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Center for Real Estate

The Center for Real Estate at Rawls College was founded in 2016 to promote excellence in real estate education through academic programming, student engagement, research initiatives and strong partnerships with alumni and industry experts.

Faculty

The center's faculty are highly regarded in the field of commercial and residential real estate development and investment. They bring professionally relevant knowledge to the classroom and focus on practical learning to prepare students for exciting and challenging real estate careers.

Research

The Center for Real Estate supports cutting-edge research that aims to enhance the value, quality and sustainability of the built environment. Faculty and students put their findings into action through thought leadership that engages the full community of practice.

Academic Programs

Anchored to an industry-centric education, the Center for Real Estate focuses on preparing career-ready graduates to serve as future business leaders. Over 450 students enroll in real estate courses each year, creating a vibrant learning community and robust classroom experience.

Undergraduate

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance gives students a solid understanding of how domestic and global finances work. Students take coursework on financial statement analysis, financial markets and institutions, corporate finance, investments, management of financial institutions and real estate fundamentals.

As part of the finance program, undergraduates can pursue a concentration in real estate. The concentration prepares students for a career in real estate and related industries, equipping them with skills in residential and commercial brokerage, appraisals, property management and real estate portfolio management.

Courses

Introduces the field of real estate by surveying the basic concepts of real property rights, markets and valuation. The course introduces these concepts by observing the practical aspects of real estate investments including ownership structures, financing methods and industry components. The course is aimed at providing a broad structure of knowledge that students can build upon by pursuing further real estate course work.

Focuses on the instruments, techniques and institutions of real estate finance; sources of funds; mortgage risk analysis; emphasis on typical policies and procedures used in financing of residential, industrial and commercial properties. The course also examines the valuation of various mortgage instruments and mortgage-related securities.

Provides an overview of Texas real estate law from a practical, investment-based perspective. Topics covered by the course include legal reasoning, legal writing and the role of substantive law in the real estate industry. Rather than focusing on specific laws, students will broadly examine how the legal professional supplements other facets of the commercial real estate industry. The course will expose students to legal theories and practical applications, allowing students to consider the topics in the context of real-world real estate investments.

Introduces the economic theories of value applied to real estate. This course incorporates real estate markets, social and economic determinants of value and the three recognized appraisal approaches: sales comparison, cost and income approaches to value. The course is directed toward preparing the student for appraisal licensing and/or designation. In addition, this course will prepare students for further study in real estate or allow them to use it as a foundation for entry into the real estate field.

Provides students with an overview of issues related to financing, and investing in, commercial real estate. The course will develop the student's understanding of commercial real estate as an investment asset and a profession, and approach the subject with both theoretical and "real world" applications. Central to the course is the objective of providing the student with the tools necessary to undertake a comprehensive analysis of a real estate investment opportunity, as well as exposure to issues that arise in the real estate investment environment.

Graduate

The Master of Science in Finance equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the many fields of finance, including corporate finance, security analysis and valuation, investment management, commercial and investment banking and real estate analysis and investment.

Courses

Examines the legal, economic and practical issues related to commercial real estate investments. The course will cover aspects of real property law, finance, valuation and investment analysis. The material will also consider the microeconomics of real estate transactions, with an emphasis on the strategic behaviors and relationships of the parties to these transactions. The course will expose students to academic theory and practical applications, allowing students to consider the topics in the context of real-world transactions. Central to the course is the objective of providing the student with the tools necessary to undertake a comprehensive analysis of a real estate investment opportunity, as well as exposure to issues that arise in the real estate investment environment.

Covers the theory and practice of real estate investment decision making. While particular attention is given to the tools and techniques necessary to undertake real estate investment analysis for commercial properties, many of these same concepts can be readily applied within the residential marketplace.

Student Life

Beyond the classroom, the Center for Real Estate facilitates professional development activities for Rawls College students.

Group of practitioners of reo

Internships

Blending student's classroom learning with work experience, the Center for Real Estate and the Career Management Center facilitate internship opportunities in diverse fields such as real estate investment banking, consulting, insurance financial services, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and major brokerage firms. Interns gain hands-on professional experience, strengthen their understanding of industry and build professional connections that can benefit their career path. Participating companies gain access to talented, ambitious students who can provide a fresh perspective and make valued contributions to their organization.

Industry Partnerships

The center welcomes industry experts, including many Rawls College alumni, as speakers and guest lecturers, providing students with exceptional opportunities to gain in-depth insights into current industry trends as well as the culture of specific firms they aim to join.

Real Estate Organization

Established in 2004, the Real Estate Organization (REO) is the premier organization for Rawls College students interested in investment real estate markets, analysis and professions. REO provides members with opportunities to engage with commercial real estate industry professionals, observe real estate projects first-hand and analyze real estate markets and investments.

Reo Students with Raider Der

REO Programs and Events

  • Monthly speaker meetings
  • Monthly social events
  • Semi-annual industry trips
  • Software training
  • Industry-sponsored case competitions
  • Service projects

Career

The Center for Real Estate helps to prepare students to join the industry and connects them with alumni and industry partners. Rawls College successfully maintains placement rates above 90% for graduates of its finance programs. Students go on to pursue careers across the real estate industry, including commercial brokerage, appraisals, property management and real estate portfolio management.

  • Civitas Capital
  • Clarion Partners
  • Fort Capital, LP
  • Gehan Homes
  • Greystar
  • Hall Structured Finance
  • Jones Lang LaSalle
  • McDougal Companies
  • Paladin Partners
  • PlainsCapital Bank
  • The Retail Connection
  • Travis Central Appraisal District
  • Weitzman Group

Opportunities to Support

Join the Advisory Board

The center's advisory board gathers business leaders who are in touch with the needs of the finance and real estate industries. Board members provide expertise and counsel on critical issues and help direct the center's activities to meet the needs of students and industry alike.

In addition to their volunteer leadership, board members have the opportunity to:

  • Access to an elite professional network of industry leaders and talented students
  • Engage in research opportunities with faculty experts
  • Serve as internship hosts and mentors

Invest in the Future

There continues to be a growing demand for successful real estate graduates with relevant industry skills and certifications. Now is the time to invest in the sustainability and growth of the Center for Real Estate.