What qualifications do you need to be a program manager?

To become a program manager, you should have at minimum a bachelor's degree. Program managers should also have excellent communications skills, be organized, and have the ability to lead and work well under pressure.

While some companies may prefer candidates with a degree in business, others may be looking for applicants with expertise in a specific subject area. For example, if the program involves IT, they may require the program manager to have an IT background.

Depending on the company and the scale of the program, the program manager may be required to have a master's degree or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Many program managers come from project management backgrounds, so they understand how to lead a team toward accomplishing goals and prioritizing tasks. Having experience with planning, budgeting, assessing, and organizing are skills that will also help the candidate gain entry into a program manager role.