Ball State offers an M.A. and an M.S. with an emphasis in Residential Property Management.  Advanced courses in property management can be combined with additional courses in the student's area of interest to customize the student's academic preparation.  Students completing graduate work in Residential Property Management often enjoy a fast track to advanced positions in the industry. 

Students from a variety of undergraduate majors have completed the RPM graduate program, including majors in interior design, architecture, psychology, finance, general studies, and others.  A basic understanding of property management is required to pursue RPM at the graduate level by demonstrating competencies in these undergraduate courses:

• FCSPM 104 Housing Decisions
• FCSPM 235 Introduction to Residential Property Management
• FCSPM 275 Marketing and Leasing
• FCSPM 305 Maintenance for Managers

Options include taking these courses on campus or taking these courses online.  Students with industry experience may also consider testing out of FCSPM 104, 275, and 305.

Students pursuing RPM at the graduate level must complete an internship.  This requirement is waived for those with an RPM undergraduate degree and those with at least 6 months of apartment industry experience. Through our numerous industry partners, many paid internship opportunities are available nationwide, some with furnished housing provided.

The RPM Program is approved by the National Apartment Association, which allows students pursuing RPM at the graduate level to sit for the Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) designation exam.  The CAM exam is taken in a student's final semester and covers content areas from the entire graduate program. 

Students taking FCSPM 275 as a prerequisite to graduate work in RPM may also sit for the National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) designation exam.  The designation is not available to those testing out of the course.  Ball State RPM students have enjoyed a tremendous amount of success with both the NALP and CAM designation exams. 

For additional information about graduate work in Residential Property Management, contact Dr. Sue Whitaker, Graduate Student Adviser in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, at swhitaker@bsu.edu.