*Based on 2026–2027 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Master Skills to Align Projects with Strategic Business Goals and Drive Portfolio-Level Decision-Making
The online Master of Science in Project Management concentration in Program & Portfolio Management at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) is designed for professionals who want to manage complex initiatives at the enterprise level.
Demand for skilled project talent continues to grow as industries become more project-oriented, with the global economy expected to need nearly 30 million new project professionals by 2035, according to the Project Management Institute® 2025 Global Project Management Talent Gap report.
Through this concentration, you will learn to align programs and project portfolios with organizational strategy, evaluate critical success factors, and apply best practices in portfolio oversight. You will develop practical skills in program planning, resource coordination, scheduling, financial management, risk analysis, and technology-enabled decision-making. With an emphasis on systems thinking, quantitative analysis, project analytics, and enterprise portfolio tools, the concentration prepares you to lead data-intensive programs and portfolios across technical, STEM-driven, and complex organizational environments.
The MS in Project Management concentration in Program & Project Portfolio 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.
Students who have earned BU’s Graduate Certificate in Project Management may transfer their credits directly to the MS in Project Management, earning the Master’s degree by completing just two core courses and two electives.
Core Courses
(Four courses/16 units)
Concentration Requirements
(Four courses/16 units)
Choose at least two courses from the following:
Plus up to two courses selected from the list below:
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.
Benefit from an average 24:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
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.
The master’s degree in Project Management at BU MET is accredited by the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC).
BU MET’s 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.
Two self-paced, complimentary laboratories offer access to advanced tools and provide opportunities to hone project management skills and technological proficiency using case studies.
Benefit from a hands-on, experiential capstone research project under the guidance of faculty and industry mentors.
Advance your practical knowledge of project management in fun and interesting ways with the Project Management Student Club, which gives opportunities for individual leadership and group development through activities and real projects.
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
Students who complete the Project Management master’s degree concentration in Program & Project Portfolio Management will be able to:
Evaluate critical success factors for projects and programs across industries, use these factors to create project portfolios that align with strategic goals of the organization, and describe best practices for managing such a portfolio.
Construct a program management plan that describes best practices for the creation and management of programs and how to plan and coordinate resources, procurement, schedules, finance, risk, and change.
Acquire in-depth practical knowledge of sophisticated, powerful, and highly integrated enterprise tools used in organizations to plan and manage a portfolio of programs and projects, and learn how to leverage project analytics data to make well-informed decisions.
“While working in various project management roles, I realized the immense value that formal training and a structured curriculum could bring to my skill set. Despite my professional experience, I recognized the need to deepen my theoretical understanding and stay ahead of industry trends. This realization, coupled with a desire for professional growth and career advancement, motivated me to pursue a master’s degree in project management.” Read more.
Vinita Mehta (MET’24) Special Projects Manager at SRMD MS, Project Management, Concentration in Program & Project Portfolio Management
Advance Your Career
BU MET’s Project Management master’s prepares you for a wealth of different roles, such as Project Manager, Program Manager, Marketing Specialist, IT Manager, Business Continuity Planner, Emergency Management Director, Software Developer, Construction Manager, Management Analyst, Operations Research Analyst, and Risk Manager, among others.
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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