Residential and commercial real estate agents, mortgage brokers, property managers, and independent investors are all part of the competitive and interesting real estate industry.
Many of these jobs are held by self-starters with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a drive to develop a career and life on their terms. They know, however, that in order to achieve, they require the best skills and education to serve as a foundation on which to build their aspirations.
This is where a real estate degree can help. A real estate license provides some knowledge and preparation, but the people that genuinely excel now have full academic real estate degrees.
Real estate-specific degrees are available at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. They detail how real estate markets work and provide you the knowledge you need to position your company for optimum success.
When you concentrate your energies solely on real estate for the duration of a degree program, you will enter the job market with a level of preparation previously reserved for seasoned professionals.
Should I Pursue a Degree in Real Estate?
When deciding whether to pursue formal education, you can take a more traditional approach and study toward a general degree in business or economics. While such a degree will serve you well, you will most likely have to work extra hard to get into the areas where you genuinely want to work. Internships and even a few courses can help you focus your resume on a specific area.
Online Real Estate Degrees
If you’re eager to get started in real estate, you might be able to find work without a degree. However, to advance in the area and develop the long-term career you desire, you will need further schooling.
A single high school diploma is no longer held in high regard. However, regular on-campus courses may not be possible if you are currently employed. As a result, an online real estate degree is most certainly your best bet.
Because real estate is a field that is managed partly in an office on a computer and partly in the field of examining various plots of land and their renovations, online education makes perfect sense.
Most real estate professionals are self-starters who dislike being confined to a desk. So, even if you’re pursuing an online education, you can still engage with people in the actual world. You won’t have to reschedule a client meeting around a class, for example, because you’ll be able to finish your schoolwork before your appointment.
Online education allows you to do your coursework on your own time. However, it should be noted that not all online applications are as adaptable as others. Some will demand you to log in at specified times to participate in or moderate chat room discussions or stream a live lecture.
Other online schools, on the other hand, operate on an asynchronous approach. That means you’ll be able to access all the class materials at any time or night. These programs will also have additional latitude in terms of assignment submission.
An asynchronous class will most likely require work to be submitted by midnight on the due date rather than at the start of course, as would be the case in a typical campus program.
Above all, ensure that a regional or professional organization completely accredits your online program. If you desire to seek a higher degree or transfer credit to another school, all of your work must be recognized by the original institutions you attended.
Consult with your admissions counselor to verify you’re on the correct road. You might also check an online program’s accreditation to that of your state’s main universities.
Associate’s Degree
An associate’s degree might be an excellent way to begin a career in real estate. The degree typically takes two years to complete and will provide a solid platform for establishing a career. If your college offers a four-year bachelor’s degree, you can always return to finish the last two years.
The associate’s degree is appealing because it allows you to add an educational certification to your CV while you continue to study.
An MBA may appear to be a broad degree that equips you to be a business generalist. However, with the correct program, you can concentrate on real estate studies. Look for schools that offer this and other specialties so that you can focus on what interests you the most. Here are some actual estate-specific courses you could come across:
◉ Real Estate Development
◉ Urban Systems
◉ Real Estate Capital Markets
Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development (MRED)
To be a successful real estate developer, you must complete a Master’s in Real Estate Development (MRED) or a Master of Science in Real Estate Development (MSRED) (MSRED). Because real estate development necessitates complex calculations about finance, construction expenses, and long-term profitability estimates, you will require the skills that only a master’s degree can provide. Some MR ED courses you could take include:
◉ Real Estate Market Analysis
◉Design of the Built Environment
◉Advanced Financial Analysis for Commercial Real Estate
◉Real Estate Law for Developers
Move in the Right Direction
Now that you know you won’t have to disrupt your life to return to school and pursue your real estate profession, why not explore reputable colleges and programs that can get you started?
