Online Facilities Management Degree Program Information

There are a limited number of facilities management degree programs offered online. It is possible, however, to pursue a master's degree in facilities management entirely online or in a hybrid format.

Overview of an Online Master's Degree Program in Facilities Management

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.

Career Information for Graduates of an Online Facilities Management Program

Potential job opportunities for graduates of an online facilities management master's degree program include plant engineer, facility manager, plant manager and property manager. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which classifies facility managers as administrative service managers, employment for the profession was expected to increase by 12% from 2008-2018. The BLS also reports that administrative service managers had median annual earnings of over $75,500 in 2009 (www.bls.gov).