Belk College to offer graduate certificate in real estate

UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business will offer a graduate certificate in real estate finance and development beginning in January 2007.

The program is for individuals who have already earned a graduate degree (either master’s or law) who wish to pursue advanced study in real estate finance and real estate development.

Students will take one master’s-level course in financial management and four elective courses on topics including real estate finance, development, real estate capital markets and site feasibility analysis.

Prospective students must submit a UNC Charlotte Graduate school application for admission; transcripts confirming the awarding of the masters or law degree; and an application fee. Students are not required to take the GMAT or submit letters of recommendation. A minimum of six years of business-related experience is strongly preferred.

The Belk College has offered a concentration in real estate finance and development through the M.B.A. program for several years. “The certificate program allows a professional who has already earned a masters or law degree to gain in-depth knowledge of real estate,” said Steven Ott, the John Crosland Sr. professor of real estate and director of the Center for Real Estate at UNC Charlotte. “This will be an attractive option to people wishing to change careers or to advance within the industry.”

Admissions information is available online at www.belkcollege.charlotte.edu/real_estate/ or by contacting Dr. Ott at shott@email.uncc.edu.