A Bachelor of Business in Real Estate (BBRE), a new undergraduate degree designed to create a standard of education for the real estate industry, has been approved by the UBC Senate.
The part-time degree program, to be offered through the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration's Real Estate Division, will focus on contemporary real estate topics.
"This is not a degree that teaches someone how to sell a house," says Derek Atkins, acting dean, Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration. "It's a degree directed at executives in large corporations who deal with major property transactions, such as Colliers MacCaulay Nicolls, Inc. and government departments such as Public Works Canada."
The need for the program was identified by the real estate industry says Robert Laing, executive director of Professional Programs for the faculty.
Laing says the Real Estate Institute of British Columbia has been the driving force behind the initiative with significant funding from the Real Estate Foundation of B.C. The curriculum has been developed in consultation with the real estate industry to ensure it meets accreditation requirements.
Course topics range from property law, management and development to investment analysis and appraisal, building construction,business ethics and urban studies.
Courses will be delivered by distance education, primarily print-based together with Internet delivery.
"This will allow industry professionals to continue their careers while simultaneously advancing their formal education beyond the diploma level," says Laing. "It will prepare them to meet the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly complex and dynamic industry."
UBC's Real Estate Division will deliver the real estate courses and several of the business courses. The Open University will deliver the general education and other business courses required.
To be eligible, students must have completed the diploma in Urban Land Economics plus additional real estate, general education and business courses.
The program is expected to begin in September, pending final approvals from the Open University and the provincial government. Applications will not be accepted until approval is given.
For more information, including admission requirements, call Graham McIntosh, manager of External Programs, Real Estate Division, at 604-822-8255.