Facility Management Master of Science Degree
The Facility Management MS program is no longer accepting applications. Explore RIT’s diverse portfolio of other degree programs.
Overview for Facility Management MS
This program is no longer accepting new student applications.
Physical assets can represent a significant financial investment for an organization. Careful attention must be paid to the sustainable life cycle of these facilities. Competent facility managers keep these valuable assets performing in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Today’s facility managers must be knowledgeable about organizational behavior, strategic planning, business continuity, emergency preparedness planning, environmental, health and safety management, sustainable architectural/engineering design, real-estate planning, space programming, human resource management, financial management, construction management, technology management, and asset management. They should also have experience using the latest digital communication and analytical tools in the field. The facility management profession is a broad-based technology management field that requires individuals to have depth and breadth in their education and, eventually, their work experience in order to enhance the quality of life aspects within the work environment.
The MS degree in facility management prepares students to work in a supervisory and/or managerial capacity to oversee the conceptualization, planning, programming, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning activities throughout the entire sustainable life-cycle of the critical physical assets across an organization. Graduates are able to intelligently communicate facility issues with corporate officers, customers, contractors, vendors, and employees. The program was designed by a panel of experienced facility management professionals and designed to provide students with a solid managerial foundation in the technical, human, and financial aspects of the field.
Plan of study
The program consists of 33 credit hours of graduate study and is available predominately through online learning, although some courses and electives are available as on-campus classes. The curriculum consists of core courses and professional electives (chosen from the program or other departments). Students choose either a graduate thesis, a project, or a comprehensive exam to complete the program. For those choosing the thesis, an applied research topic should complement the student’s interests, professional position, or career aspirations. For those choosing the exam, one additional elective is required.
Accreditation
The program's curriculum was developed using the educational standards established by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) and is accredited by the IFMA Foundation.
Flexible learning options
The program can be completed full-time through online learning in two to three semesters. Part-time students may take five to six semesters to complete the program. With adviser approval students can tailor an individual program of study by complementing core courses with professional electives that match their academic and career interests.
Transfer credit
With the permission of the department, relevant graduate course work may be transferred into the program, per the maximum number of credit hours allowed.
Curriculum Update in Process for 2024-2025 for Facility Management MS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Facility Management (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ESHS-725 | EHS Accounting and Finance This course focuses on the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) costs of business decisions. Methods will be taught to identify and quantify EHS related costs and benefits that can lead an organization towards a more sustainable future. (This course is restricted to FCMG-MS, EHSM-MS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-750 | EHS & FM Project Management This course has been designed to give the student an overview of the fundamental concepts of modern project management. Areas of focus include the project life cycle (PLC), the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK), program evaluation review technique (PERT), critical path method (CPM), and various budgeting and resource allocation techniques. Discussion of project management organizations, negotiation and conflict resolution, and project termination will be included, along with an introduction to Project Management Institute (PMI) and Microsoft Project for Windows. (This course is restricted to FCMG-MS, EHSM-MS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| FCMG-660 | Principles & Practice in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-720 | EHS in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-740 | Real Estate in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-760 | Operation and Maintenance in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-788 | Thesis Planning |
3 |
| FCMG-790 | Thesis |
3 |
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods Understanding research and academic writing are foundational skills for all graduate students regardless of degree culmination. This is a graduate-level survey course on research design/methods and analysis, with the goal of all students becoming better consumers of research, and preparing those who choose an empirical research degree culmination and future doctoral pursuits. The course provides a broad overview of the process and practices of research in applied contexts. Content includes principles and techniques of research design, sampling, data collection, and analysis including the nature of evidence, types of research, defining research questions, sampling techniques, data collection, data analysis, issues concerning human subjects and research ethics, and challenges associated with conducting research in real-world contexts. Research strategies using library sources, including academic databases and citation management, are emphasized; as are academic writing skills, including adherence to academic style. The analysis component of the course provides an understanding of statistical methodology used to collect and interpret data found in research as well as how to read and interpret data collection instruments. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| GRCS-702 | Principles of Research Communications |
3 |
Professional Elective |
3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 33 |
|
Facility Management (graduate project option), MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ESHS-725 | EHS Accounting and Finance This course focuses on the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) costs of business decisions. Methods will be taught to identify and quantify EHS related costs and benefits that can lead an organization towards a more sustainable future. (This course is restricted to FCMG-MS, EHSM-MS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-750 | EHS & FM Project Management This course has been designed to give the student an overview of the fundamental concepts of modern project management. Areas of focus include the project life cycle (PLC), the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK), program evaluation review technique (PERT), critical path method (CPM), and various budgeting and resource allocation techniques. Discussion of project management organizations, negotiation and conflict resolution, and project termination will be included, along with an introduction to Project Management Institute (PMI) and Microsoft Project for Windows. (This course is restricted to FCMG-MS, EHSM-MS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| FCMG-660 | Principles & Practice in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-720 | EHS in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-740 | Real Estate in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-760 | Operation and Maintenance in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-797 | Graduate Project |
3 |
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods Understanding research and academic writing are foundational skills for all graduate students regardless of degree culmination. This is a graduate-level survey course on research design/methods and analysis, with the goal of all students becoming better consumers of research, and preparing those who choose an empirical research degree culmination and future doctoral pursuits. The course provides a broad overview of the process and practices of research in applied contexts. Content includes principles and techniques of research design, sampling, data collection, and analysis including the nature of evidence, types of research, defining research questions, sampling techniques, data collection, data analysis, issues concerning human subjects and research ethics, and challenges associated with conducting research in real-world contexts. Research strategies using library sources, including academic databases and citation management, are emphasized; as are academic writing skills, including adherence to academic style. The analysis component of the course provides an understanding of statistical methodology used to collect and interpret data found in research as well as how to read and interpret data collection instruments. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| GRCS-702 | Principles of Research Communications |
3 |
Professional Electives |
6 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 33 |
|
Facility Management (comprehensive exam option), MS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ESHS-725 | EHS Accounting and Finance This course focuses on the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) costs of business decisions. Methods will be taught to identify and quantify EHS related costs and benefits that can lead an organization towards a more sustainable future. (This course is restricted to FCMG-MS, EHSM-MS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| ESHS-750 | EHS & FM Project Management This course has been designed to give the student an overview of the fundamental concepts of modern project management. Areas of focus include the project life cycle (PLC), the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK), program evaluation review technique (PERT), critical path method (CPM), and various budgeting and resource allocation techniques. Discussion of project management organizations, negotiation and conflict resolution, and project termination will be included, along with an introduction to Project Management Institute (PMI) and Microsoft Project for Windows. (This course is restricted to FCMG-MS, EHSM-MS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| FCMG-660 | Principles & Practice in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-720 | EHS in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-740 | Real Estate in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-760 | Operation and Maintenance in Facility Management |
3 |
| FCMG-795 | Comprehensive Exam |
3 |
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods Understanding research and academic writing are foundational skills for all graduate students regardless of degree culmination. This is a graduate-level survey course on research design/methods and analysis, with the goal of all students becoming better consumers of research, and preparing those who choose an empirical research degree culmination and future doctoral pursuits. The course provides a broad overview of the process and practices of research in applied contexts. Content includes principles and techniques of research design, sampling, data collection, and analysis including the nature of evidence, types of research, defining research questions, sampling techniques, data collection, data analysis, issues concerning human subjects and research ethics, and challenges associated with conducting research in real-world contexts. Research strategies using library sources, including academic databases and citation management, are emphasized; as are academic writing skills, including adherence to academic style. The analysis component of the course provides an understanding of statistical methodology used to collect and interpret data found in research as well as how to read and interpret data collection instruments. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| GRCS-702 | Principles of Research Communications |
3 |
Professional Electives |
9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 36 |
|
Note for online students
The frequency of required and elective course offerings in the online program will vary, semester by semester, and will not always match the information presented here. Online students are advised to seek guidance from the listed program contact when developing their individual program course schedule.