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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

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Real Estate - Coopersmith Career Consulting

Descriptions and credit recommendations for all evaluated learning experiences

Length:

 Varies; self-study; self-paced. 

Dates:

November 2025 - Present. 

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: differentiate the responsibilities of a professional property manager, including their role as the owner's fiduciary in maximizing real estate value, and classify various types of property (residential, commercial, industrial, specialized); construct a comprehensive management plan based on rigorous market analysis (assessing supply, demand, and competition) and formulate a marketing plan that uses appropriate advertising and personal selling activities to optimize property occupancy; establish and staff a management office, define key policy and procedures, and prepare essential financial reports (including for tax purposes and Apartment Operating Reports) to determine property profitability and management fees; analyze the owner's objectives and define the core elements of a clear management contract, including the takeover procedures and strategies for maintaining positive, long-term owner-manager relationships; distinguish between reactive and proactive (preventative) maintenance, implement basic maintenance procedures and manage construction activities, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and prioritizing energy efficiency; define the necessity of a capital expenditure (CapEx) plan and strategically allocate resources for major system replacements and asset enhancements (like HVAC or cosmetic upgrades) to maximize a property's Net Operating Income (NOI) and asset valuation; and analyze common risk management issues, including those related to vendor compliance, life safety, and hazardous substances, and propose appropriate insurance 5 hazard control strategies to protect both the property and the occupants.

Instruction:

Principles of Property Management provides a comprehensive overview of the property management industry including as it related to residential, multi-family and commercial properties, including interactions between owners, tenants, and property managers as well as associated business and tax implications.

Credit recommendation:

In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Business Administration, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, or Business Management (11/25).

Length:

Varies; self-study; self-paced. 

Dates:

November 2025 - Present. 

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: evaluate fundamental legal concepts (e.g., property rights, title assurance) and the structure of financial instruments (e.g., promissory notes, mortgages, deeds of trust) to mitigate risk in real estate transactions; apply Time Value of Money (TVM) principles—including Present Value and Future Value calculations—to accurately determine loan balances, monthly payments, and total interest paid for various mortgage types; compare and contrast the risk-return profiles of fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, and floating-rate mortgages and apply residential underwriting criteria (LTV, DTI, creditworthiness) to financing decisions; analyze the drivers of income for commercial properties, including the role of leases (e.g., Gross, Net) and the influence of the market for space (vacancy, absorption rate) on a property’s Net Operating Income (NOI); use the income capitalization approach and the sales comparison approach to estimate the market value of properties and apply financial metrics like the Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate) and Cash-on-Cash Return to evaluate investment feasibility; assess, quantify, and propose strategies to manage key real estate risks, including market risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and financial leverage risk, in various investment scenarios; and analyze specialized financing structures for corporate real estate, project development, and land development and understand the strategic financial impact of transactions like sale-leasebacks.

Instruction:

Real Estate Finance and Investment (BUS-422) teaches the role of the real estate profession in the United States today and shows the fundamentals that drive real estate markets, economically speaking. Other topics include the role of the investor in real estate covering the tools of tax, law, accounting and the mathematics of real estate as applied to real estate investments. 

Credit recommendation:

 In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, or Management degrees (11/25).

Length:

Varies; self-study; self-paced.

Dates:

November 2025 - Present. 

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: explain the interaction of space, time, and asset markets and their combined impact on real estate value and investment performance; apply discounted cash flow (DCF) and net present value (NPV) models to estimate the value and return of income-producing properties; analyze the role of debt and equity financing in real estate investments and determine the optimal capital structure using cost of capital concepts; evaluate the four-quadrant model of real estate investment (public/private, equity/debt) to identify risk-return tradeoffs across asset classes; and interpret how property rights, government regulations, and externalities influence investment outcomes and market efficiency.

Instruction:

Real Estate Investment Analysis introduces students to the analytical frameworks, financial models, and market mechanisms that shape real estate investment decisions. This course explores how space, time, and asset markets interact to influence property valuation, investment risk, and capital structure. Other topics include flow (DCF) models, real options analysis, and the real estate quadrant framework to assess property performance, optimize financing through debt and equity, and evaluate investment portfolios. Emphasis is placed on understanding property rights, externalities, and government regulation as key drivers of market outcomes and asset value.

Credit recommendation:

In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, Financial Management, or Labor Relations degree programs (11/25).

Length:

Varies; self-study; self-paced.

Dates:

November 2025 - Present. 

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: summarize the fundamental concepts, characteristics, and economic importance of real estate in both domestic and global markets; interpret the legal foundations of real estate, including property rights, ownership types, and methods of conveyance; analyze the impact of government controls, zoning laws, and taxation policies on real estate markets and property values; apply principles of market analysis and urban economics to evaluate market determinants of value and real estate investment opportunities; distinguish between and apply the three major real estate valuation approaches: sales comparison, cost, and income methods; explain the structure and function of the residential mortgage market, including different loan types, borrower decisions, and financing instruments; evaluate the role of financial institutions, mortgage-backed securities, and government-sponsored entities in the housing finance system; and describe the professional roles, licensing requirements, and ethical responsibilities of real estate brokers and agents.

Instruction:

Real Estate Principles introduces students to the fundamental concepts, legal frameworks, and market dynamics of real estate. This comprehensive course examines the nature of real estate and real estate markets, the legal foundations that influence property rights and value, and the role of government regulations in shaping property use and development. Topics include valuation techniques including the sales comparison, cost, and income approaches, as well as the financial instruments and institutions that support mortgage markets. Emphasis is placed on market analysis, forecasting, brokerage practices, contracts, and the closing process.

Credit recommendation:

In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Business Administration or Real Estate (11/25).

Length:

Varies; self-study; self-paced. 

Dates:

November 2025 - Present. 

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: explain the legal foundations governing property ownership, transfer, and use; analyze the conveyancing process and identify the professional responsibilities of parties involved in real estate transactions; interpret and apply the principles of real estate contract law, including risk allocation, equitable conversion, and fraud prevention; evaluate different types of deeds and their implications for ownership rights and title assurance; describe the role of recording acts, title searches, and title insurance in protecting property interests; assess the impact of government regulations, liens, and financing mechanisms on real estate markets; conduct a basic title search and prepare a chain of title using property records; and compare and contrast foreclosure procedures and borrower protections under different legal systems.

Instruction:

Real Estate Transaction and Property examines the legal, financial, and procedural frameworks that govern real estate ownership, transfer, and development in the United States. Topics include conveyancing, contracts, deeds, title systems, financing, and foreclosure processes while developing an understanding of how laws and regulations shape property rights and market behavior. Emphasis is placed on practical application through title research, document analysis, and ethical considerations. The course prepares students to evaluate legal documents, assess risk, and apply legal reasoning to real-world real estate transactions.

Credit recommendation:

In the upper division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Business Administration or Entrepreneurship (11/25).

Length:

Varies; self-study; self-paced. 

Dates:

November 2025 - Present. 

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: apply the principles of USPAP and describe the roles, licensing, and ethical duties of a professional real estate appraiser; execute essential mathematical and statistical calculations, including area/volume formulas and basic statistical analysis for sales data; distinguish between real estate, property rights, and various ownership interests (e.g., freehold, co-ownership, condominiums); describe and apply the systematic eight-step appraisal process, from defining the problem to reconciling values; calculate value by the Cost Approach, distinguishing between reproduction cost and replacement cost, and accurately estimating all three forms of depreciation; estimate value using the Sales Comparison Approach by gathering market data, making appropriate adjustments, and utilizing a comparisons grid; calculate and use Net Operating Income (NOI), explain income ratio (e.g. Gross Income Multiplier), and apply Direct and Yield Capitalization methods to value income properties. 

Instruction:

Real Estate Valuation provides comprehensive instruction related to the valuation and appraisal techniques used for residential and income-producing properties, including the comparable sales approach, the cost approach, and the income approach.

Credit recommendation:

In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, Entrepreneurship, Financial Accounting, or Analytics (11/25).

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