The program is an initiative to train, promote and developqualified professionals for the multifamily rental housing industryin the state. It is being offered through UNT's College of BusinessAdministration, Department of Finance, Insurance, Real Estate andLaw.

The association has created the TAA Education Foundation toraise funds from the multifamily industry to support the program.To date, a $25,000 check has been presented to UNT to beginincorporating program changes within existing real estate classesand add courses specifically aimed at residential propertymanagement. The two-year course begins in the fall 2002 semester.TAA also plans to fund an industry-supported, permanently endowed$500,000 property management "chair" professorship as well asscholarships, research and ongoing program support.

UNT will be the first university in the nation to offer a degreefrom a College of Business Administration with a major in realestate. "Texas is home to more large owners, developers andmanagement companies of apartments than any other state in thecountry," Ron Shelton, TAA's president, said in a preparedstatement. "A graduate from the UNT RPM degree program will havethe background and skills needed to advance in the fast-paced,growing multifamily rental housing industry in Texas."