When employers are looking to fill a position, one of the most sought-after skills is effective project management, says Chris Mason, dean of Concordia College’s Offutt School of Business.
To best prepare Cobbers for their future careers, Concordia College is adding a project management minor and a project management concentration option to its business major. Students can begin courses starting Fall 2024. The college will also be adding a Project Management Club, with networking opportunities and expert speakers.
Dr. Shontarius Aikens, associate professor of management, says it’s estimated that 25 million new project management roles will need to be filled by the year 2030 and that job growth in the field is expected to grow 33% through the year 2027.
“Given this, it was important for the Offutt School of Business to offer project management curriculum that would provide Concordia students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to get hired and to make an impact in their field on day one," he said.
Students who successfully complete the program will be eligible to take the Certified Associate in Project Management exam, which is a globally recognized certification from the Project Management Institute.
Concordia’s liberal arts foundation, paired with project management-specific courses that will be taught in partnership with online courses from Rize Education, will set Concordia’s program apart from other institutions’ programs, Aikens said.
“Project management is a highly demanded skill by the marketplace, and our program is unique because we focus on emerging trends, industry specialization, and our interdisciplinary approach,” he said. “It is project based by nature, and through our strong industry connections, our students are very well prepared to work in this field.”