The Margaret and Robert Folsom Institute was established at the SMU Cox School of Business in 1984 through a generous gift from former Dallas mayor and real estate developer Robert Folsom and his family. It has been the backbone of real estate activity at SMU, supporting research and the real estate academic programs at both the BBA and MBA levels. Today, SMU Cox is committed to building upon its success by broadening the Institute’s presence in the real estate industry on a national basis. The expanded real estate program focuses on three key dimensions: academics, applied research, and industry and community outreach.
The Institute’s mission is supported by a national advisory board of industry leaders who collaborate with the Institute’s staff and Cox School faculty to guide the direction and efforts of the program. Members of the Institute board provide the resources necessary to carry out the Institute’s mission of creating a nationally recognized academic center for the study of real estate.
Currently, SMU Cox offers an undergraduate BBA degree, as well as a concentration, in real estate finance. At the graduate level, MBA students have the opportunity to specialize with a concentration in real estate finance. Outside of the classroom, the Folsom Institute supports the academic program by providing a myriad of opportunities to introduce students to the commercial real estate industry while they are in school. From industry “real deal” case studies to guest lectures to student involvement in Folsom board events, the Institute brings the best of the industry to the SMU campus. Additionally, the Institute offers career counseling, an executive mentorship program, industry conference travel scholarships, industry software training courses and academic scholarships. Through the continuously evolving external resources offered by the Folsom Institute, SMU students are exposed to experiences that will advance not only their applied knowledge, but also their readiness to succeed in the commercial real estate industry.
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