Department of Electrical, Computer, and Telecommunications Engineering Technology
MS in Facility Management
Overview
The physical assets of an organization are typically one of its largest financial holdings, and the strategic planning, development, and maintenance of these assets are critical to an organization’s financial health and stability.
Facility managers need to be knowledgeable about business management, strategic planning, interior and architectural design, construction management, information technology, real estate, engineering, labor relations, and quality of life aspects in the work environment. It’s a broad-based field that requires individuals to have breadth and depth in their education.
The facility management program prepares graduates to work in a management capacity where they will oversee the operations, planning, and maintenance of facilities. Graduates will be able to intelligently communicate facility issues with corporate officers, customers, contractors, vendors, and employees.
RIT’s master of science degree in facility management was developed by a panel of experienced facility management professionals and designed to provide students with a solid foundation in both the technical and managerial aspects of the field. The curriculum is accredited by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Foundation http://www.ifmafoundation.org/scholarships/degree.cfm.
Dr. John Morelli, Department Chair
(585) 475-7213, john.morelli@rit.edu
Joseph Rosenbeck, Professor, Program Director
(585) 475-6469, jmrcem@rit.edu
Program of study
Curriculum
The MS in facility management consists of 52 quarter credit hours of graduate study. The program is available predominately in the online learning format, although some courses and electives are available as on-campus classes. The curriculum consists of a sequence of core courses (40 credits), professional electives chosen from the program or other departments (8 credits), and a graduate project (4 credits). Project topics should complement the student’s interests and professional position and are generally considered applied in nature.
Core courses
0632-700 Principles and Practice in Facility Management
0632-720 Environmental, Health and Safety Management for Facility Management
0681-710 Introduction to Project Management
0632-760 Space Planning in Facility Management
0101-703 Accounting for Decision Makers
0632-800 Operation and Maintenance of Facilities I
0632-810 Operation and Maintenance of Facilities II
0632-830 Real Estate of Facilities
0102-740 Organizational Behavior and Leadership
0632-850 Digital Communication and Analytical Tools in Facility Management
Course descriptions
0632-700 Principles and Practice in Facility Management
Presents the overall practical methodology of facility management including organizational, managerial, ethical, and legal principles for the delivery of facility services. Topics discussed include: relationship, between the facility unit and the overall corporate structure; history of FM; regulatory and legal issues; corporate culture; contracts; purchasing & procurement; and management of projects and personnel. Credit 4
0632-720 Ethics For Facilities Management
According to the International Facility Management Association the primary goal of facility managers is the management of safe, humane and functional work environments in the context of sound ecological practices. This course will provide students with a solid foundation in environmental, health and safety management which will enhance their ability to develop and implement practices that promote and protect health, safety, security, the quality of work life, the environment and organizational effectiveness pertaining to facilities. Topics examined include: EHS moral, legal and economic issues, EHS related laws and regulations (OSHA, EPA, ADA), principles of accident causation and prevention, EHS management systems, fire protection and life safety codes, emergency preparedness, ergonomics, indoor air quality, mold, solid and hazardous waste, recycling, sustainable design, other environmental related issues, environmental (This course is open to all facilities management graduate students or by permission of department.)
0681-710 Project Management
Course addresses the qualitative and quantitative facets of project management, as well as techniques required to manage projects. Major topics include Project Selection, Planning, Work Breakdown Structure, Conflict Resolution and Negotiation, Budgeting, Network Scheduling, Resource Allocation, Critical Path Method, PERT, Earned Value Analysis, and Risk Management. Several software applications are used in the course. Students will complete weekly assignments, a term project, and graduate activities. 0681-410 may not be substituted for 0681-710 in a CMS graduate concentration or advanced certificate. Prerequisites: Introductory course(s) in management; Microsoft Office applications; fundamentals of accounting, finance, statistics, and probability; or permission of instructor. Credits: 4.
0632-760 Space Planning Facility Management
This course provides the technical and strategic tools for space planning in a facility. Topics such as knowledge of long range planning, organization of sites/structures/interiors, building types, cost estimating techniques, contracts and specifications, construction management and documentation, and relocation management will be covered. Class 4, Credit 4
0101-703 Accounting For Decision Maker
An introduction to accounting concepts and the use of accounting information by decision makers. Topics include financial statements; measurement of assets, liabilities, equities, and income; financial statement analysis, cost behavior and measurement; profitability analysis; relevant costs for special decisions; budgeting; and responsibility accounting. Consideration is given to the role of information technology in the development and use of accounting information. (Prerequisite: None. This course is for matriculated graduate students and non-matriculated graduate students with approval from the graduate business office.) Credit 4
0632-800 Operation and Maintenance of Facilities I
This is a first course in operations and maintenance of facilities and provides a basic understanding of the physical plant. Students will learn about common systems within facilities including HVAC, communications, building's structural components, and exterior elements. Class 4, Credit 4
0632-810 Operation and Maintenance of Facilities II
This is the second course in the O&M sequence and involves the activities and functions that support the facility. Class 4, Credit 4
0632-830 Real Estate Facilities
Managing Property assets as an investment and profit center is an important aspect of facility management. Emphasis will be placed on: real estate master planning; properly acquisition and disposal; leasing practices and management; real estate marketing and analysis; feasibility analysis; taxation; real estate finance; urban planning and development; site evaluation and selection; occupancy and use constraints; regulations and incentives. Credit 4
0102-740 Organizational Behavior & Leadership
This course examines why people behave as they do in organizations and what managers can do to improve organizational performance by influencing people's behavior. Students will be exposed to the impact of organizations on leaders, individuals, groups, and cultures, and to different frameworks for diagnosing and dealing with problems in organizational settings. Topics include leadership, motivation, team building, conflict resolution, organizational change, and managing organizational cultures, creativity and ethical leadership. (Prerequisite: None. This course is for matriculated graduate students and non-matriculated graduate students with approval from the graduate business office.) Credit 4
0632-850 Digital Communication and Analytical Tools in Facility Management
Information Technology systems are critical to supporting an organization's business. This course will clover the basic logistical requirements for operating and supporting local area networks as well as internet connections, digital security, common application software, and CAD systems. In addition, instruction will be provided on FM software for energy management, project management, asset management, and space planning. Credit 4
Online study
The program can be completed on campus or through distance learning in 4 quarters by full-time students, or in 6 quarters of part-time study if a student elects to work full time. Students can tailor an individual program of study by complementing core courses with professional electives that match their academic and career interest.
Admission requirements
Admission to the MS degree in facility management requires:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college. Generally, applicants are expected to have formal academic training or documented experience in the areas common to facility management (i.e., engineering technology, engineering, construction management, interior design, architecture, technology, and business). Academic and experiential gaps in these areas may be addressed through program electives.
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall, or a minimum GPA of 3.0 for course work completed in the junior and senior years.
- Two writing samples to demonstrate written communication skills.
- Current resume or CV with sufficient detail to identify specific work experience, tasks, and level of responsibility.
Graduate Record Exam scores normally are not required. Applicants who do not meet the above requirements, however, may be required to submit GRE scores to support their candidacy.
A minimum score of 570 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based), or 88-89 (Internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a GRE score of 1,200 (V&Q), and an analytical writing score of 3.5 or higher are required for international applicants seeking admission from non-English speaking countries. Applicants with low GRE scores may be admitted conditionally; they will take a prescribed English language test and, if required, English language courses along with a reduced MS program course load.
Students who do not meet the academic admission requirements may be asked to complete certain undergraduate courses as a bridge for the required content knowledge. The graduate program coordinator will design a bridge program specific to each individual student’s needs based on the evaluation of academic records and documented work experience.
Some students’ work experience may exempt them from one or more of the core courses. In these cases, students may substitute other course work, with the permission of the graduate program director and in accordance with RIT policy.
The admission requirements for the facility management program ensure that students entering the program will have a reasonable chance for success. The requirements also establish areas of prerequisite knowledge that students will need to integrate into graduate-level courses.
Applicants without any documented, relevant work experience in the facility management profession may be expected to complete a graduate cooperative education requirement during their program of study. This co-op requirement may be up to two quarters in length. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the graduate program director at (585) 475-6469 for additional information about the program.
Transfer credit
Up to 12 quarter credit hours of department approved graduate course work may be accepted and applied toward the program if the course work is appropriate. The student’s major professor or the admissions committee must approve all transfer courses.