Facilities Management

The Facilities Management program leads to an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Facilities Management. Facilities Managers are the people who plan and manage the buildings, grounds and systems of large businesses and institutions. Often working behind the scenes, as a group they are involved in a broad array of activities: planning, management, finance and real estate, design, and building operations issues, including security and communications. The field is rapidly professionalizing, and opportunities abound in this highly-regarded industry. This program provides students with a foundational education addressing the multi-disciplinary character of the field, thereby allowing for diverse job opportunities. The core of the Facilities Management curriculum addresses gaining the basic technical knowledge of construction materials, processes and systems, as well as the business management and real estate areas.

Within Facilities Management, there are two broad specializations, Construction and Design. The program has a set of core courses that are common to both degrees, and then two sets of concentration electives that emphasize either Construction or Design.

There is significant overlap in courses due to the common core courses, but students who are unsure as to which concentration they would like to pursue should consult with a program advisor.

For Construction, the degree is designed to prepare students for an entry-level position as a facility manager or construction manager. Their construction knowledge may be applied in overseeing the building of new or renovated facilities, the installation of updated systems, or determining the construction issues related to expansion or new uses. The Construction Concentration focuses on construction and management issues specific to the building and renovating process, such as the installation of updated systems and finishes, building codes, cost estimating, and scheduling and contracting. This concentration gives the student an opportunity to understand the fundamentals of building construction, such as interpreting construction documents and specifications, understanding construction contracts, creating construction cost estimates, scheduling and managing building projects, and being familiar with the technical aspects of building materials and systems.

The Design Concentration is intended to prepare a student for an entry-level position as a facility manager, space programmer, space planner or move coordinator. The design skills acquired apply toward new and renovated buildings, as well as evaluating and planning development sites. Experience with working in teams, as well as communicating design concepts is emphasized. The design studio, the core learning environment in design education, offers the opportunity to develop design skills and understand the conceptual framework of the design process.

Graduates of both concentrations would work closely with each other in the field, and will be prepared to interact with the senior management of their employer, dealing with multiple real estate issues.

The Design Concentration satisfies the transfer requirements for the Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management at Temple University. A few additional courses are needed for full transfer.

Students who are interested in the program are encouraged to consult an advisor within the program for a more detailed explanation of the degree and the two concentrations.

Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• Interpret architectural and construction drawings and documents, and utilize computer and manual systems for communication in drafting and documentation.
• Describe various relevant building materials and methods and related building technologies and products. 
• Apply basic principles of planning, management and real estate practice. 
• Communicate effectively and work as part of a team, using graphic, oral and written modes. 

For Construction Concentration Only: 

• Describe the process of project planning, estimating and management

For Design Concentration only:

• Solve specific design problems by synthesizing and applying technical, historical, cultural and theoretical concepts as well as knowledge of finish materials and methods, furnishings and related interior products.