Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in project management that is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and delivered fully asynchronously. It’s built for project managers who want to advance their careers without pausing them.
An online MBA in project management lets working professionals earn a graduate business degree with a project management (PM) focus without relocating or leaving their current role. This guide covers what online programs offer, what to expect in terms of curriculum and format and what to look for when comparing programs. Explore SIUE’s online MBA with a Project Management Specialization to see the details firsthand.
What Is an Online MBA in Project Management?
An online MBA in project management is a graduate business degree delivered over the internet. The curriculum combines core MBA subjects, such as finance, marketing, operations and strategy, with PM-focused courses in scheduling, risk management, budgeting and team leadership.
The degree prepares graduates for project management roles and for broader leadership positions that a PM certification alone does not typically reach. It is the same credential as an on-campus MBA; the format differs, not the degree or its value to employers.
What Are the Benefits of an Online MBA in Project Management?
The primary advantage is flexibility. A fully asynchronous online program lets you complete coursework on your schedule, including evenings, weekends or whenever works, without attending live sessions at fixed times.
That flexibility has real financial value. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual wage of $100,750 for project management specialists. Many candidates for online MBA programs are already earning well, and an online format lets you keep that income while you earn the degree.
Online programs at accredited public universities also tend to cost significantly less than full-time residential programs at private schools, which can run $100,000 or more. The lower cost, combined with maintained employment, improves the financial return on the degree.
A second advantage is Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) flexibility. Many online MBA in project management programs have waived the GMAT requirement for applicants with meaningful work experience, a significant accessibility improvement for working professionals who do not want to prepare for a standardized exam alongside a full-time job.
What Do Online MBA Project Management Programs Cover?
Strong programs balance PM technical skills with broad business education. Most curricula converge on a similar set of core areas, which typically include:
- Project planning, scheduling and scope management
- Risk identification and mitigation
- Budget development and cost control
- Agile and Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) project frameworks
- Finance, marketing and organizational strategy
- Team leadership and stakeholder communication
Look for programs that cover both Agile and PMBOK methods. Agile is standard in technology and product development; PMBOK is the foundation of the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and is widely used in construction, engineering and professional services. Programs that teach only one leave you underprepared for half the job market.
The Project Management Institute (PMI)’s Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey reports that PMP-certified professionals earn a median salary 17% higher on average than non-certified peers across the countries surveyed. An online MBA in project management positions you for that certification and the salary advantage the data shows.
How Long Does an Online MBA in Project Management Take?
The timeline depends on the program format and how many credits you take per term. Most schools offer more than one pacing option to fit different schedules.
Most online MBA in project management programs take 18 months to two years at a standard pace. Accelerated formats can compress the timeline to 12 to 15 months. Part-time options designed for professionals with heavy workloads may run two to three years.
O*NET data shows PM specialists with advanced credentials consistently reach the upper wage bands. That pattern holds regardless of which pacing option you choose, so time invested in the degree is time invested in long-term earning potential.
What Does an Online MBA in Project Management Cost?
Online programs at public universities typically cost $20,000–$50,000 in total tuition, depending on the school and residency status. Private online programs and those at well-known national schools often cost more.
Cost matters, but so does accreditation. A lower-cost program without AACSB International accreditation may not carry the same weight with employers as an AACSB-accredited program at a similar price point. AACSB accreditation is the gold standard for business schools worldwide, and fewer than 6% of programs hold it.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 finds that leadership and social influence, along with analytical thinking, rank among the skills employers value most through 2030, and that skill gaps are the single biggest barrier to business transformation cited by employers. An MBA curriculum built around leadership, strategy and decision-making speaks directly to that gap, making the investment in an accredited online program a reasonable long-term bet.
Programs like SIUE’s online MBA in project management keep tuition transparent and predictable. That makes it easier to weigh the cost against the accreditation and career payoff described above.
How Do You Choose the Right Online MBA Program?
When comparing online MBA in project management programs, evaluate these factors in order. Accreditation and format issues are much harder to reverse after enrollment than curriculum gaps, so those come first.
- Accreditation: AACSB accreditation first. Verify on aacsb.edu, not on the school’s own website. This is the non-negotiable filter.
- Format: Fully asynchronous vs. hybrid (some live sessions required). If you cannot commit to fixed weekly times, asynchronous-only programs are the better fit.
- Curriculum: Confirm the program covers both Agile and PMBOK methods, plus finance and strategy. Ask for a sample course list before applying.
- GMAT policy: Many programs waive it for applicants with professional experience. Check before ruling out any program on cost-to-apply grounds.
- Career outcomes: Ask where graduates work and what roles they hold. Placement data and alumni networks matter for the long term.
SIUE’s online MBA program checks all five. It’s AACSB accredited, fully online, covers Agile and PMBOK alongside core business subjects and is designed for professionals who are already working in the field.
Is an Online MBA in Project Management Right for You?
An online MBA in project management gives working professionals a credential that stacks directly onto day-to-day PM work, without requiring a pause in income or career momentum. The right program combines AACSB accreditation, a curriculum that covers both Agile and PMBOK and a schedule flexible enough to fit around a full-time job.
Comparing programs on those terms, rather than on marketing alone, is what separates a strong return on the degree from an expensive credential that does not move the needle with employers. Programs that check every box – accreditation, curriculum breadth, format and career outcomes – are worth prioritizing over ones that only check a few.
Explore SIUE’s online MBA with a Project Management Specialization to see how an AACSB-accredited, fully asynchronous program can fit your career timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the details prospective students ask most often when comparing online MBA in project management programs. Use them to fill in gaps before you reach out to an admissions advisor.
Do online MBA in project management programs require the GMAT?
Many do not, though some may still request GMAT or GRE scores for applicants without meaningful work experience or a lower undergraduate GPA.
How is an online MBA in project management different from a PMP certification?
The MBA is a full graduate degree covering business fundamentals plus PM specialization, while the PMP is a standalone certification focused only on project management practice; many professionals pursue both.
Can I complete an online MBA in project management while working full time?
Yes. Fully asynchronous programs are built around that schedule, with no fixed class times to work around.
Is AACSB accreditation required for an online MBA in project management?
It is not legally required, but it is the strongest signal of program quality to employers, so most competitive programs seek it.
About Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is a public research university located in Edwardsville, Illinois. SIUE’s School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, placing it among a select group of business schools worldwide that meet rigorous standards for faculty, curriculum and student outcomes.
SIUE offers fully online graduate business programs built for working professionals, with flexible schedules and affordable tuition. The university serves students across Illinois and beyond, providing accessible, high-quality graduate education with strong career support and alumni networks.
