The Advantages To Earning An Online Real Estate Degree
Real estate degree programs are a great way to advance educational and career opportunities for those interesting in developing and selling real estate. A real estate degree provides students with the skills necessary to pass licensing exams and facilitate the sometimes difficult financial and legal aspects in relation to the sale of properties. Many colleges and universities have developed innovative programs geared toward providing students with access to educational experiences necessary to advance personal and career goals in the field of real estate.
As many students maintain job and family responsibilities, most colleges and universities have established online degree programs to provide students who may not be able to attend courses on-campus. Most online degree programs offer the same instruction, materials, and experience as their brick and mortar college counterparts. Online classes consist of generally 25 students with 24 hour access to course materials and one on one chats with instructors and other students. Online degree programs are often a great way for students to fulfill goals while expanding their education from virtually any location.
What Students Learn Through An Online Real Estate Degree Program
Online real estate degree programs provide essentially equivalent educational opportunities as their traditional, brick and mortar counterparts. Most online real estate degree programs provide basic and specialized courses allowing students to expand knowledge of the dynamics of real estate, including the legalities, financing, and interpersonal relations of selling property. At an undergraduate level, online real estate degrees combine introductory business, principles of real estate accounting and taxation, law with specialized courses like: real estate management, real estate finance, real estate economics and market analysis, mortgage backed securities and markets, real estate development, urban planning, real estate principles, real estate legal principles and practices, and real estate appraisals.
Graduates from a real estate bachelor degree program often advance to employment or higher degree programs. Students participating in a graduate level real estate degree specialize training with courses in: real estate valuation and feasibility analysis, corporate finance, negotiation and dispute resolution, real estate developmental process, real estate capital markets, real estate finance and investment analysis, risk and portfolio management, strategic real estate management, commercial lease analysis, affordable housing development, federal taxation for real estate investment, managing building systems and operations, acquisition procedures and analysis, real estate investment analysis, federal taxation for real estate investment, managing building systems and operations, urban economic development, corporate real estate, and global real estate markets and investments. Graduates from a real estate master’s degree program are often qualified as experts within the field or pursue doctoral degrees.
Prospective Jobs for Graduates With Real Estate Degrees
Graduates with real estate degrees may expect fewer job opportunities and heavy competition due to the economy. As the real estate market is greatly affected by the economy, real estate degree graduates must consider the risks involved as there is less financial and professional security in comparison to other occupations. During recessions and economic downturns, real estate professionals often face declining sales. Despite economic troubles, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) anticipates a 9 to 17% increase in employment opportunities for real estate degree graduates. Graduates may find the best employment possibilities in areas like real estate investment and development. Graduates who complete real estate degree programs gain the knowledge and experience necessary to participate in state required licensing exams. After the successful completion of licensing exams, graduates with real estate degrees may pursue a variety of employment opportunities dependent upon geographic location, degree obtained, and related work experience.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor And Statistics predicts growth for real estate broker and agent jobs to increase at a rate higher than other occupations. Growth in the field of real estate is expected to increase by 14% from 2008-2018 to accommodate a growing population and increasing home sales. Graduates who obtain an undergraduate degree often work as real estate agents, real estate developers, property managers, real estate appraisers, or leasing or marketing consultants. Individuals who complete a graduate degree program often work as real estate investors, urban developers, real estate financial service advisers, real estate market analysts, real estate brokers, property managers, or private real estate consultants.
Salary Range For Graduates With Real Estate Degrees
Earnings for real estate professionals vary significantly as the main source of income for real estate agents and brokers is based on commissions from sales. Commissions vary significantly and are based upon the type of property, the property’s value, and commission agreements divided between brokers and agents. Generally commissions are shared between a listing agent who sells the property and the buyer’s agent. Economic fluctuations, geographic location and type of property, motivation level, degree/s obtained, areas of specialty, and work experience also greatly affect a real estate professional’s salary. Generally, real estate professionals who work as or are just beginning their careers may earn an estimated salary of $35,000 – $55,000 annually.
Professionals just beginning their careers are generally advised to have savings to cover expenses for the first six months of their career or until they earn commissions to cover expenses. Professionals with advanced degrees or those who specialize in real estate investing or developing generally earn much commissions with earnings ranging from $65,000 to $90,000 annually. Some real estate investors and developers earn over six figures upon gaining master’s degrees and related work experience.
Career Advancement For Graduates With Real Estate Degrees
Graduates with real estate degrees may expect fewer job opportunities and heavy competition due to the economy. As the real estate market is greatly affected by the economy, real estate degree graduates must consider the risks involved as there is less financial and professional security in comparison to other occupations. During recessions and economic downturns, real estate professionals often face declining sales. Despite economic troubles, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) anticipates a 9 to 17% increase in employment opportunities for real estate degree graduates. Graduates may find the best employment possibilities in areas like real estate investment and development. As with most careers, real estate professionals may advance their educational or career goals by continuing education.
