by Brianna Crandall — July 22, 2019 — The Master of Science in Construction Administration program at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies is now the third construction program in North America and the second program at Columbia to be accredited by RICS, a UK-based global professional organization that promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in the valuation, development, and management of land, real estate, construction, and infrastructure. RICS also partners with the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) for FM training.
As part of the accreditation, an RICS professional will serve as an external advisor to the program. Students will gain free Student Membership, which includes opportunities to network with industry thought leaders and RICS professionals. Graduates will have a streamlined pathway to RICS qualification that bypasses the five years of relevant experience typically required.
Francisco X. Pineda, academic director and lecturer for the M.S. in Construction Administration program, commented:
Our RICS accreditation is exciting news and a big milestone for us, especially because we pursued their most challenging and respected knowledge/competency path. It will help ensure that the program continues to align with the construction market’s rapidly evolving trends and exceed the highest global professional standards.
Neil Shah, managing director of RICS in the Americas, stated:
We enthusiastically look forward to working with Columbia on the partnership and the symposium. Columbia shares our values of promoting professional standards for the benefit of everyone. We are excited about what the future holds for RICS with the potential to qualify new professionals graduating from Columbia’s master’s program.
In addition to the accreditation, Columbia and RICS have partnered for a Construction Technology Symposium focused on technological innovation and productivity in construction. The annual event will tap into the RICS network of owners, builders, scholars, and practitioners, offering an opportunity for construction professionals to connect with Columbia faculty, students and graduates. The event is scheduled for October 16, 2019 on Columbia’s campus in New York City.
