Pursuing a Masters in Real Estate Online: A Complete Guide for 2023

Gain practical real estate skills through coursework that provides access to a broad network of partner organizations.

A masters in real estate online can open up lucrative and rewarding career opportunities in the booming real estate industry. With the flexibility of online learning, professionals can upskill while continuing to work full-time. This guide explores everything you need to know about pursuing a masters in real estate online in 2023.

Why Earn an Online Masters in Real Estate?

There are several compelling reasons to consider an online masters in real estate:

Career advancement: A masters degree helps professionals move into more senior roles like real estate developer, investment fund manager, corporate real estate executive, etc. It signals advanced expertise.
Learn cutting-edge skills Online real estate masters programs teach in-demand skills like data analytics, sustainability, finance, law, marketing, etc This knowledge equips graduates for success.
Networking opportunities: Top online programs connect students with alumni and industry partners. This facilitates career growth through networking.
Flexibility: Online delivery allows working professionals to study anytime, anywhere while continuing their career. No need to relocate or pause work.
Specialized focus: Masters programs dive deep into real estate topics unlike MBAs. You gain targeted industry knowledge.
Personalized learning: Small class sizes in online programs enable close faculty interaction and support for each student.

In today’s competitive job market, an advanced specialized masters degree provides an edge. Professionals who want to excel in real estate can gain substantial benefits from an online masters.

What Will You Learn in an Online Real Estate Masters Program?

The curriculum in top online real estate masters covers a diverse mix of hard skills and leadership abilities required by the industry today.

Here’s a sample of popular courses

Real estate fundamentals
Real estate finance
Real estate law
Market analysis
Data analytics in real estate
Property management
Real estate development
Urban planning
Sustainability and green building
International real estate
Construction management
Capstone project

Programs also help build soft skills like business ethics, leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, etc. The blend of hard and soft skills prepares graduates to take on leadership positions in real estate firms.

Some common learning objectives across online masters in real estate include:

Gain expertise in real estate development, finance, law, valuation, sustainability, management, etc.
Understand market trends, data analytics, and technology shaping the industry
Build leadership skills and business ethics needed in executive roles
Apply knowledge to address multifaceted real estate challenges
Develop strategic decision-making and critical thinking abilities
Foster networks and learn from experienced faculty and peers
Formulate data-driven solutions to complex real estate problems
Lead teams, projects, and organizations in a dynamic real estate landscape
Embrace lifelong learning to stay updated with industry transformation

What are the Admission Requirements for an Online Real Estate Masters?

Admission criteria can vary across online real estate masters programs, but some typical requirements are:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
2-3 years of relevant work experience
Competitive GPA (e.g. above 3.0)
Essays or personal statements
Letters of recommendation
GMAT/GRE test scores (can often be waived)
English proficiency scores for non-native speakers
Interview
Resume demonstrating career progression

The application process examines both academic ability and professional experience. Work history in real estate is valued but applicants from other backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.

Top programs evaluate applicants holistically based on multiple factors, not just test scores. Demonstrated leadership potential and career goals aligned with the program mission are important considerations.

What is the Cost of an Online Real Estate Masters Degree?

The total cost of an online real estate masters depends on the program length, public/private status of the university, and other factors.

The typical range is $20,000 to $60,000 for the entire program. Public universities tend to fall on the lower end while private universities are more expensive.

Many students pursue financial aid and scholarships to make the degree more affordable. Employer sponsorship of tuition is also common, with some companies covering up to 100% of costs.

Savvy professionals treat the tuition as an investment that pays dividends through substantial career growth in the years ahead.

How Long Does It Take to Complete an Online Real Estate Masters?

Full-time students can complete an online real estate masters in 12-18 months. However, part-time schedules extending up to 3-5 years are more common for working professionals.

The degree typically requires 30-45 credits of coursework, including a capstone project. Students take 1-3 courses per semester based on their schedule.

Some benefits of a part-time schedule:

Balance work, education, and personal responsibilities
Apply new skills directly on the job for reinforcement
Avoid overloading each semester
Manage tuition costs over multiple years

The flexible pacing of online learning enables students to customize the timeline and graduate at their own pace.

Which Are the Top Online Real Estate Masters Programs in 2023?

When researching programs, look for respected universities offering rigorous, comprehensive curricula aligned with industry needs.

Here are six highly-ranked online real estate masters programs to consider for 2023:

University of Denver – Frederic C. Hamilton School of Real Estate & Construction Management
Georgetown University – School of Continuing Studies
New York University – Schack Institute of Real Estate
Cornell University – Baker Program in Real Estate
University of Alabama – Culverhouse College of Business
Johns Hopkins University – Carey Business School

Factors like faculty expertise, career support, alumni network, and technology platform also impact program quality.

Leverage rankings and student reviews to shortlist programs that fit your needs and career goals.

What Software Skills Are Covered in an Online Real Estate Masters?

To succeed in real estate today, professionals need working knowledge of key software tools and platforms.

Leading online programs teach in-demand real estate software skills such as:

Accounting: Yardi, MRI Software, RealPage
Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Salesforce, ClientLook, Top Producer, Propertybase
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Brokermint, Appfolio, Buildium
Data Analytics: Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, ARGUS Enterprise
Project Management: Microsoft Project, Asana, Smartsheet, Trello, Basecamp
Design: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Chief Architect, Revit
Online Marketing: WordPress, Google Analytics, SEO tools

Learning these technologies gives graduates an advantage when starting real estate careers.

What are Some Common Online Real Estate Masters Concentrations?

Within a master’s program, concentrations (or specializations) allow tailored focus in a particular real estate domain.

Popular concentration options include:

Real Estate Finance
Real Estate Development
Commercial Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Real Estate Investments
Real Estate Analytics
International Real Estate
Property Management
Urban Planning & Smart Growth
Sustainability & Green Building
Construction Management
Real Estate Marketing

Choosing a concentration aligns the curriculum with personal interests and career aspirations. Graduates gain deeper expertise in their chosen focus area.

What Career Opportunities Exist for Online Real Estate Masters Graduates?

An online real estate masters opens doors to lucrative careers across the industry.

With a master’s degree, graduates are qualified for roles like:

Real estate development – analyst, project manager, investor, entrepreneur
Real estate finance – loan officer, underwriter, asset manager
Corporate real estate – CRE executive, portfolio manager, site selection specialist
Commercial real estate – broker, leasing agent, property manager
Residential real estate – broker, agent, property manager
Urban planning – planner, housing specialist, zoning administrator
Construction – project executive, manager, superintendent
Architecture & design – architect, design manager, CAD specialist
Consulting – strategist, researcher, advisor
Academia – educator, researcher

The job outlook remains strong with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 8% growth for real estate roles over the next decade. Professionals who pursue masters education stand out for leadership positions in this expanding field.

How Can You Get Started?

Here are steps to launch your online real estate masters journey:

Research programs and shortlist options that fit your needs
Prepare application materials – resume, essays, recommendations, test scores
Apply to programs starting at least 6 months before the intake semester
Complete the admission process – interview, submit documents
Apply for financial aid and explore sponsorships
Enroll in the program and get ready for kickoff!

The application process takes time so begin early. Also connect with alumni and current students to gain insights about the program you are interested in.

With proper planning and research, professionals can realize their goal of advancing their career through

masters in real estate online

Become a Leader in the Real Estate Industry

Gain the skills that lead to success in Georgetown Universitys Online Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate program.

Learn from distinguished professionals how to ethically manage multiple facets of the industry including development, finance, sustainability, construction, and management. Explore a curriculum full of real-world coursework as you learn alongside top real estate professionals throughout the world.

Our faculty members are incredibly accessible. Convenient online office hours and small class sizes of 18–20 students allow important one-on-one time with instructors.

By graduation, youll demonstrate a dynamic combination of industry knowledge, leadership skills, and a commitment to real estate ethics. And, all coursework is asynchronous, meaning the online Masters in Real Estate program can be completed when and where it is convenient for you.

Number of Credits: 33 credits Number of Credits 33 credits
Format: On-campus & online Format On-campus & online
Total Tuition: $51,909* Total Tuition $51,909*
Enrollment: Full-time or part-time Enrollment Full-time or part-time
Time to Complete: 2–5 years Time to Complete 2–5 years
Semester of Entry: Fall, spring, summer Semester of Entry Fall, spring, summer

Gain Industry Connections and Career-Ready Skills

Unlike MBA programs, our masters degree focuses exclusively on real estate and related markets. Our program uses case studies so the material you learn is applicable to real-world situations. And throughout the program, youll focus on global trends and topics, so youll be prepared to do business worldwide.

As the largest real estate program in the D.C. area, and one of the top programs in the U.S., our online real estate masters degree provides access to a broad network of partner organizations and facilitates opportunities for mentoring, internships, and additional resources among our students and alumni to help you build connections and pursue a rewarding career.

You can also:

Partake in events. You are always welcome to visit Georgetown SCSs downtown D.C. campus and participate in events such as speaker panels, networking opportunities, professional development workshops, and social activities. Events like these are often available for online students via livestream.
Connect with a powerful network. A diverse and varied community of more than 1,000 alumni are active in their professions, engaged with their communities, and look forward to connecting with you as an alumnus.
Attend campus classes. All Master’s in Real Estate students, whether on campus or online, can register for any course in the program.

This two-year program consists of 33 credit hours and can be taken part-time or full-time. You’ll choose electives to suit your interests and career goals. If needed, you may take up to five years to complete the program. Courses include:

Ethics in Action
Real Estate Fundamentals
Foundations of Real Estate Finance
Foundations of Real Estate Law
Foundations of Real Estate Markets
Foundations of Real Estate Accounting
Development and Construction Project Management
Impact of Globalization on Real Estate
Structured Finance
Multi-Family and Affordable Housing
Real Estate Portfolio Management
Sustainable Development and Construction
Capstone Course

Learn more about the comprehensive Masters in Real Estate curriculum.

Georgetown University has a long-standing tradition of developing top professionals and field-leading experts. Graduates of the online Masters in Real Estate program will be prepared for real estate career opportunities including:

Real estate developer
Corporate real estate manager
Commercial real estate lender
Investment fund manager
Site acquisition manager
Lease administrator
Director of property management
Senior consultant
Construction project manager
Real estate entrepreneur
Community developer

Learn more about the various career paths for real estate graduates.

*Tuition rates for each term are published annually, typically in February. Total tuition listed here reflects Fall semester of entry.

The BEST Real Estate Graduate Degree Programs [For You]

Does Georgetown offer a Master’s in real estate online degree program?

Georgetown University offers a master’s in real estate online degree program designed for busy and working professionals looking for a part-time or full-time graduate program in real estate. The program consists of 33 credits and is led by a Georgetown faculty of seasoned industry practitioners.

What is a Master’s in real estate?

A master’s in real estate paves the way for experienced industry professionals to hone advanced business skills and pursue specializations in real estate. Real estate professionals help buyers and sellers locate the right residential and commercial properties, negotiate purchase and sale agreements, and close the deal.

Where can I get a master’s degree in real estate online?

Located in Washington, D.C., Georgetown University ‘s School of Continuing Studies offers an online master’s degree in real estate that many students complete in two years, although part-time learners may take up to five years to graduate. The program strives for maximum flexibility, delivering all coursework asynchronously.

Is the online Master’s in real estate program asynchronous?

And, all coursework is asynchronous, meaning the online Master’s in Real Estate program can be completed when and where it is convenient for you. Unlike MBA programs, our master’s degree focuses exclusively on real estate and related markets. Our program uses case studies so the material you learn is applicable to real-world situations.