Real Estate
School of Business
The major in real estate prepares students for the graduate-level study of real estate, economics and finance, as well as careers in land development, brokerage, valuation and investment counseling, site analysis and selection, real property management, mortgage lending, and bank trust and corporate real estate departments, in addition to other real estate-related careers in the public and private sectors.
The Kornblau Real Estate Program at VCU helps students gain a solid understanding of the disciplines, skills and ethics required in today's real estate profession. We can help you define your ideal career path through site visits to real estate developments and one-on-one access to industry mentors. And we continue to support our graduates as they seek licenses and professional designations. Our programs prepare you for careers in mortgage lending, development, investments, brokerage and sales, valuation and property management.
Students are eligible for admission into the advanced business program with a major in the School of Business upon meeting the minimum cumulative GPA requirement and successful completion of the Business Foundation coursework, as outlined here: http://bulletin.vcu.edu/undergraduate/business/undergraduate-information/shared-curriculum/
- Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
- Bureau Managers for Public owned property
- Inspector Government Property
- Loan Officer- Residential and Commercial
- Property Manager
- Real Estate Broker
- Sales Agent
- Attorney
- Investment Manager
- Real Estate Developer
- Urban & Regional Planner
- MATH 200
- SCMA 302
- Core only
- No
- Yes
- 2.5 to declare, 2.0 to graduate
Contact information
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and to discuss tutoring, electives, & degree progression.
- Take a tour to learn about library spaces, services, & how to get research help.
- Map out a 4-year course plan in Degree Works' Student Educational Planner.
- Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.
- Take Math Placement; register for math classes each semester through SCMA 302.
- Earn at least a 2.5 semester GPA and 15 credits a semester to declare your major at the end of year 2 & graduate in 4 years.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Apply to join the Honors College.
- Get involved and meet new friends through VCU Student Government or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations.
- Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
- Apply to live in one of VCU's four Living-Learning Programs.
- Attend two or three School of Business events.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101 online to learn about study abroad options.
- Review the OMSA website. Follow them on social media for events, resources & other ways to engage.
- Consider Peace Corps Prep through VCU Globe to expand skills in global leadership and intercultural communication.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore study abroad and national scholarship opportunities.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
- Consider applying for a federal work-study (FWS) job on- or off-campus through Handshake.
- Create a draft resume and have it reviewed by VCU Career Services, Business Career Services, or Engineering Career Services, depending on your course of study.
- Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation with the da Vinci Center.
- Plan to complete at least 2 internships before the start of your 4th year.
- Take Winning Presentations to develop the public speaking and communication skills employers want.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
- Build a LinkedIn profile, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.
- Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams.
- Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Ask questions about how to use the library.
- Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
- Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
- Make sure to take INFO 165 and FIRE 305.
- Be prepared for a challenging year of ACCT, ECON and math classes. Use tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests.
- Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue (Hands on Greater Richmond).
- Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break.
- Join related student organizations such as Rho Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Gamma, or CREW.
- Learn more about VCU’s Student Leadership and Civic Engagement Center.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities.
- Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
- Join a cultural or identity-related organization.
- Investigate spending a summer abroad with the International Consulting Program.
- Participate in VCU Arts Qatar Day and apply for the Qatar Leadership Exchange.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
- Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building.
- Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections.
- Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events.
- Attend the Real Estate Trends Conference.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
- Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
- Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
- Participate in Explore Informational Interviews and Connect Mentoring Program.
- Apply for Real Estate scholarships.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
- Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
- Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides.
- Take FIRE 311, 312, and 325 (Spring only).
- Earn a minimum grade of C in FIRE 305, 311, 325, 425, 435 and 445, and a min GPA of 2.0 in real estate major electives.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Create a community-engaged research project.
- Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
- Research social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility.
- Become a tutor in the Campus Learning Center.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
- Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
- Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
- Experience VCU’s richness of diversity by attending VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
- Update your ePortfolio.
- Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
- Mentor a new student at the Real Estate Trends Conference.
- Network in the Real Estate Circle of Excellence and the Association of Real Estate Alumni.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Talk to advisors, faculty, and Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
- Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines. Study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year.
- Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
- Have your resume reviewed by Business Career Services.
- Research professional certifications needed for your field.
- Apply for Real Estate scholarships.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
- Take FIRE 425 and FIRE 435 in fall, FIRE 445 in spring.
- Talk with Robert Taylor about which electives are best for your career goals.
- Complete the BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam.
- Take MGMT 434 in your final semester.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Serve in a leadership role on campus or as a board member of a local community organization.
- Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation through programs like Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
- Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships (see professional organizations listed above).
- Consider jobs in the nonprofit sector, B Corps, or SCRs.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
- Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
- Complete an internship during your senior year at an employer where you'd like to work.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, professionals).
- Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio.
- Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences.
- Attend the Real Estate Trends Conference.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation.
- Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR, which prepares graduates from a variety of majors to become effective teachers in high-need schools.
- Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview with your Career Services office.
- Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate.
Real Estate
School of Business
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explore | Year 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Experience | Year 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Year 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excel | Year 4 |
|
|
|
|
|