The relevance of the study is based on the discrepancy between the need for the project management program-methodical support and insufficient development in pedagogical practice. Aims. The aim of the study is to examine the effective development and implementation of the project method in the HEI from the standpoint of pedagogy as a new type of educational process management. Methods: questionnaire methods and pedagogical observation methods. The following questionnaires were used. E. Torrance's "Tests of Creative Thinking" method. An "unfinished thesis" method (J. Sachs, S. Levy). Questionnaire for self-evaluation of the teacher's knowledge and skills during transition to teaching using a new pedagogical technology by N.V. Nemova. Method for teacher's basic competencies evaluation by L.A. Adambaeva. Statistical calculations were performed using Kendall's T coefficient and chi-squared test. Results. The number of students with a high level of personality orientation increased only by 5.3%, and those with a high level of creative activity - by 8.7%. We can't speak about a significant decrease in the number of students who at the end of the experiment had a low level of the aesthetic position formation. Thus, the number of students who showed developed creative thinking in project activities became only 5.3% less than at the beginning of the experiment. Conclusions. A significant increase in the general level of cognitive competence formation in the experimental group in comparison with the control group is explained by purposeful work with students, taking into account special pedagogical conditions. Perspectives. Further study can be carried out towards the development and implementation of a project method to improve the competencies acquisition, taking into account future professional activities.