The Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission (ANSAC) of ABET recently accredited the facility management (FM) program within the Georgia Tech Master of Science in Building Construction and Facility Management (MSBCFM) degree. The MSBCFM has the only ABET-accredited program within the College of Design. It offers students two concentrations: building construction (with tracks in construction management and program management) and facility management.

ABET is a nonprofit ISO 900 certified organization that accredits college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. With ABET, the accreditation prepares students to enter a global workforce by producing strong guidelines that focus on critical processes and reliable quality management.

“The FM program at the School of Building Construction is uniquely positioned. It not only provides rigorous academic training, but it showcases a quality curriculum and resources to the industry,” said Assistant Professor Eunhwa Yang, data analytics and facility management expert.

“The language and practice of FM are now more standardized with a series of ISO standards – vocabulary, strategic sourcing, scope, key concepts, benefits, and management systems – published in 2017 and 2018. The ABET accreditation will accelerate this movement by getting students ready to enter the industry nationally and globally.”

The MSBCFM is also an approved Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degree, allowing international students to extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT) experience for up to three years. Facility management students point to the degree’s integrated approach to program, construction, and facility management as the reason they chose to get their Master’s. Hands-on technology applications courses, leadership, communications, and capstone classes are signature parts of the program, students say.

Georgia Tech’s building construction program began in 1958. The School’s signature graduate programs include the MSBCFM, a Master of Real Estate Development, a Professional Master's in Occupational Safety and Health (Online), and a Ph.D. in Building Construction.

The Fall 2020 application admissions cycle will remain open until Monday, June 1, 2020.

Click here to view the official press release.