Listed below are colleges and universities that offer online degrees or certificates in Real Estate and a detailed list of the programs that are offered.
From helping prospective buyers find a dream home to managing the new construction on a commercial property, it's no secret that a job in real estate requires some actual hands-on work. Yet, real estate workers have to get started somewhere, and many of them choose to begin their careers with the kind of solid foundation an online real estate studies program can provide.

The popularity of online learning with both schools and students is growing by leaps and bounds. Not only can completing a program online provide students with the valuable training necessary to succeed in the workforce, but online programs also allow students to learn according to their own schedules.
For example, a college student with a job is no new concept, but online learning makes it easier than ever to work and earn a degree. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that more than four million undergraduate students who were enrolled during the Fall 2009 semester were 25 years old or older, meaning they are 'non-traditional' students and quite likely are employed while earning their degrees.
Some of the most common real estate careers include:
Of course, there are various other careers in the real estate field, most of which span other areas of study:
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 981 students earned bachelor's degrees and 559 earned master's degrees in real estate areas of study during the 2008-09 school year.
The most popular specialized programs students are enrolling in and graduating from are:
A bachelor's degree in real estate studies prepares graduates for real-world job skills in real estate fields such as mortgage lending, property valuations, and financing methods.
Graduate studies programs in real estate can take your undergraduate training a few steps further, teaching you about real estate investments and developments, capital markets, and urban economics.
Career diplomas and certificates in appraisal training help prospective appraisers and assessors learn the principals of zoning, how to inspect and estimate the value of properties, and even the basics of starting an independent appraisal business.
Working in real estate property management demands many of the same skills of other types of management; however, diploma and certificate programs that focus specifically on real estate property management help potential managers how to manage lease negotiations, relationships with tenants, maintenance and construction, insurance, and the different kinds of properties include residential, commercial, and industrial.
Students interested in real estate law can decide from among various paralegal certificate programs and legal degrees that prepare them for dealing with various real estate law-related matters, such as purchasing and selling real estate and handling wills and estates.
Given that people always need to buy, sell, and rent property – whether for personal residential reasons or professional commercial ones – real estate might seem like a fairly safe industry with which to get involved.
However, the specific job outlook actually depends on the real estate field in question.
Overall, the career outlook for real estate agents and brokers is a good one. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects this field to grow 14% between 2008 and 2018, which the BLS considers a faster than average growth.
Still, there are a variety of factors that can either positively or negatively affect the outlook for agents and brokers. Such factors include:
The job outlook for assessors and appraisers is expected to grow at a slower than average rate between 2008 and 2018, increasing just 5%. The BLS estimates most job openings will be due to career changes or retirements.
Similar to success expectations for agents and brokers, assessors and appraisers most likely will find more job opportunities in areas with active, growing real estate markets. However, because governments need assessors for assessing property taxes, job opportunities for assessors are at a lesser risk of declining than those for appraisers.
Between 2008 and 2018, management positions related to real estate are expected to grow at an average rate, increasing perhaps 8%.
The outlook is brighter for those with college degrees in fields related to real estate or business. Due to an expected increase in elderly population, managers pursuing positions managing properties such as healthcare facilities and retirement or nursing homes should have plenty of career opportunities.
Perhaps one of the most attractive aspects of working in real estate is the flexibility it provides. From agents to property managers, real estate workers can enjoy:
At the same time, there are a few downfalls to working in real estate, including:
For many occupations, the higher the degree, the higher the salary. It doesn't always work like this for folks who work in real estate, however.
Sure, there are some fairly concrete numbers. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that as of May 2008, real estate sales agents earned an average of $54,410 annually, while brokers brought home an annual average of $77,240.
Appraisers and assessors tend to make a little less, averaging $47,370. The same is true of managers, who reportedly brought in a median of $46,130. Salaried (and not self-employed) property, real estate, and community association managers weren't far behind, bringing in a median of $46,130.
These statistics can help interested real estate workers get an overall feel for the kind of salaries they can expect, but a number of other factors can – and do – cause salary forecasts to vary. For example, a healthier market, more training and education, and certain kinds of employers can all act as variables.
Sales agents and brokers tend to make more money when they sell more houses and, naturally, the higher the price tag the more money an agent makes. A fluctuating market can make or break an agent's career, but some agents and brokers find security in heavily populated areas where residential and commercial real estate is constantly being bought and sold.
Other careers in real estate see salary increases and decreases depending on who's the boss. For example, appraisers and assessors employed by local government earned a median of $43,550 according to the BLS May 2008 report, which is several thousand less than the annual median.
At the same time, real estate managers employed by large companies and enterprises brought in an annual median of $74,010. This means managers who work for larger businesses can earn nearly $30,000 or more than those who work for smaller companies or even independently.
In the end, real estate workers can expect the following factors to affect their annual earnings:
This is especially true of the residential housing market, variables of which include the number of homes for sale, the demand for housing in the area, and the price tags.
'Location, location, location!' might be one of the most recognizable sayings in the real estate industry, but for a real estate worker it means much more than just selling a house. The worker's location can also determine his competition, opportunity for success as an individually or self-employed worker, and prospects for working with successful and well-paying agencies, companies, or enterprises.
Some employers, such as local governments, pay less than others, such as large companies. This isn't necessarily true for every single case, but it is something for applicants to keep in mind as they search for real estate jobs.
Typically, a self-employed real estate worker can make as much or more as an employed one; however, the self-employed have to consider costs that can cut into their profits, like out-of-pocket expenses employers usually handle.
Education and training can always help real estate workers earn more money – or, in some instances, a job at all. Some employers require their property managers or appraisers to have a certain level of education; others require only government-mandated certification. Regardless of the piece of paper to prove it, obtaining and using quality education and training can help a real estate worker succeed at his/her job.
Generally, all real estate careers require at least a high school diploma.
Typically, the high school diploma helps begin the training and licensing process (see below), but other higher levels of education – such as specialized certificate programs and college degrees – can help real estate workers better perform their jobs and even find positions with higher-paying employers.
Some colleges and universities offer certificate programs or associate’s and bachelor’s specific to real estate; others provide courses or degrees related to the industry such as:
Because working as an agent or broker is similar to running a business, such areas of study help establish effective written and oral communicate skills, handle money, and deal with other complex legal transactions.
Note that some real estate associations provide courses sponsored by the National Association of Realtors.
Typically, each state handles its own requirements regarding the education of assessors and appraisers; that is, the education required to become licensed and certified.
Still, most assessors and appraisers have at least a bachelor’s degree. The exact degrees may vary, but coursework often relates to:
Sometimes, the type of education will depend on the position and its exact role. For example, residential appraisers often have at least an associate’s degree; commercial appraisers, on the other hand, are sometimes required to have a bachelor’s degree.
Generally, employers prefer their managers have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field related to:
Although they aren't required to have them, self-employed managers still benefit professionally from such education.
Education aside, nearly all real estate workers must receive certain kinds of training and obtain and maintain a license.
Each state and the District of Columbia requires prospective real estate agents to become licensed before they can begin earning money as real estate agents.
To become licensed, the prospective agent must complete a core of educational and training classes. These classes, and the number of hours required, vary by state but usually fall within the 30- to 90-hour range. Usually, these courses are offered through local and online colleges and universities, but sometimes they're provided through the state’s government agency that handles employment and licensing matters. Regardless of how the student obtains the classes, they must be part of his state’s state-approved program.
There are no federal laws regarding licenses for assessors, though each state sets its own education and experience requirements, and some even require varying levels of certification.
Appraisers, on the other hand, must be licensed per federal laws, but each state sets its own licensing requirements.
Generally, license requirements for managers vary by state and often depend on the manager’s exact role; however, there are a few license requirements managers can expect:
Managers learn more about the details of required licensing and certification as they move further along in their educational and training pursuits.
Some real estate agents opt to become licensed in a variety of fields.
For example, a sales agent might hold both a real estate sales license and an appraiser license. Multiple licenses can help expand an agent's career opportunities as well as keep his job interesting.
Once a real estate worker becomes licensed or certified, he must maintain that license or certification. Maintenance requirements vary by occupation and area, of course, but some general rules of thumb include:
The overall cost of the real estate area of study varies depending on achieved education levels, training and re-training requirements, and desired licenses.
Some folks may pay a few hundred dollars for one or two real estate-related classes; others may pay thousands for complete college degrees. Regardless of overall cost, financial assistance is available for many students. For example, according to the National Center for Education Statistics 66% of undergraduate students and 74% of graduate students during the 2007-08 school year received some form of financial aid.
Learn the ins and outs of a fascinating industry with your Bachelor of Arts in Real Estate Studies earned online from Ashford University. While the housing market has suffered a recession, there will be strong demand for prepared professionals to fill new positions as this cycle rebounds. This degree program provides you with basic skills in mortgage lending, development, equity investment, and brokerage. Your online courses include appraisal, property management, finance, and economics. Examine the markets and financing methods for residential and commercial properties. Discover the trends that influence property valuations, and learn best practices to benefit and safeguard investors.
This degree program may meet some educational requirements for certification in a specific career field. However, additional professional experience and examinations may be required. It is the student's responsibility to determine certification requirements. Ashford University does not guarantee that any professional organization will accept a graduate's application to sit for an exam for the purpose of professional certification. A criminal record may prevent an applicant from obtaining licensure, certification or employment in this field of study. For additional information, please refer to your state licensing board or agency.
Earning a Career Diploma in Real Estate Appraisal Skills can be a stepping stone in getting the training and experience required for professional certification as an appraiser. Students will learn market analysis, zoning principles, property inspections, and estimating values for commercial and residential appraisals. Students will also become familiar with how to follow the format of the nationally recognized Uniform Residential Appraisal Report.
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