Land and buildings that can be bought, managed, and sold are known as real estate. As with other goods and services our economy benefits when such properties can be designed, improved, and traded in the marketplace. 

A real estate agent must work under a real estate broker in order to complete transactions. A broker may choose to work independently on their own and/or to hire other real estate agents to work in their firm. 

Most positions require at least a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. An MBA is recommended for brokers interested in starting a firm of their own. Internship and work experience is highly recommended. So it is important to choose a school where a minor in real estate can be fully complemented by a related major and opportunities for experience. 

Two of the most important things to consider when considering the study of real estate are location and opportunities for experience. Look for a school in close proximity to an active, thriving real estate market. This creates potential for not only great opportunities for work experience, but a higher commission from higher property values. A classroom-only degree or a quick weekend seminar on real estate management is not going to properly prepare you for a career. 

Employers today want employees not only competent in their field but who can communicate effectively, work in and lead teams, and are able to observe and analyze a situation to quickly identify the best solution. You won’t find this experience in just any degree program. 

The best business education has two main standards: (1) Everything you learn should be useful in the world right now, not just twenty years ago or “someday in your future career.” (2) You should be given the opportunity to put what you learn to the test. Many universities offer excellent lessons in business theory. Others offer a more training-based education. Very few can offer you both.

Absolutely. In our School of Business, we believe that the value of your education is found in how you can use it right now. So we not only hire professors with the highest level of education available in their respective fields, we find those who are also active in research, publications, consulting work, and other opportunities for active engagement.

To compete in real estate, you need as much experience as you can get. We provide just that in an active local market with above national average property values. Southern California and La Sierra University is a great place to get your start in real estate.

In our School of Business, we believe in the value of small class-sizes combined with highly engaged professors. We limit the maximum enrollment of each of our real estate courses to thirty students or fewer, allowing our professors to work closely with each student, maximizing their potential for learning. And because this is a new program, students will have the unique opportunity of gaining real experience in small groups with individual professors and placed with local professionals.

One of the most common mistakes potential business students make is assuming that the study of business is only for those who “enjoy math” or “working with numbers.” Today’s employers need students with strong communication, leadership, critical thinking, and analytical ability. As a university, we seek well-rounded students with these same characteristics. And based on current trends across the United States, students who put extra effort into their written and oral communication skills before college end up in high demand.