*Based on 2026–2027 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Master the Tools of Modern Project Management
As technology advances and projects become more complex, organizations need project managers who can lead across systems, teams, and industries. According to the Project Management Institute’s Pulse of the Profession®2026, complex projects are now the norm, with 97 percent of professionals reporting involvement in at least one complex project in the past year. The demand for skilled project talent is also growing rapidly, with the global economy projected to need nearly 30 million new project professionals by 2035, according to the PMI® 2025 Global Project Management Talent Gap report.
The online master’s in Project Management at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) prepares you to meet that demand with a strong foundation in project management principles, business strategy, leadership, and technology-enabled execution. Grounded in evolving professional standards, the program emphasizes agile approaches, ethical and culturally aware stakeholder engagement, communication, teamwork, and informed decision-making.
Designed for working professionals, the program’s collaborative approach mirrors how successful projects are delivered in the real world—from IT infrastructure and consulting engagements to enterprise-level initiatives across industries. Practical, tool-based study of project planning, budgeting, resource allocation, risk, implementation, and performance ensure that you build the skills to manage complex initiatives in data-driven, STEM-oriented, and global business environments.
The Project Management master’s degree program includes an optional concentration in:
The MS in Project Management is also available on campus in Boston. Learn more.
Curriculum
The Boston University Metropolitan College Master of Science in Project Management consists of eight required online courses (32 units). Students with PMI® certifications can earn up to 45 PDUs per course.
Select four courses from the following list with the advice of the department coordinator, unless you are pursuing a concentration in Program & Project Portfolio Management.
Master's Thesis Option
(Two courses/8 units)
Students have the option to complete a master’s thesis. The thesis must be completed within 12 months and is available to master’s candidates who have completed at least six courses toward their degree and have a GPA of 3.7 or higher. Students are responsible for finding a thesis advisor and a principal reader within the department. The advisor must be a full-time faculty member; the principal reader may be a part-time faculty member with a doctorate. Permission must be obtained by the department.
Learn about application requirements for BU MET graduate degree and certificate programs.
How You Benefit from a Boston University Education
A BU credential can help lay the foundation for career advancement and personal success.
Enjoy an average 24:1 student-to-faculty ratio in courses that are 100% online, while tackling complex issues alongside peers with solid academic and practical experience.
BU MET’s MS in Project Management is accredited by the Project Management Institute® (PMI) Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC).
Optional, complimentary Project Management Professional (PMP®) and PMI-ACP® exam preparation courses are ideal for those who seek to pursue PMP® certification. Those who already hold PMI® certifications can earn up to 45 PDUs per course. The MSPM curriculum also prepares you for success on the exams leading to the Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) designation. By earning a Project Management master’s from BU MET, you can waive one of the three years of experience required for PMI’s certification programs.
Focus on practical, hands-on education, combining graduate-level theory with the core competencies and skills that underlie the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification—education you can apply on the job.
Get free access to hands-on, noncredit preparatory laboratories offered through the Department of Administrative Sciences, including Project Management Essentials (PM 100) and Program & Portfolio Management (PM 200).
Work closely with highly qualified faculty who draw from active research and substantial professional achievements in areas such as mega-projects, earned-value analysis, improvisation, risk management, project governance, cost estimation, enterprise architecture, IT projects, and agile project management.
Learn from the best—since 2014, BU MET’s part-time master’s programs in business and management have been ranked among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
All graduate students are automatically considered for merit scholarships during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.
Rankings & Accreditations
#12 Best Online Master’s in Business Programs (Excluding MBA)
MET’s online master’s degrees in management are ranked #12 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
The GAC Accredited Program seal is a mark of Project Management Institute, Inc.
PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management
BU MET’s MS in Project Management and MS in Computer Information Systems concentration in IT Project & Product Management are accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC).
Accredited member of AACSB International
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (through BU’s Questrom School of Business)
Graduate with Project Management Expertise
Metropolitan College’s Project Management Master’s degree will equip you to:
Construct and evaluate analytically grounded project plans using quantitative and optimization-based methods, supported by AI and data-driven computational techniques, to model scope, schedule, cost, resources, risk, and quality across both agile and predictive plan-based project life cycles.
Apply evidence-based decision-making, quantitative performance indicators, and AI-enabled insights to assess team capability, manage risk and uncertainty, optimize communication strategies, and support value-oriented leadership throughout the project life cycle.
Analyze and optimize project, program, and portfolio decisions using management science principles, including systems modeling, project analytics, and governance frameworks. Evaluate value delivery systems, investment trade-offs, and the complexity of interconnected projects.
“The networking and communication skills I developed in the program have been invaluable, especially since transitioning to a new field can feel overwhelming. These skills have helped me build relationships with colleagues, seek out mentors, and access resources that might otherwise have been difficult to find. Being able to communicate effectively across different teams and departments has made the transition much smoother.” Read more.
BU MET’s Project Management master’s prepares you for a wealth of different roles, such as Project Manager, Program/Portfolio Manager, Scrum Master, PMO/Program Director, Project Team Leader, and Product Owner.
Recent graduates have found job opportunities and career paths in organizations such as:
Google
Amazon
Microsoft
State Street
Fidelity
Putnam
UnitedHealth Group
Deloitte
Ernst & Young (EY)
Genzyme
Biogen
Pfizer
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Take Advantage of Career Resources at BU MET
You will find the support you need in reaching your career goals through MET’s Career Development office, which offers a variety of job-hunting resources, including one-on-one career counseling by appointment for online students. You can also take advantage of tools and resources available online through BU’s Center for Career Development.
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