An MBA in Real Estate is a degree specialization that provides rigorous training in the financing, development and investment of real estate projects and properties. These programs train students to think strategically and systematically about the workings of real estate markets by understanding the roles of various market factors and participants. Most programs also focus on the legal, taxation and regulatory requirements that real estate markets present.

Overview of Program

Real estate MBA programs are offered through business schools that want to develop the future leaders and teachers of tomorrow. They not only teach students about fundamental business concepts, but they offer skills and knowledge that are extremely valuable in the global real estate marketplace. Most programs are based in the fundamentals of general management and administration. This includes the latest theories about best real estate business practices related to finance, accounting, marketing and compliance.

The rigorous curriculum provides students with a basic framework of analytical, strategic, qualitative and quantitative problem solving skills. Most curriculums are rooted in traditional scientific-based disciplines like sociology, psychology, economics and mathematics. Faculty members are usually experts in their fields who help students learn about leadership, human behavior, organizational performance and real estate market functions.

Basic Coursework

Students learn about real estate entrepreneurship and what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur in the competitive real estate industry. Students are exposed to the broad entrepreneurial aspects of creating and managing real estate projects and investments. Most classes consist of professor lectures, case discussions and guest lectures by real entrepreneurs. Real-world cast studies are used to illustrate financial evaluations, common challenges and investment decision-making.

Classes on real estate investment analysis and financing provide an introduction to the financing issues and basics of investments. Students learn how to evaluate projects, select financing strategies and make investment decisions in chaotic and time sensitive situations. Students will learn to evaluate investment impacts through financing and capital markets tools. Classes on housing market basics are designed to cover the economics and operations of housing markets. Students learn about public policies, supply and demand, homebuilding operations and house pricing factors like cycles and price dynamics.

Advanced Topics

All MBA in Real Estate programs will provide students with in-depth analyses of local, state and federal real estate laws. This training will help students develop legal skills that can be used in real estate transactional and compliance settings. Case studies will cover regulatory issues related to accounting, banking, licensing and real estate development. For instance, students must understand new regulations about mortgages, foreclosures and land acquisitions. Real estate development coursework evaluates the entire cycle of planning, developing and acquiring investments.

Other courses introduce students to topics like market analysis, site acquisition, due diligence, professional ethics, development companies and risk management. There will usually be a few globally focused classes, such as international real estate comparison courses that explore the exciting world of cross-border real estate development. This is one of the fastest growing market economies, so students must understand the risks, rationale and opportunities associated with international real estate investing. They must also be introduced to common real estate laws in popular countries of investment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Related Resource: Specialize a Global MBA

An MBA in Real Estate will prepare graduates for jobs as investment managers, portfolio administrators, strategic consultants, business development directors and real estate broker managers.