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How to Become a Program Director: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Jobs, Scope, Salary

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Ahana Bhaduri

Senior Content Specialist

A program director is a person who researches and plans along with developing and implementing one or more of the organization’s outreach program services and is responsible for the delivery and overall success of each program.

To become a Program Director in India, one has to have a UG or PG degree in Project Management, or any other such relevant fields. It is wise for the candidates to start from project manager and then be promoted to a Program Director.

Program Directors are offered jobs in almost all the genres of industries like IT, Account Agencies, Digital Account , Product based companies etc. and are offered an average salary of INR 6,00,000 – 12,50,000 per annum.

How to Become a Program Director: Quick Facts

Industry Service
Eligibility Bachelor’s degree in any stream.
Average starting salary INR 7.5 LPA – 16 LPA
Job opportunity IT companies , Schools , Education Centres, Financial institutions, Manufacturing companies, Retailers, multinational corporations, public and private sector organisations.

What Does a Program Director Do

The duties of a Program Director generally are:

  • Initiate and set goals in line with the company's strategic objectives for different programmes .
  • Budgets and operations development or approval to plan the programmes from conception to completion including procedures, milestones and deadlines throughout their lives .
  • Keep top management up-to-date with accurate and detailed reports on the status of programmes .
  • Ensuring compliance with internal policies and legal guidelines for all activities and operations.
  • Reading reports by managers to determine progress and future problems .
  • Apply the principles of resources and risk management as necessary .
  • Develop assessment strategies for performance monitoring and needs improvement .

Steps to Become a Program Director

There are a number of necessary steps which will be followed to grasp a way to become Program Director , here we tend to justify those steps in detail:

Make a decision

Before you begin pursuing a career as a program director, you should ensure that you understand your interests, what subject combinations you'll be required to take in your 12th, and what courses you're eligible for in order to become a Program Director.

Choose the correct Subjects

A bachelor's degree in one of the most popular subjects, such as accounting, economics, finance, or business administration, is usually the bare minimum for monetary managers. Several employers are constantly currently looking for candidates with a degree, especially in business administration, social science, or finance.

Prepare for college Entrance

After completing 10+2, students will take the NPAT and CAT entrance exams, and only after passing these exams will they be able to begin their Project Management Courses from a reputable school. When a student qualifies for the doorway examination, he or she will attend a school chosen by guidance, where they will study finance in college.

Choose the Correct College

If you want to get into the best colleges, you will have to perform exceptionally well in entrance exams. If your score is low, you will be able to attend any school that accepts your grades. According to consultants and professionals, it is always better to require admission in top govt schools because they require the best college, a lower course fee, and well-developed labs.

Qualify Entrance

Taking the entrance exam and being admitted to the best college is only the beginning of the journey. This journey will take 3-4 years to complete and will require a great deal of dedication and patience.

Types of Program Directors

Project Manager

A Project Manager's primary responsibility is to form teams and develop team plans. Furthermore, one of the Project Manager's primary responsibilities is to see that these plans are carried out in order to achieve the company's objectives. The average salary of a Project Manager ranges between INR 5 L - 8 LPA.

Project Designer

A Project Designer works with the Project Manager to assign resources to complete the company's projects. An individual responsible for the design of projects is a project designer. It offers project developers support for the projects they undertake. The average salary of a Project Designer ranges between INR 5 L - 7 LPA.

Project Analyst

A Project Analyst's primary responsibilities include assessing project performance and providing project analysis to the project team. A project analyst must be capable of making critical decisions. Their average salary ranges around INR 5 LPA.

Project Controller

The project controller and project manager collaborate to define the goals and objectives of a project. Furthermore, the project controller manages the project's budget, analyses the work report, and makes recommendations to improve the project's progress. The average salary of a Project Controller ranges between INR 10 L - 12 LPA.

How to become a Program Director in India

Given the significance and importance of Program Director positions in India, there are a number of steps that should be taken to ensure a trouble-free experience. The following are a few of the most important steps that one should take if they want to become Program Directors in India.

School Level Preparation

  • After graduating from high school, the candidate should concentrate on class 12 and achieve the highest possible grades in either the commerce or science streams. 
  • Then they'll have to look for colleges that offer relevant courses in management or administration. 
  • After selecting a college or a list of colleges, they must consider and work on the admissions process. 
  • After enrolling in the course, they must achieve good grades in order to be hired by a good firm or company.

How to become a Program Director after 12th

UG Course Preparation

  • For bachelor Program Director courses, the aspiring candidates must have completed Class 12 with Science or commerce stream
  • The candidate should have at least a minimum 50% marks from a recognized university.
  • The candidates should have passed any of the various entrance exams held for account and its research courses and should have qualified them with a good score since these exams are highly competitive.

PG Course Preparation

  • For the candidate to pursue a Master's course in Program Director, he/she needs to hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
  • A minimum grade/percentile of 50 or 5, whichever is applicable, from a recognised university is required.
  • The candidate should have also qualified the entrance exams held for masters courses in account such as CAT,XAT,GMAT,etc.

Courses to become a Program Director

BBA In Human Resources

BBA In Human Resources Course is a three-year UG business management course that teaches students managerial and entrepreneurial skills through BBA subjects such as General Management and Managerial Economics.

Admission Process

  • BBA in Human Resources is accepted on merit, but the applicant may be required to pass university entry tests administered by a respective institution or college by certain colleges or institutes.
  • In accordance with the Government of India, reservations apply to SC, ST, EWS, OBC-NCL and PwD candidates.

BBA In Human Resources Eligibility Criteria

The following are the minimum eligibility requirements for the BSc Finance course:

  • Candidates must have passed the 10+2 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board with a minimum aggregate mark.
  • Applicants must have completed arithmetic or statistics as a required subject in 10+2.
  • The candidate's age should be less than twenty-five years old.
  • Candidates who have completed their 10+2 through Distance Learning are eligible to use the current programme as long as they study at an associate institute recognised by NIOS.

BBA Finance

BBA in Finance is a three-year graduate programme that teaches candidates about insurance and investment forecasting. It covers the financial aspects of corporate planning and the accounting principles.

BBA Finance Admission Process

  • BBA in Finance is accepted on merit, but the applicant may be required to pass university entry tests administered by a respective institution or college by certain colleges or institutes.
  • In accordance with the Government of India, reservations apply to SC, ST, EWS, OBC-NCL and PwD candidates.

BBA Finance Eligibility Criteria

  • Exam Qualification: Candidates must have passed their 10+2 or equivalent level examination.
  • Marks Qualification (General): a minimum of 60% in school 10/ SSC normal, as well as 12/ HSC is required.
  • Marks Qualification (SC/ST/PWD): Reserved candidates are given a fifty-point bonus. A minimum of 50% in the 10/ SSC normal, as well as the 12/ HSC, is required.
  • Foreign Candidates: Those who have completed their 10th or 10th+2th grades from international boards such as IGCSE are also eligible.

MBA Project Management

MBA in Project Management is a 2 year PG programme that deals with managing corporations' accounts and finances in order to achieve specific financial goals. This course offers the graduates with the skills and experiences required to gain advanced management roles. 

MBA Project Management Admission Process

  • MBA in Finance Admission is granted on the basis of entrance exams such as the CAT, MAT, SNAP, CMAT, and others, as well as merit.
  • The majority of MBA finance colleges are based on the most common type of acceptance, usually carried out by central government or certain universities, such as CAT, MAT, XAT, and so on.
  • Students must register and pay online to participate in the examinations.
  • A common selection procedure is used for most universities accepting CAT, MAT and XAT scores.
  • Shortlisting Process: Students were shortlisted by faculties based on their entrance exam scores.
  • Final Admission Round: These rounds are held by faculties to assess a candidate's ability and skills through give-and-take (GD), written ability test (WAT), and private interview (PI).

MBA Project Management Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must have a bachelor's degree from a recognised board or university with a minimum 50 percent aggregate or equivalent CGPA.
  • Candidates who are in their final year of a bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification or who are awaiting the results of their final year are also eligible to apply for the CAT exam.

How to become a Program Director Abroad

Pursuing management courses from abroad is one of the most sought after professions, one does not have to worry much about the future if they become Program Directors. The top countries to pursue management courses internationally in abroad destinations are Canada, USA, UK and Australia.

UK

  • The United Kingdom has a large Indian student population that is increasing every year.
  • For students who wish to work in the government sector, there are both short term and long term courses in various streams.
  • The average course fees in UK universities range from INR 11,00,000 to INR 25,00,000 per term or annually.
  • International students need to be fluent in English and to prove it, submission of TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores are necessary.
  • Also, letters of recommendation from past teachers, a statement of purpose is needed too.

Top Colleges

College Name Average Fees
The University of Law INR 12,75,194
Queen Mary University of London INR 25,74,118
University of West England INR 13,92,809
Glasgow Caledonian University INR 14,95,980
University of London INR 9,88,246
University of Nottingham INR 12,25,800
CASS City University of London INR 11,34,882
Newcastle University INR 22,90,398
Kingston University INR 14,34,280
University of Exeter INR 20,74,031

US

  • The United States welcomes Indian students to courses of all levels at its universities.
  • One can earn a diploma, associates degree or full time UG and PG degrees for Insurance subject.
  • The average course fee for US universities is INR 2,51,478 per term to INR 28,17,500 annually.
  • To gain admission, one must take the TOEFL or IELTS along with GMAT and GRE.
  • Also needed are letters of recommendation from a past employer or teacher and a statement of purpose.

Top Colleges

College Name Average Fees
Pittsburg State University INR 22,73,779
Ohio State University INR 28,17,500
University of Minnesota INR 25,97,651
University of Wisconsin INR 51,16,524
Florida State University INR 13,95,793
Temple University INR 22,06,065
University of North Texas INR 2,51,478
University of Georgia INR 25,90,968
Boston University INR 21,73,990
Kent State University INR 15,44,290

Canada

  • Reports show that over 85,000 Indian students immigrated to Canada for higher education. Even during the pandemic, more students got student visas.
  • Canadian colleges and universities offer diplomas, graduate certificates and full time programmes in Insurance.
  • The average course fee for courses is between INR 36,223 per term to INR 8,98,587 annually.
  • In Canada, one must be fluent in either English or French and need to submit proficiency test scores for the same.

Top Colleges

Australia

  • Australia offers all types of courses in Insurance, from certificates and diplomas to bachelors and masters.
  • International students need to submit letters of recommendations, a statement of purpose, and show proof of finance availability. One must check the minimum GPA requirement is being met.
  • Test scores required to be submitted are TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT, GRE etc.
  • The average course fee range is between INR 7,08,000 to INR 80,00,000 charged annually.

Top Colleges

College Name Average Fees
The University of Western Australia INR 23,73,000
University of Wollongong INR 18,21,154
Kaplan Professional INR 30,23,300
University of Queensland INR 7,08,934
Monash University INR 16,59,676
University of Melbourne INR 25,18,311
University of New South Wales INR 7,96,864
Bond University INR 69,37,667
Curtin University INR 14,30,200
Australian National University INR 24,43,901

Benefits of Career as a Program Director

  • High earning potential: Careers in finance services pay well in most fields, with some of the highest paying entry-level positions. On top of that, if you're hired early, you'll be able to make tremendous strides forward in your career and receive a generous raise in pay.
  • Job security: Job security is an important benefit of a career in finance because it is an in-demand occupation. Positions in the field are usually safe. As a result of Finance being essential to existence, there are numerous job opportunities available. This gives you a lot of leeway to change companies, cities, and so on if you feel like you need a new challenge or a change.
  • Difficult career: A career in finance is not for the faint of heart. It takes brains, labour, and education to succeed, and it keeps employees on their toes. It may be terribly appreciated in the long run as a result of it's Associate in intellectually stimulating field. Furthermore, if a person works hard and applies themselves early in their career, it does not take long to move up in the ranks, so a person will earn a lot of money and face new and exciting challenges.
  • Continue your education: Employers within the program management sector wish to see their workers continue advancing their education.
  • Specialized knowledge: The finance sector is diverse and teeming with career opportunities for professionals. There are a variety of specialisations available if you want to focus on one aspect of the program management industry.

Skills required to become a Program Director

Commercial and Business Awareness Negotiation Skills and therefore the ability to influence others
Excellent Communication and Presentation Skills Strong Attention to detail Associate in Nursing and Inquiring Nature
An Associate in Nursing Analytical Approach to figure Ability to balance the strain of Labour with study commitments
The ability to think on behalf of the team Good time management skills
Potential to guide and inspire others Problem Solving Skills and Initiative

How to become a Program Director: Salary

Salary of different job roles of a Program Director vary as per their experiences and the level of seniority. A comparison between salary of different categories of Program Director are given below in table-

Average Annual Salary

Name of organisation Average Annual Salary
Private INR 8.10 LPA
Public INR 3.22 LPA

Specialisation Wise Salary

Specialisation Average Annual Salary
Accountant Manager INR 5.3 LPA
Financial Analyst INR 5.5 LPA


Experience Wise

Experience Average Monthly Salary
0-2 year INR 34,000
2-5 years INR 46,900
5-10 years INR 66,700
10-15 years INR 81,300
15-20 years INR 85,800
20+ years INR 93,500

How to become a Program Director : FAQs

Ques. What are the job prospects for a Program Director?

Ans. Between 2018 and 2028, the Bureau of Labor Statistics developed a Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire to increase employment opportunities for Program Directors. Experienced Program Directors in areas such as risk management and financial management are expected to be in high demand over the next decade.

Ques. How long does it take to become a Program Director?

Ans. Most Program Directors earn a bachelor's degree—often a finance degree—in four years and then continue to gain experience in the field for another two or three years.

Ques. Why must you contemplate a career as a Program Director?

Ans. If you're curious about program management and prepared to deal with it, you may simply create it into that top-earning 10 %.

Ques. What are the top recruiting Companies of a Program Director ?

Ans. Some of the top companies are- Morgan Stanley, Boston Consulting Group ,Goldman Sachs, Bain & Company, JP Morgan Chase & Company, McKinsey & Company, Barclays, Etc and many more such companies.

Ques. What are the job roles a Program Director can get ?

Ans. The top job roles are Program Manager, Project Manager, Construction Manager, Project Analyser , Project Controller, etc.

Ques. Is a Program Director the same as a Project Manager ?

Ans. No, the responsibilities of a Program Director are the same as a Project Manager, however , they differ in the aspect of the kind of role they play.

Ques. What is the average pay scale of a Program Director?

Ans. The average pay scale of a Program Director is INR 7,00,000 to 20,00,000 per annum.

Ques. What is the minimum eligibility to become a Program Director?

Ans. The minimum eligibility to become a Program Director after doing so is 10+2 or equivalent pass out candidates and a minimum of at least 50% in bachelor's degree.

Ques. What are the skills required to become a Program Director?

Ans. The skills required to become a program director are Problem solving , multi-tasking, good communication, Strategic mindset ,etc

Ques. What are the 5 Program Director phases?

Ans. The Program Director life cycle consists of five distinct phases (including initiation, plan, execution, monitoring and closure) according to the PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge), which combine to transform a project idea into a work product..

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