Spears Business launches real estate and property management undergraduate degree program
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Media Contact: Stephen Howard | Manager of Communications | 405-744-4363 | stephen.howard@okstate.edu
Three academic units in the Spears School of Business are working together to administer a new undergraduate degree program beginning this spring 2025 semester.
Oklahoma State University business students can now major in real estate and property management. This Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree is jointly offered through OSU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Department of Finance and Department of Economics, allowing students to develop well-rounded skill sets that prepare them to succeed as real estate professionals. Aligning with Spears Business curriculum, the program is also well-suited for complementing another degree program as a double major.
The program’s roots trace back to 2021, when Spears Business introduced an undergraduate certificate in property and real estate management thanks to financial, professional and advisory support from Weidner Property Management LLC. The certificate quickly gained popularity among students, and Spears Business expanded it into a full bachelor’s degree.
“With the success of our undergraduate certificate in property management, we decided to scale up in developing the undergraduate degree in real estate and property management through the collaborative effort of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the Department of Finance and the Department of Economics,” said Dr. Jim Payne, dean of Spears Business. “I believe the undergraduate program will be the first of its kind in the state of Oklahoma, and will be a welcomed addition to the portfolio of degree programs offered at the Spears School of Business.”
The interdisciplinary degree program constitutes a total of 120 credit hours with flexibility to take elective courses from any field in Spears Business. Required major courses focus on topics to foster knowledge and skills needed to develop, manage and maintain real estate properties and assets in residential, commercial, industrial and other business segments. Soft skills are also accentuated to ensure effective communication, conflict resolution and customer experience and relationship management.
Graduates with education and skill sets in these areas are in high demand, as industry trends and data show employment growth. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 4% increase in employment in the real estate and rental and leasing industry from 2023-33, and job prospects are robust in the U.S. region encompassing Oklahoma and Texas.
Similar programs are not widely offered at major academic institutions in the United States, allowing Spears Business to differentiate itself as a leader in academic innovation. This is the only bachelor’s degree program in this discipline in the state of Oklahoma and offers immense opportunities for students.
Undergraduate students can contact their academic advisors to enroll in the newly launched real estate and property management degree program. Visit the degree webpage to learn more.
The undergraduate certificate in property and real estate management also remains available to students of all majors within Spears Business and other majors across OSU.