Real Estate
School of Business
The Bachelor of Science in Real Estate is well-suited to prepare its graduates for careers in the public and private sectors and in specialties like land development, brokerage, valuation and investment counseling, site analysis and selection, real property management, mortgage lending, bank trust and corporate real estate departments. Additionally, the major prepares its alumni for graduate-level study of real estate, economics and finance.
Students participate in an experiential learning activity called UrbanPlan wherein they respond to a request for proposal to redevelop an urban community.
Upper-level REAL opportunities are available through FIRE 492 and FIRE 493.
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 interested in changing their major to the School of Business should first review the available programs offered. Click here for a list of available programs. Then, a student must attend a School of Business-Change of Major Session. You can view the available change of major sessions by clicking here. Please note, in order for a student to be eligible to attend a change of major session, a student must (a) earned a “C” or higher in one of the following courses: MATH 129 or MATH 139 or MATH 141 or MATH 151 or MATH 200 or BUSN 212 or (b) have an active math placement score.
- Account Manager
- Broker
- Investment Analyst
- Leasing Agent
- Mortgage Loan Officer
- Project Coordinator
- Property Manager
- Real Estate Analyst
- Real Estate Appraiser
- Real Estate Asset Manager
- Attorney
- Investment Manager
- Real Estate Developer
- Urban and Regional Planner
- MATH 200 or BUSN 212
- Natural Sciences requirement only
- No
- Yes
- 2.0+ cumulative GPA to graduate, 2.0+ major GPA to graduate.
Contact information
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to start goal planning, and choose electives.
- Sharpen your study skills in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) at the Campus Learning Center.
- Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
- Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
- Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
- Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
- Take 15 credits per semester and maintain a 2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare your major in 2 years and graduate in 4 years.
- Take BUSN 201: Foundations of Business to explore fundamental business environments, functions, and practices.
- Take the math placement assessment and register for math classes each semester until you complete calculus (MATH 200 or BUSN 212).
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations (BSPS Student club, Chemistry, etc.)
- Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore student organizations and get involved, meet people, and develop your interests.
- Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
- Consider applying to the Honors College.
- Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living-learning community.
- Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs and review resources such as Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets and Rams Abroad 101 to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones.
- Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
- Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
- Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services.
- Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage.
- Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app.
- Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
- Sign up for Industry Talks webinars.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Explore What Can I Do With This Major? to learn about career paths, employers, and strategies for building experience related to your field of study.
- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
- Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
- Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
- Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
- Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
- Be prepared for a challenging year of accounting, economics, and math classes by attending free tutoring sessions at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
- Earn grades of C or higher in your FIRE courses to stay on track.
- Take BUSN 301: Career and Professional Development and BUSN 325: Business Communications to help prepare you for career readiness and build your communication skills with confidence and professionalism.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
- Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
- Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
- Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Register for the VCU Globe Program and begin tracking your global leadership growth!
- Join the Real Estate Club business student org to get connected and stay current with the industry.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
- Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
- Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake.
- Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
- Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
- Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
- Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
- Apply for real estate scholarships.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
- Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
- Meet with Robert Taylor, Executive Director of the Kornblau Real Estate Program, to discuss major electives and career goals.
- Must take FIRE 325 in the spring.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Design a community-engaged research project.
- Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
- Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
- Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
- Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
- Update your ePortfolio.
- Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
- Complete practice Interviews with a career coach in Business Career Services ahead of your internship interviews.
- Consider seeking out leadership positions in your business student organization to gain experience and build transferable skills for your resume.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center.
- Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
- Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
- Research the professional licensure you’ll need in your career and apply for real estate scholarships to fund your exam prep.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
- Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree.
- Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
- Apply all that you've learned in your major by acing MGMT 434 and BUSN 499 in your final semester.
- Must take FIRE 425 and FIRE 435 in the fall in order to take FIRE 445 in the spring.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
- Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
- Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Consider Peace Corps Prep, or scholarship opportunities through the National Scholarship Office.
- Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
- Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps.
- Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
- Pursue Bloomberg Certification.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
- Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
- Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
- Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey.
- Continue attending local professional organizational meetings.
- Update your business resume to include new experiences you have gained and skills you have developed and meet with a Career Coach in Business Career Services.
Real Estate
School of Business
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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| Excel | Year 4 |
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