Graduate Advisor highlights MS Real Estate Program
The UTA College of Business offers a variety of graduate programs. Through these programs, students learn skills, network with future employers, and create opportunities to build their resumes.
Steve Isbell is our new Graduate Advisor for the Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) program. As a subject matter expert on the program, we sat down with him to learn about his background, job and benefits to pursuing and earning an MSRE degree. Here is our conversation:
Graduate program Advisor Steve Isbell poses for a photo in front of the UTA College of Business. (Photo by Jalen Larry)
1. Q: Can you explain the role of a Graduate Advisor?
A: The role is multi-faceted and encompasses everything from marketing the program to prospective candidates, guiding them through the application and enrollment processes, helping to tailor their education to custom fit their career goals and to maintain contact with them as they move through their careers.
2. Q: Can you explain your background?
A: I graduated from the program about 25 years ago. I was the vice president for a DFW development company before moving on and developing numerous properties myself. I originally came to UTA as a part-time instructor and I’m now a Senior Lecturer in addition to being the MSRE Advisor.
3. Q: What made you want to be a graduate advisor?
A: Two main things: My familiarity with the program, and the tremendous growth potential of real estate careers right here in DFW. At UTA, we certainly are in middle of it, both literally and figuratively!
4. Q: Which program do you advise? Can you explain the program?
A: I’m the advisor for the Master of Science in Real Estate program. The program focuses on preparing the students for high-level positions in commercial real estate such as development, investment, appraisal, finance and even city and regional planning.
5. Q: What will students learn progressing through the program?
A: The program focuses on real estate processes and valuation. Students will become familiar with appraisal, finance, or lending, development, and planning. Additionally, investment analysis plays a role in many of the core courses.
6. Q: What makes your program stand out from the crowd? What can you get here that you can’t get anywhere else?
A: UTA’s location, with many of the classes being held at the Fort Worth campus, is well-suited for industry connections in the Metroplex in general. Many our instructors are not only educated in real estate, but also have real world experience and contacts in the DFW real estate market. For instance, our development course is very outwardly-focused and includes field trips to local mixed-use developments as well as meeting with economic developers in local cities.
7. Q: What are some outcomes of the program you advise?
A: Seeing a student take the initiative to begin the program and to then move on to a professional career in real estate would be a wonderful outcome. Success looks different for everyone and as an advisor I can help them build the foundation that leads them towards their own version of success. At the end of the day, I’d like to see students who have benefited from the program as much as I have, both professionally and personally.
8. Q: What do you like most about being a graduate program advisor?
A: So far, I’m most excited about helping the students move forward in their careers and their professional lives.
9. Q: What advice would you give a prospective student who’s on the fence about pursuing a graduate degree/your program?
A: Weigh the pros and cons, ask lots of questions, and decide if this program and the way we can fine tune it can help you reach your career goals. If so, we’re here to help all along the way.
10. Q: How can a graduate degree open doors and benefit students?
A: A graduate degree raises the bar, and in the case of the MSRE, it sets the students apart as being capable, and potentially an expert, in many aspects of commercial real estate.
11. Q: What is your vision for the future of the program?
A: I’d like to see the program develop a reputation as a well-recognized source of capable and knowledgeable real estate leaders in the Metroplex and abroad.
For more information about the MSRE program, visit our website here, or email msre@uta.edu.