Pursuing education in CRE: Certification or MS ?
Hi Folks,

Until recently, I've worked for at a west coast mid-size private equity firm that bought and renovated value-add assets. (mainly supporting the Asset Management division). I have a bachelor's degree in business/finance from a foreign university, and as much as I've learned a lot on the job, I feel that in order to grow, it would be a good investment to go back to school.

Looking for a word of advice among seasoned individuals: What would you guys find more valuable in a resume, from an educational standpoint?

UCLA (Extension) offers a reasonably-priced [Certification in Real Estate](https://www.uclaextension.edu/real-estate/real-estate/certificate/real-estate-concentration-investments) (\~$6,700) , or

Pepperdine Graziadio's [MS Real Estate](https://bschool.pepperdine.edu/masters-degree/real-estate/) which runs for $65K+.

Aside from the fact that a masters degree is 10x more expensive, (and could provide good networking), money IS an issue. I could pay UCLA out of pocket, however I will have to apply for a student loan in order to get to Pepperdine.

Is a certification in this field money well spent? Or will a Master's give a stronger edge that makes it worth the cost?, Trying to decide what's the best option,

Appreciate everybody's input, thank you!
[{"id": "fj5eqec", "text": "Get a job in Capital Markets, work your ass off, and you won\u2019t need any of that certification crap. Natural Intellect (which I\u2019m sure you have) and a Balls to the Wall work ethic bypasses all of it. The overwhelming majority of CMBS Originators that I work with have nothing but a basic Bachelor\u2019s Degree and their annual volume averages around $1- $3B. That\u2019s just my take. Education is wonderful but a lot of times seems unnecessary if one is creative and determined enough. This doesn\u2019t apply to acquiring licenses required by regulators. .", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fj5kvyt", "text": "I work for a very large development, management and investment company. Don\u2019t get a MSCRE or a certificate. You already have experience. If you want to separate yourself get an MBA with a RE focus - if anything, but don\u2019t go into debt to get it.", "replies": [{"id": "flhpj6m", "text": "Thank you!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fj5xszj", "text": "What is your goal post certification/masters? An asset management role at a firm that is more \u201cprestigious\u201d? Are you planning to come back to your current company and think this will allow you to get the promotion? Something else entirely?\n\nNeed to understand the end goal to give any advice. I think you have solid experience so have you even attempted to interview for your desired roles? Could save you significant money.", "replies": [{"id": "fj6hzi0", "text": "Came here to say this.  It all depends on what you're looking to accomplish.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "fj7v24t", "text": "I\u2019d like to stay in AM, however I see a lot of job postings that involve acquisitions, but I am lacking underwriting experience to work on new deals. I used to play with financial models that were already in place, but was never part of the actual deal sourcing and analysis. \n\nGoing back to the company is not an option, so I\u2019m exploring new opportunities and basically trying to expand my possibilities. \n\nI have interviewed for similar roles, most of them require years of experience that I don\u2019t have as an Asset Manager, or, I lack extensive underwriting experience.", "replies": [{"id": "fj82ub6", "text": "I think you\u2019re underselling yourself. Asset management experience is effectively underwriting experience assuming you\u2019re constantly doing hold/sell analysis. Saying you want to hold is effectively buying the asset. In my experience, underwriting is this thing that sounds very complicated but in reality is quite simply making educated guesses about assumptions. As you know, often times once you\u2019re handed an asset from the acquisitions team you\u2019re throwing their assumptions out the window and creating new budgets. That\u2019s underwriting experience...\n\nI would talk to more shops and see if you can make the jump without grad school. If you\u2019re going to go the grad school route, I\u2019d focus on the best school in the geographic area you want to work in. I don\u2019t know anyone with a certification so I can\u2019t comment on that.", "replies": [{"id": "fj92cwp", "text": "Thank you. You\u2019re right; after we buy the building (hotels &amp; offices mainly ) we work with the property and actively work to keep a pace to budget in our forecast , which changes monthly, among other assumptions. Proforma is just a photograph of where we\u2019d like to get at exit; an ideal scenario. \n\nI\u2019ll continue to interview with other shops. I used to wear many hats \u2014 being in a small firm you touch base in a lot of areas . I feel some companies are just looking for the best in one area in particular. \n\nCheers", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]