Online Degrees in Facilities Management

Dedicated facilities management degrees are rare, but training to work in facilities management can be found in a variety of related degree programs at all levels, including associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. A bachelor's or master's degree is generally required for employment as a facilities manager. Students who are interested in pursuing a career in facilities management should consider degrees in:

• Architecture
• Engineering
• Business administration
• Construction management
• Real estate

Diploma programs are also available, though they geared more towards entry-level hospitality jobs such as hotel desk clerk rather than the comprehensive management role facilities managers must fulfill.

Certificate programs can pair with other training or prepare students for certification exams, such as the Certified Facility Manager (CFM) designation offered by the International Facilities Management Association.

Working on a facilities management degree online comes with a number of specific benefits. Students may choose to keep a full-time job while earning degree, leading to additional years of experience in the workplace. Experience is key for any managerial job, and online education gives students a chance to prioritize their training with hands-on work.

The Certified Facility Manager (CFM) designation, offered by the International Facility Management Association, requires some work experience in addition to formal training. Online facilities management degrees can help students fulfill requirements for CFM certification more efficiently than they might if they had to put a career on hold to pursue an education.

Training in facilities management blends business management and building technology coursework with focused classes in facility-related categories like interior architecture and green building. A typical degree program in facilities management might include the following courses:

• Elementary business law
• Project management
• Budget for operations
• Property development planning
• Principles of space planning

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have specific data on facility managers, it does report that 240,320 administrative services managers were employed across the U.S. in 2010, earning mean annual wages of $84,390. Industries with the highest levels of employment included:

1. Local government: $80,560
2. Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $81,160
3. Management of companies and enterprises: $100,790
4. General medical and surgical hospitals: $85,340
5. State government: $75,960

Facilities management professionals can also specialize in particular areas to advance their career. For example, the IFMA offers the Sustainable Facility Professional credential, which allows facilities managers to gain expertise in eco-friendly management practices.

• Typical employers: Government, schools, private business, hospitals
• Salary range: $75,960 - $100,790
• Common degrees: Architecture, engineering, business administration, construction management or facilities management
• Recommended degree level: Bachelor's or master's degree
• Optional certification: Certified Facility Manager (CFM)