Once “hired” by a client, students in Directed Research initiate contacts, arrange meetings, prepare agendas, conduct online and in-person research, and prepare a draft report with an executive summary, detailed citations for reference, and an appendix for support and further information. Much of the research is industry based, conducted through interviews and site visits with project team members and other practitioners. In-person research is initiated by each student and builds confidence as well as long-term relationships through working with senior professionals.
This practice-based approach prepares students to conduct independent research on real estate-related topics such as market studies, project finance and management, development team structure, legal and corporate issues, life cycle costing, sustainable design, public policy, and asset management. We also expect them to understand and integrate key topics they learned elsewhere MSRED curriculum. When our graduates leave the program they enter the job market armed with a real project to reference in interviews, and a practitioner to use as a job reference.
This piece was written by erry Paul Calhoun, Director of Media Relations & Publications at SCUP.