Online real estate programs provide students with the skills to work in real estate sales, appraisal, financial advising, mortgage lending, or property management, and they may also enable students to gain licensure in their particular field of interest. Real estate programs are designed for individuals who are independent, persuasive, and self-motivated with strong communication and problem-solving skills. These programs are offered at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral level. Many schools may also offer a graduate or undergraduate certificate option.

Graduates of real estate programs may seek employment in real estate, mortgage lending, advertising, property management, finance, or sales. These programs may provide individuals with the necessary training and skills to work as a sales agent, broker, property manager, appraiser, or financial advisor.

Available Degree Levels

• Certificate: One to two years to complete
• Associate Degree: Two years to complete
• Bachelor’s Degree: Four years to complete
• Master’s Degree: One to two years to complete
• Doctoral Degree: Three to five years to complete

Online certificate programs in real estate are designed for individuals who are either just entering the field or for those who would like to gain additional training. Programs typically allow students to concentrate in a particular area of interest, such as investment, finance, management and leasing, appraisal, or real estate development. These programs may also ready individuals to become licensed as a real estate broker, sales agent, or home inspector. Coursework may cover financial statement analysis, property management, real estate investment properties, and advanced legal aspects of real estate.

An online associate degree program in real estate may provide students with a basic yet comprehensive understanding of the field, including the skills needed to be successful. These programs may train students in accounting principles, marketing, management, computer programs, and communication skills. Associate-level programs in real estate are typically business-heavy and coursework may cover relevant subjects, including law, appraisals and finance, marketing, and real estate essentials.

Baccalaureate-level programs in real estate are all-inclusive and provide students a solid foundation in business in addition to a broad-based education, preparing students for work in many different fields within real estate. These programs may provide students with in-depth training in the fundamentals of business, leadership techniques, and additional principles related to real estate. Students may gain knowledge in mortgage lending, property management, brokerage and sales, and equity investment through coursework covering business writing, economics, marketing, ethics, laws and regulations, transactions, investment strategies, construction, and development.

Online master’s-level programs in real estate typically go beyond teaching students the fundamentals of business and instead focus more on providing students with the essential real estate techniques and leadership skills needed to work successfully in the industry. These programs typically prepare students through an individualized and advanced curriculum, allowing students to specialize in a particular area of interest within the field in addition to the required coursework. Areas of concentration may include development, construction management, real estate finance, energy aspects of real estate, and international real estate.

Doctorate programs in real estate are designed for students who have an extensive background in economics and finance and are looking to gain more advanced training in a specific area of real estate. These programs are research-intensive and may focus on capital markets, housing and urban economics, structured finance, real estate cycles, mortgage operations, and contract design.

Career Options

Graduates of certificate or degree programs in real estate may have gained training in leadership, accounting, marketing principles, laws and regulations, investment strategies, and economics. Individuals who complete these programs may be able to assist clients with buying, selling, or renting their property, counsel people on mortgages and market conditions, mediate negotiations, or offer additional financial and investment advice. Students may utilize the skills learned to work as sales agents, brokers, financial advisors, or related positions.

Possible career fields include:

• Property Manager
• Real Estate Appraiser
• Financial Advisor
• Sales Agent
• Real Estate Broker