Project Management Consultant: Education Requirements and Career Info
Project management consultants are hired to achieve specific business goals or supply technical expertise. Consultants are highly qualified specialists with advanced degrees in education and years of training in business administration or technical fields.
Project Management Consultant Education Requirements
Project management consultants are highly educated and trained. The minimum educational requirement for a management consultant is a bachelor's degree in a major related to business administration or technical science. An advanced degree, on-the-job training and demonstrated management and problem-solving experience are necessary for advancement.
Some employers may also require a graduate education for consultants such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Graduate programs prepare consultants to strategize, organize and generate solutions in a complex global business environment. Coursework may explore business ethics, finance, leadership, negotiations, marketing and management.
Project Management Consultant Certification
According to a March 2011 search of job postings on Monster.com, employers may also require project management consultants to gain voluntary certification such as Project Management Professional (PMP). The PMP credential requires completion of a bachelor's degree and three years of experience, as well as passing an exam.
Consultants may also gain the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) credential. The CMC is offered at a basic, experienced and management levels. Each level of certification requires a specific education and number of years of experience. Consultants must also pass an oral and written test for certification and recertification is required every three years.
Project Management Consultant Career Info
Project management consultants are contracted to complete assignments related to strategic and financial planning, along with operations goals in several fields including technology, engineering, finance, marketing, human resources, information systems, healthcare and security. Consultants may also provide expert technical advice. Consultants are hired by private corporations, non-profits, government agencies, universities and foreign countries. Management consultants may be employed by consulting firms or work as self-employed independent contractors.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that careers of management, scientific and technical consultants were expected to increase 83% from 2008-2018 ('www.bls.gov'). Due to the competitive nature of the field, consultants with the highest degree of education and training are more likely to obtain work.