Program Overview

Curriculum

2007 USC Ross Minority Program Graduates The Ross Program offers an integrated, practical curriculum that focuses on a wide range of issues associated with real estate finance and development. The sessions are fast paced and incorporate various teaching methods, such as lectures, field trips, panel discussions, case studies and group projects. The highlight of the program is group-orientated feasibility study that offers the student the opportunity to apply and integrate all the materials learned into a challenging 'real world' project. When not in class, students attend speaker panels and events that address urban development topics.

 

Course Description

USC Ross Minority Program StudentsCore Lectures

Real Estate and the Macro-Economy
This session introduces students to the linkages between real estate and the broader economy. It highlights key metrics of economic performance and discusses the role of important policy makers such as the Federal Reserve. ¬

Industry Structure and the Development Process
Students are provided with the principles and concepts of real estate development. This lecture provides an overview of the real estate development process including deal structuring, identifying and analyzing risks and rewards, and joint ventures.

Finance I: Fundamentals
This section provides exposure to the general concepts of finance such as time value of money, net present value, and internal rate of return. It is designed to provide an introduction to valuation and risk management as well as to capital markets and financial institutions.

Finance II: Finance of Real Estate Development:
These sessions continue to acquaint students with important fundamentals and methods in real estate finance and development. Topics covered include investment analysis and valuation, leases and corporate real estate, and the finance of real estate development and distressed real estate. Analysis of income producing property is covered.

Finance III: Financial Modeling
Students are trained in quantitative problem solving and decision-making using computerized modeling. Specific topics include absorption and lease-up, revenues and cost projections; complex debt and equity financing, modeling of land development, home building, and mixed-use projects.

Finance IV: Highest and Best Use Analysis
Students continue to refine their valuation skills and learn to apply these in making decisions about the highest and best use of a land parcel. In this process, students learn to reconcile varying value indicators and how to interpret present income streams and future projections.

Specialty Topics

Through lectures and panels focusing on specialty topics, students are exposed to the broad range of skills, product types, and tools that a successful developer needs. These sessions feature experienced industry practitioners who draw from their many years of working on development projects to offer insights and guidance./p>

Specialty topic sessions include:

  • Construction Costs
  • The Approval Process
  • Presentation & Communication
  • Affordable Housing
  • Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning
  • Architecture Design Charrette
  • Entities