Opus College of Business

Centers & Institutes

The Commercial Real Estate Specialist Program

This program will not be offered in 2009.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list for future offerings of this program, please send your name, mailing address, email address and phone number to realestate@stthomas.edu. 

The Commercial Real Estate Specialist Program (CRESP) enhances the career development of individuals from groups (African American, Latino, Native American and other under-represented groups) that are disproportionately absent from employment in the commercial/investment real estate industry.

All program participants receive full (100%) scholarships from the Shenehon Center for Real Estate in the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas. CRESP coursework is comprised of a 25-session commercial/investment real estate curriculum.  Each session meets from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the Minneapolis Campus.   

Topics include:

  • Investment Real Estate Sales and Leasing
  • Property and Asset Management
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Management
  • Real Estate Development and Re-Development
  • Real Estate and Appraisal

Instructors for this program are leading industry experts and University of St. Thomas faculty.

What You Will Learn

  • Economics of Real Estate
  • Understanding Real Estate as a Physical Asset
  • The Legal Environment of Investment Real Estate
  • Leasing and Property Management
  • Overview of Real Estate Asset Management
  • Feasibility and Pro Formas
  • Evaluating and Negotiating Leases
  • Foundations of Effective Leasing Strategies
  • Finance and Accounting for Managerial Decision Making
  • Evaluating Financial Statements
  • Foundations of Real Estate Investment Analysis I
  • Foundations of Real Estate Investment Analysis II
  • Leasing and Lease versus Buy Analysis
  • Real Estate and Valuation
  • Financing Real Estate Assets
  • Multi-Family Investment and Real Estate Brokerage
  • Office Building Sales and Leasing
  • Due Diligence in Investment Real Estate Brokerage
  • Retail Real Estate Sales and Leasing
  • Project Management I:  Design and Implementation of Projects
  • Project Management II:  Construction and Occupancy
  • Real Estate Planning and Analysis
  • Marketing

CRESP Sponsorships

CRESP is a result of effective partnerships among the commercial/investment industry, the community and the University of St. Thomas. The Shenehon Center for Real Estate is the primary sponsor of CRESP. The program is supervised by Dr. Thomas A. Musil, the center director.

The Shenehon Center for Real Estate

The Shenehon Center for Real Estate provides certification, professional development, and continuing education programs in a variety of specialized areas of investment, commercial, industrial, and corporate real estate. The Center serves as a resource to the real estate industry and the community by engaging in research to advance the public interest in real estate issues and by providing the highest quality professional education.

Program Admission and Application

Students admitted to the program receive a full scholarship. Students are selected for the program based on professional experience, education and the statement of purpose submitted with the program application.

Real Estate Career Development and Networking Opportunities

CRESP participants will have excellent career and employment networking opportunities. Executives from leading firms participate in the program as instructors, guest speakers, and advisors.

For additional information, contact us by email at realestate@stthomas.edu.