Is this template aligned with AACSB accreditation standards?

Yes. Learning objectives are mapped to AACSB 2020 Assurance of Learning standards. The template includes guidance on aligning course assessments with institutional learning goals for real estate programs.

What textbooks does this syllabus template pair with?

The topic sequence works with any standard real estate investment textbook including Geltner/Miller/Clayton/Eichholtz, Linneman/Kirsch, and Brueggeman/Fisher. We also provide a mapping for Blended Teaching's video textbook.

Can I adapt this for online or hybrid course delivery?

Yes. We offer format-specific variants for in-person, synchronous online, asynchronous online, and hybrid delivery. Each includes delivery-specific guidance for assessment integrity and student engagement.

What real estate investment topics are covered in the course schedule?

The 16-week schedule covers: real estate value drivers, RE economics, RE law, the investment industry, advanced TVM, appraisal evolution and methods, commercial RE investing, financing with debt, advanced investment analysis, investment decision-making, REITs, RE development, and sustainability strategy.

How do I customize the learning objectives for my institution?

Each learning objective is tagged with its Bloom's taxonomy level. You can adjust the verb and scope to match your department's specific AACSB learning goals while maintaining alignment with the cognitive level.

Does this template cover both commercial and residential real estate?

The primary focus is commercial real estate investment analysis, including office, retail, industrial, and multifamily. Residential topics are addressed through the REIT and development modules. The framework can be adapted if your course emphasizes residential investment.

My institution calls this course something different. Will this still work?

Yes. This template covers the standard real estate investment curriculum whether your institution calls it Real Estate Investment Analysis, Commercial Real Estate, RE Investment, Real Estate Portfolio Management, or Advanced Real Estate.

How much does this cost?

The syllabus template is completely free. No account required. Blended Teaching also offers a free video textbook platform for instructors if you're looking for course materials to pair with your syllabus.

In-PersonRE MajorsFree Download

Real Estate Investment Syllabus Template — In-Person, RE Majors

AACSB-aligned. Bloom's taxonomy mapped. A complete, customizable syllabus template you can adapt in an afternoon.

What's Inside the Template

Complete 16-week topic sequence with session-by-session breakdown

Learning outcomes mapped to Bloom's taxonomy and AACSB standards

Assessment calendar with suggested exam and assignment dates

Exam integrity strategy appropriate to your delivery format

Grading rubric framework with customizable weighting

Recommended textbooks and supplementary resources

Who This Template Is For

Real estate faculty designing a rigorous investment analysis course for the major

Instructors preparing students for careers in commercial real estate, development, or REIT analysis

Traditional classroom instructors looking for a ready-made RE investment course structure

Faculty interested in flipped classroom approaches with in-person case-based learning

Designed for In-Person Delivery

Balances lecture and active learning with a flipped classroom option. Includes in-class deal analysis exercises, case discussion frameworks using real properties, and a paper-based exam strategy for clean academic integrity.

What makes this variant different

Topic sequence deliberately scaffolds from fundamentals (value drivers, law, appraisal) through advanced analysis (leverage, DCF, REIT valuation) to capstone application (development feasibility, ESG). Every week builds prerequisite skills for real-world investment decision-making.

16-Week Topic Schedule

Whether your institution calls it Real Estate Investment, Real Estate Investment Analysis, Commercial Real Estate, RE Investment, Real Estate Portfolio Management, or any of the 6+ common names for this course — this schedule covers the standard curriculum.

Week 1

Real Estate Value Drivers

Location, physical characteristics, legal rights, and economic factors that determine property value

Week 2

Real Estate Economics

Supply and demand in real estate markets, market cycles, absorption rates, and vacancy dynamics

Week 3

Real Estate Law

Property rights, title and deed, zoning, land use regulation, and environmental compliance

Week 4

The Investment Industry

Institutional investors, private equity, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and market structure

Week 5

Advanced Time Value of Money

Uneven cash flows, IRR, modified IRR, multi-period DCF modeling for real estate

Week 6

Evolution of Appraisal

History and purpose of appraisal, regulatory framework, USPAP standards, and professional practice

Week 7

Appraisal Methods

Sales comparison, cost approach, income capitalization, direct cap vs. DCF valuation

Week 8

Midterm Review & Exam

Comprehensive review of weeks 1-7 covering fundamentals, valuation, and appraisal

Week 9

Investing in Commercial Real Estate

NOI, cap rates, property-level cash flows, lease analysis, and operating expense recovery

Week 10

Financing Investments with Debt

Leverage, LTV, DSCR, debt yield, loan structures, and the effect of financing on equity returns

Week 11

Advanced Investment Analysis

Before-tax and after-tax cash flows, partitioning IRR, sensitivity analysis, and risk-adjusted returns

Week 12

Making Investment Decisions

Go/no-go frameworks, due diligence, highest and best use, and portfolio-level allocation

Week 13

Investing in REITs

REIT structure, FFO, AFFO, NAV analysis, public vs. private REIT strategies, and REIT valuation

Week 14

Real Estate Development

Development feasibility, pro forma construction, residual land value, and risk in development

Week 15

Sustainability Strategy & Initiatives

ESG criteria in real estate, green building certifications, energy performance, and impact on value

Week 16

Final Review & Exam

Comprehensive review of all course material with emphasis on investment decision-making

Sample Learning Objectives — Bloom's Taxonomy Aligned

RememberDefine key real estate investment terms including NOI, cap rate, DSCR, FFO, IRR, and highest and best use

UnderstandExplain how leverage affects equity returns and the relationship between LTV, debt service coverage, and investment risk

ApplyCalculate net operating income, capitalization rates, and property-level cash flows for a commercial real estate asset

ApplyPerform discounted cash flow analysis to estimate the present value of a multi-year real estate investment

AnalyzeEvaluate the risk-return tradeoff of leveraged vs. unleveraged real estate investment positions

AnalyzeCompare REIT valuation approaches including FFO multiples, NAV analysis, and dividend discount models

EvaluateAssess the financial feasibility of a proposed real estate development using pro forma cash flow projections and residual land value analysis

EvaluateDetermine whether an investment meets return thresholds using IRR, equity multiple, and cash-on-cash yield criteria

CreateConstruct a complete investment pro forma for a commercial property including acquisition, operating, and disposition cash flows

CreateBuild an ESG-integrated investment analysis that incorporates sustainability metrics into the financial decision-making framework

AACSB Alignment Guide

AACSB-accredited business schools are required to demonstrate Assurance of Learning (AoL) — evidence that students achieve the learning goals established by the program. For finance courses, this typically means mapping individual course learning objectives to broader program-level goals.

This template includes learning objectives pre-mapped to the most common AACSB learning goal categories: analytical thinking, ethical reasoning, application of knowledge, and communication. Each objective is tagged with its Bloom's taxonomy level, making it straightforward to demonstrate that your course assessments align with your institution's AoL requirements.

The 2020 AACSB standards emphasize competency-based learning and continuous improvement. This template supports both by providing measurable, action-verb objectives that can be directly assessed through the included assessment calendar.

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