Case studies in real estate education: The new AACSB accreditation standards and a proposed case study in real estate management

Abstract

Case studies have long been employed as an instructional tool in business education, including real estate. This study examines the merits of, and issues associated with, case studies in real estate pedagogy, particularly in light of the new Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International's accreditation standards. Finally, a sample case study assignment in real estate management is presented; specifically, a capital improvement project, in which students, working in small groups, use a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet template to solve the case and answer various what-if questions relating to the project. The case study may be used in any of several real estate courses, including real estate economics, finance, investment analysis, and property management at the undergraduate and graduate level. Teaching notes, including the spreadsheet solution to the case and answers to the several what-if questions, are available from the authors upon request.