Monopoly is the ultimate real estate game. If you can build hotels on Boardwalk
and Park Place, the other players won't have a chance against you. If you
rule the Monopoly board, why not look into some real-life real estate studies?
Real estate programs are offered at career or community colleges, universities
and private business schools.
These programs often combine co-op opportunities and classes to
give students some real-world experience. In many cases, employers will hire
an individual and train them to become a licensed realtor.
Real estate programs are often offered in the evenings to better accommodate
working people. Most are two years long and award students a diploma.
Shorter certificate programs offer quicker entry into the job market.
Some universities also offer bachelor's degrees and even MBA programs.
The bachelor's programs usually take between four and five years. However,
since most real estate programs incorporate a significant amount of co-op
education, students can have up to two years of experience upon graduation.
Norman Miller, director of the real estate program at the University of
Cincinnati, explains that the core curriculum of most real estate programs
covers "the functional areas of business (accounting, finance, information
systems, management, marketing and quantitative analysis) with specialized
coursework in real estate."
Basic real estate courses include introduction to real estate, real
estate law, finance, valuation, market analysis, investment analysis and property
development and management.
Students can choose to specialize. Some of the most popular tracks are
residential, commercial and industrial sales; appraisal and consulting; development,
brokerage and leasing; and mortgage and construction lending.
All realtors must be licensed. This is done at the state level by the state
real estate commission.
Donald Valachi, co-director of the Real Estate Land-Use Institute at California
State University at Fullerton, suggests students "should get comfortable
with being involved with various groups on campus and taking leadership
roles in those groups. Moreover, they should continuously practice their communication
and public speaking skills."
David Moore, manager of pre-licensing education at a university, adds that
students are often unprepared for the mathematics in their studies. "There
is a significant mathematics component involved, because of the mortgage and
finance component. Students should focus on mathematics more," he says.
"Basic business skills are the most valuable -- i.e. writing, writing,
writing, then presentation skills, analytical practice, research abilities
and computer skills," says Miller.
Besides tuition, your major costs will be textbooks. You may also have
to get a financial calculator.
Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Real
Estate Brokers and Sales Agents
International Real Estate Directory
Connect with realtors around the world
Vandema.com
Many resources are here for those interested in real estate
The Real Estate Library
Libraries are great places for curious minds; this one is no
exception!
Real Estate Resources
A list of links from Bankrate.com