Has anyone gotten an online/in person Real Estate Certificate? Was it worth it?
I’ve been looking around at some of these programs offered by Harvard Extension School, MIT online, eCornell, etc as my city does not have a university that offers an in person real estate certificate. The main reason I am interested in pursuing a certificate is simply for my own education. I currently work as an analyst for a REIT doing capital markets/finance, which has been a good but limited learning experience. I think a certificate would be a good way to broaden my knowledge base and give me a more comprehensive background. Hopefully this would help me to move into more of an acquisitions/development role, as that is my long-term preference.

I am also seeing that the credits given for the certificates generally are applicable towards an MBA, so that could be useful in the future as well. Overall cost for these certificates seem to be around 10k, which is a little steep. I’d love to hear some perspective on whether or not it’s worth it, or if anyone has any alternate suggestions.

[{"id": "e37mz9h", "text": "I received a certificate in Business Analytics, however it was not an online one.  That said, certificates are nice to have, but won\u2019t make a huge difference normally.  I say this because real estate, and finance and most analytical jobs are all about experience.  \n\nHaving a certificate in real estate analysis is always going to be worth less than someone who\u2019s done real estate analysis for their job.  Same with Argus, same with most things.\n\nWhere it could be valuable would be if it\u2019s between you and another person of the same qualification, however you have the certificate.  Then all things being equal, that\u2019s a potential swing.  But even then, I would lean on strength of companies and deal complexity before a certificate would even be a consideration.\n\nLastly, make sure any certificate you get doesn\u2019t get \u201conline\u201d attached to it.  Any indication that it was received online would be concerning imo.  If you\u2019ve got time and money for a certificate, I\u2019d look into getting your MBA or MRED.  Those make a difference.", "replies": [{"id": "e38j5w6", "text": "Did you find the business analytics certificate helpful? And did you get it from a university or more a professional org?", "replies": [{"id": "e38p5qo", "text": "I got it from a University, and it was part of my MBA.  That said, while it didn\u2019t do anything for me, two of my cohort who earned it with me were able to parlay it into analytical roles, and that coupled with their MBA helped them.\n\nI personally wouldn\u2019t pursue any certificates unless it was from an accredited university, save for Argus.  And even then, I don\u2019t think the Argus certificate is all that valuable on its own.", "replies": [{"id": "e3iewj3", "text": "Thanks for the input and advice.\n", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e37n0i4", "text": "I didn\u2019t read the full story. I did however, take an online class my first semester out of the army. Wasn\u2019t too hard, spread it out over three months, crammed for the final and now do commercial real state. \n\nJust say fuck it, pay for the class ($99 on Groupon) and don\u2019t be a bitch! You\u2019ll do fine. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e37nhse", "text": "And just read your blurb. Save the money, become an agent (again $99 on Groupon) and learn the hard nox. Make cold calls, walk in to a restaurant ask for the owner, introduce your self and \u201chow is the place doing?\u201d. You expanding? Going for number two or three? Not doing so well. Let\u2019s list your place and get you out from under the thing. \n\nJames Mad Dog: be polite be courteous, but have a plan to kill everyone in the room. Do that for three years you\u2019ll know your shit. \n\nStill want the next level, then pay for an affordable school and network the whole time. You\u2019ll be an adult with children!!! \n\n", "replies": [{"id": "e37urcc", "text": "I love Mattis quotes but the first half of this post is not good advice for OP if he wants to end up in acquisitions or development. OP, you should be able to network into jobs at a huge range of places just on the basis that you are an analyst at a REIT, as long as it is a legit REIT and you seem cool and smart. If you want to be a broker (not necessarily a bad idea...I am...) definitely don't hesitate to get your license but you will still need to do all the rest of what I am saying in order to get an actual job with a decent company.\n\nTo the point of these certificates, anything is better than nothing but for real estate you really want connections more than anything. MBAs and MREDs themselves are even somewhat debatable for the industry - only a small fraction of the numerous professionals I know at some of the biggest companies out there actually have them. But actual master's degrees do include tons of networking opportunities. That is really what you are paying for, and the certificates likely don't have that. \n\nI advise you to start reaching out to alumni, local real estate organizations (ULI, ICSC, etc), and just various people you find online at the companies you'd like to go to. Cold email/cold call, expect a 5% response rate, and talk to them on the phone or in person ideally. Have a story for what you learned at your current shop and why you want to leave for a new corner of the industry. Most producers and principals (that you want to work for...) will respect the initiative. You may even receive interview offers on the spot (I have).\n\nFeel free to shoot more questions out...I am still a young professional but I have always been in commercial, and I have seen the industry through a few different perspectives.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}, {"id": "e382agt", "text": "He doesn\u2019t want to be a broker, he wants to work in development/acquisitions.  How would any of your advice help him achieve that?", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "e37poxd", "text": "If you want to be an employee always go ahead and get the certificate.  If you want to be more, your best bet is to take 2 steps back and own something.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]