In-demand career path offers opportunities across the nation
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Students who earn a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business with a concentration in Finance and Risk Management through the University of Tennessee Herbert College of Agriculture now have a quicker and more affordable path to becoming a licensed real property appraiser.
The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB), which sets national education and experience requirements for the profession, has approved the finance and risk management concentration offered by the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics to satisfy a significant portion of the required core curriculum for real property appraiser licensure. Graduates may earn credit for up to:
- 55 hours toward the Trainee credential
- 112 hours toward the Licensed Residential credential
- 138 hours toward the Certified Residential credential
- 168 hours toward the Certified General credential
“We’ve built the agricultural business program we offer to UT students to be career-focused and industry-relevant, and this is a great example of that,” said Chris Boyer, head of the Department of the Agricultural and Resource Economics. “This program speeds up the timeline on becoming a licensed or certified appraiser, which not only benefits the students but also the companies that are investing in them becoming a licensed or certified appraiser.”
The timing addresses a well-documented workforce need. The barrier to becoming an appraiser is high, requiring a bachelor’s degree, specialized course work and thousands of hours of supervised experience. This program lowers the barrier to address these workforce needs.
Rural and agricultural appraisers assess properties that can require specialized knowledge of land use, farming and finance. The work can offer a career path for people who want to live and work in rural communities. Students must still meet applicable experience, examination and other licensing requirements.
“Rural and specialized agricultural appraisers are in demand across the country,” said Michael Wilson, manager of wholesale lending and appraisal at AgriBank. A 2001 graduate of the department, Wilson helped develop the program.
Qualifying education is one of the biggest early costs of entering the appraisal business, said Cale Ricketts, another departmental alumnus and associate at The CRV Group who is working toward a Certified General credential. “Graduates who have already completed some of those hours can be more appealing to employers and can start earning experience hours sooner,” he said.
Find out more about UT’s agricultural business major and finance and risk management concentration at the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics website or by calling 865-974-7231.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu