Overview
The New Jersey Educational Facility Management Program is a cooperative effort between the Center for Government Services at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and the New Jersey School Buildings and Grounds Association. The program is designed to meet the professional and educational needs of directors, supervisors, and managers of buildings and grounds for school systems in the state. These needs are met through a series of seven courses that address management issues unique to the operations of an educational facility. Instructors engage the experienced, adult student in the learning process by using interactive teaching methods such as class discussions and group exercises.
Participants receive a certificate upon satisfactory completion of each course and full payment of all fees. A program certificate is awarded upon successful completion of all seven courses.
Seven Required Courses
- Management, Supervision, and Human Resources (Offered Fall and Spring)
- Energy Management (Offered Fall and Spring)
- Information Systems (Offered Fall Only)
- Structural Mechanical Systems (Offered Fall Only)
- Environmental Code Compliance and Sustainability (Offered Spring Only)
- Preventive Maintenance (Offered Spring Only)
- Financial Management & Purchasing (Offered Spring Only)
Admission requirement: All participants must be high school graduates or hold a high school equivalency certificate. At least one year of supervisory experience in a school district is recommended.
CEFM Designation REQUIREMENTS
The Rutgers/NJSBGA certificate prepares students to apply for the authorization of Certified Educational Facilities Manager (CEFM). Upon successful completion of the program, individuals with a minimum of two years of experience as a supervisor of school buildings and grounds are eligible to apply for state certification through the NJ Department of Education (DOE), Office of School Facilities.
A candidate must provide proof of graduation (Rutgers certificate of completion or student transcript) and written proof of two years of experience from his/her Superintendent or Business Administrator on district letterhead, or copies of employment contracts for each year of experience.
Both the initial application and renewal application are available on the DOE's Certified Educational Facilities Manager (CEFM) Program Information webpage. The initial form also includes information about other ways that CEFM candidates may comply with N.J.A.C. 6A:26-16.1(a).
Continuing Education
NJ State Assembly Bill No. 893 (Senate Bill No. 2257) establishes a process for renewal of the DOE-issued CEFM credential. The application must include a certified statement that the applicant has completed at least 20 hours of training or continuing education in the last three years in fields of study related to school facilities as approved by the DOE.
Continuing education courses offered by the Center for Government Services are approved by the DOE for CEU credit.
Certification/Graduation
Upon successful completion of the NJ Education Facility Management program, a student may apply for the Certificate of Completion/Graduation Application, by clicking on this link and completing the application form.
Students must complete the graduation application in January if they have completed their seven required courses within the Fall semester (September-December). Students who will complete their required course during the spring semester (January-May), must complete the graduation application by March 15th.
Graduation will occur in May and certificates will be given at the graduation ceremony. To help track your course progress, you may download the attached Course Tracker, to help track your courses as you complete each class.