How to Become a Project Manager Without a Degree

Project management is one of the most lucrative careers that one can pursue without having a degree. Forbes has called project management “a great way to get a tech salary without tech training” because the average Project Manager earns around $116,000 a year. 

It isis a great time to pursue a new career in project management as Project Manager jobs are expected to increase by 33% by 2027. The demand (and potential salaries) for Project Managers will continue to increase for some time. 

Project management is a skills-based job which means you can get hired with the right skills even if you don’t have a degree. However, it will be necessary that you take additional steps to become a Project Manager if you don’t have a degree. 

Northeastern University's Project Management program outlines a “customized, non-traditional” approach to a career in Project Management, including self-guided education, on-the-job mentorship, certification, and continuing professional development. 

Can You Really Become a Project Manager Without a Degree?

Yes, you can become a Project Manager without a degree. In fact, more entry-level Project Manager jobs require proficiency in Microsoft Office than a degree. However, suppose you do decide to pursue project management without a degree. In that case, you’ll need to take additional steps to demonstrate you have the skillset and knowledge of a professional Project Manager. 

The most common degrees for Project Managers are degrees in Management, Computer Science, and Business. If you have a degree in something else, you can still tailor your experience to project management. For example, if you have an English degree, you can use it to display your excellent written communication skills. Or, if you have a History degree, you can focus on attention to detail or the ability to remember large numbers of tasks. 

Step #1: Study Project Management

The first step to becoming a Project Manager without a degree is educating yourself in Project Management. The Project Management Insitute (PMI) has outlined the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) which includes professional terminology, process guidelines, and best practices. 

You can study PMBOK on your own, or you could take a course, such as Noble Desktop’s Project Management Bootcamp. Key concepts in this bootcamp that you’ll need to launch a career as a Project Manager include the Project Lifecycle, creating project proposals, task analysis, project timelines, critical path method, project planning, and ongoing monitoring and communication. 

Step #2: Find Ways to Gain Experience Managing Projects

If you’ve already got a job, you can gain project management experience by looking for ways to lead projects in your current career. You can do this while studying Project Management to add experience and education to your Portfolio. 

For example, if you’re working in administration right now, you could find office projects to lead to gaining Project Management experience at your current job. Or, you might consider organizing a community project to lead, such as raising money for a local organization or clearing up a riverbed. 

Step #3: Get Certified

If you don’t have a degree, you will want to seek professional certification or a certificate program in project management. PMI offers an entry-level Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), which you can pursue without a four-year degree. This certification is designed to demonstrate a person’s knowledge of project management processes and concepts as outlined in the PMBOK. 

The prerequisites for taking the CAPM Exam are a secondary degree, including a high school diploma or associate’s degree. You will also need 23 hours of project management education by sitting for the CAPM exam. One way to get these education hours is by taking a project management course or bootcamp. Noble Desktop offers Project Management Level I and Project Management Level II courses, or you can take them together as a Project Management Bootcamp for a 15% discount. 

Once you’re ready to sit for your CAPM Exam, you might consider taking a prep course such as Noble Desktop’s CAPM Certification Bootcamp. This bootcamp is taught by a PMP-certified instructor and is specifically designed to prepare you to pass the CAPM exam. It includes a comprehensive exam guide, video lessons, live instruction on the five stages and ten knowledge areas of project management that make up the exam. 

Step #4: Seek Out a Mentor and Network

One of the advantages of taking a project management course or bootcamp is that it will allow you to meet other Project Managers. For example, taking a project management bootcamp, such as the one from Noble Desktop, will provide you with a mentor who is already PMP certified. You’ll also have the opportunity to network with other aspiring Project Managers and start building your network. 

You should also seek out project management networks and support groups in your area and specialization. PMI offers more than 300 local chapters worldwide, including in most cities in the United States and North America. Aspiring Project Managers should consider joining their local PMI chapter or relevant “Special Interest Groups,” which provide a network of Project Managers based on personal or industry specifics, such as Women in Project Management, Information Systems, Aerospace and Defense, New Product Development, and Environmental Management. 

The International Project Management Association (IPMA) offers a Young Crew USA professional society for new and aspiring Project Managers. Creating a solid network is a great way to build a reputation that matters more than a degree.