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Online MBAs with Real Estate concentrations?

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SoxFan

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I'm currently working in the affordable housing finance field, and I'm looking for ways to advance in my career. Many of the people in my department are quite a bit older (I'm only in my mid-20's), so it's likely there's going to be quite a bit of room for advancement ~5 years from now. I already have a Master's in Community Development and Planning, but I'd like to increase my knowledge and skills in real estate finance as well as gain management skills, so I'm hoping to find a reasonably-priced, online MBA with a real estate concentration.

Does anyone have suggestions, or know of programs that would meet this criteria? So far, the only program I've been able to find like this is Auburn's. My work's policy covers about $7,500 in tuition per year, so I'm aiming for a program that can be done part-time over the span of about 4-5 years to keep my out-of-pocket costs to a minimum.
 
SoxFan said:
I'm hoping to find a reasonably-priced, online MBA with a real estate concentration.
Click to expand...
Possibly Online Liberty University?
Campus in Lynchburg, VA, but it looks like you could do the whole program online.
Online MBA program w/concentration in R.E.D:
www.liberty.edu

Master’s in Real Estate Online | MBA Degrees | Liberty University

Take Your Skills To New Heights Under The Supervision Of Industry Leaders With Liberty’s 100% Online MBA In Real Estate Management.
www.liberty.edu www.liberty.edu
 
Not a huge offering for online:
UT-Dallas
Florida State University
Florida International University

I looked into UT-Dallas a few years for the online MBA with a real estate focus (and the brick and mortar campus is only a 15-minute drive). However, it clocks in at 53 credits for the degree and that's too much to do part-time while working.

MBAs are not cheap. I think they are more versatile than a Masters in Real Estate Development (MRED). The other option is to find an online general MBA and couple that with a graduate certificate in real estate development or a professional certificate in real estate development.

Graduate Certificate Programs vs Professional & Industry Certifications

Graduate certificate programs are academic training programs offered by colleges and universities, whereas professional certifications are administered by private sector organizations and industry groups and award qualified professionals with non-academic credentials.
www.graduatecertificates.com www.graduatecertificates.com

Graduate certificates and professional certificates are not to be confused with certifications/credentials (AICP, etc.).
 
SoxFan said:
I'm currently working in the affordable housing finance field, and I'm looking for ways to advance in my career. Many of the people in my department are quite a bit older (I'm only in my mid-20's), so it's likely there's going to be quite a bit of room for advancement ~5 years from now. I already have a Master's in Community Development and Planning, but I'd like to increase my knowledge and skills in real estate finance as well as gain management skills, so I'm hoping to find a reasonably-priced, online MBA with a real estate concentration.

Does anyone have suggestions, or know of programs that would meet this criteria? So far, the only program I've been able to find like this is Auburn's. My work's policy covers about $7,500 in tuition per year, so I'm aiming for a program that can be done part-time over the span of about 4-5 years to keep my out-of-pocket costs to a minimum.
Click to expand...
Auburn has two different planning related programs. They have a traditional Masters of Community Planning in the Political Science program. What you've found is the Executive Masters of Real Estate Development which is in the Business School but pulls professors from Business, Planning, Architecture, and elsewhere. It looks like a good program, but it is $58K all inclusive and on a very regimented 5 semester program. The program has students studying through distance learning during the semester and then come on campus for a week or so at different times for intensives and has a domestic and international intensive as well. People who've been through it say its great, but it is expensive and intense. I'm not sure if they allow you to go at your leisure.
 
bureaucrat#3 said:
Auburn has two different planning related programs. They have a traditional Masters of Community Planning in the Political Science program. What you've found is the Executive Masters of Real Estate Development which is in the Business School but pulls professors from Business, Planning, Architecture, and elsewhere. It looks like a good program, but it is $58K all inclusive and on a very regimented 5 semester program. The program has students studying through distance learning during the semester and then come on campus for a week or so at different times for intensives and has a domestic and international intensive as well. People who've been through it say its great, but it is expensive and intense. I'm not sure if they allow you to go at your leisure.
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Actually I was just referencing their online MBA program, but I incorrectly implied that they have a real estate concentration - it doesn't appear they do. What I meant was that the program has a handful of real estate courses within the MBA program. It is also available part-time and is $35,350 for total program tuition.
 
SoxFan said:
I'm currently working in the affordable housing finance field, and I'm looking for ways to advance in my career. Many of the people in my department are quite a bit older (I'm only in my mid-20's), so it's likely there's going to be quite a bit of room for advancement ~5 years from now. I already have a Master's in Community Development and Planning, but I'd like to increase my knowledge and skills in real estate finance as well as gain management skills, so I'm hoping to find a reasonably-priced, online MBA with a real estate concentration.

Does anyone have suggestions, or know of programs that would meet this criteria? So far, the only program I've been able to find like this is Auburn's. My work's policy covers about $7,500 in tuition per year, so I'm aiming for a program that can be done part-time over the span of about 4-5 years to keep my out-of-pocket costs to a minimum.
Click to expand...
hey I did the MAURP and MBA route.

I tangentially use the skills from my MBA program, as my program focused on Supply Chain Management. Today I am at a thinkthink but after B School I went into corporate and hated it then went back to community development.

The biggest value add from B School for me were the connections that I made along the way and learning how to effectively network. Now adays I get opportunities based on my current location, my name getting out there on a national level, connecting with my Planning Graduate School, and being super active in APA at a leadership level. I do not use my MBA in any way on a daily basis.

Someone up thread made a comment about the expense of MBAs and I concur if you are looking to simply upskill in affordable housing finance field there are better ways.
Especially if you want to take your time doing the coursework. Bschool is extremely regimented and structured.

Might I suggest a graduate certificate in affordable housing finance, finance, or real estate (ULI has a great program), see if some of the Alphabet Organizations offer classes. Or simply network.

Information Interviews are amazing! They get you in front of people who are where you want to be, and 99% of the time someone will take you under their wing to become a mentee.
Hope this helps
 
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