Real Property Administration (Assessment and Appraisal) (RPA)

This two-year diploma program is designed to prepare you to become a highly versatile and in-demand professional in the property valuation and property tax sectors.

You will acquire in-depth knowledge of property appraisal and property assessment fields, including all aspects of the property assessment system, the assessment appeals process, and property tax calculation and administration.

Your learning experience will incorporate leading-edge industry technology, industry-standard techniques, practical experience, and is enhanced by established strategic industry partnerships.

This hands-on program offers university-level courses. You will require accountability, responsibility, proficiency in time management, attention to detail, diligence and hard work along with good verbal and written communication skills in order to meet industry-prescribed standards.  The ability to work both independently and as part of a team are also essential to your success in this program.

• Property valuation techniques

• Data collection and analysis

• Math and spreadsheet analysis 

• Effective communication

• Conflict resolution

• Leadership and team building

Fieldwork is an integral element of your program, providing a way to integrate classroom learning in to real industry situations – honing your skills and helping you build a network of contacts ahead of graduation. You'll benefit from two field placements with practitioners in the real property valuation and property taxation industries. This component is critical to your success and a requirement to graduate.

To be eligible for Field Placement I, you must successfully complete the full curriculum in semesters one and two. To be eligible for Field Placement II, you must successfully complete the full curriculum in semesters one, two and three.

• Property assessment agencies

• Property appraisal firms

• Property tax agent firms

• Corporate property tax offices

• Municipal government tax departments

• Leasing Agents

As a graduate meeting certain minimum grade requirements, you will receive:

• A Certificate in Real Property Assessment awarded by the Real Estate Division of the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, and

• A Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution awarded by Seneca College – in addition to the Real Property Administration Diploma awarded by Seneca College.

Seneca's partnership with various industry organizations will help you receive valuable industry training and education in the form of curriculum material, workshops and presentations. Program partners include:

• The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)

• The Assessment Review Board (ARB)

• The Institute of Municipal Assessors (IMA)

• The Ontario Municipal Tax and Revenue Association (OMTRA)

• The Canadian Property Tax Association (CPTA)

• The Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC)

As a graduate of this program, assuming you meet all the minimum academic requirements, you will receive credits towards designations from accredited institutes, such as: 

The Institute of Municipal Assessors 

• Associate Member Institute of Municipal Assessors (AIMA)

• Member Institute of Municipal Assessors (MIMA) 

The Appraisal Institute of Canada

• Canadian Residential Appraiser (CRA) 

• Accredited Appraiser Canadian Institute (AACI) 

Please Note: To be a fully accredited appraiser with the Appraisal Institute of Canada, you are required to have a three-year university degree.