Program Overview
The Master of Science in Project Management (MScPM) prepares graduates to manage projects in today’s fast-paced and complex environments. The program will develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to lead projects successfully across diverse industries.
It integrates management principles, analytical thinking, and practical project management approaches, enabling students to plan, organize, and deliver projects effectively while building leadership and decision-making abilities. Key areas such as risk management, procurement, stakeholder engagement, and project strategy are explored with a strong emphasis on strategic thinking, ethical responsibility, and sustainability. Students are encouraged to think critically, solve problems, and deliver solutions that create value for organizations. The program also includes an applied research project or dissertation, allowing students to explore project management issues in depth and apply their learning in practice.
Students who do not complete the full master’s degree may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management (PGDipPM) upon meeting the specified requirements.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this program, students will have the qualifications and skills to pursue career opportunities where they oversee project planning, execution, and performance while managing resources, risks, schedules, and stakeholders. Positions to occupy include, but not limited to:
- Project Manager
- Program Manager
- Project Coordinator
- Project Controls Manager
- Project Management Officer
- Project Support Coordinator
- Infrastructure Project Manager
- IT Project Manager
- Construction Project Manager
- Event Project Manager
- Planning Engineer
- Operations Manager
- Business Operations Manager
- Project Assistant
- Project Engineer
- Consultant - PMO
- Senior Project Controls Manager
Graduates may pursue opportunities across industries such as construction, engineering, information technology, consulting, logistics, healthcare, energy, and government organizations. The program also provides a strong foundation for further academic studies in project management, business administration, or related fields.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) of the UAE awarded the program accreditation on June 8th, 2026.
The goals of the MScPM program are to:
Goal 1. Prepare graduates to lead projects that align with organizational goals, drive innovation, and deliver sustainable value in complex and dynamic environments.
Goal 2. Enable graduates to integrate core business disciplines - finance, marketing, operations, and human resources - with globally recognized project management methodologies and tools.
Goal 3. Equip graduates with advanced competencies in managing complex projects across various sectors.
Goal 4. Provide graduates with leadership, analytical, and strategic thinking skills for project execution.
Goal 5. Develop graduates as project management professionals who integrate ethics, stakeholder responsibility, and sustainability into their decision-making and leadership.
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to:
PLO 1. Demonstrate specialized and critical understanding of contemporary project management theories, principles, and frameworks within diverse and dynamic organizational contexts.
PLO 2. Apply integrated project management knowledge, methodologies, and tools to effectively initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and close complex projects.
PLO 3. Evaluate and apply strategic leadership approaches to optimize the management of cross-functional teams, resources, and organizational performance.
PLO 4. Develop and justify comprehensive risk, cost, and schedule management strategies using advanced quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques.
PLO 5. Analyze complex project contexts to develop robust, evidence-based insights and recommendations, and convey them effectively to diverse stakeholder groups.
PLO 6. Assess ethical, legal, and sustainability considerations to inform responsible and strategic project management decisions.
PLO 7. Lead innovative, entrepreneurial, and continuous improvement initiatives while advancing professional practice and lifelong learning in alignment with global project management trends.
Program Duration
The MScPM program is offered in a full-time study mode and is normally completed in three (3) semesters for students pursuing the program on a full-time basis. Students are permitted a maximum of three (3) academic years to complete all program requirements, including the Applied Research Project or Dissertation.
Study Structure
The program follows a semester-based structure, where each academic semester is divided into two (2) instructional cycles, each of six (6) weeks in duration, including final assessments.
Students may enroll in up to two courses per cycle. Courses are delivered within these cycles, with each course comprising forty-five (45) contact hours.
This modular delivery model ensures that the total contact hours, learning outcomes, and assessment requirements are equivalent to those of a standard semester-based system.
Mode of Delivery
The MScPM program will be delivered primarily through in-person instruction, complemented by a blended learning approach for selected courses. These blended courses will be conducted online via synchronous sessions, supported by structured learning activities and digital engagement.
Who can Apply?
Applicants to the MScPM program will be required to hold a UAE-recognized bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, including:
- Business-related disciplines (e.g., Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, Accounting, Economics, Business Analytics, Management Information Systems, Business Information Systems)
- STEM and technology-related fields, including Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or other closely related fields
Applicants who do not hold a bachelor’s degree in one of the disciplines specified under the Regular Admission Requirements and who meet the English language proficiency requirements may be required to complete remedial courses prior to admission to the MScPM program.
The MScPM degree will be awarded to a student upon completing the following requirements:
- A student must pass 30 credit hours.
- A student must achieve a CGPA of no less than 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 points.
- A student must earn at least 75% of credits at CUD.
- A student must complete the Applied Research Project or Dissertation at CUD.
Program Structure
| Requirements | Compulsory Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 18 Cr. Hrs. |
| Electives | 6 Cr. Hrs. |
| Practical experience and Projects | 6 Cr. Hrs. |
| Total | 30 Cr. Hrs. |
| Course Code | Course Title | Prerequisite | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Technical Skills |
18 |
|||
| MPM | 601 | Fundamentals of Project Management | None | 3 |
| MPM | 602 | Project Planning, Cost and Scheduling | None | 3 |
| MPM | 603 | Project Risk Management | MPM 602 | 3 |
| MPM | 604 | Project Procurement and Contract Management | MPM 602 | 3 |
| MPM | 605 | Leadership and People Management in Organizational Projects | MPM 603 | 3 |
| MBA | 643 | Business Research Methods | None | 3 |
|
Core Elective Courses (06). Students are required to select two courses from the following courses |
06 |
|||
| MPM | 607 | Supply Chain Project Management | None | 3 |
| MPM | 608 | Agile and Digital Project Management | MPM 601 | 3 |
| MPM | 609 | Management of Complex and Mega Projects | MPM 601 | 3 |
| MBA | 675 | Management of Technology and Innovation | None | 3 |
| Course Code | Course Title | Prerequisite | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dissertation or Applied Research Project (select one only) |
06 |
|||
| MPM | 700 | Dissertation | Completion of 18 Cr. Hrs. including MBA 643. | |
| OR | ||||
| MPM | 710 | Applied Research Project | ||