 16
At Higher Learning Commission (HLC)-accredited Capella University, you can receive your business management PhD entirely online while specializing in project management. Eleven courses lay down the basics of management before moving on to four specialization courses, interspersed with three virtual residencies and a dissertation.
After earning your master’s degree, you’ll be qualified to enroll in this program and learn the ins and outs of advanced project management and leadership strategies. After five to seven years, depending on how much time you put in, you’ll have earned your doctorate in project management online.
Various financial aid programs exist, most notably a $20,000 scholarship, alongside plenty of student resources. Academic coaches will keep you on the right track, and experienced faculty with doctorate degrees can assist you in your learning journey.
Program Highlights:
PhD in Business Management, Project Management specialization
- Credits: 90
- Length: Five to seven years
- Cost: $985/credit
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: ACBSP
- Academic Counseling: Yes
- Career Placement: Yes
- Student/Faculty Ratio: 32
Ready to earn your specialized PhD project management online? Capitol Technology University offers a fully online program that makes business management mastery accessible.
After you’ve earned your master’s degree in any relevant field, you can get a PhD in project management while maintaining your current career. You’ll learn how to manage business projects even at the global level, grasp advanced problem-solving skills, and become a master at team leadership.
Before receiving your degree, you can either write and defend a dissertation or publish three works of original research. Graduation is flexible and within reach.
Financial aid is available should you need it, and classes start in spring, summer, and fall.
Program Highlights:
PhD in Project Management
- Credits: 60/Varies
- Length: Varies
- Cost: $950/credit
- Mode: 100% online
- Accreditation: MHEC, MSCHE
- Academic Counseling: Yes
- Career Placement: Yes
- Student/Faculty Ratio: 15
Project Management PhD Admission Requirements
Before enrolling in a doctorate in project management online program, most institutions will require you to show significant educational and work experience, which includes the following:
- Master’s degree – Before tackling your PhD, you must possess a master’s degree. This usually must be in a related field. For a project management PhD, a business, organizational leadership, or similar master’s degree will usually suffice.
- Work experience – Entering a PhD program sometimes requires years of related work experience. You’ll need to show proof of work in jobs like team lead, project coordinator, assistant coordinator, or operations manager.
- Admission essay – Many colleges require an admission essay alongside your application, where you’ll need to discuss your experience in project management and future plans.
Benefits of a PhD in Project Management Online
If you already have your master’s and a steady project management career, you probably think that returning to school won’t be easy. While earning a PhD from home might sound like a relatively novel concept, it offers significant benefits for your work-life balance.
Career Advancement
According to the Project Management Institute, 22 million new project management jobs will open up through 2027, a 33% growth in the industry.
As a seasoned project manager, you understand the importance of continuous learning and professional development. Pursuing your PhD will allow you to fill this talent gap and propel yourself into higher-level jobs.
Senior leadership roles and strategic decision-making positions await you, and higher education is the barrier to further career growth.
Balancing Work and Study
One of the most significant advantages of pursuing a PhD project management online is its flexibility.
When you’re already working in the field, rigid class schedules and commuting hassles can be a significant hurdle to higher education. Online learning offers the freedom to study at your own pace, leaving time for personal and career growth.
Applied Learning
Online PhD programs emphasize practical, real-world applications of theoretical concepts. Through case studies, simulations, and collaborative projects, you’ll gain hands-on experience tackling the complex challenges faced by modern organizations.
Online PM Doctoral Coursework
Online studies in project management are typically more flexible than their traditional counterparts, though no less rigorous in study.
Though typical on-campus programs offer benefits like more accessible access to facilities and instructors, 100% online PhD courses allow for asynchronous learning, enabling students to study at their own pace. Part-time PhD programs further accommodate students who already have their hands full with their careers and lives.
Let’s look closer at how you’ll earn your doctorate in project management online.
Popular Courses
A project management PhD is often a specialized form of the business management degree, so most coursework focuses on laying this core foundation before moving on to your area of specialized study.
Elective courses are offered, and a dissertation or original research projects are typically expected before you can graduate. Here are some courses you may encounter in your PM doctorate program.
Advanced Concepts of Project Management Methodologies
Your master’s degree in project management has taught you a lot, but it’s time to level up by studying the most advanced ideas in your field. This course dives into advanced topics and teaches you how to conduct high-level research and strategic thinking.
You’ll learn to develop the best practices for tackling projects of any size and pick up new techniques that will see you through even the most challenging program.
Capella University offers the Advanced Concepts of Project Management Methodologies course, but you’ll find similar courses in any reputable program.
Project Risk Management
Business projects are rarely smooth sailing. This crucial class delves deep into identifying and mitigating any risk that may arise in the project lifecycle.
You’ll learn how to develop risk management plans, conduct risk assessments, and implement proactive strategies that will shut down disruptions before they happen.
National University offers a Project Risk Management course as part of its business administration and project management PhD curriculum.
Strategies for Project Management
Successful project management requires strategic expertise—at least if you want to get anything done.
This course presents various advanced strategies you can use in your project management career. You’ll learn how to analyze and research project management on a global scale, including topics such as how economics and even politics can impact the success of a large project.
Capitol Technology University offers a robust Strategies for Project Management course.
Management and Ethics
Every leader needs to think carefully about ethics, as being in a position of power places a lot of responsibility on your shoulders when it comes to organizational and personal moral issues.
An ethics class, like the one offered by Colorado Technical University, will guide you through moral dilemmas and ethical issues that are bound to crop up. You’ll learn how to handle these issues conscientiously, equitably, and with grace.
Quantitative Research
Learning doesn’t stop once you leave college. To grow as a leader, you must study quantitative research and methodologies to make informed decisions in the field.
Baker College offers a DBA in business administration, and this is a solid example of the Quantitative Research course in action. You’ll learn how to gather, interpret, and communicate data and how to use your data analysis skills to solve real-world project management issues.
Do I Need to Complete a Dissertation?
Typically, you’ll be required to complete and defend a doctoral dissertation to graduate with a PhD in project management. If you fail to defend your dissertation adequately, most colleges will allow you to take a supplementary course and try again.
Possible Specializations
Project management is often a business management specialization, but you can specialize further depending on your industry.
For example, the National University offers a program in IT project management, while the University of Maryland’s civil engineering doctorate offers a specialization in project management.
You may also be interested in agile project management, which emphasizes flexible and iterative approaches, strategic project management, which is all about the big picture, or international project management.
How Much Can an Online PhD in Project Management Cost?
Earning a doctorate in project management online can cost between $40,000 and $80,000 or more, but many institutions offer financial aid. The FAFSA is available at most colleges, as are school scholarships and fellowships.
You may also be able to pursue private scholarships, work-study programs, or tuition assistance from your employer.
Check with your school of choice to see if they offer financial aid or other programs to reduce the cost.
Examples of Online Doctoral Program Tuition
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| National University | 60 | $733 | $43,980 |
| Capella University | 90 | $985 | $88,650 |
| Capitol Technology University | 60+ | $950 | $57,000 |
FAQ: Online Project Management PhD
Who accredits these academic programs?
Online PhD programs in project management are typically accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) or the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Accreditation ensures that programs meet national academic standards and provide students with quality education. Some jobs or universities do not recognize nonaccredited programs.
How long can a doctorate in project management online take?
A doctorate in project management typically takes about three to five years, or 60 to 90 credits, to complete. Part-time PhD programs can extend this timeline by a few years, allowing students to balance their studies with other commitments.
What are the types of advanced degrees can I get in project management?
Rather than a PhD, you may choose to earn a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or a Doctor of Management (DM) degree with a specialization in project management instead.
While a PhD is centered on academics, DBAs are professional and business-focused, and DMs specialize in applied research.
Careers ROI for Project Management PhD Graduates
A PhD in project management leads to a wide array of career opportunities in many industries, including technology, consulting, government, healthcare, and engineering. In many of these sectors, you may find the highest-earning employees have earned the highest academic degrees.
Here are five potential high-earning careers that will allow you to stretch your newfound leadership skills and receive a good return on your investment in earning your doctorate.
- Academic Faculty, Professor
- Management Consultant
- Program Manager
- Research Analyst
- Senior Project Director, Senior Project Manager
Salary Outlook for PM Graduate
A PhD opens doors to careers that offer competitive salaries and better opportunities beyond what is typically available to those with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in project management.
| Career | Median Annual Pay | Job Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Services and Facilities Managers | $101,870 | 5% |
| Management Analysts/Consultants | $95,290 | 10% |
| Operations Research Analysts | $85,720 | 23% |
| Postsecondary Teachers | $80,840 | 8% |
| Project Management Specialists | $95,370 | 6% |
Source: U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023