Double Major and Minor Opportunities
Real estate majors must choose a double major, dual degree major or minor to add specialized knowledge to their academic program. Some examples are listed below, but this list is not inclusive of all possibilities. Students pursuing a double major must meet with an academic advisor from each program regularly to review their plan of study.
Double Major Opportunites
Sample Plan of Study
The Department of Accounting and Information Systems strives to provide a world class accounting and information systems education to our students. The accounting option is a leading edge accounting and auditing program to prepare students for careers in the preparation, reporting, audit, analysis and use of financial information. This program provides basic education for careers in professional services (CPA) firms, large and small corporations, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations. Graduates are prepared to earn the CPA, CMA and other professional accounting certification.
Students who double major in Real Estate and Accounting have the opportunity to serve in the accounting field within either the commercial or residential real estate industry. The business functions of any real estate firm require the expertise of accountants in order to run smoothly, as well as the development and packaging of complex real estate projects with financing. An in-depth understanding of accounting topics and methodologies will provide a tremendous benefit to any future real estate professional.
Sample careers: Accountants, Auditors, Chief Financial Officers, Consultants, Controllers, Financial Analyst, Tax Specialist
The Building Construction undergraduate program focuses on the business and process of making buildings, and the performance of buildings including operations, finance, energy, and sustainability. These degree options are meant to better equip construction industry professionals with the necessary tools for excellence in all phases of the built environment. The Building Construction degree incorporates science and efficiency at all levels; from planning, designing, estimating, procuring, scheduling, implementing and maintaining buildings necessary for the way our world will need to build, and live, in the future.
Students who double major in both Real Estate and Building Construction have the competitive advantage of pairing knowledge of the full real estate lifecycle with an expertise in creating buildings themselves. Both the residential and commercial development markets need professionals who can oversee projects from prospecting and land acquisition, through the entire building process and into the property management phases of land development projects. The double majors in Real Estate and Building Construction are able to utilize expertise, both in the classroom and internship/field experiences, to manage projects and any and all stages of the life cycle.
Sample careers: Project Engineer, Project Manager, Project Superintendent, Supply-Chain Manager, Project Scheduler, Project Estimator, General or Sub-Contractor, Building Information Modeling Coordinator, LEED Energy Certification Specialist, Home or Commercial Property Builder, Property Developer
The undergraduate program in Finance offers significant coursework in finance, analytics, modeling, and accounting, all of which are essential for success as a financial professional. Students learn the fundamental theory underlying the core areas of finance, the application of various theoretical models in financing decision-making, and analytical approaches for solving financial problems. The program maintains a strong focus on coursework that will help students apply their knowledge to realistic situations.
There are many financial opportunities in the real estate industry, particularly in asset management and market analysis. The Finance and Real Estate option (FREL) is for students who want to pursue a career in real estate finance. It satisfies the requirements for a first major in Finance and a second major in Real Estate for Commercial Properties without the necessity of taking any additional courses. However, students MUST manually declare the Real Estate major during the Change of Major process.
Sample careers: Investment Analyst, Financial Analyst, Commercial Loan Officer, Asset Manager, Credit Analyst, Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Analyst, Commercial Real Estate Appraiser
The undergraduate program in Hospitality and Tourism Management prepares in-demand graduates for exciting management positions in the global hospitality and tourism industry. Students obtain hands-on experience through internships, field studies, experienced faculty, and frequent interaction with industry experts. In addition to gaining a broad business education, HTM specialized courses are available in event management, hospitality finance, tourism destination management, franchising, revenue management, international business, data analytics and security, and lodging operations. Students develop a variety of skills, including market analysis, real-time decision making, leadership, and communication.
Students who major in Real Estate and Hospitality and Tourism Management are fully equipped with joint skills in areas of asset management, real estate investment, and appraisal as well as hospitality and tourism operations, finance, and revenue management.
Sample careers: Hotel Real Estate and Finance Analyst, Hotel Operations Manager, Meeting and Convention Sales, Tourism Attraction Entrepreneur
The Management Major prepares students to be effective managers capable of adding value to a wide range of organizations and business contexts in the global economy employing an entrepreneurial approach to business. The entrepreneurship, innovation & technology (EIT) management option helps students develop an entrepreneurial mindset and the related organizational skills to identify problems that can be converted into opportunities. Students are also taught how to attract and deploy resources in pursuit of those opportunities, and to lead through innovation in both new and established companies.
Students who major in both Real Estate and Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology (EIT) Management option set themselves apart by gaining the skills necessary to manage their own residential or commercial real estate venture. These students are equipped with knowledge and expertise in order to launch a real estate company and can effectively utilize real estate based technology and entrepreneurial expertise to the selling and managing of real estate properties.
Sample careers: New Business Development Specialist, Business Designer, Innovation Analyst, Commercial Property Manager, Broker
The Marketing Management Major provides students with a wide variety of knowledge to serve as building blocks for today’s business world. Students meet the challenge with an overall exposure and proficiency in research, social media, communications, consumer behavior, as well as branding and strategic planning. Marketing students seek knowledge from the inside out — starting with industry —based curriculum and expanding to a vast network of global professionals that create various avenues for success.
Students who are Real Estate and Marketing majors provide great business and marketing expertise to residential and commercial real estate firms. To be successful in real estate, you need to understand you consumer, set prices, match your product to your consumer, learn about how to promote your offerings, and understand how to sell—key components that you will master in the marketing program. These students are thus able to market and sell real estate properties and bring valuable skills to raise the market value of a property or location.
Sample careers: Marketing Coordinator, Tenant Coordinator, Commercial Brokerage, Sales Management, Advertising and Promotional Management
Property Management offers career opportunities in luxury and affordable apartment developments,senior living communities, mixed-use, and office and retail properties. Graduates of the Blackwood Department of Real Estate are in great demand because they are equipped with skills that address the complexities of managing multimillion-dollar investments. Employment is available in various aspects of the industry including management, operations, marketing, human resources, training, development, and acquisitions.
Real Estate and Property Management double majors are equipped with the knowledge to manage property from an operations perspective and real estate lifecycle perspective. Double majors can take advantage of the networking opportunities with the Property Management Advisory Board, apply for Property Management Scholarship Opportunities and participate in the Property Management Study Abroad Opportunities.
Sample careers: Commercial Property Manager, Residential Property Manager, Leasing Consultant, Commercial Brokerage, Commercial Real Estate Leasing Agent, Asset Management
Through the Smart and Sustainable Cities major, students learn the dynamics of urban change across time, space and place. Students will gain a deep understanding of sustainable urban development and how smart technology and urban analytics can be combined to create solutions for the cities of the future. The core of the major consists of two parallel tracks. The first track focuses on urban analytics and decision-making. The second track focuses on sustainable urbanization and the future of cities. Both tracks provide specific attention to the interdependence of social, economic, environmental and technological factors and how these evolve over time.
Real Estate and Smart and Sustainable Cities double majors can combine their knowledge of commercial real estate with sustainable urbanization to find careers in government, planning and engineering consulting firms, real estate development and private industry.
Sample careers: Real Estate Policy Analyst, Sustainability Special Projects Manager, Smart Growth Program Associate, Economic Development or Community Development Specialist, Legislative Representative (Lobbyist), Public Programs and Advocacy Associate, Sustainability Advocate, Community Planner, Urban Designer, Urban Planner, Policy Research Analyst
*Indicates a restricted major. Real estate students wanting to double major with a restricted major must apply to and be accepted to that major.
Students who wish to double major will need to work with their real estate academic advisor to create an academic plan that satisfies all degree requirements.
For information on the process of adding a double major, contact REALadvisor@vt.edu.
What is the difference between a double major and a dual degree?
To complete a double major, you must complete the requirements for both majors and graduate in the same semester with both. You will receive a diploma for your primary major (degree) and a double major certificate for your secondary major (double major).
Your primary major is listed first on your resume and official transcript and signals to employers that this is the major you identify with most. At the graduation ceremony, you will walk across the stage with the department of your primary major as well. Your secondary major should be listed second on your resume and official transcript and provides support to your primary major.
To complete a dual degree or second degree, you must complete the requirements for both majors and an additional 30 credit hours over the minimum credit hours required for your first degree. You may also choose to graduate with your first degree and second degree in separate semesters. You will receive a diploma for both your first degree and your second degree. You may walk across the stage at graduation with both departments if you earn a dual degree.