How to Become a Program Coordinator?

Are you thinking of becoming a Program Coordinator or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Program Coordinator, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Program Coordinator job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.

Steps to Become a Program Coordinator

If you're considering starting your Program Coordinator career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Program Coordinator and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Program Coordinator career.
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1

Earn a Degree

To begin your Program Coordinator career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Program Coordinator internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.

What type of degree should you pursue to become a Program Coordinator?

54% of people working as a Program Coordinator earned a Bachelor's Degree

What skills do you need to be a Program Coordinator?

  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Excellent Customer Service
  • Written Communication
  • Powerpoint
  • Excellent Communication
  • Attention To Detail
  • Writing
  • Spreadsheets
Based on resume data from Glassdoor users who reported working as a Program Coordinator in the United States.
2

Choose a Specialty in Your Field

As an Program Coordinator, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Program Coordinator field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Program Coordinator specialty.
3

Get an Entry-Level Position as a Program Coordinator

Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Program Coordinator. In general, you can become a Program Coordinator after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Program Coordinator role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified health unit secretary.
4

Advance in Your Program Coordinator Career

Following entry-level, there are several Program Coordinator career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Program Coordinator to progress to the senior program coordinator position. Each advanced Program Coordinator position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Program Coordinator career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Program Coordinator career path.
5

Continued Education for Your Program Coordinator Career Path

Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Program Coordinator career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in Business can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $67,107 compared to $35,207 for those without that type of degree.

Program Coordinator Career Path

Program Coordinator

2 - 4Years of Experience
$47K - $71K /yrMost Likely Range
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26% advanced to

Senior Program Coordinator

2 - 4Years of Experience
$52K - $79K /yrMost Likely Range
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Program Coordinator V

No Years of Experience Reports
$50K - $73K /yrMost Likely Range
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Total Pay Trajectory

Program Coordinator Career Path

Program Coordinator I
Program Coordinator
Senior Program Coordinator
Program Coordinator V
Executive Program Coordinator
$30K
$44K
$58K
$72K
$100K
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Related Careers in the Product & Project Management Industry

Interested in other Product & Project Management careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Program Coordinator skills. Discover some of the most common Program Coordinator career transitions, along with skills overlap.

Coordinator
75% skills overlap
19% transitioned to Coordinator