CRE Masters Program or MBA for CRE Job
Hi there, I'm wondering whether CRE Development firms prefer candidates with an MBA or Masters in CRE. A lot of schools are now offering these programs (i.e. Georgetown, Maryland, USC, etc.). Or, would an MBA look stronger? Does anyone have any advise for someone looking to enter the developer's sector? 

I'm a recent graduate working at a law firm specifically focused on CRE, tax credit financing and affordable housing. We work on a ton of really interesting deals-- which has only sparked my interest to pursue a career in CRE. Your input would be greatly appreciated!

[{"id": "cjinqvh", "text": "I have an MSRE from University of Florida. I can tell you that my program's grads do better in the state and region with CRE jobs than the MBA grads do, and they have great placement rates.  But the short answer is that it depends on the strength of the program you're applying to and their alumni network. Uf does a great job and has a great reputation with the Bergstrom center but Some other programs might not be comparable.  \n\nPhone edits", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cjirdo0", "text": "Definitely depends on the school and what part of development you are looking to get into. The skills needed for CRE Development are very similar to those needed for Private Equity (assuming you aren't trying to get into the architectural/construction side of things).\n\nThe main point of contrast is the network you will create in an MBA program vs a Masters. Getting an MBA will expose you to a wide array of people and topics that will not be directly related to real estate. However, CRE development isnt really JUST about real estate either when you think about it. You need to have a large network of people in finance, institutional banking, loan origination, architecture, accounting, etc.\n\nI'm sure a Masters program will offer a good amount of networking opportunities, but you cant match the diversity of relationships you would form getting an MBA. The guy who leads my brokerage team got his MBA at a Top 5 school and has gotten about 50% of his clients from relationships formed during that time.\n\n(Source: Currently weighing the same decision) ", "replies": [{"id": "cjq8y1t", "text": "Where I went to school, the Master's of Real Estate was a business degree and all non-core classes were shared with MBA students. So, networking opportunities were very similar. The big difference was the masters was a focused, specialized degree which, I think, was more well-regarded in the industry. \n\nThe MBA does, however, give you more career versatility if you ever leave real estate.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cjis5rj", "text": "It looks like an MSRE is generally only a one year thing too, so that could make it more appealing. I am based in D.C. and to be honest I've never heard great things about any of the local CRE programs. Mason launched one recently and it's just hard for me to imagine that they have much credibility at this stage, although if your undergrad was in something totally unrelated i'm sure it helps. \n\nI have met several people who went to Florida (mentioned on this sub) and ended up at CBRE or Cassidy Turley etc. \n\nAnecdotally I talked to a person who got an MBA to do something technical in real estate/private equity and ended up hating it and going back to more basic stuff. So it may depend if you are super into the financial aspect or not really. \n\nI took a class at NOVA to get the regular realtors' license and it was interesting and cheap even though I never practiced.\n\nI see a lot of people on this sub posting about costar and comps etc so that may be where the entry level jobs are.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cjiz8ho", "text": "I did JD/MBA -&gt; development. The skill set necessary to be successful can be obtained from either (I assume).\n\nI would consider whether you want to be in real estate for the long haul.  My guess is that the difference between the MBA and the Masters in RE is that the MBA is more well-rounded and portable, while the Masters may get you in the door faster to start. If you decide to do something in a different industry a few years from now, the MBA is more versatile in my opinion. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cjm7fs1", "text": "I'm doing an MSRE program in NYC and think my prospects are greater than the MBA purely because of the alumni networks. All of the exposure i've received has been with real estate related industries and executives. If you are not sure that Real Estate is for you in the long haul, or if you want to work for a company that focuses on other things besides real estate, than go for the MBA. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cjubl1f", "text": "As a recent business school graduate of a program that also had a masters in real estate dev program (that is among the top in the nation - both programs) I would say the MBA is more valuable unless you want to specifically do development (and maybe even then) or already have significant institutional real estate experience.  All the MBAs got great jobs.  All the MBA/MRED joint degree students got great jobs.  Don't really know what happened to the MRED-only students... \n\nPS do you have a law degree or no?  If you have a JD you probably wouldn't need either to at least make the transition - just a lot of networking.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]