Department of Real Estate

Robinson College of Business

Georgia State University

 

 September 21, 2005

 

Annual Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Report for the Real Estate Portion of the BBA Program

 with a Major in Real Estate Academic Year: 2004-2005

Master of Science Program in Real Estate

 

I. Assessment Procedures

III. Changes to Procedures or Curriculum Based on Assessment

II. Achievement of Departmental Student Learning Objectives

 

IV.Changes in Department’s Assessment Goals

 

 

The real estate portion of the BBA program with a major in Real Estate of the Robinson College of Business is assessed according to the attached Assessment Plan. 

 

During spring 2005, student learning data were collected from students in RE 4050 Real Estate Development, RE 4150 Real Estate Finance and RE 4160, Real Estate Property Analysis and Investments.  These courses were selected because they are required of all undergraduate majors in real estate.  They serve as the foundation of all other real estate courses.  As detailed in the Assessment Plan, some of these data were developed from embedded questions in the course final examination and some of the data comes from special projects required from students throughout the courses. Scores are calculated from 0 to 100 with 100 equal to “excellent” and less than 60 equal to “failed.”

 

Program Objective I 

 

To develop creative decision-making skills associated with the real estate industry.

 

Assessment Method: Performance on assignments in the real estate investment course. 

 

Expected Outcome I.1:  possess the ability to apply knowledge of real estate analytical tools and produce sound equity investment recommendations.

 

 

2005    Average Score: 79

2004    Average Score: 80

           

Analysis and Recommendations:  Overall, the change from year to year was flat and within acceptable range in both years.  Demand for the course (RE 4160) remains very strong and the student evaluations suggest that the students are satisfied with the course.

 

Expected Outcome I.2: fully familiar with available real estate financing products and be able to develop financing strategies for funding real estate projects.

 

2005    Average Score: 78

2004    Average Score: 79

 

Analysis and Recommendations:  Averages were flat from 2004 to 2005 and within acceptable range in both years.  Demand for the course (RE 4150) remains very strong and the student evaluations suggest that the students are satisfied with the course. The challenge in this area is for the faculty to keep up with the changing landscape of financial product offerings.

 

Expected Outcome I.3:  possess the ability to use knowledge of real estate development to layout efficient project development plans.  

 

2005    Average Score: 92

2004    Average Score: 84

 

Analysis and Recommendations:    Averages improved from 2004 to 2005 and remain within acceptable range in both years.  Demand for the course (RE 4050) remains very strong and the student evaluations suggest that the students are satisfied with the course. Development continues to be one of the favorite activities of students because of its “hands on” nature.

 

Program Objective II

 

To produce business communications in a competent fashion.

 

Assessment Method: Performance on various assignments in investments course.

 

Expected Outcome II: possess the ability to communicate real estate decisions and recommendations effectively.

 

2005    Average Score: 82

2004    Average Score: 82

           

Analysis and Recommendations:  Averages were flat from 2004 to 2005 and within acceptable range in both years.  The department embraced the notion of “writing across the curriculum” several years ago and we have seen substantial improvement in the quality of business communication among our students.

 

Target Goals for Future Assessment Outcomes

 

An average score of 75 indicates an outcome meeting program expectations and a program strength.  The long-term global target goal therefore is an average score of 75 for all expected outcomes.  Effort will be taken to improve those expected outcomes with current scores less than 75 and to maintain the level of expected outcomes with current scores at or above 75.  See “Analysis and Recommendations” discussions above. 

 

We are developing an undergraduate capstone course which will be utilized to enhance learning outcomes assessment.  

 

 

Assessment Plan for BBA Program with a Major in Real Estate

 

Mission Statement: The BBA real estate major is designed for individuals entering careers in the real estate industry.  It provides the student with the real estate knowledge and analytical skills necessary to support real property decisions in business environments as well as the requisite skills to effectively communicate them.  The primary objectives of the program are for students to develop 1) sufficient industry knowledge to support real estate decision making; 2) analytical skills leading to sound equity investment recommendations, value enhancing project funding strategies, effective project development plans; and 3) persuasive business communication skills. 

 

Program Objective

Expected Outcomes

Assessment Methods

To develop creative decision-making skills associated with the real estate industry.

The student should be able to apply knowledge of real estate analytical tools to produce sound equity investment recommendations. 

Performance on assignments in the real estate investment course. 

The student should be familiar with available real estate financing products and be able to develop financing strategies for funding real estate projects.

Performance on assignments in the finance and mortgage banking course. 

The student should be able to use knowledge of real estate development to layout efficient project development plans. 

Performance on assignments in the real estate development course. 

To develop business communication skills

The student should be able to communicate real estate decisions and recommendations effectively.   

Performance on writing assignments in writing intensive designated course.

 

Continuous Improvement: Data will be collected each year and will be reviewed during the fall semester by the Real Estate Department Assessment Committee and Real Estate Department Chair to inform the processes of 1) verifying consistency with the program objectives, 2) identifying program strengths and weaknesses, and 3) proposing necessary modifications to program, courses, and/or assessment methods.