An online facilities management
master's degree program prepares graduates to manage the maintenance, planning
and operations of various facilities. They should be able to work closely with
employees, vendors, contractors, customers and others on facility issues, as
well as supervise custodial, grounds and maintenance staff. Focus is placed on
both the managerial and technical issues surrounding facility management.
Topics covered include energy
management, supply chain logistics, labor relations, organizational behavior,
architectural planning, construction management and workplace planning.
Students may also be required to work under the guidance of a staff member -
either remotely or on-campus - to complete a facilities management independent
project.
Program
Information and Requirements
Sometimes offered as a master's
degree in technology with a facilities management concentration, an online
facilities management master's degree program can be completed online,
on-campus or in a hybrid format.
Prospective students are typically required to
have a bachelor's degree from an accredited school, satisfactory GRE scores and
prior coursework in areas such as statistics. Students commonly have an
undergraduate background in areas such as business, architecture, construction
management or engineering technology. Programs are often developed using
International Facility Management Association standards.
Students access course materials via
streaming video, online reading materials, digital presentations and more.
Technical requirements may include an updated operating system, webcam, DVD
drive, photo scanner and a broadband or cable Internet connection.
Sample
Master's-Level Facilities Management Coursework
A facilities management master's
degree curriculum incorporates principles of engineering, architecture,
business administration and more.
Facility
Management Fundamentals Course
This course goes over the principles
behind the overall facility management planning process. Topics covered include
purchasing and procurement, risk management, preventative maintenance programs,
regulatory issues, professional conduct and infrastructure management.
Project
Management Course
An online project management course
covers topics such as project selection, total quality management, conflict
resolution, community relations, resource allocation and consensus building. The course also looks at techniques used to plan and monitor projects.
Finance
and Accounting Course
This course looks at the various
financial aspects within facilities management, including financial statement
analysis, accounting methods, profitability analysis, project evaluation,
measurements of assets and budgeting.
Every organisation uses buildings of some sort and their
occupation requires recurrent resources for rent, cleaning, energy, water,
security, and more, which can actually amount to more over time than the
capital cost of developing the buildings in the first place. Facility managers
look after the infrastructure of business and have the responsibility of
ensuring that the premises of their employers assist them in fulfilling their
core business objectives, retain their capital value through appropriate
maintenance as well as obtain value from their day-to-day operating costs.
The Master of Facilities Management recognises that the facilities manager requires an understanding of business finance and management information as well as the technical areas of buildings. Emphasis is placed on understanding the strategic objectives of an organisation and the way that facilities contribute towards their realisation. You will also be encouraged to direct your learning to your working situation where appropriate, through assignments undertaken in the course.
Successful completion of the Master of Facilities Management will qualify you for corporate membership of the Australian Institute of Building (AIB) as a Chartered Building Professional, subject to the required practical experience.
Students who wish to earn a degree
in facilities management can pursue select degree programs accredited by the
International Facility Management Association (IFMA), a certification
organization for the industry.
These programs can generally be completed in
four years, and some schools require students to complete an internship, which
offers hands-on experience. This career involves multiple disciplines, and
knowledge of architecture, mathematics, psychology and managerial skills can
prove beneficial. Some colleges may require prospective graduates to complete a
capstone project and thesis. To be considered for admission, students need to
be high school graduates.
Program
Coursework
The curriculum typically includes
certain general education courses, such as English, world studies and science.
Since facilities managers can be involved in so many aspects of running a
building, students take part in a diverse curriculum. Courses can include:
- Business and contract law
- Building design
- Financial analysis and accounting
- Project and personnel management
- Introduction to business statistics
Popular
careers
Facilities management professionals
may need to spend time outdoors or travel to construction sites. They may also
need to work overtime during the week and be on-call during evenings and
weekends. Graduates who manage healthcare facilities can work as:
- Healthcare environmental service managers
- Sustainable hospital design consultants
- Hospital plant operations directors
Continuing
Education, Credentials and Certification
Certification, while not mandatory,
can be beneficial for facilities managers. The IFMA offers a Facilities
Management Professional (FMP) credential program both to current facilities
managers and to those embarking on careers in the field.
This program covers
the basics of facilities management and can be administered online. Having an FMP
credential can be helpful to those who wish to take the IFMA-administered
Certified Facility Manager (CFM) exam, a 4-hour test covering such topics as
operations, maintenance and project planning. Education and work experience
requirements for the CFM exam can vary.
Master's
Program in Facilities Management
Graduates determined to expand their
knowledge of the constructional, managerial and architectural aspects of
facilities management can obtain master's degrees. Like undergraduate programs
in facilities management, certain Master of Science programs in the subject can
be accredited by the IFMA.
The 2-3 year programs often require the completion
of a master's thesis. In addition, students with prior work experience may be
eligible to earn advanced standing credits towards their degree. All applicants
need to have a bachelor's degree to qualify for admission.
Program
Coursework
Many colleges and universities offer
evening courses for students who work during the day. Subjects covered can
include:
- Facility maintenance and operation
- Environmental issues
- Property development
- Real estate management
- Managerial finance
