Back to school: ISA offering 6 courses for appraisers

CHACAGO – The International Society of Appraisers has announced its fall education schedule, which will be conducted at the Northern Illinois University Naperville campus. The following six courses are on the schedule:

– Seven-Hour Personal Property USPAP Course: Sept. 28.

Course instructor: Gayle Skluzacek

This is the required seven-hour update for personal property appraisers seeking to fulfill the two-year requalification process. This class covers the 2012-2013 version of USPAP. The class does not include an exam. Students must have previously attended the 15-hour National USPAP class. Course materials need to be purchased and must be brought to the clas

– Appraisal of Antiques and Residential Contents: Oct. 7-13

Course instructor: Leon Castner, ISA CAPP, Valerie Hale, ISA CAPP and Michael Logan, ISA CAPP

This course provides information necessary to properly identify and value items falling into the broad category of antiques and residential contents. Focus is on analysis of construction and manufacturing; discerning the difference between “good,” “better” and “best” quality, design characteristics pertinent to general periods and styles; and research resources for the appraiser. Course sections include furniture, ceramics, glass, silver, toys and dolls, and vintage fashions as well as general household contents. The course includes an off-site field trip covered by the course expense.

– Requalification course: Oct. 18-19

Course instructor: Leon Castner, PhD, ISA CAPP

A review and update of ISA’s Appraisal Standards covering significant recent changes including those in the ISA Core Course Manual, the IRS, and the insurance industry. The class is for ISA members only and is a requirement for requalification and provides current guidelines, checklists and forms helpful for every member. No exam is given and students are dismissed at the end of the second day.

– Core course in appraisal studies: Oct. 21-27

Course instructors: Leon Castner, PhD, ISA CAPP

This is the “original” complete appraisal methodology course for personal property appraising. Its thorough scope includes appraisal objectives, intended uses, market identification and analysis, research methods and skills, ethics and professional conduct, and a detailed presentation of report formats and checklists.

– 15-Hour Personal Property USPAP Course: Oct. 28-29

Course instructor: Sandra Tropper, ASA

The 15-hour Personal Property Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice material is designed to aid appraisers in all areas of appraisal practice seeking competency in the USPAP. This course is intended to fulfill the USPAP requirement for credentialed membership levels within professional personal property appraisal organizations and will be taught by an active Personal Property Appraiser.

– Appraisal of Fine Art: Nov. 4-10

Course instructor: Richard Casagrande, ISA CAPP and Cathy Peters, ISA CAPP

This newly revised course emphasizes the primary categories of fine art frequently encountered by appraisers and dealers: paintings, sculpture, works on paper, frames, photography, animation art, Russian icons and Spanish Colonial art. Major areas of focus: art history, looking at art works properly, identifying and researching fine art works, properly describing art works, correctly employing specific vocabulary and art conservation. A field trip to local museums, such as the Art Institute of Chicago, provides students with close exposure to the property categories being studied.

All of the above courses will be held at the NIU – Naperville Campus, 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville, Ill.

Shuttle transportation is available between the host hotel and the university. Shuttles are available from both Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport. More information regarding airport transportation and daily course transportation will be sent with confirmation.

The host hotel is the Country Inn & Suites, 1837 Centre Point Circle, Naperville, IL 60563. Reference “ISA” to receive the discounted group rate of $95 per night plus tax. Telephone: 630-505-3353. Website: www.countryinns.com/napervilleil.

All cancellations and transfer requests must be in writing and received two weeks (14 days) prior to the first date of the class. All cancellations and transfer requests are subject to a $200 fee.

In regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act, anyone who has special needs due to a disability, please let the ISA know in advance so the organization can try to accommodate your needs.

Contact Michelle Stearns, education and credentialing coordinator, phone 312-981-6784, fax 312-265-2908, email mstearns@thesentergroup.com.