Facility Management Master of Science Degree
Overview for Facility Management MS
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.
This program is no longer accepting new student applications.
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Curriculum for Facility Management MS
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 Presents the overall methodology of facility management including organizational, managerial, ethical, and legal principles for the delivery of facility services. Topics discussed include: FM budgets, finance, history, regulatory and legal issues, corporate culture, contracts, purchasing and procurement, planning, management of projects, and personnel. It covers the relationship between the facility management function and the overall corporate structure. (This course is restricted to students in the FCMG-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| FCMG-720 | EHS in Facility 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 psychology and impacts of facilities on individual, group and organizational performance, comfort and satisfaction. (Prerequisites: FCMG-660 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| FCMG-740 | Real Estate in Facility Management This course has been designed to give the student the knowledge and tools to manage property assets as an investment and/or profit center. The concepts covered in this course include asset management, master planning, property acquisition and disposal, interior programming, space planning, property and facility design parameters, regulatory and legal issues, market and financial analysis, ownership and leasing management, constituent service, inventory control, and future trends. All relevant issues from planning for facility needs to life-cycle property management through ultimate property disposition are covered in this course. (Prerequisites: FCMG-660 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| FCMG-760 | Operation and Maintenance in Facility Management 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. (Prerequisites: FCMG-660 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| FCMG-788 | Thesis Planning Students will rigorously develop their thesis research ideas, conduct literature reviews, identify and plan methodologies, prepare schedules, and gain a clear understanding of the expectations of the faculty and the discipline. Each student will be required to prepare a committee approved thesis research proposal and may begin work on their thesis. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| FCMG-790 | Thesis The graduate thesis is a formal research document that empirically relates theory with practice. A formal written thesis and oral defense are required. (Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in FCMG-788 or equivalent course.) Thesis 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods This is an introductory graduate-level survey course on research design/methods and analysis. 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. 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 Conducting research requires language skills to express the research concept, explain methodology and summarize the results. This course will focus on written communication skills including critical thinking, scholarly writing skills and the ability to synthesize research results to draw conclusions. Key to this course is the establishment of a defensible argument through which the student explains, convinces and establishes boundaries for the research subject. The focus of this course is to have students learn the mechanics of research writing and at the conclusion of the course to have generated elements of their final research thesis or capstone which can be used as a basis for further work with their home department or thesis/capstone faculty advisor. (Graduate College of Engineering Technology) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
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 Presents the overall methodology of facility management including organizational, managerial, ethical, and legal principles for the delivery of facility services. Topics discussed include: FM budgets, finance, history, regulatory and legal issues, corporate culture, contracts, purchasing and procurement, planning, management of projects, and personnel. It covers the relationship between the facility management function and the overall corporate structure. (This course is restricted to students in the FCMG-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| FCMG-720 | EHS in Facility 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 psychology and impacts of facilities on individual, group and organizational performance, comfort and satisfaction. (Prerequisites: FCMG-660 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| FCMG-740 | Real Estate in Facility Management This course has been designed to give the student the knowledge and tools to manage property assets as an investment and/or profit center. The concepts covered in this course include asset management, master planning, property acquisition and disposal, interior programming, space planning, property and facility design parameters, regulatory and legal issues, market and financial analysis, ownership and leasing management, constituent service, inventory control, and future trends. All relevant issues from planning for facility needs to life-cycle property management through ultimate property disposition are covered in this course. (Prerequisites: FCMG-660 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| FCMG-760 | Operation and Maintenance in Facility Management 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. (Prerequisites: FCMG-660 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| FCMG-797 | Graduate Project This course provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their capabilities developed through their course of study to design, develop, and/or evaluate a facility management related project culminating in a written report or manuscript and presentation. In addition, students will also submit any work products that they create as part of their project (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Project 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods This is an introductory graduate-level survey course on research design/methods and analysis. 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. 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 Conducting research requires language skills to express the research concept, explain methodology and summarize the results. This course will focus on written communication skills including critical thinking, scholarly writing skills and the ability to synthesize research results to draw conclusions. Key to this course is the establishment of a defensible argument through which the student explains, convinces and establishes boundaries for the research subject. The focus of this course is to have students learn the mechanics of research writing and at the conclusion of the course to have generated elements of their final research thesis or capstone which can be used as a basis for further work with their home department or thesis/capstone faculty advisor. (Graduate College of Engineering Technology) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
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 Presents the overall methodology of facility management including organizational, managerial, ethical, and legal principles for the delivery of facility services. Topics discussed include: FM budgets, finance, history, regulatory and legal issues, corporate culture, contracts, purchasing and procurement, planning, management of projects, and personnel. It covers the relationship between the facility management function and the overall corporate structure. (This course is restricted to students in the FCMG-MS program.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| FCMG-720 | EHS in Facility 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 psychology and impacts of facilities on individual, group and organizational performance, comfort and satisfaction. (Prerequisites: FCMG-660 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| FCMG-740 | Real Estate in Facility Management This course has been designed to give the student the knowledge and tools to manage property assets as an investment and/or profit center. The concepts covered in this course include asset management, master planning, property acquisition and disposal, interior programming, space planning, property and facility design parameters, regulatory and legal issues, market and financial analysis, ownership and leasing management, constituent service, inventory control, and future trends. All relevant issues from planning for facility needs to life-cycle property management through ultimate property disposition are covered in this course. (Prerequisites: FCMG-660 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall). |
3 |
| FCMG-760 | Operation and Maintenance in Facility Management 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. (Prerequisites: FCMG-660 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring). |
3 |
| FCMG-795 | Comprehensive Exam A written comprehensive exam is one of the non-thesis methodologies for completion of the MS degree. This course will provide a forum for independent review of the main concepts of each of the program core subject areas. The student will take a written examination at the conclusion of the course and must receive a passing grade of at least 80 percent to be successful. Students will have one additional opportunity to pass this examination if their initial attempt is unsuccessful. This examination is part of the comprehensive examination exit strategy. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Comp Exam 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| GRCS-701 | Research Methods This is an introductory graduate-level survey course on research design/methods and analysis. 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. 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 Conducting research requires language skills to express the research concept, explain methodology and summarize the results. This course will focus on written communication skills including critical thinking, scholarly writing skills and the ability to synthesize research results to draw conclusions. Key to this course is the establishment of a defensible argument through which the student explains, convinces and establishes boundaries for the research subject. The focus of this course is to have students learn the mechanics of research writing and at the conclusion of the course to have generated elements of their final research thesis or capstone which can be used as a basis for further work with their home department or thesis/capstone faculty advisor. (Graduate College of Engineering Technology) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
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.
Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is available on-campus only.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the Facility Management MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete an online graduate application.
- Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. 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, business). Academic and experiential gaps in these areas may be addressed through program electives.
- A recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
- Letters of recommendation are optional.
- Submit two writing samples.
How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application
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Additional Information
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