Real Estate Major

• What is Real Estate?
• What Kinds of Students Major in Real Estate?
• What Courses Do Real Estate Majors Take?
• List of Real Estate Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for Real Estate Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is Real Estate?

The real estate major obtains the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the real estate investment and sales arena. Some real estate majors are taken within the context of a liberal arts degree, but most often this major is found within a college of business. The degree includes a general education foundation that provides for an understanding of broad social and economic issues related to the field. A general business degree with a specialization in real estate exposes graduates to all business disciplines such as accounting, personnel management, finance, information systems, management and marketing. The real estate major specifically leads students to understand real estate market analysis, site selection, investment analysis, economics relating to land use, and professional services that support real estate transactions. The major prepares students for entry-level positions in private, public, and not-for-profit real estate organizations. Many people have limited perspectives as to directions a real estate major can lead. Beyond simply showing and selling houses to potential buyers, it is only a one aspect of the field. Graduates may also work for companies that finance, lease and sell land and commercial properties. They may manage residential and commercial properties or they may be retained by a corporation to locate, acquire and develop properties used for corporate operations. Some real estate graduates work in governmental agencies and private companies to purchase land for highway construction, pipeline work, mining, or oil and gas exploration. For some types of real estate professionals, advanced degrees or the completion of separate licensing requirements are expected.

top

What Kinds of Students Major in Real Estate?

Students majoring in Real Estate should have a strong desire to work in a business environment. They are generally outgoing people who like to meet and work with other people.

Is Real Estate the right major for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it is one of your top recommended majors!

What Courses Do Real Estate Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Real Estate majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Real Estate Finance and Mortgage Banking	General Business Courses
Housing and Community Development Policy	Non-Profit Housing Development
Public Regulation of Land Use	Real Estate Construction Planning and Execution
Real Estate Entrepreneurship	Real Estate Law
Real Estate Management	Real Estate Market Analysis
Real Estate Valuation and Appraisal	Urban Fiscal Policy

top

List of Potential Jobs in Real Estate

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Property Leaser	Commercial Property Manager
Commercial/Residential Financer	Land Development
Land Use Planner	Real Estate Agent/Broker
Real Estate Appraiser	Residential Property Management
Site Location/Acquisition Specialist

top

What is the Median Salary Range for Real Estate Careers?

Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

top

Colleges and Universities offering majors in Real Estate

MyMajors complete list has 235 schools in the USA with a major in Real Estate.
-View the national listing!

top

For information on options available to campuses wishing to see their programs listed on MyMajors, contact for details.