Project Management
MSPM Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some question we regularly see about the admission process, the program’s content, and the distance learning mode. If you do not see the answer to your question, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Admission Questions
What background do students need to qualify for admission to the MSPM program?
Our program is an industry independent program that can be applied to projects in any area. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, including event planning, engineering, IT, construction, academia, healthcare/pharmaceuticals, product development, and more.
How many times a year does the Master of Science in Project Management program (MSPM) accept new students?
New students are accepted twice a year: for the Fall semester (application deadline: June 30) and for the Spring semester (application deadline: November 15). International students who wish to study on campus must submit their applications one month prior to the deadline to allow time for their I-20 documents to be processed.
Is the GMAT required for all students?
The GMAT requirement is waived for students with more than seven years of full-time, relevant professional work experience. Please note that the admissions committee reserves the right to ask you to submit a GMAT score if it could increase your chance of admission.
What is the protocol to send transcripts from a foreign school?
If your transcripts are from a university outside of the US, you are required to submit formally evaluated transcripts. Certified evaluation companies such as World Education Services will evaluate and translate your foreign transcripts. You will need to send your transcripts directly to the evaluation company, where they will undergo translation and evaluation assessment before being sent to the program.
What is Advanced Academic Standing (AAS) and how do students qualify for it?
Advanced Academic Standing means that a student is allowed to take fewer than 36 credit hours to complete the MSPM degree program.
There are three ways to qualify for AAS: 1) Students with a current PMP Certification from PMI are eligible to waive 3 elective credits. 2) Students may apply for course waivers for graduate work taken within the past 5 years if the course was not used for another degree. Students waiving courses based on graduate work can waive up six credit hours. Waived courses must be equivalent to courses in the MSPM program. 3) Students who have completed the ESI/George Washington University Master Certificate Program in Project Management within the past five years may apply to waive nine credit hours. Accepted students will work with the Program Director to determine which courses should be waived.
To receive Advanced Academic Stanging, students must submit the Application for Advanced Academic Standing no later than three weeks before the first day of class; the application will be sent to accepted students.
How long does it take to reach the admission decision?
Once the application file has been marked complete, it is sent onto the admissions committee for review. Applicants will be notified once their files are complete, and most receive the admissions decision by mail within two to three weeks. Applicants can also check their admissions decision by logging into their online application.
Where should I have my transcripts and other application materials sent?
You should have ALL mail sent to the following address:
GWU Project Management Program
2201 G Street, NW
Duquès Hall, Suite 550
Washington, DC 20052
Program Questions
What is the length of program?
The MSPM consists of 36 credit hours. Students have up to five years to complete the program. Most students who enroll in the program on a full-time basis (9 credit hours per semester) complete the degree in two years.
How many classes do students need to take each semester?
Students have the option of participating in the program as a full-time or part-time student. If a student is full-time, s/he must enroll in at least nine credit hours per academic term (fall and spring). Part-time students, defined as any number of credit hours below nine, normally take three to six credit hours per academic term though there is no “one size fits all” approach. Part-time students must decide what credit load would be appropriate for his/her professional workload and other professional or personal commitments. Some of our part-time students who experience ‘busier’ times or seasons with their jobs take more courses during the off-peak times in their jobs to balance out their schedules.
What is an academic semester?
An academic semester for the fall runs from early September through mid-December; for the spring, the academic semester runs from mid-January through early May. The summer terms, of which there are two, are not a required enrollment period to maintain your status as a full-time student or for financial aid purposes.
Since most of our program is completed in modular format, many of our courses are 1.5 credit hours and run for half of the 14 week semester. 1.5 credit courses begin the first week of classes and the 8th week of classes. There are some courses that are 3 credits; these will run the entire 14 week semester.
When do classes meet?
Because the MSPM program is designed for working individuals, all of our campus classes are held in the evenings during the week and occassionaly on Saturday mornings. All classes, campus and distance, are 2.5 hours long. Our distance courses are held virtually so students have flexibility over when they watch the lectures. There are also hour-long virtual classroom sessions scheduled in the evenings, usually between 9pm and 10pm; these sessions are also recorded.
What is a leave of absence? What is the protocol for a leave of absence? How many leaves of absence can I take during my masters in project management?
A leave of absence is taken by students who choose not to enroll in classes for one full semester, either in the fall or the spring. Summer semesters are not a part of the leave of absence nor are you required to enroll in classes for the summer semester for your degree status. You are eligible for TWO leaves of absence during the length of your degree. To apply for a leave of absence, you must fill out the Registration Transaction Form and “add” a leave of absence just as you would another course you want to take. The Project Management Director’s approval is needed for all leaves of absence.
Is there a way to take MSPM courses without applying to the program?
Students can take MSPM courses as a non-degree student or as a non-MSPM student. Non-degree students must first apply to the Office of University Students (OUS). Students from other GW programs can take the MSPM courses as an elective for their program.
In order to register for MSPM courses, a Registration Transaction Form (RTF) needs to be filled out and given to the Director for MSPM, Anne Koprince, for approval. Students not enrolled in the MSPM program can not register for courses until the week prior to the start of the semester in order to give time for MSPM students to register but should submit their forms as far in advance as possible as wait lists form for some courses.
Students who plan on applying to the MSPM program at a later date, please note that the six credit hour transfer limit applies to courses taken at GWU.
Whom do I contact for questions?
If you have questions regarding admissions requirements, or are in the process of applying to the program and would like help regarding your application, you should contact the Graduate Admissions Coordinator, Abby Walsh. If you have been admitted to the program, you should contact the MSPM Director, Anne Koprince. You can contact Abby or Anne by phone at (202) 994-1212 or by email at mspminfo@gwu.edu.
Distance Learning Questions
How do the Distance Learning and the campus modes compare?
Our distance and campus modes are essentially identical with the difference being the way in which students receive the course lecture. Both courses are taught by the same instructor using the same syllabus. Lectures to campus students are captured on video and uploaded on Blackboard within a few hours. Distance students are able to access the lectures through a variety of methods, including streaming video or vodcasts on iTunes University.
Distance students spend one additional hour each week in a live virtual classroom. This supplemental class session provides a weekly opportunity to interact in real time
How do students complete assignments and tests in the distance mode?
Students complete tests, quizzes, and assignments online using Blackboard technology. On our course management system, Blackboard, students are able to submit presentations, projects, and papers, as well as obtain articles and other items shared by the instructor. Email is also used as an alternate means of communication.
How many times do distance students need to be on campus?
Distance students are required to set foot on campus two times during the program. The first is for a mandatory two-day orientation session prior to the start of the program. The second campus requirement is a five day residency week at the conclusion of the Capstone course. All students registered for the distance capstone course, regardless of their campus standing, will be required to participate in the five-day residency week.
What does the two-day Orientation cover?
During the orientation, students will be given an overview of the curriculum, introduced to the faculty and technology for the courses, and, most important, given a chance to interact with other distance and campus MSPM students.
Can students switch back and forth between the campus and distance program?
Because both the campus and distance courses are part of the same program, students can switch from one mode to another on a course by course basis.
What technology do students need to participate in the distance learning mode?
To participate in the distance courses, students need a computer with internet access. They also need a headset microphone and webcam to participate fully in the program.