Real Estate Finance
PROGRAM DETAILS
The undergraduate Real Estate Finance (REF) program at Mississippi State University provides students with an analytical foundation and firm understanding of the areas of real estate finance, investment, and valuation. A number of courses also qualify for state-mandated continuing education requirements for local real estate professionals. As a result, the undergraduate classes in real estate provide considerable interaction between faculty, traditional undergraduate students, and active real estate professionals.
The primary objective of the Real Estate Finance major is to provide the knowledge and skills required to compete successfully in the real estate industry, while contributing to the community and the professional advancement of the industry. Specifically, the program focuses on providing the analytical and conceptual framework necessary to make informed decisions regarding real estate investment, financing, development, and valuation.
WHY REAL ESTATE FINANCE?
Did you know that the development, construction, sale, and management of real estate accounts for more than 10 percent of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The major in Real Estate Finance is directed towards students planning for a career in real estate brokerage, leasing, mortgage lending, investments, management, appraising, or development.
Successful completion of Real Estate Principles and Real Estate Law satisfies the Mississippi Real Estate Commission education requirements for salesperson licensing. Earning the real estate degree satisfies the Mississippi Real Estate Commission education and experience requirements for the broker’s license.
Graduates accept positions with various real estate service providers. The majority of these opportunities require in-depth knowledge of real estate as a business and an appreciation of the management skills required when managing real assets. Many students aggressively search for and obtain internships and co-ops that provide a "real world" view of the skills required by industry. These opportunities allow the students to gain needed experience and exposes them to potential employers. Below are just a few of the careers REF students may choose:
- Appraiser
- Residential / Commercial Sales Agent
- Residential / Commercial Broker
- Leasing Agent
- Mortgage Lender
- Real Estate Developer
- Investment Advisor / Consultant
- Market Analyst / Consultant
- Asset Manager / Property Manager
- Site Selector / Acquisitions
- Corporate Real Estate Manager
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND CURRICULUM GUIDE
A degree in Real Estate Finance requires 124 credit hours and leads to a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. In addition to a common body of knowledge required of all students majoring in the College of Business and Industry at Mississippi State University, students follow a detailed course of study building on fundamentals of business by focusing on courses in real estate law, appraisal, investments, and mortgage finance.
Students may supplement the required courses with a number of business and non-business elective courses. By carefully selecting these elective courses, students may develop a program of study that fits with their interests and career preparation needs. In order to maximize the benefits of their program, students are strongly encouraged to obtain industry experience and work closely with their assigned advisor in developing their program of study. The most recent version of the Real Estate curriculum guide is available in PDF format by following the link below:
PROGRAM INFORMATION
For more information on the MSU Real Estate Program contact:
Dr. Len Lin
Assistant Professor of Real Estate
College of Business
310-I McCool Hall, Box 9580
Mississippi State, MS 39762-9580
Tel: (662) 325-1997
Fax: (662) 325-1977
E-Mail: llin@cobilan.msstate.edu
