College of Charleston School of Business offers South Carolina’s first commercial real estate finance degree
August 30, 2017
This fall, the College of Charleston School of Business’ list of majors hit double digits with the addition of a bachelor’s degree in commercial real estate finance.
The major was developed to meet both student interest and market demand (30% of the United States macro economy comes from the commercial real estate industry).
For students inclined to pursue real estate law, commercial lending, valuation, development, investment banking, property and asset management, brokerage or similar fields — a commercial real estate major with a financial foundation is critical, says Elaine Worzala, professor of real estate and director of the Carter Real Estate Center in the School of Business.
“Majoring in commercial real estate finance might sound specialized,” says Worzala, “but our curriculum provides students with a well-rounded experience that not only includes real estate and finance but also investment, management, marketing, entrepreneurship, supply chain management, hospitality, planning, development, historic preservation, law and other courses in relevant, sought-after disciplines.”
The first of its kind for the state, and one of the only undergraduate finance-driven commercial real estate programs in the country, the major addresses a big need in the Lowcountry. Charleston’s growing population and tourism sector drive the desire for more retail, restaurant, office, hotel and other commercial spaces. And with large corporations such as Boeing, Bosch and Volvo flocking to the Holy City to set up shop, the demand for trained, talented commercial real estate brokers, asset managers, developers and lenders is nothing short of urgent.
A degree in commercial real estate finance from the School of Business prepares students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to tackle challenges and embrace endless opportunities in an exciting, competitive field.
The College of Charleston School of Business has more than 3,000 students enrolled in ready-to-work programs including nine undergraduate majors, 10 minors and six concentration areas, an Honors Program in Business, and master’s programs in business and accountancy. The School of Business is recognized among the top 30 colleges for studying business abroad by the Business Research Guide. It has several Centers of Excellence and initiatives that support specific industries, conduct research and help to strengthen ties with the global business community. The Centers and initiatives also advance the educational experience and understanding of business students in a variety of specialty areas, including real estate, entrepreneurship, global business, economics and tourism.
To learn more about the new major, visit go.cofc.edu/REAL.
