Project Management, M.S.

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project management - two marketing professionals looking over gant charts
Woman using Gantt chart for project management

Why a Master’s in Project Management at Clark University

In today’s face paced world, project managers need unique abilities that go beyond project management. The MSPM program prepares student to achieve these in demand professional skills.

  • Emotional intelligence: The ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as those of others.
  • Communication: Clear and effective communication is essential for keeping stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Leadership: Inspire and motivate team members to achieve project goals.
  • Problem-solving: Identify and solve problems quickly and effectively.
  • Time management: Manage time effectively to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
  • Risk management: The ability to identify and manage risks is essential for minimizing project disruptions and ensuring project success.
  • Adaptability: Adapt to changing circumstances and adjust project plans as needed.

The Clark Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM) program provides a comprehensive and rigorous project management education that prepares our students to lead successful projects in a variety of industries. Faculty are committed to developing ethical and socially responsible project managers who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to deliver value to stakeholders. Our program is aligned with the Project Management Institute (PMI) standards and best practices and based on experiential learning. Our main focus is to continuously improve our curriculum to meet the evolving needs of the project management profession as endorsed by the PMI.

In their own words

Alumni Testimonials

Foundational Courses

MSPM 3840

Project Management Fundamentals

Course summary

(aligned with most current PMBOK edition)
This course focuses on project management fundamentals based on the most current version Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). The course covers essential concepts, principles, and best practices in project management, and Agile, Predictive and Hybrid methodologies.

MSPM 3460

Agile Project Delivery

Course summary

This foundational level course introduces Agile methodologies and their application in project management. Agile has become a cornerstone of modern project management, particularly in software development, and its principles and practices are increasingly adopted across various industries. This course equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively lead and manage Agile projects. The course includes an overview of Agile principles and values, including the Agile Manifesto and its 12 principles. Students will learn about the various Agile frameworks, and  also explore the roles and responsibilities of Agile team members. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of collaboration, communication, and self-organization within Agile teams.

MSPM 3850

Project Leadership and Organization

Course summary

This course provides students with knowledge and skills for managing project teams, demonstrating project leadership, creating project communications, and executing stakeholder engagement. Students will learn theoretical and applied skills in planning, distributing, and managing project communication; identifying and engaging stakeholders; analyzing and interpreting project organization and context; and applying best practices in project team management.

Advanced Level Courses

Mastery Level Courses

MSPM 3680

Program and Portfolio Management

Course summary

Organizations in all industries often manage large strategic projects within or as part of a Program Management Office (PMO) structure or a dedicated portfolio organization. Students will learn the difference between managing projects within both program and portfolio management structures. This course, through a combination of lecture, discussion, case studies, and practical exercises, engages students in examining strategies organizations use to prioritize and manage a portfolio of complex and often geographically distributed projects.

MSPM 3790

Managing Troubled Projects

Course summary

Projects may start without formal management, or project managers may be called on to rescue troubled projects. Regardless of the circumstances.  at some point in their career project managers will be responsible for “finding a path forward”. This course, through a mix of case study analysis, lecture and classroom discussion will provide students with the skills necessary to be successful.

MSPM 3999

Capstone

Course summary

MSPM 3999 integrates the course work of the MS Project Management degree program into a comprehensive application. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor, students address an actual challenge faced by an organization or a department within an organization. Students study the issues, review industry trends, research the depth of the issue, and analyze the data to make a series of recommendations to key stakeholders.  The course culminates in a formal written and oral presentation at the end of the semester.

Meet our Engaged Faculty