Self Study Courses

Critical Issues Series: Big Box Retail
This course is designed to help learners understand the use of “dark stores” in the valuation of big-box retail stores and why these properties are important in many communities’ tax bases.
Critical Issues Series: Understanding Intangible Assets
This course is designed to help learners identify intangible assets and give them a basic understanding of how to exclude intangible assets from real property assessments.
GROW Into Coaching
This is the first program in IAAO's Emerging Leaders' Curriculum. Old command and control leadership methods no longer service employees. According to Harvard Business Review, managers who practice a coaching leadership style ask questions instead of providing answers, support employees instead of criticizing them, and facilitate employee development through empowerment. Participants in this self-paced program focus on leading through coaching. The GROW Coaching Model and a growth mindset are emphasized. Registrants gain access to three eLearning modules, engaging activities, and supplementary materials. To complete the course, you must purchase a personal copy of the book Coaching for Performance by Sir John Whitmore, available on Amazon. Please do not begin the course until the book has been received.
Self Study 101: Fundamentals of Real Property Appraisal
The Fundamentals of Real Property Appraisal course is designed to provide you with an understanding and working knowledge of the procedures and techniques required to estimate the market value of vacant and improved properties. This course concentrates on the skills necessary for estimating the market value of properties using two approaches to value: the cost approach and the sales comparison approach.
Self Study 102: Income Approach to Valuation
The Income Approach to Valuation is designed to provide the students with an understanding and working knowledge of the procedures and techniques required to estimate the market value of vacant or improved properties by the income approach. The material covers real estate finance and investment, capitalization methods and techniques, analysis of income and expenses operating income, selection of capitalization rates, and application of the approach. The Income Approach to Valuation utilizes lectures, classroom discussion, and homework problems to emphasize the main concept and procedures taught in the course.
Self Study 300: Fundamentals of Mass Appraisal
This course introduces students to mass appraisal and is a prerequisite for the IAAO 300-level course series. Topics covered include single-property appraisal as it compares to mass appraisal, components of a mass appraisal system, data requirements and analysis, introduction to statistics, use of assessment ratio studies in mass appraisal, modeling of the three approaches to value, and selection of a mass appraisal system.
Self Study 801: Site Analysis
This self study course reviews the topics of collecting data, principles influencing value, neighborhood analysis, site valuation, and commercial and residential site analysis.
Self Study 802: An Introduction to the Cost Approach to Value
This self study course reviews the topics of principles influencing value, the cost approach to value, computing area and volume, costing methods, and depreciation.
Self Study 803: An Introduction to the Sales Comparison Approach to Value
This self study course reviews the topics of principles influencing value, the sales comparison model, methods of collecting data, neighborhood analysis, site and building analysis, and property valuation.
Self Study 804: An Introduction to the Income Approach to Value
This self study course reviews the topics of principles influencing value, estimating net income, selecting the capitalization rate and technique, and annuity and sinking fund methods of capitalization.
Self Study 805: Mass Appraisal of Residential Property
This self study course reviews the topics of the mass appraisal process, statistics in mass appraisal, assessment uniformity, and implementation methods and techniques.
Workshop 171: IAAO Standards of Professional Practice and Ethics
This workshop reinforces the importance of promoting and maintaining public trust in the appraisal process by representing the highest standards of professional ethics. The goals of this workshop are that learners will practice ethical behavior in the performance of their day-to-day duties, recognize how the IAAO promotes ethical behavior within its membership, and consider the effect of ethical and unethical behavior on the profession.
Workshop 411: Building a Healthy Workplace Culture
Workshop 411, Building a Healthy Workplace Culture, examines how each of us affects our work environment. Ideally, our workplace is one where we feel physically and psychologically safe to perform at our best. Workshop 411 identifies both situations that negatively impact a workplace, as well as positive strategies we can take to create the healthy work environment we all need. The workshop also covers federal and state statutes providing legal protection against harassment and discrimination. Finally, the workshop presents expectations for those affiliated with IAAO.

Please note that when you enroll in an IAAO self-study course, you take the course at your own pace and without instructor support. Students have 90 days from the date they begin the course to complete the material and take the final exam. 

These courses are not AQB approved. Please check with your local jurisdiction for eligibility.

Cancellation Policy

  • You must cancel a course in writing and on the same day as the course purchase date. To cancel a course, please send an email to education@iaao.org.
  • If IAAO receives a cancellation request after the date of purchase, the IAAO will not issue a refund.

Technology Requirements

Need Help?

For a list of frequently asked questions and answers about taking online courses, please visit the FAQ page!

If you need assistance or have general questions about any of the items on this page, please contact the Professional Development Department at education@iaao.org or 816-701-8100. If you have a specific question about a course or are having trouble accessing your online course, please submit a ticket. Office hours are 8:00 am–5:00 pm CST.