The Collat School of Business has launched new opportunities for business students to excel in real estate.
Beginning this semester, students across all business majors interested in real estate can serve their community, advance their real estate education, network with working professionals and be eligible for a real estate scholarship.
Students who like to learn through experience and give back to their community will be interested in the HomeFirst service-learning initiative. Supported by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), HomeFirst enables students to provide virtual counseling to homebuyers across rural Alabama.
The program teaches students how to provide financial coaching, individualized support and program referrals to low-income individuals and families seeking first-time homeownership. They gain real-world real estate experience while creating tangible change in their communities.
Students gain real estate knowledge in several Collat courses that also give them a leg up on the Alabama Real Estate Licensing Exam.
UAB students enrolled in real estate classes can now bypass the need for extracurricular education needed for exam eligibility, enabling them to get their license faster. Eligibility requirements are met by taking two courses: FN 370 Principles of Real Estate and an additional real estate course of the student's choosing.
This past fall, Collat launched a new UAB Real Estate Society interest group to connect students interested in real estate with those already working in the profession. The interest group held an inaugural event fall semester and will host (virtual) networking events for students and speakers throughout the year. Many Collat alumni have been successful in the field and are eager to share their lessons learned with current students. The group plans to become an officially registered student organization this year.
Collat students also are able to earn scholarships from a prestigious honor society.
Alpha Sigma Gamma is an international real estate honorary society sponsored by the American Real Estate Society. UAB Real Estate Society faculty advisor and finance professor Dr. Stephanie Yates serves as the national president. High-achieving students who become members are eligible to win a $500 merit-based scholarship
Collat finance senior John Mark Boozer says the school's new real estate programming and resources have helped him gain experience and launch his career in the field.
"I have been provided wonderful opportunities that have allowed me to learn more about the real estate field and meet professionals," says Boozer. "These opportunities have helped me secure a full-time internship at Retail Strategies in Birmingham."
UAB's location in Birmingham has been a tremendous asset as he pursues real estate opportunities, he says.
"Being able to study and pursue a real estate career right in the business center of Alabama has been a great experience," says Boozer. "No other school is poised to offer a student an easy and seamless transition from college to the real-world here in Birmingham."
To learn more about the UAB Real Estate Society, contact John Mark Boozer at