Academic Programs and Services
Facility Management — Design Option
The Facility Management curriculum leads to an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Facility Management. Facility 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 multidisciplinary character of the field, thereby allowing for diverse job opportunities. The core of the Facility Management curriculum addresses gaining the basic technical knowledge of construction materials, processes and systems, as well as the business management and real estate areas. The Design Option focuses particularly on developing planning and design skills for both new and renovated buildings.
The Facility Management - Design Option is intended to prepare a student for an entry-level position as a facility manager, space programmer, space planner, or move coordinator. Their design skills will be utilized in designing renovations, planning expansions, and supervising outside design consultants. They will work closely with those in the construction areas. In any of these roles, the students will be prepared to interact with the senior management of their employer, dealing with multiple real estate issues.
The Design Option listed here gives the student an opportunity to acquire design skills to 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.
The Facility Management program also offers a Construction Option (listed separately) which 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,
Students who are interested in the program are encouraged to consult an advisor within the program for a more detailed explanation of the two options. Also, the program has a set of core courses which are common to both degrees. Students who are unsure as to which option they would like to pursue may wish to begin with those courses which are required by both options, so that they may change their option more easily at a later point.
Program Entry Requirements:
Students are required to take the College’s placement tests at the time of entry. Students identified as needing developmental course work must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English and
mathematics courses in addition to the requirements of their degree program.
Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:
To qualify for the A.A.S. degree in Facility Management - Design Option, a student must complete a minimum of 62 credits as prescribed and attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average).