Online Study
Facility Management
Program 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 organizations' 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 and eventually - work experience.
The facility management program will prepare graduates to work in a management capacity where he or she will oversee the operations, planning, and maintenance of facilities. It is anticipated that these graduates must be able to intelligently communicate facility issues with corporate officers as well as with customers, contractors, vendors, and employees.
New established in 2006, RIT's master of science degree in facility management is offered by the department of civil engineering technology, environmental management and safety. Developed by a panel of experienced FM professionals, the MS program is designed to provide graduates with a solid grounding in both technical and managerial aspects of facility management. The curriculum was also developed using educational standards established by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).
Distance learning
The program is designed to be completed through distance learning or on campus in 20 months by full-time students or in two years of part-time study while working full time. Students can tailor an individual program of study by complementing core courses with professional electives that match their academic and career interest.
Curriculum Review
The MS in facility management consists of 52 quarter credit hours of graduate study. The program is available predominately in the distance learning format, although some courses and electives are available in the classroom. 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 include:
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
Admission Requirements
Unconditional admission to the MS degree in facility management requires:The admission requirements for the facility management program ensure that students entering the program will have a reasonable chance for success in college. The requirements also establish areas of prerequisite knowledge that students will need to integrate into graduate level courses.
Applicants without documented relevant experience in the facility management profession will be expected to satisfy a graduate cooperative education requirement of two quarters during their program of study. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the graduate program coordinator (585) 475-2183 for informal advising and additional information about the program.
Transfer Credit
Up to 12 quarter credits of graduate course work may be accepted into the program if appropriate and approved by the student’s major professor or the graduate coordinator.