Building Construction students learn from a construction manager on an active building site.

Master of Science in Building Construction
and Facility Management

Master of Science in Building Construction
and Facility Management

The MSBCFM is a STEM-designated degree program so that international students can extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT) experience for up to three years. Its integrated approach towards program management, construction management, and facility management has been a magnet for local part-time students, in addition to its hands-on technology applications courses, leadership and communications emphasis, and access to industry professionals.

In addition to the Georgia Tech Graduate Education admissions requirements, MSBCFM candidates will also need to meet the following standards:

Bachelor's Degree Requirements
A bachelor's degree in one of the following fields from an accredited institution is required to be considered for admission.

  • Construction
  • Civil Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Facility Management

A bachelor's degree in another field with a minimum of two years experience in a related field is also acceptable.

English Proficiency Requirements
All applicants must meet at least ONE of the Georgia Tech English proficiency requirements below:

  • IELTS ≥ 7 (minimum band score for Reading, Listening, and Speaking is 6.5; minimum band score for Writing is 5.5)
  • TOEFL iBT ≥ 90 (each section must score 19 or higher)
  • Georgia Tech Language Institute English Proficiency Assessment overall score of 3

GRE Requirements
For the MSBCFM, the GRE is the preferred application criteria, but is not required. 

Essay Requirement
Two essay questions are required and are included in your online application.

  • Explain your professional/personal post-baccalaureate experience in building construction.
  • Describe how your academic or professional background will support you as you pursue a master's degree.

Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required.

 

The School of Building Construction reviews applications on a rolling basis between early and late deadlines; however, it is encouraged that full applications be completed by the early deadline, especially if the applicant is interested in being considered for limited GTA/GRA funding opportunities. 

Fall Admission:

  • Early Deadline on January 15
  • Late Deadline for International applicants on April 1
  • Late Deadline for U.S. Applicants on May 1

Spring Admission:

  • Early Deadline on July 15
  • Late Deadline for International applicants on September 1
  • Late Deadline for U.S. Applicants on October 1

Concentrations and Curriculum

This degree educates students on both advanced technological & business approaches for the life-cycle management of the Built-Environment. The program prepares students to become creative thought leaders and business leaders in Program/Construction/Facility Management.

The MSBCFM degree offers four options:

  1. Non-Thesis with Concentration in Program & Facility Management (PM&FM)
  2. Non-Thesis with Concentration in Technology
  3. Non-Thesis with No Concentration
  4. Thesis Option

The degree includes Common Core courses on advanced construction management, integrated solutions toward life cycle management of the built environment, and leadership; and it offers electives in two concentrations, mainly: (1) Program & Facility Management (PM&FM) and (2) Technology.

Program and Facility Management Concentration:

This concentration will prepare students for a professional career with owner organizations where they will be involved in holistically managing the life cycle of the built environment from the inception of a building project to operation and maintenance of building portfolios. This lifecycle includes pre-design/design/post-design program management, construction management, and post-occupancy facility management.

Technology Concentration:

This concentration will educate students on advanced and emerging technologies and their applications to the life cycle management of the built environment. The students from this concentration will develop their technical and managerial skills to lead virtual design, construction, and operation management of the Built Environment. There is currently a gap among construction programs in the nation to claim this space of advanced technologies in Construction and Operations management, while there is an increasing demand in the industry for experts who are well-versed both in the construction fundamentals and virtual design and construction (VDC), building information modeling (BIM), robotics/automation in construction, and other cutting-edge technologies.

MSBCFM Courses: 30 Total Credit Hours

MSBCFM Required Core Courses (15 Credit hours)
All students pursuing a MSBCFM degree must take the following 
Common Core Courses in Advanced Construction Management.

Required Core Courses

15 total credit hours

  
BC 6650

3 Credit hours

Advanced Project Management 

BC 6550

3 Credit hours

Design and Construction Processes for Integrated Services 

BC 6250

3 Credit hours

Value Management for Integrated Facility Design and Construction 

BC 6300

3 Credit hours

Safety and Environmental Issues 

BC 66853 Credit hours

Leadership and Communications in Design and Construction 

In addition to taking Common Core Courses, students must declare one of the following concentration options:

Option 1: Non-Thesis with Concentration in Program & Facility Management (PM&FM)

Program and Facility Management Concentration

15 total credit hours

  

BC 6185

 

3 Credit hours

Introduction to Construction Program Management 

BC 6485

3 Credit hours

Management of Preconstruction Phase as Owner 

BC 6200

3 Credit hours

Maintenance Management of Built Assets 

BC 6100

3 Credit hours

Professional Trends in Facility Management 

*Approved Elective3 Credit hoursSee Approved Electives List

Option 2: Non-Thesis with Concentration in Technology

 

Technology Concentration

15 total credit hours

  
BC 6050

3 Credit hours

Building Information Modeling for Multi-disciplinary Integration 

BC 6005

3 Credit hours

Technology Applications in the Construction Industry 

BC 8803

3 Credit hours

Digital Twins for the Built Environment 

BC 8803

3 Credit hours

Construction 4.0 

*Approved Elective3 Credit hoursSee Approved Electives List

Option 3: Non-Thesis with No Concentration

The students will also be given the option to NOT pursue any specific concentration by choosing from the electives offered under any of the two concentrations.

 

No Concentration (Non-Thesis)

15 total credit hours

  

Concentration Electives

(Technology and Program & Facility Management Concentrations)

 

12-15 Credit hours

Choose from courses offered under Technology and Program & Facility Management Concentrations

 

*Approved Elective0-3 Credit hoursSee Approved Electives List

Option 4: Thesis Option

 

No Concentration (Thesis)

15 total credit hours

  
BC 7100- 3 credit hours3 credit hoursQuantitative Methods for Construction Research 
BC 7000- 6 credit hours6 credit hoursMS Thesis hours
*Concentration electives0-6 credit hoursChoose from courses offered under Technology and Program
& Facility Management
Concentrations
*Approved elective0-6 credit hoursSee Approved Electives List

After completing the MSBCFM Required Core Courses (15 credits) and declaring a concentration, students should review the concentration coursework requirements to determine the need for an approved elective(s) for degree completion. 
 

*Approved ElectivesCredit hours 

BC 6675 -

3

Residential Design and Construction 

BC 6370 

3

Real Estate Policy, Trends, Ethics 

BC 6600 

3

Facilities Management Financial Analysis 

BC 6475 

3

Real Estate Development Law 

BC 6350 

3

Design and Construction Law 

BC 6270 

3

Community Design and Development 

BC 6975 

3

The Evolution of a Deal 

BC 7100 

3

Quantitative Methods for Construction Research 

CEE 6140 

3

Advanced Planning and Estimating Methods 

CEE 8813 

3

Construction Industry Best Practices 

**Note: CEE will need a permit from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and are not guaranteed.

MSBCFM Academic Support

Headshot of Pardis Pishdad-Bozorgi.

Pardis Pishdad-Bozorgi

Associate Professor · MSBCFM Program Director

Headshot of Kirsten McLagan.

Kirsten McLagan

Graduate Academic Advisor

Have a Question for Us?

 
If you can't find the information you were looking for, we'll get you to the right place.