[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you have a knack for leadership and strategy, have completed a master’s degree in your current field, and have a desire to advance your career, then a doctorate in project management online may be what you are looking for.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The demand for experienced and talented project managers is growing. According to a recent gap analysis published by the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.pmi.org/learning/careers/talent-gap-2021″]Project Management Institute[/hen-ui-link], project-oriented industries are projected to add 25 million new professionals around the globe between 2021 and 2030.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Doctorates in Project Management Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How We Chose These Schools”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At TheBestSchools, we use trusted data from the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools without bias. Our ranking methodology helps prospective students from various backgrounds find the best fit. We consider key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability so every type of student can find the best fit for them.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This list was updated in 2023. Learn more about how our formula works on [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/ranking-methodology/”]our ranking methodology page[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”choice”]Choosing a Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-card title=”50 Best Online Colleges & Universities” href=”/rankings/online-colleges/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Project management is a useful skill in many industries. While your career path depends on your field and area of expertise, the insights from core doctorate coursework apply to almost any project management position. Common course topics include strategic thinking and organizational alignment, management and ethics, and risk and quality management.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Doctorate in project management concentrations are uncommon due to the cross-industry nature of the coursework. However, some programs offer concentration options, such as information technology or construction, for a doctorate in project management degree. Business and finance doctoral programs commonly offer project management as a concentration.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]All doctoral programs require students to complete and present a research-based dissertation; other aspects, like admissions requirements or program length, vary by school. For example, some online programs include a residency component where students collaborate with faculty.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some doctor of project management online programs allow students to begin classes at any time, while others only offer admission one or two times per year. When researching programs, you should consider these variables to determine which programs work with your schedule, learning style and career goals.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”what-to-expect”]Online Doctorate in Project Management Concentrations and Curriculum[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Concentrations for an online doctoral degree in project management are usually industry-specific (e.g., IT or construction). Most online Ph.D. programs in project management align with business and professional services industries. A sampling of concentrations is provided below.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ id=”concentrations”]Concentrations Offered for an Online Doctoral Degree in Project Management[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Agile Project Management”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many industries use the Agile project management methodology to handle transitions and hedge against uncertainties. The Agile project management life cycle can be applied on both small, specific projects and large, enterprise-level decisions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Careers: project managers with a background in Agile project management are prepared for a variety of leadership positions, which include work as senior business analysts and IT project managers.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Information Technology”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A concentration in IT project management focuses on specialized software-risk and quality-management skills; it may also include project management strategies that oversee geographically diverse teams.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Careers: with a specialization in IT, you are prepared to lead software development projects as a computer research scientist or an information systems manager.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Construction Management”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Project management with a construction emphasis focuses on the management skills you need to handle construction projects; this includes creating energy efficient designs and managing international projects.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Careers: Professionals with a background in construction, architecture or urban planning should pursue a construction emphasis in their project management degree.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ id=”curriculum”]Curriculum for an Online Doctoral Degree in Project Management[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Project Cost-Benefit Analysis: A central component of effective project management is understanding how to analyze the costs and benefits of a project. This course teaches students how to run cost-benefit analyses.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Leadership Theory and Development: In leadership theory and development courses, students study models of leadership and applications of these concepts in real-world scenarios. A solid understanding of leadership development prepares you to be a more effective leader.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Data-Driven Decision Making: Students in this course study the history of and current developments in data analytics. They learn about effective frameworks that use data to make business decisions.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Organization Innovation Thinking: Innovative or creative thinking at an organizational level involves finding solutions to complex challenges, which may include building an effective team culture or designing new processes. This course’s skillset prepares leaders for a variety of fields, such as marketing and education.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”careers”]Careers With a Doctorate in Project Management[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With a Ph.D. in project management online, you will be highly qualified to serve as a project manager or as an executive leader in business, manufacturing or other related industries. There is a particular demand for project management skills in fields that involve complex projects which evolve over time, like IT and healthcare.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”IT Project Manager”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Median Salary: $171,200[/hen-ui-text] 17% [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm”]IT project manager[/hen-ui-link], or information systems manager, is responsible for planning, organizing and implementing technological projects within an organization. IT project managers also help to both influence and shape an organization’s short-term and long-term IT goals.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Construction Manager”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Median Salary: $106,980[/hen-ui-text] 9% [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm/”]Construction Managers[/hen-ui-link] work on green energy construction or international construction projects. Construction managers are often employed by large construction firms to coordinate budgets and supervise projects. Managers regularly collaborate with engineers, architects and other specialists.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Training and Development Managers”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Median Salary: $127,090[/hen-ui-text] 7% [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm/”]Training and development managers[/hen-ui-link] are hired by organizations to both direct and oversee the effective training of employees and to run professional development programs. In addition to managing logistics, such as training budgets and program implementation, this role usually requires a high level of person-on-person interaction.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]