RIT’s Facility Management master’s program is first of its kind online

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International Facility Management Association

Jeff Rogers (left), assistant professor in the civil engineering technology/ environmental management and safety program, received a certificate recognizing the accreditation of the graduate facility management degree program from the International Facility Management Association in November.

More than half of all facility professionals manage multiple buildings and structures, some totaling 500,000 square feet of space, according to the International Facility Management Association Foundation. Being able to manage extensive sites and buildings—from structural design, sustainability efforts, and utility management—takes training and experience.

The Facility Management master’s degree program at RIT provides that professional training both in the classroom and now online. The RIT program, first offered in 2006, is part of the Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety in the College of Applied Science and Technology. The program includes both technical and managerial aspects of the discipline.

“The program provides a strong foundation for graduate students who want to advance in facility management careers, in which they oversee building operations, business issues, and maintenance,” says Jeffrey Rogers, assistant professor in the program.

The program was accredited by the International Facility Management Association Foundation this past fall. The on-site accreditation team highlighted the strong faculty and staff support, the academic structure, and professional involvement in place to support continuous development and improvement of the program.

The International Facility Management Association Foundation’s accreditation program was designed to strengthen current, valid facility management education degrees and to assist in the development of new facility management degree programs. Colleges and universities submit a detailed self-study application to the foundation. It is reviewed by a committee of facility management professionals, who also participate in site visits to the university. Institutions reapply for accreditation every six years.